How do you hit flat with Semi Western?

[Chris from Greece]

How do you hit flat with a semi western?How about a western?

[Phil Daddario]

To hit flat anywhere, you have to meet the ball in the middle WITHOUT a low to high motion. In other words, you need a low to low, middle to middle, high to high, whatever. The swing path is level.

With a Semiwestern, this is easy. Just make it level and push through. With a Western, because of the angle of the racquet face, it can actually be quite difficult for some people.

But just take the racquet right to the height of the ball, and swing through if you want it flat.

[Chris from Greece]

Does that mean you dont lay your wrist back?Because if you do you get the down to up motion right?

[SageOfDeath]

you can still lay you wrist back but just don't let your racquet head drop. If you were to let you the head of your racquet drop like if you were to hit with topspin then when it comes up it will impart spin. to hit flat hit out more like phil said low to low, middle to middle, or high to high. Just don't do a high to low motion or a low to high motion.

[Bungalo Bill]

How do you hit flat with a semi western?How about a western?

1. Lay back your wrist

2. Hold the racquet firmly so you are in control of the racquethead

3. During the backswing focus on bringing or pulling or tugging from your elbow and send the racquet straight into the ball.

4. The arm sort of follows the elbow and catches up like a sling shot as it nears contact for a James Blake/Andy Roddick power forehand.

It doesnt take much but get that elbow moving forward. Work on a smooth transition between the different stages of your swing and try to meet the ball when your elbow is in front of the body plane. BAM! POW! You will jump for joy as to how much bang you are going to get out of your forehand. you will also realize you dont need a big backswing.

[0.2RatedPlayer]

Bungalo, how is body rotation incorporated with the elbow's forward movement? is your elbow swinging on its own or does your arm only swing with the body rotation (allen fox's forehand made ez on tennisplayer)

[erik-the-red]

Drive through it completely. Swing across.

[Kobble]

Watch your self on video. You should be hitting straight through the ball. Almost like a line going from the ball through the buttcap and on through the tip. Follow that line and release the racquet squarely into the ball. It should have much less spin than an extreme low to high motion. A good player to watch is Dmitri Tursunov, he makes a nice level shoulder turn through the ball. When he hits flat his shoulders and the racquet lie on the same plane when rotating.

[Junkball]

I think the main thing on your mind when hitting flat shots should be to keep that racquet parallel with your body at impact, regardless of grip.

[Bungalo Bill]

Bungalo, how is body rotation incorporated with the elbow's forward movement? is your elbow swinging on its own or does your arm only swing with the body rotation (allen fox's forehand made ez on tennisplayer)

When you begin to bring the elbow forward, you should also follow with natural rotation into the ball. Although I mention these things as a sequence, it is actually a very fluid movement.

In other words, it is a very simple move and should be incorporated with your rotation. The elbow needs to drive the lower arm forward as you rotate. The elbow is as if the gun went off and it becomes the first stride oout of the gates. Eventually, your rotation, arm speed, and followthrough will surpass the elbows initiating move to get in front.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41229000/jpg/_41229123_james_blake_298.jpg

Firm up the grip, move the arm like you know how, then bring the racquet forward by the elbow initiating the forward movement. Get the elbow in front by contact. The shoulder, the rotation, and all the other aspects (head still, square racquet) are all still there. See above.

[0.2RatedPlayer]

thanks for the tips, i understand it much better. but when the rest of the arm surpasses the elbow, would it be similar to hammering a nail sideways, meaning the forearm swings into the ball? now, for the laid back wrist, is that supposed to be natural (as opposed to flexed backward) and the fixed wrist is supposed to be somewhat flexed otherwise it wouldnt be fixed?

[x Southpaw x]

Drive through it completely. Swing across.
Think erik summed it up quite well... it's really easy =)

[Bungalo Bill]

thanks for the tips, i understand it much better. but when the rest of the arm surpasses the elbow would it be similar to hammering a nail sideways...

EXACTLY! Pull from the elbow and let your arm hammer the sucker. Keep a firm grip so the racquet does not move around in the hand.

meaning the forearm swings into the ball?

Yes! Now, if you have TiVO you will see this in pros strokes. A good place to learn the feel is against a wall, swing slowly but deliberately. Just master the motion. Then take it to the court with a ball machine. You will realize you dont need a big backswing, you get excellent power, and your ability to place the ball will be outstanding. Later you can lengthen your arm back on the backswing as you get stronger and master the timing.

now, for the laid back wrist, is that supposed to be natural (as opposed to flexed backward) and the fixed wrist is supposed to be somewhat flexed otherwise it wouldnt be fixed?

You can flex it back and as you get better and stronger it will become more natural as the pros do it. ALways keep the wrist fixed and somewhat elastic. YOu still need to control the racquet head. But dont do it so hard that you short circuit that link.

Once you lay back the wrist, dont think about it anymore. This will help with your wrist release (which is why you need a firm grip) without you sort of knowing it - if you know what I mean. Focus on bringing that elbow forward. The wrist will stay laid back as you begin the forward movement and it lays back because of the sudden change in direction forward. As the the elbow goes in front of your body, it will slow down while the arm speeds up, then at the last moment the wrist begins to catch up or sling forward. You should barely notice this.

I would highly recommend joining EASI Tennis as they have complete articles on this very thing. Awesome forehand to learn.

Just the other day, my old grumpy hitting partner was practicing his volleys. I can hit several different forehands. When I am feeling like I am getting stronger, I hit the forehand described above. He got so ticked off because the ball was just flying off my racquet with good spin and control. He yelled "quit hitting the damn ball so hard". I respod that I wasnt even trying to hit the ball hard at all! I just laughed to myself and for his sakes went and hit the old swinging forehand with more of an Eastern grip. LOL It is a weapon once you master this.

If you can ever slow down Roddicks forehand and James Blakes canon of a forehand you will see this as evidence for you. Have fun impressing the neighbors!

I must say I am absolutely impressed with your ability to understand my jibberish! Impressive!

[0.2RatedPlayer]

:)

so to practice the hammering motion against the wall, at first, would it be easier to use a straight takeback, or a compact loop. that effortless power you mentioned is what i want, bad.

[Bungalo Bill]

:)

so to practice the hammering motion against the wall, at first, would it be easier to use a straight takeback, or a compact loop. that effortless power you mentioned is what i want, bad.

Well straight back is usually easier and much less complicated. But it sounds like you are very smart and gifted so try both. The key to the whole thing is not the backswing part. It is the forward swing you should be concentrating on. Let the backswing happen.

[krussell]

That's good stuff guys...I love the feeling of this type of forehand, but I usually do it more accidentally than on purpose. Like you said, it's almost effortless power - I want to harness this and turn it into a reliable shot.

[Bungalo Bill]

That's good stuff guys...I love the feeling of this type of forehand, but I usually do it more accidentally than on purpose. Like you said, it's almost effortless power - I want to harness this and turn it into a reliable shot.

Yeah, it's a blast - literally. :) You're just some practice sessions away.