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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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-Choice-Return-Net/dp/B004XGIO7I/ref=pd_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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[tyu1314]

This thing maybe awsome for practicing serve, it would bounce back, and save the time to go to the other side to get the ball ,lol.

 

[JackB1]

This thing maybe awsome for practicing serve, it would bounce back, and save the time to go to the other side to get the ball ,lol.

No. You would need a much more sturdy and heavy duty tennis rebounder to take the pounding of serves. I purposely bought a cheapy one because I knew I was just going to use it for easy tosses.

Since a lot of you seem to have questions, I will post a video soon. I was surprised at how well it worked. It's EXACTLY like having someone stand about 20 ft away from you and underhand toss you feeds to hit on one bounce. You can even alternate hitting forehands and backhands.

 

[roundiesee]

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

Do you hit the backhand "normally", or do you use sort of a half or three-quarter swing to hit it (with limited follow thorugh)?

 

[Ronaldo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxFBR_0cCY4

 

[hersito]

It doesn't matter who good play you will never be as good as a rebound mat.

 

[JackB1]

Do you hit the backhand "normally", or do you use sort of a half or three-quarter swing to hit it (with limited follow thorugh)?

Normal full swing with full follow thru

 

[JackB1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxFBR_0cCY4

Your point?

 

[Ronaldo]

Your point?

This is the only rebound net I am familiar with.

 

[Avles]

Probably the most appealing thread title I've ever seen... I'm all about the cheapass solo training methods.

Can't wait to see the video! I'm tempted to swing by Target tonight.

 

[JackB1]

Probably the most appealing thread title I've ever seen... I'm all about the cheapass solo training methods.

Can't wait to see the video! I'm tempted to swing by Target tonight.

It works well, but you have to raise up the bottom bar about 1 foot to get a better angle of the returning ball.. These cheapo trainers are no frills and don't have an adjustable angle. I just stuck a box under the bottom bar and I put a small weight inside it to hold it in place.

 

[dParis]

this is the rebound net I got:

http://www.amazon.com/3-Way-Fielder-Choice-Return-Net/dp/B004XGIO7I/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_20

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

Surely you are just in the honeymoon period and I predict you'll switch rebounders within a month or two. We'll keep an eye on the For Sale section for your Fielder's Choice rebounder after you upgrade to the Rawlings 5-position or 5-position pro. Or, perhaps you'll find the Mauer Quickswing more to your liking...

Beware. It's a slippery slope.

 

[Ronaldo]

Surely you are just in the honeymoon period and I predict you'll switch rebounders within a month or two. We'll keep an eye on the For Sale section for your Fielder's Choice rebounder after you upgrade to the Rawlings 5-position or 5-position pro. Or, perhaps you'll find the Mauer Quickswing more to your liking...

Beware. It's a slippery slope.

Move up to the Miguel Cabrera Triple Crown Autograph model. Only available once every 45 yrs.

 

[JackB1]

you guys are too funny

 

[JackB1]

OK guys....here is the long awaited video of me using my "invention"
http://youtu.be/AyEJsDfbuYk

hopefully this gives you an idea of how this works

 

[db10s]

But you have to throw a ball at it EVERY SINGLE TIME!

 

[JackB1]

But you have to throw a ball at it EVERY SINGLE TIME!

of course. How else? If that is too much work for you, there is always the ball machine. But remember, you have to pick up EVERY SINGLE BALL!

 

[Matchball]

Tri-tennis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLkKtQXzOEg

 

[v-verb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxFBR_0cCY4

Where do you get these? I searched TW and no luck. Google time I guess

 

[JackB1]

Tri-tennis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLkKtQXzOEg

Where are u going to keep that giant contraption ???
Plus you'll get bored in 5 minutes. I would rather use my method on a full court.

 

[Matchball]

Tri-tennis should be very good for muscle memory building, at least for kids.

But it comes in different versions and one could probably swing fast and hard in some cases.

 

[Avles]

Where are u going to keep that giant contraption ???
Plus you'll get bored in 5 minutes. I would rather use my method on a full court.

Yeah, that didn't look super-practical.

Seemed like JCF was basically humoring those guys (and was in a hurry to get out of there).

 

[3fees]

interesting use of a pitchback

 

[Chotobaka]

That cray...