Watch The Ball?

Should we watch the ball when executing a stroke? It is of the utmost importance to watch the ball when playing tennis, but can we see the ball touch our strings when performing a stroke? Is it necessary to keep our head on the ball well after it has left the strings like the great Roger Federer? In this video, you will find answers to these questions and more...

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[IntuitiveTennis]

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[joakimharlin]

For me the watching of the ball is more about an initial tracking of the ball path, a sharp focus on it after the bounce and keeping my head still at contact, i.e. delaying to look up. This has improved my ability to produce clean strikes.

[David.]

Really great video. Thought that trying to 'see' the point of contact was crucial. Now realise that tracking the ball (from the opponents racket) is more important, to give yourself the most time to hit a cleaner shot.
Many thanks.

[YourFriendlyGApilot]

Honestly I thought this was not a “style” but rather dictated by eye dominance? Roger is left eye dominant, the other 3 are right eye dominant. So of course the latter do not need to turn the head quite as much on a forehand to see the racket and ball at impact. Roger instead has to turn his head much more for his left eye to see them on a forehand.

[zegobiiii]

First of all, be aware of your dominant eye will help you a lot. There is a stroke where you can naturally feel that very sweet spot by turning your head at contact. For instance, for a right hander-left eye, it should be on your forehand where you 'll see the ball very well turning your head, this is almost an obligation cause if you stay facing the net while hitting, , you will see nothing ! On your back hand this is much easier to stand facing the net cause your contact point is naturally in front and your dominant eye the same side of the stroke. That allows you to see what's happening at contact. Try this first and then you can think about Roger or Medvedev who are turning both side. A very special ability which is not for every one. I've got my opinion on this ability, for me it is all about the present moment. Playing tennis, or leaving a good life, is all about mindfulness, be aware of what's happening when it's happening and stay with it, with both eyes, even it is a very short time like hitting a ball. That is a huge secret for happiness or consistency in the tennis game :)

[mallipudisrinivasarao]

Watching your videos is like real tennis classes. Really enjoying your coaching. The way you are explaining the intricate tennis shots is even understandable to kids as well.

[raoulmacdonald]

Great vid, but I often hit the ball way too far from the sweet spot, almost framing it, even though i'm trying to watch the ball as long as i can. any tips to get better at this?
Raoul

[tomsd]

I watched Djokivic and Nadal. At moment of contact, their heads didn't move, whether you look away, close eyes or open eyes, and that's the important thing, not so much looking at the ball, and this goes for volley, overhead too. The problem of shanking is as you swing, you move your head to see where the ball is going on the other side.

[Fernwald]

I've read, Nick, that the reason we can't see the racquet strike the ball is that, from about 4 feet away, our eyes can not change focus quickly enough to keep a clear image of the ball from that distance as it approaches the racquet head. We don't have the same problem when the ball is much farther away from us as the amount of refocusing necessary is less and is within the eye's ability to manage.

[alenx]

Im not sure how long im watching the contact point, but I think its something between Nadal and Federer, I found it helps me from opening too early and also to stay more stable through the shot, I think many things work best for different players when it comes to this, just like what you said.

[fantolaus]

very useful video, as usual... thank you

[dr.e.r.blomgren]

Wondering . . . has anyone actually asked Federer to describe in detail what he experiences when he watches the ball famously as he does? And did he always do it this way, or was it something he developed into, perhaps via his coaches? Thanks.

[tennis]

Hey Nik, great lesson as always. Would you say the same thing about volley and smash?

[russellbaker]

It is natural to look up, just before impact, to see where the ball has gone or where you opponent is. If you play tennis, squash, badminton, golf it may suit you to focus more at impact (using Federer as an example) to get a consistent cleaner hit. Alternatively use a 115-120 sq inch racket. You do not actually need to look at your target. Once this is mastered you can get the 'feel of the ball' on your strings and take it to the next level. If you are not sure if you watch the ball at impact, try hitting a few overhead backhand volleys

[dougmaverick]

All the top pros watch the ball at the contact point 90% of the time.
Some like Fed and Nadal keep their heads down longer than others, and that's why they are the 2 best players that ever lived.
Unfortunately I have developed a very bad habit of looking away before I make contact and I'm really working hard on correcting this.
Wish me luck.

[jeanb.]

Whilst I understand your point, it doesn't take into account the need for the head to remain stable on FHs that are executed with a tilted torso (spine angle), which are most low and mid height balls. On this type of shot, the optimal movement is rotating the torso around the tilted spine through contact, and then rise up to a neutral/horizontal spine position after contact, similar to a golf shot.

And just as in golf, a lot of tennis players either stand straight up from the get go (never getting into the tilted position), or they get into position, but their eagerness to see the result, makes them rise up to early, which robs the shot from power, and makes it much more difficult to hit the ball in the sweet zone (as there is unnecessary sideways body movement).

[davidlui]

Wow, you debunked "keep your eyes on the ball"! Another question on watching....after the ball leaves your racquet, over the net, what do you watch or concentrate on? Track your shot? Watch your opponent? Or both? Thank you!

[gerardovitaliani]

Great Nik! It seems to me that we see with exact precision until the ball bounces and then we just do the shot mechanically.
Thanks to sharing your passion.

[vivy_xo]

Another wonderful video Nick!! I truly need to pay attention to tracking the ball better!

[bleclef]

My game changed from the moment I did like Federer or Borg: keep my eye on the point of contact