Where Do You Look When Hitting A Tennis Ball?

Tennis is an enjoyable sport to watch and play. It's a physical game that requires strategic thinking and great coordination. Whether it's for fun or competition, knowing how to play it properly can be rewarding. One of the most important things to consider when hitting a tennis ball is where you should be looking. In this blog post, I will be discussing the correct eye movement when hitting a tennis ball to avoid any mishits and reduce your unforced errors.

Court Awareness

One of the key elements of tennis is court awareness. This refers to your ability to observe your surroundings, anticipate the movement of your opponent, and react accordingly. In terms of your visual positioning, you should keep your eyes level with the horizon. This means keeping your chin up and your head straight. By doing so, you increase your peripheral vision and can observe your opponent's movements better. One pro tip is to keep your eyes on your opponent's chest rather than their head or racket. This allows you to predict their movement and react quickly.

Follow The Ball

When hitting a tennis ball, the first thing you want to do is to focus on the ball's movement. This may seem obvious, but a lot of tennis players tend to look at the opponent’s racquet or the court instead of the ball. Your eyes should follow the ball from the moment it leaves the opponent's racket to the point where you contact it with your racket. As you focus entirely on the ball, ensure that your neck and head remain as still as possible, allowing your eyes to track the ball's movement correctly.

Keep Your Eyes On The Contact Point

After you have followed the ball's movement carefully, it's essential to shift your gaze to the contact point. This means you need to focus on the exact point on your racket where you will make contact with the ball. Doing this enables you to align your racket with the ball's trajectory, making it easier to make a solid hit.

Be Aware Of Your Opponent's Movements

While it's essential to keep an eye on the ball, it's equally important to be aware of your opponent's movements. From the corners of your eyes, look at your opponent's movement and position. This will give you cues on what type of shot your opponent is likely to make, and where the ball is headed. By anticipating their shot, you can be better prepared for the return.

It’s essential to keep your eyes on the ball at the point of contact.

Look Towards the Target

Finally, after making your hit, your gaze needs to refocus on the target. This means looking towards the point in your opponent's court where you want the ball to land. By doing this, you can see how your opponent moves towards the ball and how you can adjust your next shot.

When it comes to hitting the ball correctly, knowing where you should be looking plays an important role. It's important to keep your eyes on the ball, focus on the contact point, and be aware of your opponent’s movements. Doing so will help you make solid shots and improve your overall game.