Nick Bollettieri Gets it!!! Use Red QuickStart Balls!

Advances in technology have helped club players for years. Racquets are lighter with larger sweet spots, grips absorb moisture better than ever, and there are strings on the market for power, spin and control. But one of the best recent inventions for club players may be one that’s not even intended for them: softer, larger balls for the USTA’s 10-and-under program.

The balls don’t bounce as high, which is great for children, yet they can also have huge benefits for adults, too. You’ll not only be able to play with your existing technique, but the larger, softer balls will help you improve control and spin while also giving you confidence with volleys and touch shots. Here are five ways to use these balls to improve your game.

THE DRILL:

1) Take one of the softer balls and play mini tennis within the service lines (either one-on-one or two-on-two). Practice your slice, angles and drop shots. This is a great warm-up for regular tennis.

2) Use the large, soft ball against a wall and practice your touch shots some more. As you gain confidence, move on from the softest ball to one of the lower-compression, regular size balls.

3) Now move back and practice groundstrokes against the wall with the low-compression ball. It won’t bounce back as quickly, so you’ll have more time to prepare for the next swing. A regular ball can force you to hurry and ingrain bad habits. Make sure to mix in practice with regular tennis balls so you can test how your strokes are developing.

4) Many players fear volleys because they don’t have good reflexes and are afraid of being hit by the ball. The softer balls are perfect for overcoming this fear. They’ll come at you more slowly, and won’t make as big of an impact when you do hit them. Once you get used to volleying and improve your technique, you can graduate to the regular ball.

5) The softer balls are great for playing matches, too. Most older players quit tennis because they can no longer get to the ball. The softer ball won’t get past you as easily. You can also play doubles within the singles lines to improve your enjoyment of the sport—and keep playing for the rest of your life.