Quick Start Guide: Tennis Ball Machine
This page shows you exactly how to set up and use the tennis ball machine for your session.
You don't need any prior experience. Follow the steps below and you'll be hitting within a few minutes.
What's included
Your rental comes with everything you need:
- •Spinfire Pro 2 Tennis Ball Machine
- •~100-150 balls
- •Ball pickup tube
- •External battery
- •Charger
- •Remote control
The machine will be fully charged and ready to use.
Battery & charging (important)
- •The machine runs on an external battery; you can also plug the charger directly into the machine and use it without the battery when mains power is available
- •Battery life is typically 3-8 hours depending on settings
- •Charging is slow (up to ~10 hours for a full charge)
What to do:
- •Charge the battery whenever possible (e.g. overnight)
- •Do not expect a quick top-up before a session
How to control the machine
You have 3 options:
- •Built-in control panel (on the machine)
- •Remote control (included)
- •Spinfire Pro 2 app (recommended)
Recommended setup (best experience)
Use both app + remote:
- •App → choose drills and adjust settings
- •Remote → start / pause while playing (keep it in your pocket)
Step 1: Download the app (before you go to court)
Download the Spinfire Pro 2 app on your phone before you head to the court:
Spinfire Pro 2 on Google Play · Spinfire Pro 2 on the App Store
Step 2: Set up on court
- •Place the machine on the baseline, in the center
- •Make sure the machine is facing straight across the net
- •Load balls into the hopper (max ~150 balls)
Do not load balls while the machine is running.
Step 3: Connect the battery
- •Plug the external battery into the machine
- •Set the power switch to External Battery
- •Turn the machine on
Step 4: Connect to the machine
You can skip this step if you only want to use the remote control (or the control panel) without the app.
- •Turn on your ball machine
- •Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your device
- •Open the Spinfire App on your device
- •Click the red Bluetooth icon in the top right corner
- •From the "Bluetooth Connection" page, find your device and choose CONNECT
- •Your app will confirm your device is now "Connected to Spinfire"
- •You can now DISCONNECT or use the back button in the top left corner to navigate to the "Remote" page, now showing a green Bluetooth icon and your machine's battery life
If you connected the app, you're ready to control everything from your phone. If you skipped this step, use the remote or the control panel instead.
Step 5: First test shot (important)
Before starting:
- •Use the app or panel to set a simple drill
- •Press Feed to fire 1 ball
- •Check where it lands
- •Adjust if needed
This avoids wasting time and balls.
The machine is designed for this workflow:
- •fire 1 test ball
- •adjust
- •then start your session
Step 6: Start playing
- •Press Feed to start / stop balls
- •Use the remote to pause anytime
- •Use the app to change drills
Tip:
You can add a delay (15-60s) before balls start so you can walk to the other side
Basic settings (what they mean)
You'll mainly use:
- •Interval → how often balls are fired
- •Speed → how fast the ball is
- •Spin → topspin (+) or slice (-)
- •Elevation → how high / deep the ball lands
These can all be adjusted in the app or control panel
Safety basics (read once)
- •Never stand in front of the machine
- •Balls can fire at any time
- •Keep clear of the front opening
- •Do not put hands inside the machine
After your session
- •Turn the machine off
- •Put remote back in its holder
- •Charge the battery if possible
Full manual (PDF)
This quick start covers first use on court. For Spinfire's complete manufacturer documentation (every control, safety, battery care, and troubleshooting), use the official PDF:
Want structured drills?
If you're not sure what to do:
Follow this training plan: 3 Sessions to Improve Your Tennis