Role of the Eyes in Tennis | Ball Tracking vs Stroke Biomechanics

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In today's video, I explain the role of the eyes in tennis and discuss the complex relationship between ball tracking and stroke biomechanics.
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[@IntuitiveTennis]

👀

[@grapefruitsyrup8185]

what is the racket you are using in the vid?

[@hermestruelsegaard2497]

what are your thoughts on the dominant eye theory?

[@-Munditimum-]

@@hermestruelsegaard2497 ...I was just thinking of this...Cheers.

[@venerble]

@@grapefruitsyrup8185 i think it's the wilson shift

[@MURATTI77]

​@@grapefruitsyrup8185looks like Technifibre of Medvedev

[@gibfahn]

Interesting video! I would be very interested in a video exploring your thoughts on left eye dominance / right eye dominance (as frequently discussed by Patrick Mouratoglou) and whether they should have an effect on a player's technique.

[@coilinnunan4058]

Nick clearly believes that eye dominance is not important in tennis. That is partly what he is showing by playing with an eye patch. He also explicitly says (see 9m40s) that there is no correlation between stances and ball tracking, which is the opposite of what Mouratoglou says.

[@thiagobadin5331]

this video is clearly the answer to your question. For sure he saw and heard a lot of eye dominance because of Patricks video. So, that is his unspoken answer to it.

I already think this video is a long way of saying that the eye dominance is bullshit lol

[@Cwati]

@@thiagobadin5331 this video only demonstrates that it is possible to still play descent tennis with one eye, but surely not optimal tennis.

[@marktace1]

Eye dominance is a croc of …. Mouratoglou is a bit of a crackpot who happens to be a good talent scout. One of my favorites of his was a video where he told a student to make sure he was planted on his front foot while making contact on volleys. This didn’t go too well with video of Serena making contact with her front foot in the air on almost every volley.

[@TeamTennisfr]

Great you mention that keeping head still at contact on the forehand is purely stylistic. Like hitting with a straight arm. Coming from people who think Federer's technic should be applied to everyone.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@pencilcheck]

This man singlehandedly debunk the dominant eye theory.

[@QuackQuackBang]

Single-eyedly. I’ll see myself out 😂

[@imabshek]

Nope

[@davidhale8034]

I do like Patrick M's coaching but I've never found any of the Dominant Eye stuff to have any practical implications.

[@Cwati]

Well your conclusion is a bit quick. What it is shown here is that it is still possible to play descent tennis (against a wall) with one eye. One might still think that this setup is suboptimal and your results in real matchup would decrease.

[@topspin1715]

Video was eye opening. I'll see myself out as well.

[@Peter-do8gy]

The proper shoulder turn makes for better contact and that can be done while tracking the ball! Simple and beautiful! thanks

[@Roman230381]

Thank you for this video! I have vision on one eye only and still can play tennis, you're absolutely right. Sometimes it's hard to measure the distance to the ball though. Especially when it flies directly into you

[@ravidalal2982]

I have lost vision in one eye too. Depth perception is a problem though one can overcome it to a large extent thru regular practice

[@naco747]

Fantastic video, Nik, as always. Went straight to my footage after this video, to see what I actually do and work on it next time!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@ravidalal2982]

I lost vision in my left eye just a couple of years ago. It’s taken me a lot of time to play tennis at the same level as before. Reason - depth perception is a challenge not ball tracking. You may miss the sweet spot and shank the ball many times. Of course practicing regularly helps improve. But haven’t yet reached the same level of consistency as before. Seemingly easy balls I could still mishit.

[@glonzai2005]

Happent to me. I have double vision & retina problem 6 years agro and now cant play my normal tennis that i miss so much.

[@milanvincic9668]

What a great video! I was kinda aware of the fact that our stance has nothing to do with whether we coil and load on our shots. To be honest, coiling comes so natural and there is no way to hit a decent groundstroke without it. The thing about the eye dominance is nothing I paid attention to but it is nice to hear that it is not a fundamental issue as some coaches claim. Enjoyed the video very much. Thank you Nikola😋 11:44

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you Milan 🔥

[@Alastairtheduke1]

This does not prove or disprove the eye dominance theory. All this proved is that it is possible to play tennis with one eye, and obviously it's suboptimal. What in this video proved that it is better to have more of the field of view with your dominant eye? There's no proof or disproof of this in the video.

[@Hristian93]

great content man, keep it coming ;) !!

[@alancastellon9225]

This video was great it helped me understand things I’ve been doing wrong

[@Oleg86F]

Great insights! However watching and seeing a ball with TWO eyes is so important imho. You managed to hit the wall and doing serve with one eye only just because you play tennis the whole life, have perfect super consistent toss and your brain very well programmed ))) For rec level I believe results will be much different with one and two eyes. First of all seeing with just one eye you lose HUGE amount of depth perception which is so critical for judging the ball trajectory/depth and hitting it in a right contact point. Simple experiment: take two pencils or pens and try to connect tips of it in front of you (apr. hand length distance), then slightly change position of one pencil close one eye and try again. You'll see that it will be much more difficult for brain to estimate distance with just one eye.

[@norberthuelse1800]

A nice advice again👍thank you so much and very kind that you share your knowledge and tennis experience👍 have a good time and many fun with your pupils. Greetings from Germany

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏🙏

[@AlexanderMayorov]

Thanks, interesting, with a lot of details and science!

[@attybong]

i think it also helps to consider if the player is cross eye dominant or not .. because it's a totally different thing if your hit the ball with both eyes open ..

[@billwall9886]

I liked this a lot. At least for me, around a 3.5, even if I can't see the ball stay on the strings, the longer my eyes are on it the cleaner my shots.

[@ssab724]

Great video Nick, thx! I think it's essential to keep your head in line with the center line of the body, which will make it *easier* to track the ball since the head can turn more easily when it's in line with the body that when it is off; what I mean is that when you slant your body and keep your head slanted along your spine, you will have more freedom of motion in your neck to track the ball with both eyes (stereo vision); if you 'turtle neck' your head by keeping it level while your body slants and turns, you will have much harder time keeping both eyes on the ball. Love to hear your thoughts on this.

[@maxpowers4436]

Nic whats your stance on eye dominance and the role it plays in tennis? Coaches like Peter Montagu believe its like the core to everything. Why some players rotate more on their backhand/forehand. Why they are more open and closed on the serve. Why Fed looks down on his forehand because hes apparently left eye dominant. The list goes on. Its crazy to me how much "bro science" there is in tennis coaching even now in the modern time. How much old guard still exists around everything. How different/directly opposite coaches think things work or how they teach things work.

[@ElSwissCanardo]

I was going to ask the same. I value your opion a lot and would like to know your stance on it

[@coilinnunan4058]

Nick clearly believes that eye dominance is not important in tennis. That is partly what he is showing by playing with an eye patch.

[@maxpowers4436]

@@NamesAreRandom Many coaches disagree and thats my point. Im not asking you Im asking Nic. There are plenty examples where PMs logic breaks down including Fed he has an apparent left eye dominance but has a huge unit turn on his backahand. Also does PM and all these people know the top 100 eye dominance or is he drawing conclusions from things he sees (wants to see/making it up). There is barely any scientific evidence on this Ive looked its mainly baseball and badminton studies that are 20+ years old that contradict each other. And thats also my point as well. Tennis is so old guard "bro science" coaches always try and sell a magic pill. Meanwhile in football (soccer) there are thousands of studies on everything.

[@maxpowers4436]

@@coilinnunan4058 That might be true but id want him to say it directly like how he said a 2h backhand isnt a lefty forehand like countless other coaches have said.

[@coilinnunan4058]

@@maxpowers4436 Fair enough, but Nick has said in the past that he doesn't want to get involved in criticising other coaches online, so since this dominant-eye theory is widely associated on youtube with one specific coach, maybe he is avoiding commenting directly on it. Yes, it's true that he has been more direct about saying that a 2h backhand isn't like a lefty forehand, but as you say, countless other coaches claim the opposite, so Nick isn't criticising any specific coach by saying this. Nick says (9m40s) that there is no correlation between stances and ball tracking, which is the opposite of what Mouratoglou says.

[@edwardypark]

This video is awesome. Nick you can be funny and snarky at times. Nice troll of a certain famous tennis coach IRL and in social media. :). Oh la la!

[@CentaurusRelax314]

I'm not sure if it's a unique problem for just me, but could you consider doing a video on 'reading' balls in terms of depth? I have a lot of difficulty with quickly recognizing when i need to move forward/back (especially forward?). Not sure if it's a vision thing, or if it's actually limited to my working with a machine so much instead of human players.

[@elchanclascocina]

Definitely not unique issue, that's something I suffer with as well, and for sure many (there are several videos out there of how to work). Using a machine may cause, I believe, getting used to a specific speed or movement.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

@@elchanclascocina Thanks. I don’t think the machine is a problem in the way you describe, though. Because the hopper holds 100 balls and they’re of varying levels of pressurization/age, they launch and bounce differently, providing variety almost incidentally. But there is the ‘deception/obfuscation’ in not being able to see how hard another person is swinging or a moment of contact. I would think that would help train me to react with better sensibilities and urgency, but I’m not really seeing that result.

[@nicolasX2602]

I have only left eye vision and tracking of the ball is not a problem. Nice video regarding the head position on forehand because all online coaches tell people to do the Federer way. Watch the ball as long as possible after hitting it. I have a feeling that they copy each other and that is why you see similar videos online.

[@josesabatel4804]

Hahah love these videos with secret slaps 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TheTennisDaddy]

😂😂😂absolutely

[@FairwayJack]

any advice you can give us older guys with presbyopia? ...I wear glasses and feel that tracking balls is more difficult bc my peripheral vision is not corrected by my lens ... this is esp problematic with volleys bc the ball's spacial position is warped as it comes into sharper focus via the lens ... which results in mishits as the ball travels from the periphery to the center focus.

[@iangarcia2452]

when did you switched to the wilson shift? (if that even is the wilson shift lol) and how does it compare to the pure drive you had before. I know their like in the opposite spectrum in RA terms.

[@tennisdynamics69]

Hi. Nice post. The only thing that doesn't convince me is the wall play example. The moment you hit it you can anticipate the ball trajectory that it will follow when it hits the wall. Maybe better to actually play someone across the net.

[@sassanxersi1849]

There is something to add here, because I think I know something, but I cannot prove it to you unless you can exactly mimic Monsieur Federer's forehand (initiate the stroke from shoulder, passive forearm at initiation and straight arm through the contact. Something a lot of people think they do correctly, but in fact they don't). His neck and shoulder position has nothing to do with vision in my opinion. Because when I do it some bones in my scapula area start to move and click. I believe they are scapula and acrmion process bones that are clicking against each other (but i am not an anatomy expert, so take it with a little salt). By squeezing the neck and shoulder, Monsieur Federer actually fixes these bones and prevents the movements of the bones. This happens to me when I mimic him and I find his head position very useful and healthy... and it has nothing to do with vision. Just my thoughts.

[@deepseadiver8191]

Seeing these pictures of Novak in this video, I can’t wait for your rant about Cincinnati ATP final!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@tugloo1]

Great video. I do hear a buzzing in the background that drove me crazy x].

[@deepseadiver8191]

Slick Nick 😂

[@bogse]

Best technique video so far Ive seen from you, thank you!

[@masteryoda9259]

How about left, right eye dominant?

[@albertcamus5970]

Fed way is easier for most players. Sure maybe you can't see the contact point that well (you can kinda see the ball behind the racquet though which is close enough) but if you start trying to pull up early (to see where your shot is going) you get in the habit of not tracking the ball enough and will make way more unforced errors. Fed way is an overcorrection - but its better then being incorrect. The downside of the Fed way seems incredibly minimal (maybe a millisecond less recovery time). It's like platform vs. pinpoint. Is pinpoint slight better? Probably. But is a platform easier for many players starting out - and a pretty good way to serve. Fed never moved on from the platform (as the benefit is super slight) and he never moved on from his watching the ball overcorrection. But he is still the best player ever, IMHO.

[@semidav1]

Exactly

[@drbonesshow1]

If you try two-racket tennis you may find that your court vision will improve along with your one-racket game.

[@reuelray]

Heavy stuff professor Nik. Split screen? Done stepped up yo technical game. From watching you teach and play there is something I've been wondering about? I know a person's style is their style; but I noticed the rac traveling behind your body on your forehand, which is reminiscent of the WTA style: versus the rac staying on the side of your body ATP style. Just asking?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I’ve done several videos on my FH Here’s one 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHKvZ4CgnrusnJosi=IgQ8rVtbN30aIhdH

[@reuelray]

@@IntuitiveTennis I checked it out and I think I saw the video before. You broke that stuff down, like James Brown. I remember now when you said you have to bring the rac back a little bit more, because you're not that strong. ' 'Liked' when you mentioned sometimes the rac when it's coming around, it wind up in strange positions. I go thru this continuously. Also 'Liked' when you mentioned all the intangibles that can affect a swing and your struggles in your 40s. Although I'll be 70 next year, players much younger like to hit with me because they say I bring good power. I said however again on Sunday to a younger player, how much I hate tennis and ready to quit. You being as candid as you are at your level, is causing me to rethink. Thanks for getting back, it really is inspiring. 👍👍

[@allahousalami]

hello Nikola, great video, i have a really hard issue seeing the ball in my one handed backhand, most of the time i lose track of the ball. I am right eye dominant. I don't have this issue with my forehand

[@thiagobadin5331]

Same here. I'm lefty and right eye dominant. So when the ball is coming cross court, it is very hard to track the ball while keeping a close stance. So i try to keep it more neutral. It is nor ideal, but my %accuracy went up by a lot

[@marcomonti9823]

I've seen Mouratoglou, that is a monster commercial people , identifying his trademark in the dominant eye theory. What do you think about it? By now I don't understand that is only a scam to sell his academy or it has a valid application. (benefit of the doubt.... based on Patrick behaviour I must think its a diddle ;) )

[@coilinnunan4058]

Nick clearly believes that eye dominance is not important in tennis. That is partly what he is showing by playing with an eye patch. He also explicitly says (see 9m40s) that there is no correlation between stances and ball tracking, which is the opposite of what Mouratoglou says.

[@sarapanzarella97]

I just play for fun and started up a couple years ago. I have noticed how with the older women I play with that this ability can degrade with age. However - I think ball tracking helps our brains so much as we age!

[@marvindent6654]

Visual education is still in its infancy. There is a very important reason why eye/hand coordination is so called. Understanding Quiet Eye Duration is also a new frontier that exposes many of the game’s archaic approaches. Of the 3 books I’ve read, all written by eye doctors, they all were sadly lacking only dealing with acuity and anatomy with no references to developing visual skills. It is my hope that all the “dormant eye” proponents stay on the rifle range away and from the tennis courts.

[@reuelray]

The north Alabama OG who grew up in DC is back. Not trying to troll, but get more understanding. You said you bring the rac a little back because you're not strong. Wouldn't you know it, within hours after my response to watching your video explaining your forehand; a video of a current WTA player popped up with her crushing balls with a ATP forehand. You're coming in at about 6'5 over 200 and you're going to tell me women are stronger than you? Balkan athletes are known to be strong and powerful. Y-all are dominating in many sports. Why don't you just say that's your style and it's difficult to change. I think I remember you alluding to that somewhat. I am 69 Plus, tons of injuries, medical issues, fat with a muscular dystrophy; yet dudes in their 20s 30s and 40s say I bring the heat. With that said, there's no way I'm stronger than you. By the way, Rick Macci is negotiating with Coco Guaff''s team to fix her forehand. He said he's going to change it over to a ATP forehand. Alright Big Nik with the baritone voice, I rest my case..

Yeah, the first time I saw the eye dominance video i thought it made sense, but on the third video I already thought it was nonsense, the impact of that just can't be significant that you would need to be aware of your dominant eye, I would only believe other wise with a scientific study at this point.

[@grapefruitsyrup8185]

what racket are you using?? pls help

[@JA-SKI]

Wilson Shift?

[@PaulWolfe1]

I don't think in a match it would be easy to play with one eye. It reduces depth perception. When you are hitting against the wall you have a good idea where the ball is coming back to. And it's half the distance. But a ball coming from way across the court, trying to figure out where it will land with one eye, that would be incredibly difficult.

[@johnp6478]

But if one eye has a scarred retina it would seem covering it would be a good idea. What do you think?

[@sauloeduk]

Orlando Luz is a tennis player who has only the 50% vision of one eye and 25% at night. During the day he has a better vision, because his problem gets worse at bad light.

[@SunsPhan75]

For those hating on eye dominance, make sure you're looking at all the opinions with your dominant eye. Otherwise, you may not be seeing all arguments clearly.

[@supermuskelmann8557]

Haha Moratoglou gonna disagree with that 😅

[@manujohn99]

Then whose gonna track the opponent player position & movement????

[@SunsPhan75]

My dominant eye is definitely a stud.

[@adamromero]

Tennis pirate! 🏴‍☠

[@dalef84]

Dominant eye theory debunked?

[@golllaur]

I was about to ask about it. Have you also seen the info about eye dominance in Patrick's video?

[@HansWurst-td9ic]

Eye dominance importance is the biggest crap out there. This guy is something else

[@user-oj7co5wm8g]

Cant debunk what never had validity. Consider the source.

[@souly25life]

Patrick has his way nick has his. I think what matters is what works for you.

[@TheTennisDaddy]

Pat debunks his own theory with his own statements…’Fed looks down on his forehand because he’s left eye dominant’…ummm but Pat he also looks down on his backhand 🤷‍♂️🤣he’s a salesman…and that’s what he’s a genius at but nothing else

[@1114gabby]

The biggest mistake I see I people pulling their head up as you demonstrated. It not only throws the head and body out of synch but throws you off balance.

[@niceguy5430]

It would be better for an eye doctor to discuss this topic ,eye dominance and wether it matters or not...

[@drbonesshow1]

If you are going to wear a pirate eye-patch at least have a parrot.

[@ThesGt]

I don't think this is a right video, there are studies on this subject is not just tennis it also affects other sports and disciplines, heck even top top tennis players talk about this, im sorry but this video is not right, is not like you are blind without one eye, but your coordination goes down a bit and that's a fact, maybe you just have too many years and tennis hours in your shoulder and that helps your coordination, but i would take my chances with believing real doctors and top tennis players and coaches. Ps: different top playrs also play differently bc how their dominant eye is different from their dominant hand

[@maxpowers4436]

Those studies are mostly in baseball and badminton and ive read them. They are often 20 years old and contradict each other.

[@ThesGt]

@@maxpowers4436 "The dominant eye has more neural connections to the brain than the other eye does. According to a sixty-person study in the Proceedings of the Royal Society " I will take my chances with actual facts and proofs, and also due to high level coaches and tennis players than from a coach from rec level, nick is very good and I enjoy his content but on this particular subject he is a bit wrong. I have a right dominant eye, started playing last year and I can say that it does make tons of difference on tracking and hitting the ball if you actually track it right with my right eye Btw you don't really need to see the ball at contact your brain makes the calculation and estimate where is the ball that's why you can do this with eyes shut with a lot of practice But it definitely helps if you are tracking it correctly

[@FairwayJack]

like