Catching the tennis ball.?

Question

Well, I watch tennis a lot and I'm always seeing players like rafael nadal and others catch the tennis ball on their racket. I try and try but I just can not do this trick. I no it won't really help my game, but any tips? Here's a video of rafael nadal doing it-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwJq5KAoBUk

Answer 1

great question.....I too was so impressed by this manuver that I wanted to learn to do it myself......the only thing I managed to achieve is throw my shoulder out.....I was out of the game for 3 weeks!  Yikes!  So much for looking like a pro......

Answer 2

The short answer: Practice!!  It took me a few days to get this down in its basic form while I was playing, and weeks to really perfect it.  He also happened to do it running backwards, making it even more difficult.  The basic premise is that your racquet strings have bounce only if they are hit with a certain force.  You have to accelerate your racquet down so that when the ball first makes contact, the racquet is practically the same velocity of the ball, then you can slow it down quickly.  Since the ball will be in firm contact with the strings once you start to slow it down, it won't bounce, and you'll look pro.

Answer 3

It just takes practice and you'll do it. It also actually helps with feel. Also I think strings play a big role in how well you can feel the ball.  It's not so difficult.

Answer 4

All you have to do is brush the side of the ball and then bring your racket under it.

Answer 5

So you don't play soccer? It's just like catching the ball with your foot in soccer. All you have to do is lower your racquet as the ball comes toward you. This reduces the bounce of the ball when it hits the strings and with practice you can actually do it so that the ball doesn't bounce at all.

Answer 6

practice, and keep your eye on the ball.