Choosing the right pitching machine for you

For clubs, the ball launcher will be a perfect complement to your lessons, since it will enable you to personalize your coaches' sessions and make them more fruitful. The ball thrower can also be made available or rented to your club members, enabling them to perfect their throws independently and on a regular basis. It is therefore important to choose your ball thrower carefully, so that its quality, ergonomics and practicality meet your expectations and requirements, and so that it is useful to your users.

In order to compare the various existing models and really find THE ball launcher that suits you best, there are several criteria to consider before you buy. Take the time to identify your needs and those of your trainers, and you'll be on the right track with your investment.

Bullet feeder

Depending on what you want to achieve with your ball thrower, you'll find both mains-powered models and portable, compact battery-powered models. Clubs prefer battery-powered models, which are easy to move from one court to another and can be used quickly for training and warm-up. Mains-powered models are less widespread, as they require a power outlet close to the court. This solution may be chosen by individuals who have a power supply and don't want to have to manage the recharging of their ball thrower.

Tailored to your audience

If your purchase is intended for your child's training as a tennis player, a small, battery-operated Tutor Junior ball-thrower may suffice. This model is suitable for sending balls to a player, and already boasts a number of useful setting options. Flow rate is adjustable (from 1 ball every 3 seconds to 1 ball every 15 seconds), as are oscillation (right-left) and launch length. With a 125-bullet magazine, there's already enough to guarantee volleys or lobs up to a maximum speed of 95 km/h and for 3 hours.

But if you're buying for a club, it's best to choose a model with a wide range of settings. The many options available on every ball launcher mean you can really choose a model that will meet your expectations and those of your members. Ball launch rate is an important criterion. It's advisable to have a launcher with which you can vary the flow rate. For example, our Lobster Elite 1 ball launcher has a flow rate ranging from 2 seconds to 12 seconds between balls. It's therefore well suited to the varying levels of practice found within a club. Some models also offer ball delivery speed adjustment, which is also useful for beginners and professionals alike.

Remote control

If you don't want your trainers and coaches to spend half their lesson time running from their students to the pitching machine, we recommend a model with remote control. Reliable and practical, the remote control option will enable your instructors to spend more time with their students.

Autonomy

Autonomy is another important criterion when choosing a ball launcher. Our different models have autonomies ranging from 3 to 6 hours. Thanks to a low-battery indicator, you can manage recharging times according to your schedule and needs. It's obvious that a ball launcher such as the Tutor Junior, which offers only 3 hours of autonomy, is too limited for a community, whereas it could be perfectly suitable for private use. Supplied with the ball launcher, the chargers are handy for getting the devices up and running again quickly.

Number of balls sent and effects

If you're looking for a ball launcher with a range of effects (topspin and backspin, lift, slices...), you'll want to invest in a top-of-the-range model like the Lobster Elite 5LE. It offers several effects, in addition to random horizontal and vertical oscillations. Truly ergonomic, it gives access to 6 programs of 6 pre-recorded balls and 6 programs of 6 balls to compose yourself. Please note that its 20-function remote control is optional.

Armed with this advice, individuals and communities can choose the ball launcher model best suited to their needs, and fine-tune training sessions to suit their expectations or those of their students. For local authorities, this investment can also save on training staff or make up for the temporary absence of one of your instructors. Beginners, young and old, and professionals alike can enjoy tennis in the best possible conditions.