By far, the main advantage you will realize when you are practicing with your new tennis ball machine is the ability to repeatedly hit the same shots over and over again until you master the technique. This is not possible with a human partner and it is the fastest way to become proficient at the game, and something that anyone can do.

There are many different approaches to practicing tennis, or anything for that matter. There are a few constant principles that apply, but repetition stands out as the most effective. Tennis ball machines offer an unparalleled opportunity to practice the same shot over and over again.

Many machines also allow multiple shots to be programmed alternately which can greatly help with footwork. You can set the machine to deliver blistering serves, fast moving ground strokes, drop shots or lobs. In any case, the ability to repeat this action over and over is what sets tennis ball machines apart as truly effective practice partners.

The reason is that any athletic motion relies in part on muscle memory in order to properly execute the same action time after time. Kinesiologists have long identified the relationship between an unconscious command to perform an action with the body’s ability to obey. It’s like learning to walk or ride a bike: we need to repeat the correct action multiple times in order to fine tune the movement to the extent that it becomes practically automatic. This is the foundation of learning any activity and isn’t news to anybody.

But, the old adage “practice makes perfect” has often been revised as “perfect practice makes perfect”. This principle lies at the heart of the benefits of using a tennis ball machine as a practice partner. The reason is that the mechanical ability of the machine to repeatedly deliver the same shot multiple times is how perfect practice is achieved. A human partner is simply not capable of that type of consistency. Maybe if you are lucky enough to have a very patient and proficient tennis player as a teacher/partner, would it be possible to experience similar results, but there is absolutely no substitute for a mechanical device that will never tire, never waver, never deviate from giving you exactly the shot you want to practice, every time.

Perfect practice. Owning a tennis ball machine can get you there faster than any other method. Good luck!