Free Hitting - The Most Underrated Way Of Tennis Training

With so much information online and on the court about tennis technique, practicing patterns of play with drills and working on your mental game, you may forget that one of the best ways to practice is to just hit down the middle with your partner.

It is one of the most important practice sessions you can do for your tennis as it has many benefits.

You will learn:

- why playing for points is one of the worst things you can do for your technique if it's not stable yet,
- two ways of improving your technique and other skills when rallying with your partner,
- why a free hitting session is not boring (I will say everything that goes through my mind as I play),
- and one the hidden benefits of such practice that affects your mind.

I have played thousands of hours just hitting down the middle with my tennis buddies over the years and I credit this type of practice for developing high level skills and techniques in tennis.

So I really recommend that you set some time away for this (long) video and consider all the ideas I share in it.

[JK-vcie]

This dude is literally the best teacher I have ever encountered. He’s teaching is just brilliant, yet so simple.

[Dss]

This is by far the very best tennis instruction video I have ever watched. I could be very satisfied with a 1 or 2 hour free hitting session every day when I was young. Now I'm 65 years old so a 2 or 3 times a week would be about all my body could take. The biggest obstacle for me over the years has been to find a partner who understand and appreciates free hitting as much as I. Not only is it near impossible to find willing partners for free hitting sessions it is even rarer to find a willing partner who can hit a "nice ball" with you. Very recently I found a partner who fits all the requirements for being a free hitting partner. I only hope he will be around for a long time - at least a couple of years would be great! Thanks Tomas for making this video! I hope it serves to make many new "free hitting" believers!

[GonzoTehGreat]

As a recreational player, I've been trying to convince my friends for months that structured, focused "knock-about" training sessions (aka "free hitting") are a better use of our limited court time than trying to play for points.

It's reassuring to see a professional coach confirming this.

[MathCuriousity]

This is why I love you! You probably sit down and can I give my audience extremely simple, but fundamentals-building exercises for them to get better. This is once again, a perfect video that has reminded me of something I haven't done in a year: self feeding! I love your Agassi esque forehand

[AndrewKaplan]

Wow after watching over 100 tennis videos I can confidently say this is the ONE video anyone who is really committed to improving their game should watch. This is important topic of "how" to practice is rarely discussed, yet is the most important determining factor of how fast and well you will improve. Hope my two rivals don't see this video ;=)

[purplefan]

This is the ONLY channel I would recommend to any one who wants to learn tennis. It has helped me immensely. Great job!

[jman]

This is the best advice. I also have a hard time finding someone to free hit with, but I also have a ball machine, which I will now be using more

[harishreddy]

Thomaz, there is so much tennis wisdom in this video. Thanks for sharing it, and I hope viewers appreciate the full value of what they are getting. I'll be watching this quite a few times. Your videos and TTT are the best resources available on the Internet by a wide margin. Please keep adding to this fantastic channel.

[dnlgrhm]

This is the best instruction on any activity that I have ever seen. The two alternative but complementary approaches are marvelous: 1) focus on the one thing I want to improve or 2) be aware of what didn't go well and this awareness will automatically lead to improvement (Zen). For me, a ball machine is the perfect partner for this.

[gnarfish]

I didn’t realize my ego until I saw this instruction. Definitely will take the advice and try to improve

[sankh]

Tomaz every one of your videos that I watch makes me say ah yes!! that's it! I love your tennis intuitive philosophy.
You have improved my game more than anyone else out there. Thank you so much.

[NatHarwood]

I just took 6 months off and did exactly this on saturday - it felt like starting again, especially because I went back to a single-handed backhand. I think you're absolutely right - a 10 minute free hit session was more useful for my strokes than the entire 2 1/2 hrs worth of doubles matches played either side of it.

[Mickey_McD]

Thanks, Tomaz. Really good video. As you pointed out, the trick is to find a playing partner who is consistent and who is willing to work on cooperative practice. Easier said than done. Most hitting partners are trying to work on hitting winners, not on grooving their swings. I'm lucky that where I play there are one or two people who show up who enjoy cooperative hitting.

[aymansyed]

Can't believe I'm discovering this great training now. I get overwhelmed by trying to improve everything at the same time

[danielvidal]

Thomas, thanks a lot for your videos. I am argentinian who lives in Brasil, Im 52 years old and Ive been improving my game lately following your tips... Thanks a lot and God bless you!

[notinxs]

I'm a 5.0 level player and still think the best way to improve my strokes and technique is hitting against a wall. Repetition is key.

[HansiesKanal]

I always had problems finding tennis partners who wanted to practice like this. But then I met Mrs Ball Machine, and my life changed. Wow! The best free hitting session partner you can imagine. It's like hitting with a pro coach for hours, but cheaper. If you can - definitely try it out. ...and great video btw.

[harryedwards]

I've done this for 11 years, just concentrating on 1 thing per session until all of my strokes are good, each stroke takes a long time to master
Imo this is why most players reach their top level after around 20 years, they build muscle memory build stamina then they learn the tactics
As they play matches
I go on YouTube find great coaches then practise what they teach with my hitting partner, he isn't into match playing so it suits us both
I play at clubs we both hit in public parks
To become a good player you need to know how to change your grip on each shot most social tennis players don't even realise this
And they never improve, if your opposition hits a great shot, just accept it, don't blame yourself for their good shots

Great vid, thanks

[ajaytiwari]

I wish I could train with you Tomaz. The way you explain the psychological aspect of the game, apart from technical stuff, is spot on. For eg- the part where you talk about satisfying ego by playing points instead of free hitting is absolutely right.
Thanks for the videos!

[justinandrewespie]

Excellent video. I agree entirely. But finding a like minded practice partner is not so easy.