help with my forehand..

[blue03]

hi guys..i need some help here. i'm using semi-western grip for my forehand, and using 1 handed BH. i'm still learning and i know i have improves a lot. anyway i started tennis about a year ago.

I can direct the ball where i want it to be, but the problem is, my forehand groundstrokes rarely reach the baseline. What i mean is, no matter how hard i hit my forehand, the ball will land inside the service box. I think it is because of my racquet face is pretty much close when hitting. The problem is, i cant really hit flat because when i change my grip to eastern grip, my ball will fly sky high.

Should i straighten my arms when hitting forehands? because it seems like i bend a little when hitting. I dont have this problem with backhand, because i can hit flat with my backhand, although it lacks of consistency.

How to strokes when the ball is low at my feet? and how to strokes when the ball is above my waist area? :confused:
Please help. Thx in advance.

[Marius_Hancu]

check in the Sticky (topmost thread)
Forehand Issues
you need to do some reading and watching (of clips)

I'd say go to a coach. It's not too good to play tennis for a year and be only at this stage, sending all the balls short.

Racket face vertical at contact. Make sure it's so.
You're too weak to close it at all.

Slow down. Watch what you're doing.

[Marius_Hancu]

deleted. sorry.

[JeffH1]

It sounds like your a arm only hitter, possibly with weight shifting backwards. Correct me if I'm wrong. A coach will teach you how to use your body and elongate your stroke to produce more power with less muscle power.

[blue03]

thx for the replies. after reading several articles from 'Forehand Issues', i noticed 2 things i didn't do when hitting my FH. first one is i did not tuck in my elbow close to the body when hitting the balls, and the second one is i didnt have a vertical racquet face during ball contacts.
i will try to do these 2 things tomorrow. and yes, for a year, i still lack in many areas because i didnt have a proper learning techniques. :neutral:

[Mattle]

thx for the replies. after reading several articles from 'Forehand Issues', i noticed 2 things i didn't do when hitting my FH. first one is i did not tuck in my elbow close to the body when hitting the balls, and the second one is i didnt have a vertical racquet face during ball contacts.
i will try to do these 2 things tomorrow. and yes, for a year, i still lack in many areas because i didnt have a proper learning techniques. :neutral:

Perhaps they say you need your elbow in and the arm need a 45 degre, but that's only small things. Strokes in tennis are different from each player, remember that. Don't feel forced to do unnessesarily things if it dosen't please. Of course you have to do the basic things , rotation weight transfer, i could go on. But there are many ways to hit forehand! like Marius said; read read read, then go on court talk to coach and you will find the way

[Slazenger]

How much net clearance do you get when your balls land in the service box?

If you are hitting with lots of topspin (and good pace) such that the ball dips after crossing the net, keep this shot in your repertoire.
Can be effective against volleyers.

To hit deep focus more on the horizontal plane than the vertical. Drive through the ball.
Imagine you're hitting 3 balls in a row.

If you can, get a buddy to feed you at least 50 balls at a go and just keep practising.

You don't need to change your grip, if you don't want to. You can hit deep with the western grips.

[munk3y]

ive been playing for one year too. started at the same time as my cousin. We play together all the time. however, while i can hit deep with topspin, he can rarely pass the service box because he doesnt understand the concept of "driving the ball" and just focuses on topspin. And then he gets all aggro when he does a short ball, which is like 9/10 times.

[blue03]

net clearance only 1 feet..sometimes always touch the net first..
and thx for pointing out that i need to drive the ball for a deep shot! all this while i just hit the ball with very close racquet face.
I read the articles at revolutionary tennis regarding forehand issues, and will try it today. hope it works.
thx guys