Why is my forehand better when I'm on the run??

[QuietDaze]

I have a decent forehand, it's pretty much the only stroke I have that is fairly consistent and that I can direct pretty good. However, I seem to be much better on the run than when I have time to set it up. When I say 'better' I mean I can hit different angles, corners and it's faster. Is that normal?

[Service Ace]

Probably because when on the run, you're forced to make forward movement and keep the side of your body to the net. I guess those are things you need to work on for your stationary forehand-- the forward movement, and perpendicular angle to the net.

[sliceworks76]

I would concentrate on your footwork. When you're on the run, you're forced to move to reach the ball. However, when there's an easier ball, it's easy to get lax and stand flat-footed, which leads to a lesser shot. Just a thought.

[35ft6]

I can hit more accurately when people are at the net. I'll hit lines and spots I can't hit unless there's that kind of pressure on me.

[dave333]

^^^ Same with me. I can hit some ridiculous shots when people at net but not when they are at baseline.

As for the hitting better on the run, it could be that your footwork is better on the run. A lot of people are lazy when the ball is hit near or at them and don't move their feet.

[Gantz]

somtimes you get better angles when you have to run for it.

[gnatylliw]

yea i definitely notice shots that make me run i hit better too, might also be because a shot that makes u run is most likely low/fast, and i definitely hit balls that already have pace better (as do most ppl) versus a slower ball

[QuietDaze]

Oh confusion!! Everything you've all said makes perfectly good sense and as I think about your responses, most of them are spot on. I don't move forward when I'm stationary and I face the net. I'm actually not sure WHERE my feet should be when the ball comes right to me. If I don't have to move I don't. So my footwork is definitely an issue as well as the additional pressure. I love chasing balls down and it feels more natural. I guess I'm more relaxed in a way and not tight.

Thanks for responding, I appreciate the feedback.

[Golden Retriever]

Maye it is better because you don't have the time to think too much when you are on the run and you just go for it.

[stormholloway]

Originally Posted by 35ft6

I can hit more accurately when people are at the net. I'll hit lines and spots I can't hit unless there's that kind of pressure on me.

Me too. The mind likes a target. When a guy is at the net, the mind is given a target by the opponent, otherwise you have to pick a target.

As for hitting better on the run, I think it's about the lack of pressure. You're expected to put a ball in play that comes right to you. If someone draws you wide players tend to swing more freely and loosely, which is the foundation of a good ground stroke: being loose.

[Pr0DiGy]

Is this counterpunching, perhaps? I could be completely wrong, but when you're on the run, the ball (unless it's a drop shot) is usually hit with pace. By counterpunching you use your opponents pace, and when you do that you don't have to focus on swinging hard, you can focus on directing the ball instead.

Could be completely wrong, just a guess

[smoothtennis]

Could also be...that you typically let the ball crowd your stroke on a regular baseline forehand. And when on the run, you don't crowd your stroke. Check and see if you are doing that...

[widmerpool]

Originally Posted by smoothtennis

Could also be...that you typically let the ball crowd your stroke on a regular baseline forehand. And when on the run, you don't crowd your stroke. Check and see if you are doing that...

this is the most likely reason.

you can't be flat-footed when running to the ball and you are necessarily stepping into to the ball to some degree.

[10nisDude~]

yeah the one above my post is more likely...maybe u dont transfer ur wait forward when u hit also...and flat-footedness is also a reason

[burosky]

Originally Posted by QuietDaze

I have a decent forehand, it's pretty much the only stroke I have that is fairly consistent and that I can direct pretty good. However, I seem to be much better on the run than when I have time to set it up. When I say 'better' I mean I can hit different angles, corners and it's faster. Is that normal?

When you say hitting on the run I'm assuming this is because your opponent hit the ball opposite of where you are which either forces you to be on the corner or pulled wide. If this is the case, it is not very surprising that you are able to hit different angles or corners. It is easier to hit an angled shot when you have an angle to work with. If you are on the corners or pulled wide off the court, you will have more angles to work with compared to when you are in the middle of the baseline.

As for hitting a faster paced ball, it could be because of two things. First, if you cut the angle of the ball coming towards you, you can only do this by going diagonally towards the ball as opposed to sideways. This pretty much forces you to step into the shot. The other thing is you maybe hitting the shot flatter than your normal shot because when stretched wide the racket face has a tendency to be more closed when you hit with your normal shot.

[Mountain Ghost]

Everyone wants to move forward to the ball, but sometimes when they’re already “in position” for it they don’t think of backing away from the line of the ball so there’s enough room to actually move forward. There are many situations where the first step you take needs to be AWAY from the ball.

Have someone feed balls directly at your dominant-side hip and work on developing footwork that gets you away from the line of the incoming ball. One more thing, don’t just get you feet away and leave your upper body there. Stay balanced and get your shoulders up and away from the ball as well.

MG

[nagan]

All the above makes sense. Yes, I have a better FH on the run, yes, I crowd my baseline ones and generally don't move much (flat-footed), I've just found out recently. But I just for some reason move really fast and hit harder w/ angles on the run! In fact, I surprised myself a few times after I did it. (Was it really me that moved that fast for that passing shot?)

Sampras' FH was like that too. His FH on the run was huge. Didn't he know about better positioning on the baseline? Of course he did, but his FH on the run (both on the baseline and straightforwards) was still way better.

[QuietDaze]

Went home and finally watched a match I recorded and yes, when I'm stationary I am flatfooted and crunched most of the time. It still had pretty good pace and spin (that's new so my spin isn't all that great). But when I was running I look much smoother. I'm sure the ball has a little more pace because I LOVE to hit flat. Also noticed which I hadn't before is that if I just have to move to the ball, I get too close. Like, if I don't have to run for it, just kind of shuffle over or move forward or backward a little, I get right on top of it. I can still hit it, and it's a 'decent' shot, but not good like when I'm running. So, I think my footwork is DEFINITELY a problem as many of you have pointed out. Because I'm pretty fast, I never thought about footwork separate from 'getting to the ball'.

Thanks ya'll! Maybe one day when I don't think I look fat (I'm a girl you know) I'll post up some video for a real critique.

[kimizz]

I had this problem too. I realized i was too lazy with the shoulder turn on those easy balls that didnt require any movement. So when I didnt rotate enough I lost a lot of power on my forehand...I hope this helps.

[Golden Retriever]

I think Moya likes to hit his forehand on the run too, thats why he likes to camp on his backhand side so that he has to hit his forehand on the run almost everytime. Maybe you can try that, make room for your opponent so that you can hit on the run on purpose.