Teaching with the Eye Coach

[vgrin545]

The current Eye Coach product is necessary but not sufficient

I was coaching my daughter for 10 years before she got her tennis scholarship. Let me share with you my observations. I wanted my daughter to be a power player. We developed array of drills to focus on the powerful final shots. The ball machine was producing between three and six long shots that my daughter could not attack followed by what we considered to be weak shots that she was supposed to attack and win. There were three week shots in a row delivered by the ball machine. It appeared that she was missing two out of three powerful shots. I started to videotape her and run the recordings in slow motion to discover that she started to open up too early and her eyes were no longer looking straight at the ball. It turned out that something was impacting her desire to produce the anticipated victory strikes. The very thought she was going for a kill seemed to disturb her killer instinct. We were researching the footage of the lions and tigers during their hunting to notice that the animals with the built in killer instinct could miss their targets. It did not look like the misses destroyed their confidence. It is not known what they tell themselves after the miss, but the way the tail was moving indicated they were trying to relax like tennis players are taught to closely examine the rocket strings while moving from one corner to another. I strongly believe if we had the Eye Coach device at the beginning of the tennis fundamentals learning my daughter would be more successful player. However, the currently available device needs two more features: an alert suddenly issued to demand a hard shot and some kind of attached measurement of the ball RPM.

[gzhpcu]

I have been using the Eye Coach for about 10 minutes a day since a month. I have also mounted the Zepp sensor for stats on power, impact point, etc.

I do not overhit, move my legs to change position. Find it a good tool to groove strokes with. A hitting partner told me my stroke looks cleaner... I feel it as well. I probably hit as many strokes in 10 intensive minutes as I do on court in an hour...

[gzhpcu]

The only point I have to criticize with the eye coach, is that it is not possible to get a lower position. Very often on clay courts, I have opponents who hit very low, skidding slices, it is not possible to practice this type of ball with the eye coach. Would have been nice to have two mounts for the ball. The one provided, and another one for lower balls.

[klacr]

The only point I have to criticize with the eye coach, is that it is not possible to get a lower position. Very often on clay courts, I have opponents who hit very low, skidding slices, it is not possible to practice this type of ball with the eye coach. Would have been nice to have two mounts for the ball. The one provided, and another one for lower balls.

Important to practice hitting shots from numerous contact heights.
Phil, maybe you could place the eye coach on one of the steps outside your door in the entryway to your home. So that is has sunken down a few inches to lower the contact height. You'll have to then practice out there and not in living room so you won't get that gorgeous view of the lake and shore, that can be very distracting Just an idea.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[gzhpcu]

Important to practice hitting shots from numerous contact heights.
Phil, maybe you could place the eye coach on one of the steps outside your door in the entryway to your home. So that is has sunken down a few inches to lower the contact height. You'll have to then practice out there and not in living room so you won't get that gorgeous view of the lake and shore, that can be very distracting Just an idea.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Thanks Kyle, but problem is there are too many steps, and it would be slanted and not survive the first stroke..

[klacr]

Thanks Kyle, but problem is there are too many steps, and it would be slanted and not survive the first stroke..

Yes. bit of a problem. Sorry. I'll get back to the drawing board.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[gzhpcu]

Best would be if they had sticks for a lower height...

[tennis_chiro]

Best would be if they had sticks for a lower height...

Isn't the $50 cheaper junior model for little kids just a stick of a lower height. Perhaps you would have to change out the mounting piece too, but I wonder if you contacted EyeCoach directly if they might give you a special rate to get just those two pieces. A bit of a pain to change out the pieces, but the basic bottom metal base must be pretty much the same.

Anyone have the junior model and the full size one who can tell the difference? I got my full size one about two weeks ago and I'm using it as a teaching aide in my lessons, but I don't have any little kids in my lessons. I think it would be really helpful for anyone trying to learn, whether adult, child or teenager..

don

[gzhpcu]

The tennis ball is breaking. Does not seem to last too long. Will have to get some spare ones...

[don_budge]

Teaching or Training Tool...

Does this device allow you to hit topspin and underspin? How much did it cost altogether delivered to Europe?

[gzhpcu]

Does this device allow you to hit topspin and underspin? How much did it cost altogether delivered to Europe?

About 260 dollars. Topspin yes, underspin no.

[gzhpcu]

I ordered 4 spare balls, and with shipping a hefty 85 dollars... Oh well, I like the eye coach...

[tennis_chiro]

I ordered 4 spare balls, and with shipping a hefty 85 dollars... Oh well, I like the eye coach...

I've been using it a little less than a month now with my students; I really like it. It's great for getting a better sense of where the contact point is and what correct balance at completion of the follow through should be.

DB, you'd like the fact that I was able to reinforce the feel of the slice for one student by having her hit the Rosewallian slice stroke on the EyeCoach. Also good for getting the sense of hitting through the shot. If you hit straight through the ball to your target (as lined up by the EyeCoach), the ball goes straight back and forth. If you don't, it goes all over the place and it's obvious to the student. And I can immediately demonstrate the correct action for them so it's not just me saying it should act a certain way; I can show them.

Phil, I also am having problems with the ball. It ripped and I'll have to get some spare balls. I wonder if they will honor their 10,000 hit warranty on the balls; I think they claimed it would last at least a couple of months. I don't even have an hour of hitting on mine.

And yes, the shipping charges from OnCourtOffCourt are outrageous, even for the USA. I wonder if you might do better going through Amazon.

Tonight I'll see the student who actually ordered one right away; stark beginner and I'm looking forward to see how using the EyeCoach has actually helped him.

don

[don_budge]

Bang for the Buck…separating don_budge from his money

I've been using it a little less than a month now with my students; I really like it. It's great for getting a better sense of where the contact point is and what correct balance at completion of the follow through should be.

DB, you'd like the fact that I was able to reinforce the feel of the slice for one student by having her hit the Rosewallian slice stroke on the EyeCoach. Also good for getting the sense of hitting through the shot. If you hit straight through the ball to your target (as lined up by the EyeCoach), the ball goes straight back and forth. If you don't, it goes all over the place and it's obvious to the student. And I can immediately demonstrate the correct action for them so it's not just me saying it should act a certain way; I can show them.

don

Thanks tennis_chiro…your endorsement leads to me to believe that my initial impression was on the money. You expressed exactly word for word what my impressions were of this contraption as a teaching device.

[gzhpcu]

Stotty, I too am happy with the device, but not the tennis balls which get ripped quickly. 85 bucks for 4 balls is pretty hefty...