Does hitting the wall improve technique?

[rk_sports]

Wondering if hitting the wall improve technique for levels over 3.5?
Also, what does it improve if at all?

[mtommer]

It improves everything but match play and learning how to keep the ball in the court. It helps with timing, body control, footwork (although to a lesser degree as you know where the ball is going as soon as you hit it), preparation, reaction time...lots of stuff. I'm a product of wall hitting. I could post another wall hitting video now that I'm back to around 70%, granted most don't care about wall hitting videos so probably not but the point is that wall hitting is about repetition galore and it helps in all the ways having an instructor feed you balls does save for getting it in the court.

[tennisfreak15347]

I find that hitting against a wall is only good for a 2-shot volley practice. Many around here(including myself) find that hitting against a wall will actually worsen your tennis game.

[NLBwell]

Yeah, people like Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, and Tony Roche could never be any good because they learned tennis hitting against a wall.

Of Course It Is Good For Your Tennis!

Obviously, tennisfreak hasn't learned how to practice and do drills against the backboard.

[naylor]

It's a very cheap and effective way to improve a shot you may be changing. My son is moving from DHBH to SHBH, and SHBH requires a much tighter hitting zone (in terms of height at point of contact) and also having a contact point well in front of the body. To get there, he needs to change his footwork (to hit off a closer stance and make the swing through the ball a lot more linear, as compared to a more rotational DHBH), and then work on his recovery step (bringing his trailing back leg over to brake his momentum and push back toward the centre of the court). He can do that with a regular coach over many sessions at $60 a pop, or he can do that with coaching supplemented with hard practice on the wall at a fraction of the cost - his money, his call!

[imalil2gangsta4u]

you can practice your timing, overheads, etc

[sh@de]

It's great for footwork, timing etc. But don't expect you'll improve just by playing against the wall. You'll still need to practice with human opponents and get real match experience.

[Grizvok]

It's great for footwork, timing etc. But don't expect you'll improve just by playing against the wall. You'll still need to practice with human opponents and get real match experience.

Of course. My basically principle regarding changing/altering/improving something big in your game is this.

1. Learn all of the intricacies of the technique you want to master. If you want to learn the kick serve then watch video of where pros are placing the ball (so incredibly important) know how to swing up on the ball brushing almost straight up at first and learn to impart more or less sidespin if you want more (or less) kick.

2. Drill this technique over and over and over. Work on making your kick serve in consistently. As a drill play games in which you ONLY have one serve to make you work on your kick.

3. Third and finally you need to take your new skills and use them under pressure in actual match play whether it is a game versus the rival high school or in a USPTA tournament. Pressure changes everything. How you react, how you think, and hell how even you move. Being able to consistently call on the technique you are trying to master in high pressure situations is when you have it mastered. These are the normal steps I go to really try and solidify my game with new skills, tricks, and techniques.

[BullDogTennis]

it messes my game up. unless your doing like reaction volleys off of it. goin up there and just pounding the ball is dumb.

[sh@de]

^ Why? I find it very useful for practicing footwork, timing, reactions and making sure I swing smoothly.

[CoachingMastery]

Hitting on a wall, or hitting on a ball machine can either help your game or hurt it.

If you hit on a wall and use poor form or technique, you are going to ingrain those patterns more and more. Also hitting on a wall can often force you to use bad strokes because the player stands too close to the wall (making them have to hit 'catching up' to the ball using the wrist), or the player doesn't focus on using good technique. Because the ball comes back about twice as fast as hitting a ball over the net to an opponent, players can develop bad footwork patterns too.

I recommend players stand further back from a wall, let the ball bounce twice and work on hitting desired strokes to a target on the wall from this position.

A ball machine can be helpful of hurtful in the same ways. Any repetitive practice that is not focused on the desired stroke elements and timing will generally make players develop bad habits.

But, if the player really does focus on the right technique and footwork, then the wall or ball machine can be helpful to all.

[KOPT]

its good to practice on your technique,i have some racquetball courts in my complex and i use them once in a while.

[Strateon]

I think its better to have a friend feed you balls from a hopper.

[sh@de]

Hitting on a wall, or hitting on a ball machine can either help your game or hurt it.

If you hit on a wall and use poor form or technique, you are going to ingrain those patterns more and more. Also hitting on a wall can often force you to use bad strokes because the player stands too close to the wall (making them have to hit 'catching up' to the ball using the wrist), or the player doesn't focus on using good technique. Because the ball comes back about twice as fast as hitting a ball over the net to an opponent, players can develop bad footwork patterns too.

I recommend players stand further back from a wall, let the ball bounce twice and work on hitting desired strokes to a target on the wall from this position.

A ball machine can be helpful of hurtful in the same ways. Any repetitive practice that is not focused on the desired stroke elements and timing will generally make players develop bad habits.

But, if the player really does focus on the right technique and footwork, then the wall or ball machine can be helpful to all.

The thing is, we're talking about when you don't have anyone to practise with. So the question is, is it useful to hit on a wall when there's no one around to hit with? I'd say yes. If you think the wall hurts your game because you're not focusing on good technique, then that's not the wall's problem. If you just get any old friend to hit with, you're just as likely to not be focusing on good technique. The result? The same, bad habits get ingrained into your brain. But in this case, it's the person's problem; the problem is not a consequence of the wall.


I think its better to have a friend feed you balls from a hopper.

Sure it is, but what if you don't have a friend to feed you balls? (your friend might be out/away etc.)

In general, I think hitting off the wall is good, given that you're focusing on the correct technique etc. Otherwise, it can be bad, but of course, if you're not focusing on the correct technique, practising against anyone will be bad for you, bar a coach who knows how to correct your form.

[raiden031]

The thing I like most about the wall is that it is efficient. You don't spend alot of time picking up balls, and you don't have to worry about the quality of person hitting you balls, because thats all up to you. So you get more repetitions in less time. The wall has limitations obviously, but it is a good way to work on your basic mechanics and preparation.

Results speak for themselves. Most of my match play buddies do not hit against the wall and I do hit against the wall regularly and I have surpassed most of them in my stroke development and consistency.

[Rickson]

Hitting against a wall is definitely a good thing. A ball machine is better, but the wall is good too.

[Slicendicer]

The thing is, we're talking about when you don't have anyone to practise with. So the question is, is it useful to hit on a wall when there's no one around to hit with? I'd say yes. If you think the wall hurts your game because you're not focusing on good technique, then that's not the wall's problem. If you just get any old friend to hit with, you're just as likely to not be focusing on good technique. The result? The same, bad habits get ingrained into your brain. But in this case, it's the person's problem; the problem is not a consequence of the wall.


Sure it is, but what if you don't have a friend to feed you balls? (your friend might be out/away etc.)

In general, I think hitting off the wall is good, given that you're focusing on the correct technique etc. Otherwise, it can be bad, but of course, if you're not focusing on the correct technique, practising against anyone will be bad for you, bar a coach who knows how to correct your form.


+1

The wall is consistent like a hitting partner never could be...

[charliefedererer]

It's very hard to beat the wall.

[LeeD]

I see top 6.0 players hitting the wall to warm up and to kill time. They often hit pretty hard and 50 balls in a row exactly the same spot over and over.....
See lots of 5.5 players do the same, but maybe not 50 balls exactly the same.
I suck at tennis, hardly hit the wall, and can only hit maybe 5 balls the same spot and pace....in a row...
If a 6.0 hits the wall once in a while, it can't be all bad.

[mtommer]

It's very hard to beat the wall.

Hah, that's what you think!!! (I've actually had to replace a county park hitting board once as I kind of destroyed the plywood after a summer of hitting :oops:)

[SquashPlayer]

you hit the wall, you get hurt, it's just that simple

[Tennis Dunce]

The wall doesn't talk your ear off.

It's also ideal for practicing switching grips on the fly. SW forehand to EBH standing close to the wall and hitting with pace, control, and purpose, the wall has helped me ingrain grip switching into my muscle memory.

Also fun to stick about 200 consecutive volleys off that bad boy!

[stormholloway]

I recommend hitting a tennis ball instead. It's a far more realistic scenario and will prepare you better for playing tennis.

[Nadalfan89]

I recommend hitting a tennis ball instead. It's a far more realistic scenario and will prepare you better for playing tennis.

ZING!

10char

[Satch]

It's very hard to beat the wall.

i managed a few times.... with a dredger

[martini1]

Definitely the cheapest way to practice w/o a partner. I like it helps in training control (aka make it hit and bounce back to you on the same spot).

The down side is you can't tell if you are hitting too flat and if the ball is out or not.

The ball machine is better in every way except you need tons of balls (vs just 1 w/ wall) and it is time consuming to pick up balls an reset (if it is a rental by the hr).

[defrule]

Draw a line to respresent the net maybe.

I just do some reaction volleys on a wall.

As for machines, I love them. Work on strokes, footwork, recovery and more recently approach shots and transition to net.

[sh@de]

you hit the wall, you get hurt, it's just that simple

How so? I can't see it...

[Bud]

How so? I can't see it...

He's being funny... meaning hitting it with your hand.

[sh@de]

Oh lol. My bad, kind of a thick moment there... doh! :D

[Rickson]

If you draw a line, the handball players will get pissed and they'll know it was you because you'd be the only one on the handball court with a racquet and tennis balls.

[GuyClinch]

Not all walls are created equal. I don't think hitting against a concrete wall on a tar or cement surface is that useful.

Against such a wall the ball bounces very low (the more topsin you add the lower it gets) and the reaction time is very fast. So what I see is player learning to hit slow paced flat shots to keep a rally going..

Its not going to effect a good player negatively like that - so citing former pros isn't exactly a ringing endorsement. Those guys didn't need walls. Pros recieved excellent instruction at an early age.

I never heard of a pro who wasnt recieving professional instruction in his youth..

Pete

[tennisdad65]

I never heard of a pro who wasnt recieving professional instruction in his youth..


williams sisters were trained by their dad for most part I think. I do not know how much professional instruction they received. there could be a few other examples too.

I think the wall is better for volleying than for ground strokes.
It helps beginners more than advanced players.
For advanced players, it is useful if you are just coming back from a long break, and need to get your timing back.

[Steady Eddy]

Hitting on a wall, or hitting on a ball machine can either help your game or hurt it.

If you hit on a wall and use poor form or technique, you are going to ingrain those patterns more and more. Also hitting on a wall can often force you to use bad strokes because the player stands too close to the wall (making them have to hit 'catching up' to the ball using the wrist), or the player doesn't focus on using good technique. Because the ball comes back about twice as fast as hitting a ball over the net to an opponent, players can develop bad footwork patterns too.

I recommend players stand further back from a wall, let the ball bounce twice and work on hitting desired strokes to a target on the wall from this position.

A ball machine can be helpful of hurtful in the same ways. Any repetitive practice that is not focused on the desired stroke elements and timing will generally make players develop bad habits.

But, if the player really does focus on the right technique and footwork, then the wall or ball machine can be helpful to all.I was going to say that it doesn't help unless you'e a complete beginner. But I'll yield to the Master. Then I was going to add that you should let it bounce twice or you'll shorten your follow-through. We seem to have some agreement there. Still I feel that if you have cheap access to a ball machine, go that way. I spent years hitting against a wall, and I only got better at hitting against a wall, not tennis.

[mtommer]

Not all walls are created equal. I don't think hitting against a concrete wall on a tar or cement surface is that useful.



I have to disagree with you on this part based on my experience. It is fast but that just helps me improve my reaction time, getting used to hitting fast pace. It also helps you to learn how to get low balls. It also teaches, well me at least, how to hit shots on the run and how to make those quick adjustments and defensive oriented shots.

[mtommer]

Then I was going to add that you should let it bounce twice or you'll shorten your follow-through.

Yes and no based on my experience. I try to stand the distance of baseline to net when I hit against the wall. Sometimes I get two bounces, sometimes one. I find that I don't have to alleviate my follow-through on most shots. It really depends (for me) on how much I want to work my feet while hitting.

If you want I'll try to post a vid in a couple of days (it's supposed to rain today and maybe tomorrow) showing this.

[4zureSky]

Imo, hitting against the wall doesn't help cuz of a few reasons:
1) Can't tell the depth of the ball
2) It will give you the same return back every time
3) The return it gives you is slow
4) When you go back to the court with a real opponent, you'll realize how much faster everything will be

Pros:
1) Practice your strokes

[CoachingMastery]

I was going to say that it doesn't help unless you'e a complete beginner. But I'll yield to the Master. Then I was going to add that you should let it bounce twice or you'll shorten your follow-through. We seem to have some agreement there. Still I feel that if you have cheap access to a ball machine, go that way. I spent years hitting against a wall, and I only got better at hitting against a wall, not tennis.

No, I agree with you. I'm just cautioning players from thinking that if they simply hit 10,000 balls on the wall they will somehow start hitting more prolific and skilled strokes.

A wall and a ball machine both can be extremely helpful when players are WORKING using the proper grips, swing paths, and footwork patterns.

[CoachingMastery]

williams sisters were trained by their dad for most part I think. I do not know how much professional instruction they received. there could be a few other examples too.

I think the wall is better for volleying than for ground strokes.
It helps beginners more than advanced players.
For advanced players, it is useful if you are just coming back from a long break, and need to get your timing back.

While Richard did teach the girls when they were young, he studied a ton of books on coaching and playing. In addition, Dave Rineberg was their hitting coach for 7 years (From 1992 - 1999) and had a lot of input when they were quite young. (Rineberg wrote the book, "Venus and Serena, My Seven Years as Hitting Coach for the Williams Sisters.")

Trust me, the girls got good information from the getgo.

[Djokovicfan4life]

+1

The wall is consistent like a hitting partner never could be...

Yeah, that's true. But my problem with wall practice is how the ball reacts to the spin. You hit a slice and that thing may 3 hop itself back to you. Hit a decent topspin shot and that thing jumps way up and may reach you before bouncing.

[Tennis Dunce]

I like to volley against building walls, as opposed to say the wall at the tennis center. The ball bites into the rough brick, making the ball unpredictable and it is great for reaction volleys. Then increasing pace and hitting those balls out in front of your body becomes more manageable. This is how I learned to volley with some semblance of authority (and confidence).

Also, you're not limited to height of the wall so much...so stand well back, do groundstroke, then practice that topspin lob until you find the mark on the wall where you know its a winner on the court everytime.

[anantak2k]

Practicing against the wall is in my opinion the fastest way to get better quickly. Sure you may not know the depth on your shots but its a really good workout. I can name a couple of things that hitting against the wall can really improve in your game:
1. it improves your hand-eye coordination (this is a big plus)
2. helps you learn to hit the ball on the rise
3. helps you with consistency
4. helps with your footwork and stamina

I can play 5 hours + of grueling tennis no problem but hitting against the wall for even like 30 minutes gets me very tired.

[charliefedererer]

If you use your imagination a little, hitting on the wall can even let you practice hitting running shots, serve and volley, and chipping and charging.
One of the big problems with the wall is that the ball only comes back with 55% of the speed it went in with.
Another is that the wall does not hit slice or topspin.
But I still maintain it's hard to beat the wall.

[VaBeachTennis]

If you work out on the wall like this, I don't see how it can be anything other than beneficial.....................

Tennis Wall Workout (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8VvxgUJoqU&feature=channel_page)

Vince Spadea Wall Work Out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWnx-WXq0T8&feature=channel_page)

[Tennis Dunce]

[QUOTE=VaBeachTennis;3340851]If you work out on the wall like this, I don't see how it can be anything other than beneficial.....................

Tennis Wall Workout (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8VvxgUJoqU&feature=channel_page)
QUOTE]

That's nice. Can you tell what racquet he is using?

That's as much exercise as probably 20 matches...in 4 1/2 minutes.

[VaBeachTennis]

[QUOTE=VaBeachTennis;3340851]If you work out on the wall like this, I don't see how it can be anything other than beneficial.....................

Tennis Wall Workout (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8VvxgUJoqU&feature=channel_page)
QUOTE]

That's nice. Can you tell what racquet he is using?

That's as much exercise as probably 20 matches...in 4 1/2 minutes.

I can't tell what racquet he's using, but yes that is a pretty darn good workout............................... I like the way he has control and incorporates all of the ranges into that 4.5 minute workout.

[Tennis Dunce]

The wall is an extremely efficient way to practice, especially if you have a set agenda. Like "okay for the next half hour I'm gonna watch the ball all the way to the string bed...everytime."

You simply get more strokes per hour in this manner...and one heckuva workout.

[VaBeachTennis]

The wall is an extremely efficient way to practice, especially if you have a set agenda. Like "okay for the next half hour I'm gonna watch the ball all the way to the string bed...everytime."

You simply get more strokes per hour in this manner...and one heckuva workout.

I agree. I did a wall workout for an hour today and then played for 1.5 hours immediately after the wall work out, my strokes were "grooved" and I played very well.
When I worked out on the wall I concentrated on a relaxed technique (not muscling my strokes and a relaxed grip), footwork/body positioning, eye on the ball, good contact, and practicing strokes with my non dominant side, as a cool down.

[Pirat]

Wondering if hitting the wall improve technique for levels over 3.5?
Also, what does it improve if at all?

My family could not afford lessens or even real equipment. My sister bought an off the rack at KMart Tennis racquet w/strings and taught herself tennis on a backboard when she started at age 16. Within two years (same racquet and no lessons) she won a Div 1 Tennis scholarship. She never became a great college player but kept her scholly. She practiced 2 hrs a day on the backboard. The backboard gave her consistency and focus so she focused on beating the board down with hard, consistent strokes.

[Tennis Dunce]

^^ It's nice to be able to focus on the ball and the opponent, without having to focus on your strokes. Then point manufacturing becomes much easier.

[Mahboob Khan]

With wrong hitting technique, the wall practices will only make you wrong.

However, if your hitting technique is biomechanically sound, then wall practices mixed with oncourt practices, will improve it. No doubt about that.

[mtommer]

I've had a couple of email requests to take me up on my offer of posting a new vid (I'll post a new thread) so people viewing this thread can determine for themselves whether or not wall hitting can help them. I am entirely a product of wall "training". I've never had a tennis lesson (though I would LOVE to be able to afford them) but I have been able to keep my own when hitting with the college players the times I've had a chance to.

[Eric J]

The wall that I use has an outline of a half-court and a (faded) line drawn on it to represent the net. It's been very useful for when I want to workout with no distractions.

[Golden Retriever]

I think the wall is only useful to a certain extent, maybe it can get you to 3.5 max.

[heavy300]

I love to warm up before games by hitting against a wall, but it is not a substitute to real warm up by hitting with your opponent.

The thing is, if I go into a game directly after hitting against a wall, I will be completely off for the first few games. I guess the way the ball bounce back from the wall is different (pace or spin) from those hit by a real player. Can anyone please help to explain that?

[theagassiman]

Most of my tennis game was founded on hitting the ball against the ball.

[GPB]

I love to warm up before games by hitting against a wall, but it is not a substitute to real warm up by hitting with your opponent.

The thing is, if I go into a game directly after hitting against a wall, I will be completely off for the first few games. I guess the way the ball bounce back from the wall is different (pace or spin) from those hit by a real player. Can anyone please help to explain that?

If you hit topspin to the wall, it comes back as slice/underspin to you. If you hit slice to the wall, it comes back as topspin. It's hard to groove topspin vs topspin rally shots like you'll see in your match.

[mtommer]

I guess the way the ball bounce back from the wall is different (pace or spin) from those hit by a real player. Can anyone please help to explain that?

The wall is essentially a game of pool. The wall adds nothing to the "incoming" ball. It doesn't speed it up. It doesn't add spin that is naturally put on the returned ball of an opponent.

[GuyClinch]

If you hit topspin to the wall, it comes back as slice/underspin to you. If you hit slice to the wall, it comes back as topspin. It's hard to groove topspin vs topspin rally shots like you'll see in your match.

No doubt.. the ball also comes back ALOT quicker then it would in a match. We can argue about this all day. Bottom line is there are alot of walls and not alot of great players. If hitting against a wall made everyone so great why would people pay 1000's of dollars for pro tennis lessons?

[mtommer]

No doubt.. the ball also comes back ALOT quicker then it would in a match. We can argue about this all day. Bottom line is there are alot of walls and not alot of great players. If hitting against a wall made everyone so great why would people pay 1000's of dollars for pro tennis lessons?

The wall is an aid. It is not the end all be all. I don't think anyone here, including myself, would suggest otherwise. Have you seen my latest vid? (http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=257434) It's clear that there's a lot of holes there. At the same time I can at least handle the pace of the college players around here and not bore them while hitting with them because of my wall hitting "training". The wall isn't a substitute for court play, it's a complement to it.

[mtommer]

No doubt.. the ball also comes back ALOT quicker then it would in a match.

IME this is a miss-perception. The overall time from ball to ball is quicker as you're only going the equivalent of a tennis court, one half and back that half (I set myself at baseline to net distance from the wall), whereas with an opponent you're going one complete court length and back. However, the time from when the opponent hits the ball to you returning it compared to the time the ball hits the wall and you hitting it again can be slower for two reasons. One, it depends upon the level of the hitting partner. When I play with the college guys it is the same or faster than what I hit to myself via the wall. The second reason is that from the moment of contact when using a wall one knows exactly where that ball is going and can immediately head to the spot one needs to be at. When playing an opponent there is no fore knowledge of where they're going to hit for sure. This naturally slows down one's reactions and hence the effect is the same as a faster moving ball.

[GuyClinch]

One, it depends upon the level of the hitting partner. When I play with the college guys it is the same or faster than what I hit to myself via the wall. The second reason is that from the moment of contact when using a wall one knows exactly where that balls is going and can immediately head to the spot one needs to be at. When playing an opponent there is no fore knowledge of where they're going to hit for sure. This naturally slows down one's reactions and hence the effect is the same as a faster moving ball.

I hear ya. I am glad its working for you. I thought of this as an opinion kinda question and IMHO it didn't do much for me. Maybe I just don't have enough talent for walls. They seem to cement my bad habits. :P

Pete

[Lsmkenpo]

If you work out on the wall like this, I don't see how it can be anything other than beneficial.....................

Tennis Wall Workout (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8VvxgUJoqU&feature=channel_page)

Vince Spadea Wall Work Out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWnx-WXq0T8&feature=channel_page)


Wow nice find on the Spadea video, thanks for posting this.

What really stands out to me is his footwork and the small adjusting steps he takes the whole time, footwork- footwork- footwork. Separates the pros from the amatuers.