Should you get a Tennis Ball Machine? Are they worth it?
Tennis ball machines can be a tennis players best friend, specially in those days when all your tennis buddies seem to be "busy" or simply slacking off and don'r want to practice with you. However, a natural question comes to mind as soon as one takes a look at the price tag associated with these machines.
Are they worth it?
Tennis ball machines can greatly complement and enhance your practice time. They offer a series or benefits that are hard to rival, even for the best hitting partner in the world. Nonetheless, they also come with a series of downsides that shouldn't be ignored. Before you decide to invest in one of these machines, read our 5 reasons why should get a tennis ball machine and 5 reasons why you shouldn't.
5 reasons why you should buy a tennis ball machine?
1. Consistent feeding balls
It's pretty hard that you will find a more consistent hitting partner than a machine. They are specifically built for this. The will keep consistently feeding balls at you no questions asked.
In contrast, another human feeding balls at you will not be as precise or consistent as the machine. They may get tired, miss hit the ball or simply not feed you balls with as much power. In general humans can't transfer much weight into the ball from an upright position which is a typical for a coach to be on when feeding you balls.
In contrast, another human feeding balls at you will not be as precise or consistent as the machine. They may get tired, miss hit the ball or simply not feed you balls with as much power. In general humans can't transfer much weight into the ball from an upright position which is a typical for a coach to be on when feeding you balls.
2. Allows you to practice against specific shots
These machines allow you to practice against specific shots you are looking to improve. Most of these machines can be programmed not only in positioning as to where to hit the ball, but also in the type of spin and velocity with which to hit the ball.
Want to practice the wide running forehand? No problem!
Want to hit hundreds of balls with your backhand? You got it!
Want to simulate a deep topspin forehand rally? No sweat!
Want to improve putting away short slow balls? No feelings hurt!
Want to ensure you bend your knees and take those low flat balls early and in front? Good luck!
This is a big benefit of these machines. You can really focus your energy on deliberate practice of your weaknesses or keep brushing up on your strengths consistently, efficiently and without hurting someone else's feelings.
Want to practice the wide running forehand? No problem!
Want to hit hundreds of balls with your backhand? You got it!
Want to simulate a deep topspin forehand rally? No sweat!
Want to improve putting away short slow balls? No feelings hurt!
Want to ensure you bend your knees and take those low flat balls early and in front? Good luck!
This is a big benefit of these machines. You can really focus your energy on deliberate practice of your weaknesses or keep brushing up on your strengths consistently, efficiently and without hurting someone else's feelings.
3. Don't need anyone else
Do I need say more? You don't need anyone else, period. Unlike your other tennis buddies, these machines will always be there for you when you need them. They don't put excuses, they are never too tired, they will never feel sluggish because they just ate a big tasty hamburger.
They exist to enhance your game. If you take good care of them they will last you a long time and provide you with years of deliberate focused practice.
They exist to enhance your game. If you take good care of them they will last you a long time and provide you with years of deliberate focused practice.
4. Great for endurance training
A lot of these machines can feed hundreds of balls in one go. As a reference, into how long you may be hitting, the longest ever recorded rally in a competitive match lasted 29 minutes with 643 shots between Vicki Nelson-Dunbar and Jean Hepner (source) This means that if you get one of the standard tennis ball machines which can feed close to 100 balls you will be simulating a 5 minute high intensity rally. Perfect way to build your endurance and get used to longer rallies that require speedy recoveries.
5. Programmable sequences
Some of the higher end machines allow you to program different sets of sequences. For example, you can program a sequence of three cross court deep topspin forehand balls, followed by a short flat backhand floater for you to put away, or transition to net. This sequence is then repeated until all balls have been exhausted.
This programmability coupled with its feeding consistency is what provides you with hours of deliberate focused practice which allow you to hone certain skills and master particular shots.
This programmability coupled with its feeding consistency is what provides you with hours of deliberate focused practice which allow you to hone certain skills and master particular shots.
5 reasons why you shouldn't buy a tennis ball machine?
1. They are expensive
The biggest barrier to purchasing one of these machines is their price point. The most affordable ones still carry a price tag close to the $500's. This is definitely not like purchasing a new grip or can of balls. However, it helps to think of it as paying for a series of tennis lessons with a coach for a couple of months. When you consider it's lifetime use and hours of practice it will provide for you the price becomes much more reasonable.
2. Hard to carry around
While they have gotten better in recent years, they can still be a bit bulky to carry around. The larger models are able to feed hundreds of balls, this makes them quite large and not as portable.
3. Can't correct your form
While they are consistent at feeding you balls, they can't correct your form. A coach's knowledge and attention to detail when correcting your form is invaluable in order to improve your game. While these machines can provide for hours of practice if you don't have the proper form yet or are unable to self correct your shots, these machines can do more harm than good.
If you are not careful and don't pay attention to your form it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you are getting better. But the reality could be that you are just getting good at doing something wrong.
If you are not careful and don't pay attention to your form it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you are getting better. But the reality could be that you are just getting good at doing something wrong.
4. You get used to them
While the higher end models can provide for a variety of different shots, after a while you can become used to them. You will eventually end up mastering the timing and speed of your machine's settings. It's hard for a machine to mimic the little nuances and variety that skilled human players bring to the game. An extra little wrist action, an aggressive upwards racket motion, or even a heavy backhand slice provide for shot variability which is hard for today's technology to replicate.
5. Can't simulate an actual match
Today's tennis ball machines aren't robots. They are smart but they still can't play a match against you. High pressure situations, human player nuances and match conditions is something that will still require you to interact with your fellow humans.
Conclusion
While tennis ball machines aren't an end all be all tool in your training toolset, they still provide for focused practice and unique development opportunities that when paired with other traditional training methods will boost and enhance your tennis skills.
If you don't have the proper form yet and don't think you have the knowledge to self correct you should invest in a couple of tennis lessons to gain the knowledge of proper form first.
If you don't have the money for them but have already learned the proper form you have several options. If you are taking lessons you can put your lessons on pause and save up that money until you have enough for purchasing the machine. Look for used ones that are in good conditions, this will save you a couple of bucks. Lastly, if money is really a constraint, find a wall that you can hit on. A wall provides for similar consistency and intensity than these machines. They are a great alternative for players who are running on tight budgets.
If you have the money for them and have received training in proper form or are a self directed learner that can improve your own form, these machines are the way to go. The consistency, progammability and hours of deliberate practice these machines provide are well worth their price tag.
If you don't have the proper form yet and don't think you have the knowledge to self correct you should invest in a couple of tennis lessons to gain the knowledge of proper form first.
If you don't have the money for them but have already learned the proper form you have several options. If you are taking lessons you can put your lessons on pause and save up that money until you have enough for purchasing the machine. Look for used ones that are in good conditions, this will save you a couple of bucks. Lastly, if money is really a constraint, find a wall that you can hit on. A wall provides for similar consistency and intensity than these machines. They are a great alternative for players who are running on tight budgets.
If you have the money for them and have received training in proper form or are a self directed learner that can improve your own form, these machines are the way to go. The consistency, progammability and hours of deliberate practice these machines provide are well worth their price tag.