My $20 Ball Machine

[JackB1]

This is a good alternative to the "Tennis Twist" or having someone underhand toss you balls to hit...

I bought a "baseball trainer/pitchback from Target for $20.

What I do is set it up an a slight angle on the service line, grab a bucket of balls and I stand on the baseline about 20 feet away and I throw balls at the rebounder and then hit them after one bounce. Its exactly like someone tossing them underhand to you. After a while you get good at hitting the rebounder in the right spot to give you a nice bounce back. I was surprised at how well it worked. Much better than hitting against a wall! I am using it to practice my 2HBH and I hit about 150 backhands tonite in about an hour and got a good workout.

Next time I'll try and take some video to better show how this works.

edit: I had to tilt the trainer a little more upwards to get the right bounce angle, so I just stuck a box under the bottom bar to raise it up about 1 foot.

[red rook]

I think I'd save up for a silent partner...

[zapvor]

my ball machine is free. i just meet up and hit with my buddies

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by zapvor

my ball machine is free. i just meet up and hit with my buddies

I can do that too

Its just sometimes you want to work on technique and want a slow feed over and over. I just thought it was a good idea.

[db10s]

This thread should be moved.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I can do that too

Its just sometimes you want to work on technique and want a slow feed over and over. I just thought it was a good idea.

oh cool. i am already a 5.5 so i dont need practice

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by JackB1

This is a good alternative to the "Tennis Twist" or having some you underhand toss you balls to hit...

I bought a "baseball trainer/pitchback from Target for $20.

What I do is set it up an a slight angle on the service line, grab a bucket of balls and I stand on the baseline about 20 feet away and I throw balls at the rebounder and then hit them after one bounce. Its exactly like someone tossing them underhand to you. After a while you get good at hitting the rebounder in the right spot to give you a nice bounce back. I was surprised at how well it worked. Much better than hitting against a wall! I am using it to practice my 2HBH and I hit about 150 backhands tonite in about an hour and got a good workout.

Next time I'll try and take some video to better show how this works.

edit: I had to tilt the trainer a little more upwards to get the right bounce angle, so I just stuck a box under the bottom bar to raise it up about 1 foot.

You cannot hit a groundstroke to the rebounder like a wall and keep the ball going?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

You cannot hit a groundstroke to the rebounder like a wall and keep the ball going?

sure you can hit against a wall, but I prefer to hit on a court from the baseline over a real net. Hitting a wall doesn't allow you to see the trajectory of the ball or see the net clearance. Not nearly the same thing.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by JackB1

sure you can hit against a wall, but I prefer to hit on a court from the baseline over a real net. Hitting a wall doesn't allow you to see the trajectory of the ball or see the net clearance. Not nearly the same thing.

No, can you hit a groundstroke across the net to the rebounder and keep a rally going?

[hrstrat57]

Originally Posted by JackB1

This is a good alternative to the "Tennis Twist" or having some you underhand toss you balls to hit...

I bought a "baseball trainer/pitchback from Target for $20.

What I do is set it up an a slight angle on the service line, grab a bucket of balls and I stand on the baseline about 20 feet away and I throw balls at the rebounder and then hit them after one bounce. Its exactly like someone tossing them underhand to you. After a while you get good at hitting the rebounder in the right spot to give you a nice bounce back. I was surprised at how well it worked. Much better than hitting against a wall! I am using it to practice my 2HBH and I hit about 150 backhands tonite in about an hour and got a good workout.

Next time I'll try and take some video to better show how this works.

edit: I had to tilt the trainer a little more upwards to get the right bounce angle, so I just stuck a box under the bottom bar to raise it up about 1 foot.

Hmmm, interesting.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

No, can you hit a groundstroke across the net to the rebounder and keep a rally going?

Oh now I see what you mean...
Yes, if I could if I hit a 4' x 3' rectangle over and over from the baseline, I suppose I could. But I don't think this thing would hold up very long to hard hit groundstrokes. Its pretty cheap and lightweight.

Have you ever tried hitting a rebounder on the court like you describe? I would imagine its not easy.

[schap02]

Nice post.
Kind of funny
Useful

[JackB1]

this is the rebound net I got:

http://www.amazon.com/3-Way-Fielder-..._sim_sbs_sg_20

Also, I had to get something small enough to fit in my car

[roundiesee]

Thanks Jack for letting us know; some of us may decide to try it out,

[SVP]

Thanks Jack for a creative and low-cost alternative.

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I can do that too

Its just sometimes you want to work on technique and want a slow feed over and over. I just thought it was a good idea.

It is a good idea, and cheap. Post a video.

You throw the ball to the net, it rebounds in your direction and you hit the ball? Isnt it a bit confusing to throw the ball to then get a good grip on the handle of the racket?

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Boricua

It is a good idea, and cheap. Post a video.

You throw the ball to the net, it rebounds in your direction and you hit the ball? Isnt it a bit confusing to throw the ball to then get a good grip on the handle of the racket?

That is what I was about to ask. Too much mental pressure to get ready.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Boricua

It is a good idea, and cheap. Post a video.

You throw the ball to the net, it rebounds in your direction and you hit the ball? Isnt it a bit confusing to throw the ball to then get a good grip on the handle of the racket?

Not at all. You have plenty of time between the toss and the hit.

[pmata814]

What about the throwing arm shoulder? Doesn't it get tired?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by pmata814

What about the throwing arm shoulder? Doesn't it get tired?

No. You're just easily tossing a tennis ball about 20 feet. What's tiring is hitting 150 backhands.