Q — Quiet Eye¶
Where do I park my eyes? Fix gaze on the contact zone 300ms before contact. No tracking, no scanning — just park.
The Rule¶
Eyes park on the bounce point 300ms before contact and stay there through impact.
Why It Matters¶
- Quiet Eye duration predicts skill level (elite: 1000+ ms, club: 200-400 ms)
- Early eye stabilization = better VOR stability = stable racket face
- Late eye movement = late contact = shanks, framing, weak replies
Key Cue¶
"Park at the bounce."
Training Drill¶
- Shadow swing — eyes fixed on contact zone from unit turn through follow-through
- Ball machine / partner feed — call "park" when eyes lock on bounce
- Progressive pressure — add score, time limit, consequences
Common Errors¶
- Tracking the ball all the way: Causes head movement, VOR disruption
- Looking at target too early: Pulls head off contact
- Eyes releasing before impact: Loses face control at the moment that matters