Watch the ball?
What's your mind got to do with it?

We've all heard the phrase "Watch the ball" many many times. Here's probably a totally new perspective on what really happens...

One of the most common mistakes players make (all levels) is that when they are about to hit the ball, their thoughts already go in the future. They pass the body.

While the body is still performing the stroke, thoughts are already racing ahead – like: I have to get quickly to net, is he going to catch it?, not again, am I going to hit this time?, …

The consequence is that the head follows the thoughts and you are not watching the ball anymore. Not only that, but you lose timing of the ball, you mishit it usually, and that results in a bad shot or an error.

You've all heard the »watch the ball« phrase. It's good, but can be better. You are missing the point here. The source of the problem is not that you don't watch the ball, that is the consequence of your thoughts not staying with the stroke.

When you can discipline yourself to stay with a blank mind in the moment of hitting the ball (watch Federer – perfect example), then your head will stay there and will not disrupt your stroke. You will effortlessly watch the ball.

As soon as you feel that you have cleanly struck the ball, or you saw the blur of the racquet, you can move on with your thoughts and your body.

Obviously this is the explanation on how to practice this. It will take some time and hopefully you won't have to think about it anymore. It will become automatic and so your mind will be free to do other more important things than to check whether you saw the blur or not.

Practicing this on normal middle rally shots is not so difficult. It's much more challenging to do it on »easy« balls, net approaches, overheads, volleys, and so on. On shots that make a difference. On shots that will bring you a direct point if you make them. That's when the mind races towards success and it is then too soon. That's when you really can't watch the ball anymore.

Disciplining the mind is crucial for being the master of »easy« balls, finishing the points when you've done all the hard work and taking advantage of the opportunities.

When your opponent notices, that you are deadly on short balls, this puts enormous pressure on him. He will make more unforced errors because he'll be afraid to play even one short ball. That's when matches with a little weaker player become a breeze and not a struggle.

That's when you get reputation for being a killer on every opportunity and players start to make all sorts of stories in their heads about how good you are.

Obviously it is impossible to win every opportunity but that will be their perception. It's enough that you hit or finish more points on short balls than average »mind racing« player, and they will notice.

That's when your confidence will grow and you will become even better and more relaxed when presented with an opportunity. Your percentage of success will rise even more. You'll be playing great tennis.

And the source of all this is the disciplined mind in the point of contact! And you'll be finally able to watch the ball like the pro's do!

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