Feeding balls to students

Dear forum folks,
    Would you have any links to information on good techniques for
feeding balls to students? Or suggestions from your own experience?
I try to vary the way I feed balls, partly because I don't want repeat
the same movement over and over, and partly because I want the
student(s) to get a look at different speeds and spins.

It's easier to toss balls (no racquet) for slow feeds. For medium speed
feeds, it's harder for me to control, I have to keep my arm very loose
(which is not always easy), use soft feel, and it helps to use some
follow through on each swing. Fast feeds are easiest for me to place
the ball where I want, and at the height I want, but this can be
fatiguing to my arm and back (not using much shoulder, hip rotation).

    I believe a very short and flat volley motion might be most
efficient and easiest to control, but must be done with a loose arm and
not with underspin (unless deliberate). If this so, I may need to
practice this volley-like feed against a wall to gain accuracy.
    Now a ball machine would really be handy.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I think I need a lesson in ball
feeding. I may be missing something important.

Ron Rudin
Carrboro, NC


Received on Fri Apr 27 2007 - 10:15:54 CDT