Are you eager to hit the courts but don’t have a practice companion? Are you torn between choosing either a tennis ball machine or a training partner and can’t seem to decide which one is actually effective?
While there are certainly a number of things you need to do as you prepare for training – such as finding the perfect tennis shoes or deciding on what kind of racquet to use – determining what type of practice companion you should use is also a crucial step. Not only can it influence the kind of results you get from your training, but it can also affect how much fun and enjoyment you derive out of playing.
Benefits of Tennis Ball Machines
With the rise of technology and the more demanding nature of the game, having a versatile and reliable tennis ball machine is becoming increasingly popular among players. And it’s not just because of the sheer convenience that it offers either – it brings a handful of other benefits as well, including:
Greater Consistency and Performance
When you’re practising your swings, a tennis ball machine can provide great precision and reliability with the shots it produces. As you’ll be able to hone in on your technique much more accurately and you’ll be able to practice your shots with greater consistency, it can help to improve your performance much quicker than if you were solely relying on a training partner.
After all, humans are notoriously inconsistent when it comes to ball placement, meaning your training partner may not always be able to provide the same level of accuracy that a machine can. This can be particularly frustrating for beginners and can prevent you from progressing at a steady and uniform rate.
Better Personalisation and Flexibility
When you have a tennis ball machine on the other end of the court, you can adjust the settings according to your needs and preferences. This means that you can personalise the speed of the ball, its angle, spin, and trajectory – all of which are essential factors in improving your game.
Furthermore, with a machine, you’re able to practice drills and patterns with greater flexibility – something that’s impossible to do when all you have is a training partner. Many of them come with preset programs that have specific requirements, allowing you to practice anything from your forehand to your serve and backhand without relying on someone else.
Increased Learning Efficiency
When you’re trying to learn a new stroke or technique, the last thing you want is for your training partner to be constantly changing up their shots. This can disrupt the progress of your practice session and cause you to become impatient or overwhelmed. This doesn’t necessarily mean the other person is a bad training partner, but it does mean that you may not be able to learn as quickly as you would with dedicated ball machines.
Unlike a human, they don’t get tired or distracted, meaning you can practice your shots with greater efficiency and fewer interruptions. Machines produce shots with greater regularity and at a much faster pace. This inherently makes the learning process much easier and more enjoyable, allowing you to make the most of your practice session.
Infinite Repetition and Engagement
If your training partner is familiar with the specific drills you want to do, then it’s certainly possible for them to give you the same shots over and over again. But there’s a high chance they’ll get bored and may not be as engaged or motivated to do so. Plus, they may not always be available due to other commitments.
On the other hand, a tennis ball machine can give you an infinite number of repetitions without getting tired or distracted. This means you can practice the same drills and skills over and over again with great precision, giving you the chance to sharpen your shots much more quickly and efficiently.
Minimal Pressure and Intimidation
Speaking of learning new techniques your partner already knows, there’s no denying that it can be intimidating when someone is watching you practice your shots and correcting mistakes. In addition to increasing the pressure, it can also slow down the progress of your practice session by keeping you from fully focusing on the task at hand.
However, ball machines don’t contain any of these elements, meaning that you can practice shots in a much more relaxed environment. This allows you to focus on your technique without the fear of judgement or ridicule, which can be liberating and empowering at the same time.
Benefits of Training Partners
As much as we as humans are prone to mistakes, we’re not all that bad for tennis practice either. Some people might even prefer to practice with a partner rather than a ball machine for a variety of reasons that may include:
More Realistic Environment
This is similar to the whole debate on whether robots will be replacing teachers one day, but the underlying notion is still the same. While a ball machine can provide you with consistent shots, it’s not quite as realistic as playing against an actual opponent.
By playing against a real person, you get the chance to experience different types of shots and pace – something that’s essential if you ever want to play in a real match. Sure, you might struggle with consistency at times, but that’s the whole point of having practice sessions in the first place.
Better Strategy and Tactics
The competitive nature of playing against a real person can also encourage you to think more strategically and tactically. While this might not be something that everyone enjoys, it’ll definitely make for a more interesting practice session.
Plus, it’s a lot more rewarding when you’re able to outplay your opponent and win a point or two. You’re able to get a better sense of the different tactics and strategies needed on the court, as well as how to apply them in real-life matches.
Improved Interpersonal Relationships
Doing any kind of sport is inherently social, as it’s an experience that encourages people to interact with one another in a healthy and productive way. This is especially true when it comes to tennis, as you’re able to have a friendly rivalry with another person and develop a bond over time.
Practising with a ball machine can’t quite replicate this feeling, as it’s mostly a robotic and impersonal experience. But having a partner allows you to build trust and friendship, which can be just as important for a great game of tennis.
