Importance of Peripheral Vision

Importance Of Peripheral Vision And Being Aware Of Your Opponent

VANAKA GUNAWARDHANA, FORMER TENNIS PROFESSIONAL, ANSLEY GOLF CLUB

“Peripheral vision helps a player take other details into consideration while watching the ball or being aware of it.”

We often hear players shout “watch the ball,” while possibly losing sight of other important factors that may be affecting their shot selection. Peripheral vision helps a player take other details into consideration while watching the ball or being aware of it. Key variables that you need to be aware of while “paying attention” to the ball are your posi tioning as well as that of your opponent/ opponents. Here are some details on why paying attention to your opponent is im portant and how it should affect your shot selection. The speed and spin on the ball are a cou Drills ideas to practice opponent awareness ple of variables a player can pick up on Have your hitting partner switch their posieven before the opponent hits the ball. tioning randomly between service line and Their preparation will give a lot away. A middle of the service box. The service line is big backswing with a closed racquet face position 1 and middle of the box is position will probably mean they are getting ready 2. When they adjust their position during the to hit an aggressive shot, and it may be a rally, call out the position they are adjusting good idea to back up off the baseline and to. You also can do this with how they prepare get ready to play some defense. their racquet — call out the spin or the type Also, being aware of your opponent’s posi of backswing they are taking. In other words, tioning will help you make better choices open, closed, or backspin and topspin. on the court. In other words, if your oppo Practice your awareness of opponents and nent is getting really close to the net, a lob see your consistency level go up as your is probably a better choice than a passing reactions improve, your shot anticipation deshot. If they are drifting back toward the velops, and you begin making better choices service line, hit your shot at their feet. on the court.