BALL WATCHING: FOREMOST OF THE THREE KEY ELEMENTS
When it comes to tennis, watching the ball is CRITICAL to avoid making errors. In fact, a whopping 90% of all errors are a result of not keeping your eye on the ball. This applies to players at any level, from beginners to pros.
Most players have a dominant eye that leads to shot preferences. Most players are cross-dominant, meaning that their dominant eye is opposite to their dominant hand. This typically results in a stronger forehand and a weaker backhand.
To counteract the effect of eye dominance, players should adjust their position to get both eyes on the ball. This means getting behind the ball and positioning themselves at right angles to the ball’s direction, especially when returning serves and volleys. It’s important to move the eyes, not the head, while watching the ball to avoid losing time in shot preparation, which can be fatal for volleys.
To improve ball watching, players should focus on the seams of the ball rather than staring at it. Staring at the ball can cause mistiming, as the focal length is triangulated to a single point, and the ball may not be in the field of vision. Instead, players should use “soft eyes” and gaze at the seams of the ball to prevent staring through the ball, which can cause errors. By following these tips, players can improve their ball watching and reduce errors in their game, regardless of their skill level.
Leading to Shot Preference (typically forehand)
(C) MUIR TENNIS ACADEMY 2010-2024
