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Find out more about becoming a premium memberHow is it that a player can always seem to get back those extremely fast topspins? Is it their incredible anticipation? The key to good anticipation actually lies in tracking the ball well. When you watch the ball closely you peripheral vision will pick up your opponents movements and with lots of practice those signs will help you anticipate what you opponent is going to do. This happens naturally with lots of experience. So it it your job to ensure that you are tracking the ball really carefully.
I've always been taught to switch my attention from the ball to the opponent once I have hit the ball and then switch from the opponent back to the ball once they have hit it. The logic being that I cannot influence the ball after it has left my bat but I can get clues as to what my opponent is going to do as the ball moves towards them. Why is this not a good idea ?
Hi Steve,
I think the ball is travelling too fast to be able to do this effectively. It is then also difficult to get a proper tracking back on the ball.
You do see peripherally what your opponent is doing by having focus on the ball.