In tennis coaching, there’s a common progression that many coaches rely on: hands, legs, and then eyes. The focus often starts with hand positioning and grip, followed by footwork, and finally, looking at the ball. But in reality, tennis unfolds in the opposite order: it starts with the eyes, then engages the legs, and finishes with the hands.
This simple shift in approach can make a world of difference for both players and coaches.
The Traditional Approach: Hands, Legs, Eyes
Traditionally, coaching has placed a heavy emphasis on the hands, teaching players how to control the racquet with the right grip, swing path, and follow-through. Only after mastering this do coaches turn to footwork and balance, and lastly, they focus on watching the ball.
While this approach might seem logical at first glance, it overlooks a crucial reality: tennis begins with vision. You can’t position your hands or your legs effectively if you’re not seeing the ball clearly and early enough.
The Reality of Tennis: Eyes, Legs, Hands
Tennis is a reactive sport, and everything starts with the eyes. As soon as the ball leaves your opponent’s racquet, your visual tracking is activated. The earlier and better you pick up on the ball, the quicker your legs can move to get you into position. Once you’re in the right place, the hands complete the shot.
Teaching players to prioritize tracking the ball enables them to read the game more effectively and anticipate shots earlier. This gives them more time to move, balance themselves, and, eventually, strike the ball with better control and precision.
Why Do Coaches Stick with Hands/Legs/Eyes?
Why do so many coaches continue to teach in this hands-first manner? For one, it’s easier to show and correct grip and hand movements than it is to train vision or footwork. Hands are visible, tangible, and easier to break down in a lesson, especially for junior players.
Additionally, many coaches learned this way themselves. There’s comfort in passing on what worked for them, but comfort doesn’t always mean optimal.
The Case for Change
Focusing on the visual aspect—eyes—first unlocks a new level of awareness in players. By training players to observe and react more quickly, they automatically move better, and their hands follow naturally.
– Eyes first: Training players to focus on the ball early improves their reaction time and ability to anticipate.
– Legs second: Once the ball is tracked, players move into position with balance and power.
– Hands third: With the body properly aligned, the hands naturally follow through, resulting in a clean, effective shot.
This progression not only mirrors how tennis is actually played but also offers a more intuitive way for players to develop their skills.
Rethinking How We Teach Tennis
It’s time to rethink our coaching methods. While focusing on hands and grip may feel like the obvious starting point, tennis is a dynamic sport that requires sharp reactions, precise positioning, and timely execution. By flipping the traditional progression and emphasizing eyes, legs, and then hands, we can help players develop faster and play better tennis.
This shift, especially for junior players, helps them play more like the pros—seeing the ball earlier, moving faster, and hitting cleaner shots.
