dolphinsrus
Rookie
Can you guys tell me how do you train with your tennis ball machine? What type of drills do you practice or what routine do you follow? I want to maximize the benefits of training with a ball machine.
Thanks
Thanks
That's probably the worst thing you can do with a ball machine. They are best used with a solid plan to work on specific shots with repetition.Set the speed at random.
Set the target at random.
Now, go out and hit 100 shots CC and DTL.
Exactly my point. A ball machine feeds balls - they do not simulate a live opponent well. You argued against your own post. Nice.While a ball machine can groove certain strokes, it's nothing like playing against a real live opponent.
Guess what, and you probably didn't know this....a live opponent doesn't feed you any balls...:shock::shock:
Read post 1 again.
This is what I do. I usually set the speed at fairly high speed, say 60-70 mph and try to volley them.Volleys volleys volleys!
One of the best tools to practice overheads and volleys with.
-Fuji
I usually start off slow and just focus on catching the ball out front, then slowly work up speed from there. You can work on a lot of cool volleys with a ball machine, that are especially useful for match play. Hitting pickup volleys is another option just so you can consistently hit shoelace volleys as a good way to practice a shot that literally no one will hit to you consistently in practice.This is what I do. I usually set the speed at fairly high speed, say 60-70 mph and try to volley them.
Harry
I agree. I never use my ball machine to try to replicate an opponent cause it just doesn't work well, best to find shots you are weak at and spend time working on them.Exactly my point. A ball machine feeds balls - they do not simulate a live opponent well. You argued against your own post. Nice.
I've recently bought a second-hand Lobster Elite 3, and have used it 4 times in the past 2 months (roughly 1.5 hours each time). I agree with much of what BMC9670 said, but haven't recorded a video of myself yet, and plan to do so.Make a list of your weakest shots - set the machine up to feed those shots. Start SLOW, grooving good technique and slowly building up pace/angles, placement, etc. By slowly, I mean over weeks and months.
Now, don't hit too many of the same shot at one time - there is a point of diminishing return for too much repetition in a row, and also the risk of overuse injury. Find a good balance by cycling through shots. Work on several shots in one session and get the repetitions over weeks and months. Be patient. A ball machine is a tool, not a miracle worker.
Lastly, work with a coach, partner, or film yourself to make sure your technique is good. Many times we feel like we're doing one thing, when in reality, something entirely different can be happening.
A starting point would be that you need to work on your weaknesses and improve your strengths. Have a plan on what you are going to work on that day before you get to the court.Can you guys tell me how do you train with your tennis ball machine? What type of drills do you practice or what routine do you follow? I want to maximize the benefits of training with a ball machine.
Thanks