Returning high bouncing forehands

[henrybear]

I have a lot of trouble returning high balls to my forehand side. I assume it's because of the fact that I don't move enough to hit the high ones, so I always end up taking them high.

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with these balls, other than moving more.

I've even tried switching to a western grip when having to hit these, but it ends up in the net more often than not, or it sails long.

[LeeD]

Depends how high...
Up to shoulder level, you can hit SW grips flat or topped.
Over chin thru a foot overhead, better to slice with underspin, any grip, as a high ball can be hit with backspin and still be effective.
Just pay attention to prep height, swing plane, and followthru level.

[maverick66]

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with these balls, other than moving more.

you answered your own question. and dont slice it back unless your a really bad player. hit the dam ball when its on your forehand side. get underneath it and hit high and heavy back. return the favor and stay in the point.

[henrybear]

I'm only 5'7-5'8 so the balls that seem high to me, might not be as high to some other players, so it's hard for me to do the same thing as some others might do. I normally use a SW grip so it's hard for me to hit those above shoulder balls without looking like I want to dislocated my shoulder.

I usually find myself employing an semi-overhead topspin slice in order to return the ball without netting it or having it sail.

It's hard for me to take the ball early (working on it), so I tend to move further back in order to catch the ball on its way down, but sometimes the proximity of the fence limits my ability to hit it in said position.

[maverick66]

I usually find myself employing an semi-overhead topspin slice in order to return the ball without netting it or having it sail.

what exactly is a top spin slice?

[Grizvok]

I'm actually fairly comfortable against this shot and what I do is try to set up early (good footwork is key) and use a sw grip (normally use extreme eastern) and just do a sort of flick off the ground right on its way up.

Hitting on the rise is one of the big things that intermediate players can begin to make happen to become much more advanced. You totally rob your opponent of time with no more difficulty than a regular shot. It's all about timing.

[albesca]

I have a lot of trouble returning high balls to my forehand side. I assume it's because of the fact that I don't move enough to hit the high ones, so I always end up taking them high.

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with these balls, other than moving more.

I've even tried switching to a western grip when having to hit these, but it ends up in the net more often than not, or it sails long.

Try to change your swing path. If you can't hit it on the rise, change the swing , wait the bounce with a low hand and swing low-to high-to low.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=249216

Ciao
Alberto

[WBF]

you answered your own question. and dont slice it back unless your a really bad player. hit the dam ball when its on your forehand side. get underneath it and hit high and heavy back. return the favor and stay in the point.

I have had great success slicing back forehands recently. When playing against lefties or big servers, I need a slice backhand if the serve goes to that side, and I don't bother switching grips during a return. Biting slice, deep chips, or lobs work quite well if you mix it up.

Of course, second serves from anyone but a lefty with a big kick should be attacked if you have the ability.

Getting it in is far more important than 'hit the dam ball'.

[henrybear]

what exactly is a top spin slice?

It's when you're brushing the ball at a 45 degree angle, pretty much like when you're hitting a top spin slice serve.

[henrybear]

Try to change your swing path. If you can't hit it on the rise, change the swing , wait the bounce with a low hand and swing low-to high-to low.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=249216

Ciao
Alberto

Everytime I try a low-to-high-to-low swing path, it ends up going into the net for some reason. I'm not sure if it's because I'm putting too much spin on it, or if it's because I'm not accelerating it forward enough.

[LeeD]

Yeah, slice...
I'd really like to see you guys try to topspin off an overhead incoming ball, by a server who's 6'5" tall or taller, who can place it fore, back, into and away from your body....
You say you stand back, the guy serves you wider than the side fence.
You say you stand in and close, the guy serves into your right eyeball.
You say you stand in normal position, the serves come a FOOT higher than your head.
Yeah, slice....

[rosenstar]

I'm only 5'7-5'8 so the balls that seem high to me, might not be as high to some other players, so it's hard for me to do the same thing as some others might do. I normally use a SW grip so it's hard for me to hit those above shoulder balls without looking like I want to dislocated my shoulder.

I usually find myself employing an semi-overhead topspin slice in order to return the ball without netting it or having it sail.

It's hard for me to take the ball early (working on it), so I tend to move further back in order to catch the ball on its way down, but sometimes the proximity of the fence limits my ability to hit it in said position.

I'm 5'6" with an SW grip and have no problem returning high balls to my forehand. Roll the ball deep cross court. Pick a height over the net (3-4 feet over the net), and loop the ball back deep. This isn't the shot to hit a winner on. The other option is to take the ball early and drive it, but this requires much more skill, coordination, and footwork, which it sounds like you don't have (not trying to be an ass, but that's just how it sounds). The third option is taking the ball out of the air and approach the net. Again, this requires much more footwork and depends on the shot.

Overall, you need to move to the ball.

[LeeD]

Are you saying you can topspin the ball when it's over your head consistently?
Maybe you can, but for me, it's much easier to hard slice, as that high ball is not moving fast, and I have plenty of angle to hit it low....deeper or shortangled.

[rosenstar]

Everytime I try a low-to-high-to-low swing path, it ends up going into the net for some reason. I'm not sure if it's because I'm putting too much spin on it, or if it's because I'm not accelerating it forward enough.

swing the racket right to left as seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf0KAykF8fo

some call it the "windshield wiper forehand" (I don't like this name, so I try not to use it). Really load your legs and try to draw power from the ground, legs with an open stance, shoulders closed, open your shoulders and let your racket trail by a split second. Hit the ball across the back (from the 5-7 o'clock) and finish just below your left shoulder.

[rosenstar]

Are you saying you can topspin the ball when it's over your head consistently?
Maybe you can, but for me, it's much easier to hard slice, as that high ball is not moving fast, and I have plenty of angle to hit it low....deeper or shortangled.

On the forehand I can easily hit that ball. It's all about learning how to transfer power from your lower body through your torso and core, to your shoulders. It's generally a much more effective shot than a slice.

The problem with slicing that ball is that is extremely predictable, any good player will see it early move to it, and hit a heavy, aggressive ball. That's why you'll never see any pro hitting this shot.

[LeeD]

Nice example vid....
But that ball is not what I consider "high".
Yes, he jumped maybe 7" higher, but to me, the high bouncing ball is well over my head, usually off a second serve from a tall guy, and sometimes gets almost to overhead levels. Couple guys I normally play against are 6'6" or taller, used to be Div1 singles players, and currently 5.5's or 6's.....
Those really higher balls can be tough, and imposing MY will and pace to the ball can sometimes, not often, offset their will and shots. Since they're mostly younger and quicker, I gotta change the pace and give them shots they don't often see in Div1 tennis.
So hard underspin with some side, mix it up with some floaters if they get lazy and stay back, and hope not to lose to badly.....

[Fedace]

Take it on the rise like Agassi used to do. and rip it, usually safe shot is crosscourt.

[rosenstar]

Nice example vid....
But that ball is not what I consider "high".
Yes, he jumped maybe 7" higher, but to me, the high bouncing ball is well over my head, usually off a second serve from a tall guy, and sometimes gets almost to overhead levels. Couple guys I normally play against are 6'6" or taller, used to be Div1 singles players, and currently 5.5's or 6's.....
Those really higher balls can be tough, and imposing MY will and pace to the ball can sometimes, not often, offset their will and shots. Since they're mostly younger and quicker, I gotta change the pace and give them shots they don't often see in Div1 tennis.
So hard underspin with some side, mix it up with some floaters if they get lazy and stay back, and hope not to lose to badly.....

I assumed that the OP was asking about a high, kicking ball to the forehand, most likely produced by a ground stroke with heavy topspin. A ball that kicks that high over your head is a freak shot. For someone to hit a hard ball at that height like you describe, they have to either have a great serve (in which case you try your best to take it early) or hit an overheard (in which case you just do whatever you can to get the ball back). If the OP is too lazy to move his feet in position to hit the ball correctly, it is a fare assumption that he is not playing at a 5.5 level.

oh and some of the guys you play with are 5.5/6.0's? didn't say here that you're a 4.0?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=3167054&postcount=26

and here that you have no forehand?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=3170781&postcount=42

No offense, but maybe your not the best person for the OP to be taking advice from...

[henrybear]

I assumed that the OP was asking about a high, kicking ball to the forehand, most likely produced by a ground stroke with heavy topspin. A ball that kicks that high over your head is a freak shot. For someone to hit a hard ball at that height like you describe, they have to either have a great serve (in which case you try your best to take it early) or hit an overheard (in which case you just do whatever you can to get the ball back). If the OP is too lazy to move his feet in position to hit the ball correctly, it is a fare assumption that he is not playing at a 5.5 level.

oh and some of the guys you play with are 5.5/6.0's? didn't say here that you're a 4.0?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=3167054&postcount=26

and here that you have no forehand?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=3170781&postcount=42

No offense, but maybe your not the best person for the OP to be taking advice from...

It's not that I'm too lazy to move my feet around to hit balls, it's just that sometimes there's really not much room to move back in order to catch the ball as it comes down. At lot of these high bouncing balls are hit quite deep so I only have about 3-4 feet of leeway before my take back ends up hitting the fence and I can't hit a forehand at all.

[rosenstar]

It's not that I'm too lazy to move my feet around to hit balls, it's just that sometimes there's really not much room to move back in order to catch the ball as it comes down. At lot of these high bouncing balls are hit quite deep so I only have about 3-4 feet of leeway before my take back ends up hitting the fence and I can't hit a forehand at all.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that you were lazy, but simply prove a point that a 5.5/6.0 wouldn't have trouble with this shot, that's all.

Anyways, you're taking the ball too late, I'll half volley this shot if I'm on top of the baseline, but If I have time, I'll hit the ball with the side to side motion I described in a previous post when it's a little over shoulder height. If necessary I'll hit it off my back foot, and aim a little higher to give myself time to recover.

ps, I'm assuming we are talking about a high, heavy ball, not a serve or an overhead, correct?

[lilycolefan]

I don't mind hitting high balls with the forehand, but it bothers me on the backhand (two-handed).

[henrybear]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that you were lazy, but simply prove a point that a 5.5/6.0 wouldn't have trouble with this shot, that's all.

Anyways, you're taking the ball too late, I'll half volley this shot if I'm on top of the baseline, but If I have time, I'll hit the ball with the side to side motion I described in a previous post when it's a little over shoulder height. If necessary I'll hit it off my back foot, and aim a little higher to give myself time to recover.

ps, I'm assuming we are talking about a high, heavy ball, not a serve or an overhead, correct?

Yeah, just a heavy high ball. I just hate to think that if I were a bit taller, I could just pummel it back with a hard topspin forehand.

I don't mind hitting high balls with the forehand, but it bothers me on the backhand (two-handed).

I find myself switching to a 2HBH a lot when I get high balls on my backhand side, when I don't slice it, since I'm normally a one hander. I find I can do a bit more with the ball and give it extra pace.

[oneguy21]

I love high balls. Just rip em and watch it do weird curves after the boucne.

[LeeD]

LilyCF, for high balls around head to forehead heights, most good players tend to lean their body FORWARD and hit the two hander..... keeps the ball low over the net.