In early 2003 the three-wheeled Ace Attack was introduced into the market as the only training tool with the elevated serve release point and professional serving speeds. It will provide realistic repetative practice against any shot or serve in the game.
Lobo, our manufacturing manager, prepares the machinery for each worker and monitors production to ensure the nesessary quality and precision specs are always met.
Kristy Brenner, an active tennis pro, leads our women's sports equipment sales effort across the country.
Research Stage
When looking at the sport of tennis it became obvious that one of the most important elements of the game, serve-receiving, was neglected in practice sessions. The right and left handed kick serves were almost impossible to practice against as they were extremely difficult for an individual to deliver with any significant repetition. A consistent high-kick serve was also not available from any existing tennis machine as serving capabilities were an after thought to ground strokes when most of the equipment was designed. Some expensive and awkward add-ons attempted to lift what were basically groundstroke machines to serving height in an attempt to provide serve-receiving practice, but because they were ground stroke machines they had neither the velocity nor the ability to put right or left handed spins on the ball, not at all simulating the needed high-kicks.
We identified many key features through our extensive discussions with tennis pros, college coaches and competitive players at all levels. We quickly learned that machine durability and reliability was an industry-wide problem as many units would only function for one or two seasons before requiring substantial maintenance or service. The need for portability on and off the court along with the desperately desired ability to deliver a realistic serve were also on the top of our list of machine requirements.
Our research resulted in significant design challenges that included the need for high velocity, varying planes of high degrees of spin, and an easy method of raising the throwing head from a low groundstroke level to a realistic 9' serving height. These abilities to the degree required were beyond the scope of existing machines but based on Sports Attack's extensive ball throwing experience and reputation for equipment with the highest level of performance and quality, were much easier for our product development team to overcome.
Design Stage
Our proven three-wheel throwing system solved the velocity challenge. By gripping the ball at three points using our unique, patented three-wheel design, high speeds were easily attained. High degrees of spin were obtained by simply changing the speed of each of the three wheels. Again, the efficiency of the three-wheels allowed the throwing head to be compact enough to be combined with a large ball reservoir and still be light enough to be quickly elevated up to the required 9'. A linear actuator supplied the power to raise and lower the throwing head with a click of a switch.
When addressing the portability feature, we began with a wide stabilizing "H-shaped" base. The width and length were to ensure the utmost stability, especially in the serving mode. The base also facilitated the moving of the machine on and off the court, allowing it to easily pass through awkward court entrances and tight doorways for storage.
Quality considerations entered into the very basis of the design. The powerful linear activator-driven elevating system drives the patented cantilevered means used to raise and lower the throwing mechanism and ball reservoir from ground stroke level to serving height efficiently, quickly and safely. The open design provides accessibility to all moving parts and complete visibility of ball acceleration. Power-coated weather resistant steel frame and electronic component covers ensure durability and lasting quality.
Our Market
As was expected, the ability to deliver a realistic serve, especially the Kick Serve, has proven to be key as the Ace Attack gains attention and acceptance from the leading competitive players and teams across the country. With our unit, tennis pros are experiencing extremely productive and more broadly structured training sessions with players at all skill levels. High school and college coaches finally have a machine that will last as long as that of other sports, responding to the ever tightening budget concerns of most athletic departments.
The Ace Attack is relatively new to the industry and Sports Attack is working hard to establish the reputation in the tennis industry that parallels our position in other sports, that of exceptional quality and sport-specific design innovation.
