How To Keep Your Eye On The Ball In Tennis

Watching the ball or keeping your head still at contact is one of the most common coaching advice in tennis and yet almost no recreational tennis players are able to do it.

I believe that one needs to first remove the obstacles to keeping your head still and only then can this skill be acquired.

I know of 3 mental blocks and one physical.

You may look up before contact because you want to see where your opponent is going.

You may also look up because you want to see where the target is.

You may also look up because the rotation of your body is pulling your head up.

And of course, you may not trust your ability to hit targets without looking at them so again you want to look up to be sure.

Unless you deal with these obstacles, you won't be able to keep your eye on the ball and maintain a still head while hitting the ball.

[jamieclarke]

I think that Tomaz' s instruction is outstanding. I find my instructors tell me I'm not keeping my eye on the ball or hitting it late and so on but don't explain why I'm doing that or how to remedy it. It is so much easier to understand how to correct an error in play when you know how/ why your body/ brain are doing what they are doing. And in understanding that you are then able to better apply the correction. I also love that he establishes reasonable objectives for how long it will take you to correct a problem area. Fabulous stuff!

[langersgmailcom]

I've been playing tennis for 20 years and reached a high standard aged 17-18 but now - in my 30's, even with consistent play - my groundstrokes have become very inconsistent. I would recommend this video to anyone looking to improve their game, period, it's so fundamental to every shot in tennis! A perfectly explained and demonstrated video. Thank you so much!

[enterthearcade]

My brothers and I have been practicing a lot based on your video instructions. You would not believe how much they and I have improved over the past 6 months! I can't thank you enough for making all of these amazing videos; they are so informative and easy to understand. I may have to post some videos of my own, showing the improvements that my brothers and I have made. Cheers!

[ilzappo]

Keeping the eye on the ball is one of the most difficult thing to do in tennis, believe me ! You have to focus on each shot and to keep concentrated during all the match. But if you manage to do that, you will be surprise of your own ability to progress an hit good shots. Thank you so much for this video, and as other commentaries said, the most useful for beginners.

[Jon_Dang]

The part about the breakdown of four outcomes of missing a little was brilliant. Fantastic vid

[GTRextreme]

This is one of the most important videos a tennis player can watch.
Inevitably, whenever anyone misses the ball, it is typically related directly to the head movement and tensing
Thank you for this video

[robertkarolkiewicz]

The most important part for me was that you are the first who explain the difficulty of not waching the ball. I have all 4 problems. Thanks !

[nicolasphilbert]

Congratulation.
I am tennis coach too from France and now I am coaching in Australia. I have seen many many videos and this one is one on my best.
I agree with everything, manly the big target.
Where are you coaching?

[aiyka_music]

He's such a good coach! He should be coaching the pros !

[vinceduquestories]

I have watched so many tennis videos here and this is the one I needed the most. Your teaching was clear and concise. No waste, no unnecessary words or joking. It was a perfect video. Thank you very very much.

[marcomessina]

Great video. one of the most useful I ve seen. you are an awesome teacher and communicator.

[BigGangsterDan]

Dude, I teach out of SoCal and I have my girl playing L1-L3 and I have to say, you’ve been the only coach I trust online. Keep up the great work coach!

[SumanthKollipara]

I have had this problem for such a long time and his different points are spot on regarding the body movement, mental ability about not having to see the opponent and self confidence in my game. Another wonderful video from Feel Tennis. You have improved my serve, my forehand and now one upped my whole game.

[harv]

This man has great human insight, as well as tennis skill. Thanks

[petersmyth]

Great video! Very logical and well explained. I've actually heard of one more reason why recreational players look up before hitting the ball. A study found that rec players are worried that the ball will be coming back to them before they are ready for it if they keep their eye on the ball. It's illogical, but that's what was found by researchers.

[neygercey]

Thanks, Thomas! Btw, the church bells in the background have blessed this instruction of yours. God bless you for all of your instructional videos. I’m learning a lot with them. Keep up the good work.

[shaide_music]

I love coach like you who breaks down a seemingly easy concept into such detail. A lot of coaches know looking at the ball is important and will tell their students to do so without really understanding why it's important.

[NexThicc]

The most consistent advice to this day, thank you

[geraldimhof]

I knew I had a problem with hitting the ball correctly, bu always thought it was linked to positioning. Now I realise I always look at my target right when I take the shot. Thank you very much

[octavioadrianmunozquintana]

Hi teacher. I am from Mexico City, and I have been practicing your recommendations during my last six play days. Great improvement. I have start winnig games to those who always win to me. Your recommendation to enshure hitting with the sweet part of racket is a true. My shots are powerfull and very well directed. Also "not to see my opponent / target" works incredible. Thanks a lot again teacher....