A reflex ball is a specially designed ball intended for use in a reflex training workout. There are several different types of reflex balls produced to aid in training for different sports activities, as well as balls specifically geared toward developing hand-eye coordination. A sports training reflex ball is ordinarily designed with several projecting sides, usually round in shape, that causes it to bounce unpredictably. On the other hand, hand-eye coordination balls are often attached to a string like a yo-yo and are thrown, controlled by the string, and returned to the hand. These balls are especially helpful in developing a child's hand-eye coordination.
Reflex training forces athletes to respond to unpredictable situations quickly to prepare them for the contingent occurrences of games. The projecting sides of a ball designed for a reflex workout, usually six in number, cause the ball to bounce irregularly. As a result, when an athlete bounces the ball, she or he is forced to react to the unexpected direction in which the ball bounces. Working with a reflex ball of this type encourages athletes to develop their reflexes in response to the unpredictable movements of the ball.
Bouncing reflex balls are produced in a variety of sizes to aid in preparation for different sports. Smaller balls result in faster bounces, which makes them useful workout tools in training for sports such as tennis, hand ball, and baseball. Using a six-sided reflex ball for tennis practice forces an athlete to react to situations in which she or he is unable to predict the direction the ball will take when hit, whether by herself or himself or by an opponent. Such training assists players in quickening reflex time and hand-eye coordination to prepare for the contingencies of the game itself.
Larger bouncing reflex balls are designed to function well in reflex training for basketball, soccer, and volleyball, among other sports. Regardless of the sport in question, reflex balls can assist in the development of hand-eye coordination and body reflexes. Reflex balls that are attached to a string are especially useful for working on a child's hand-eye coordination. These balls are attached to the wrist with a string and controlled by the string when thrown. Maneuvering the ball so that it finds its way back into the thrower's hand focuses on the relationship between the hand and the eye and forces the body to react to any direction the ball may take.