'I don't need you anymore': How effective are ball machines?

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"I don't need you anymore!" That was the greeting I received last month from a young student whom I had worked with for around three months.

"OK, no problem. You have it all worked out?' I replied: "Yes, dad and I bought a ball machine and realised we don't need to spend all this money on lessons when I can just use the ball machine any time I want for as long as I want".

I filled that spot the next day and did not give it another thought. I did, however, think about ball machines and their place in the game. 

Whilst the use of a machine can undoubtedly help develop stroke production, footwork, and tactical patterns, it does not enable instant coach feedback or the ability to help change game plans mid-match.

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The type of machine you buy will also determine the amount of variety you can use. While the line machines will change the height, spin, and pace of the ball, the entry-level machines will be very basic and not allow you to do too many variations and learn how to deal with high balls, slice and the like.

Ball machines will help a player groove their strokes and produce a consistent swing path off a particular type of ball. They will also develop consistent footwork patterns for the type of ball that the machine is set for. This consistency will lead to a consistent result once contact has been made.

That is all well and good if the player has a sound technique and understands what they are aiming to achieve by using the machine. If the player has a technical flaw, they are essentially practicing bad habits which can cause issues, either tactical, technical, footwork or can lead to injuries. 

A fortnight after my player had ditched me for a ball machine, I saw him and asked how the machine was going and how he'd been playing. "It is so good," he said. "I am hitting every day for a couple of hours and just made the A team at school." I replied: "Well done mate, I am very happy for you." 

Two weeks later, a school I am working with played my old students' school, and a boy I have private lessons with had to play against him in singles. After the doubles, my student asked how he could beat the other boy.

"He hits the ball so clean on both sides, I don't see any weaknesses," he told me. I asked him how successful the other boy had been when facing a high ball or a slice, and he replied: "I don't know, I don't think he did any in the doubles. Do you think it could be worth a try to get the ball out of his hitting zone?" My player then went out and won in straight sets, hardly losing games and frustrating his opponent to no end. At the end of the match, his school coach told him how he lost the match and what he needed to work on to avoid losing to similar style players in the future.

That evening, I got a text from the boy asking if he could have his old spot back. "I need to work on receiving high balls and dealing with slices. My ball machine only goes at one height, and it does not produce a slice ball," he said.

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I do believe that ball machines can be an excellent training tool if used in the correct manner. If a player has a sound technique and understands their game and what they are trying to achieve, they can be an excellent complement to a player's training program.

I do understand that there are also financial considerations along with time, coach and court availability to take into account when making a decision if a coach or ball machine is best for the player. 

At the end of the day, it is a very personal decision. Some players enjoy the immediate feedback and interaction of a coach, some like to work things out on their own, while some will enjoy a combination of both methods. 

If the player achieves their goals, everyone will be happy and enjoy the game of tennis, which is ultimately what we are all aiming for.

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