Puff Away for Good Timing!
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

I'm not sure it's actually possible to see the ball when you strike it. It looks a bit like a dandelion gone to seed, a blur of hand and ball and racket.

Nevertheless, it's still good advice to watch the ball right through contact, because it helps keep your head still, which in turn keeps you balanced.

In colloquial English, the sphere of dandelion seeds is referred to as a clock and, according to folklore, you can use it to tell the time by counting how many puffs it takes to blow all the seeds away.

Next time you're on the practice court, try blowing at the "dandelion clock"! It'll help your timing (pun intended!). You'll produce a balanced shot by keeping your head steady. And it's a good idea to exhale as you hit the ball anyway!

Regards.

Dave Winship