Why You Need This: This video, "5 Best Ball Machine Drills", will show you some killer drills to use with a ball machine that can maximize your tennis skills.
The ball machine is one of the best self training aids out there...
If you have one, or are planning to get one, we have some of the best ball machine drills for you to practice.
These drills together cover a wide range of the motions, movements, and accuracy of your strokes...
Tie together our instruction, while improving coordination, speed, and control...
We go all over the court in this one...
Working on backhands and forehands, accuracy and level...with all the tips included.
Try your best to get through all of these drills in a single practice session...
Keep score and continuously beat your past records.
Pay attention to the tips and dominate your session.
Watch this video now to expand your athleticism and gain all the confidence as you work through these 5 best ball machine drills!
Tennis Pros Featured:
Instructors Featured: Clay Ballard
Video Duration: 7:41
Watch This Video Now!
Normally, this video in our Vault training is only available to our All Access Members...
But I'll let you watch this ONE video today only... because I can already tell I'm going to like you !
Great drills, Clay!!! Curious what kind of ball machine is that? I think I’m going to sell mine and shop for a new one this year. Mine is not very versatile.
Buy spinfire pro. Much better than lobster.
I have owned a spinfire pro for past 16 months. Great ball machine.
Nice!
Hi Rich. That one is a Silent Partner Quest. I recommend getting a good one and spending the money. They usually sell for a decent amount if you want to get rid of it. The better ones really help with practice!
Clay
Thanks, Clay. Yeah, I would sell my Tutor. It’s in good shape. The Spinfire Pro 2 looks like an amazing machine. Gotta save a few bucks first. That’s ok… I had back surgery a month ago, so it’ll be summer before any of this matters again. Thanks again for the great drills.
Ouch, sorry to hear that Rich. I haven’t tried the Spinfire Pro 2. I will have to see if there is a way I can demo one and let you guys know how it goes.
Clay
Stepping forward with the back foot `after` hitting the ball and following the line of the ball with your body is a great addition to the stroke . I use it emphatically when crosscourting and moving towards the net to get in closer or to volley.
This bringing the back foot forward helps when playing a short and low ball close to the net. More compact stroke and the back foot can come around with the forward stroke together. Well thats my `take` on it.
Great comments John!! Hope your doing well!
i liked Drill 1 & drill 5. i used to do drill 5 without setting up the balls. Out of all Drill 1 is the best, never tried it before
Thanks. Let us know how you did with them!
Clay
Ball machine drills are helpful. Thank you. Darcy A
Thanks Darcy! Hope your playing well!
Clay
Is there a good ball machine drill that will help me hitting my forehand earlier?
I’m always too late and get jammed up near the body. Thanks!
I like to set it on low speed where it lands just inside the baseline. You want to hit the ball right after the bounce (maybe 1-2 feet of the ground). Be sure to get a good shoulder turn early, and lean forward as you hit the ball.
Let me know how you do!
Clay
Forehand wrist action: When the swing begins towards the oncoming ball and the racket is in the “lag” position, does the wrist become fixed through the swing and follow through to the windshield washer movement?
Great question James. As soon as it fully flexes, it automatically begins to release until the wrist is roughly flat about 45 degrees after contact. One reason is the stretch shortening cycle, and the other is centripital force. I will attach these two videos that go over these moves. Here are the links:
https://topspeedtennis.com/topic/tennis-forehand-technique-advanced-stretch-shortening-cycle/
https://topspeedtennis.com/topic/tennis-forehand-snap-the-cap-for-lightning-speed/
Play well!
Clay
Clay, thank you for the great video. I’m wondering if you (or anyone else) has used the Spinshot Player and has any thoughts to share on it. I’m deciding between that and the Spinfire Pro 2. Both seem very good, but I haven’t found a way to demo either in my area. Thank you!
I haven’t tried those. I think the Lobster is fantastic quality. I would highly recommend it.
Clay,
I’m considering buying some pressureless tennis balls for my Lobster machine. Do you have any opinion about the significance of any different reactions of pressureless balls off the racket that might be detrimental as it relates to having to use pressurized balls in a real match situation? How about for serve practice?
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Tom. I’ve had two types. Penn and Tretorn. Penn were junk. Tretorn were much better.
The only downside is that they are heavier than normal balls, so not quite the same. I use them myself for serve and groundstroke and recommend them.
Hi guys, I’m periodically on a plane for hours with sketchy wifi. Is there a way to download the courses so I can watch a bunch at once?
Hi Mark. Unfortunately not. Our software doesn’t allow us to do that. I wish it did.