CONNECTING OUR EYES, BRAIN, AND ARMS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Improve Your Tennis Game By Understanding The Role Of Vision
Vision is more than just 20/20
Vision in tennis
Tennis is a very visual sport. It requires good vision in order to succeed.
The tennis ball is small and is hit from across the court.
Being able to see how the racquet face strikes the ball and the initial spin and trajectory of the ball can make all the difference between winning and losing the point and the match.
Vision is not simply 20/20 on an eye chart.
Vision includes what the eyes send the brain as well as how the brain uses that information to process what is seen, then make a go or a no-go decision and finally execute a perfect visually guided motor movement, with the arms and the legs.
The three components of “vision”
For this ability, not only is the sharpness of vision important (20/20+), but you must also have the ability to see low-contrast targets.
Also, perhaps most importantly, you must be able to see the small, faint target in a very short time — only a short quick look!
With these visual abilities, you are then able to track the fast-moving ball as it approaches, allowing you to plan your movement and your return shot.
Scientific research has shown that elite athletes are able to identify and track fast-moving targets more accurately and efficiently than non-expert athletes. The more you practice and become an expert, the better your skill will be in this area.
Additional benefits
Players must also be able to read their opponent’s body language in order to anticipate what shot they will play next. Good vision allows players to quickly and efficiently see any potential weaknesses in their opponent’s game and then jump to exploit them.
Good vision also allows optimal anticipation. Accurately predicting how the ball will cross the net and where it will land will give you extra time to prepare your return shot and move to the best position for execution.
This is only possible with perfect vision!
While good vision is important for singles players, it is even more crucial for doubles players. In doubles, players are constantly changing positions, so they need to be able to assess their surroundings and make decisions quickly.
How can we correct vision?
Some professional tennis players wear glasses on the court, but many prefer specially designed contact lenses that help players maximize their vision on the court. Either option is acceptable and is a personal choice for each athlete.
Another popular option is LASIK refractive surgery. Although this is an attractive option, the small possibility of potentially harmful complications and side effects makes this a less attractive alternative.
Regardless of whether they wear glasses or contacts, all tennis players need to make sure that their eyes are healthy, well-rested and provide the best all-around vision possible for the greatest success.
Would you like to learn more about how your eyes can help you play better in your sport? Sign up for my 5-day FREE Email course by clicking here (safe link to my website).
