Form Help

[xDemevenx]

I'm a highschool tennis player in need of some help on form (my coach really has minimal coaching skills, especially when he does it twice and just says to "do it like I did :twisted:"). When I hit my forehand, I hit the ball either into my partner, the top of the net, or the fence on the other side. When I serve, I can notice that my hand changes from a continental/handshake grip to a semi-western. This takes away any topspin, height, and speed advantages that I need :neutral:. Advice/help is greatly appreciated :).

[fuzz nation]

If you've never done lessons with a group or anything like that, you ought to try it out for at least a couple of sessions to build some good habits and consistency. A good teacher working with you on the practice courts will probably get you squared away a lot better than any obscure tips that we might give you here without seeing you play. Getting in with a group will give you instruction without the expense of one-on-one private sessions - what's important is to build good habits now instead of having to unlearn bad ones down the road.

[go13illy]

my high school coach is probably worse than yours so you're not alone :)

but yeah. get lessons from a real coach if you need help with your form.

also, practice,practice,practice (with good form of course)

[CoachingMastery]

I'm a highschool tennis player in need of some help on form (my coach really has minimal coaching skills, especially when he does it twice and just says to "do it like I did :twisted:"). When I hit my forehand, I hit the ball either into my partner, the top of the net, or the fence on the other side. When I serve, I can notice that my hand changes from a continental/handshake grip to a semi-western. This takes away any topspin, height, and speed advantages that I need :neutral:. Advice/help is greatly appreciated :).

Without seeing you hit, I can tell you that what ever form, grip, or swing pattern you are using, you are changing the racquet face (the plane of the racquet) within the contact zone. This is usually done by using some element or the wrist or rolling the racquet, pronating the forearm over, or slapping the ball. If you hope to develop consistency and, as a result, consistent pace, you must learn to "keep the plane the same" (a phrase I use in teaching and in my books!), that is, keep the racquet face in the same orientation from start to finish. Don't compromise the integrity of this aspect in trying to hit the ball faster with the aforementioned wrist or internal rotation of the forearm.

For the serve, you might be surprised at the number of players, even some very skilled players, who switch their grip in mid swing on their serve. Try putting a coin, like a dime, in the palm of your hand or at the fingers. The conscious feeling of keeping the coin against the racquet without it flying out is a helpful tool in keeping the grip.

But the grip change is usually a result of something you are doing in your swing. Chances are, you are either opening up your shoulder plane too early, (facing the net), or you are letting the ball drop lower before hitting it. Both actions tend to make players change grips to account for the change in the ball's location relative to your body position.

Good luck and keep seeking tennis knowledge!

[xDemevenx]

Thank you fuzz and go13illy for the advice on group lessons. I actually tried it out just one hour ago at a tennis club I looked up after your posts. The teacher was great; not only did he actually got around towards helping my proper form but also great advice for my playing style. All this and it cost only $10 :).

Without seeing you hit, I can tell you that what ever form, grip, or swing pattern you are using, you are changing the racquet face (the plane of the racquet) within the contact zone. This is usually done by using some element or the wrist or rolling the racquet, pronating the forearm over, or slapping the ball. If you hope to develop consistency and, as a result, consistent pace, you must learn to "keep the plane the same" (a phrase I use in teaching and in my books!), that is, keep the racquet face in the same orientation from start to finish. Don't compromise the integrity of this aspect in trying to hit the ball faster with the aforementioned wrist or internal rotation of the forearm.

For the serve, you might be surprised at the number of players, even some very skilled players, who switch their grip in mid swing on their serve. Try putting a coin, like a dime, in the palm of your hand or at the fingers. The conscious feeling of keeping the coin against the racquet without it flying out is a helpful tool in keeping the grip.

But the grip change is usually a result of something you are doing in your swing. Chances are, you are either opening up your shoulder plane too early, (facing the net), or you are letting the ball drop lower before hitting it. Both actions tend to make players change grips to account for the change in the ball's location relative to your body position.

Good luck and keep seeking tennis knowledge!

Thank you as well CoachingMastery :). The coin trick did actually work, which did have me bending down so many times for a little penny. As for the plane of my forearm, the tennis instructor at the club did find that the plane of my racquet kept going up, then down, which leads to my low balls. I was advised to bring my racquet up at every swing and go through, not stopping midway.

I do have one additional question though :???:. I am ambidextrous, and can hit the ball exactly the same with either hand. If I have an opening for a forehand on the opposite hand, would it be wise to take it? Or should I just stick with one hand and focus on developing a strong backhand on the opposite side?

Thanks for the advice everyone, it was extremely helpful :).

[CoachingMastery]

Thank you fuzz and go13illy for the advice on group lessons. I actually tried it out just one hour ago at a tennis club I looked up after your posts. The teacher was great; not only did he actually got around towards helping my proper form but also great advice for my playing style. All this and it cost only $10 :).



Thank you as well CoachingMastery :). The coin trick did actually work, which did have me bending down so many times for a little penny. As for the plane of my forearm, the tennis instructor at the club did find that the plane of my racquet kept going up, then down, which leads to my low balls. I was advised to bring my racquet up at every swing and go through, not stopping midway.

I do have one additional question though :???:. I am ambidextrous, and can hit the ball exactly the same with either hand. If I have an opening for a forehand on the opposite hand, would it be wise to take it? Or should I just stick with one hand and focus on developing a strong backhand on the opposite side?

Thanks for the advice everyone, it was extremely helpful :).

While you may abe ambi, at higher levels, the switching of hands becomes problematic. Even the best ambi player, "Dual hand" Luke, (Luke Jensen), maintained his groundies in conventional style...the only shot he would switch hands was the overhead. (Since he could serve 120 mph with either hand and, thus incorporate a wicked left handed kick, you can understand the opportunity to hit overheads with either hand.) Since the overhead has a lot more time to switch, it makes sense. (I know this to be true because he told me when we were competing at the World Stringing Championships in Las Vegas a couple years ago and we started talking about his game!)