Catching your forehand finish?

[erik-the-red]

I'm right handed.

Is it a good idea to "catch" your forehand finish with your left hand?

I see both Agassi and Guga occassionally do this.

[Rickson]

I don't think you should do it just because Agassi does. Catching the racquet is sort of a guide for the path of motion so many beginners do it as a path guide. I don't bother with that motion and finish my forehand FT next to my left shoulder. If you're not doing it now, don't bother learning it because if you already know how and where to followthrough, why bother?

[donnyz89]

agree with rickson. when u are playing at a high pace you often swing too fast to catch it. agassi has a short swing so its easier for him to catch it. I do catch it some times but a lot of times i have a federer like finish so its below my shoulders and i dont catch it.

[nViATi]

i think it's just preference. do whatever feels "right" for you.

[MegacedU]

My coach tells me too. It kind of puts you in a better position to hit another forehand than you would be if you had taken an exagerated follow through (which often happens when you don't catch - it slows the recovery.) But then again, I always end up hitting myself in the hand with my racquet.

[Rickson]

My coach tells me too. It kind of puts you in a better position to hit another forehand than you would be if you had taken an exagerated follow through (which often happens when you don't catch - it slows the recovery.) But then again, I always end up hitting myself in the hand with my racquet.
Some people might recover quicker that way and some will recover slower that way. It's all a matter of preference because Roger whips his FT across his body with no catch and he recovers just fine, while Agassi seems ok with the catch.

[MegacedU]

Excellent point Rickson.

[Rickson]

Excellent point Rickson.
Thank you, lovely college bound freshman to be.

[x Southpaw x]

Some people might recover quicker that way and some will recover slower that way. It's all a matter of preference because Roger whips his FT across his body with no catch and he recovers just fine, while Agassi seems ok with the catch.
Well even though Roger doesn't catch his forehand... his off-hand doesn't look like a useless stump that most learners have a bad habit of. If you find that your off-hand looks pathetic during your forehand... catching your racket is a good solution.