Why can't i do this?

Question

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/photo?slug=e7119a88b195411387cd16417aa8b55d.france_tennis_french_open_rog155&prov=ap

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/photo?slug=4c3a51b1c73883bbfb4e1473acb85338-getty-tennis-germany-atp-ger-sui-esp-federer&prov=getty

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/photo?slug=f1c785241977391111df3d7e6db3f3bd-getty-tennis-wta-rome-federer&prov=getty

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/photo?slug=4f2d05076a97f95545ebf7b38270dd4e-getty-tennis-wta-rome-federer&prov=getty

seems like a very simple concept: eyes on the ball all the way and through contact, why can't i do it? how to practice it?

Answer 1

Haha, you're anxious. In golf and tennis one of the most common mistakes is taking your eyes off the ball. It usually comes from a desire to see where it goes.

People who have this problem often don't have confidence that their shot is going to go where they aim, so looking up is way of second-guessing yourself. You should practice hitting the corners over and over so that your body will know what a cross court, or down the line feels like without looking. That'll relieve some of that "Where did it go?" anxiety.

Answer 2

You must watch the ball hit the racquet.  It is an absolute.  Like Golf, it will go where you strike it whether you watch it or not.  I play quite a bit as a 4.0 player and there is no doubt it is the hardest thing to do.  Watch Federer, he is the best at this skill.  You will get better the more matches you play.  Eventually it will be as automatic as brushing your teeth...Hopefully:D

Answer 3

Try juggling, even if you can only manage two tennis balls initially.  To keep the balls in the air, you have to watch the balls, not your hands.  It's great for hand eye coordination.

Answer 4

Typically when you play tennis, you don't shift your eyes away from the opponent's side of the court since that helps you aim the ball better.