Open Stance Forehand - inside foot?

stephan_58 · 10-03-2012, 01:27 PM

I have a question about the inside foot when you pivot and do the shoulder turn in an open stance forehand. I'm a little confused as to how the inside foot should be positioned. As far as I can see there are two common positions: 1. To turn the inside foot so it is parallel to the baseline (as shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...sBpAQdL0#t=21s), 2. position the foot more or less perpendicular to the baseline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ImeQ...tailpage#t=33s)

(there's also option 3 which would be to open the inside foot even more, as a coach once told me to do, I'm not convinced that is a valid option though, seems to me you prohibit some unit turn that way...)

When I watch clips of the pros in slow motion i think most of them don't really turn their inside foot that much. I'm not sure of the importance of this, however. But I would think that you can get a better unit turn if you turn the foot, why is it then that most of the pros don't?

I hope it's clear what I mean...

5263 · 10-03-2012, 01:49 PM

It's going to vary and not matter too much for pros, as they will often lift into
the air and land with the feet how they want them to finish.
like the first Fh here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soADA...feature=relmfu

If you are staying on the ground, it seems you don't want the feet too close to
parallel with the BL and blocking your rotation or putting stress on ankles/knees.
In your vid of Fed warming up, you can see him often twist his foot from 45 off
the net to more direct to net when he is not getting the full lift to change the feet
in the air.

Your first vid is just FYB's version of moving to or stalking the ball and not setting up to
hit yet.

Limpinhitter · 10-03-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephan_58

I have a question about the inside foot when you pivot and do the shoulder turn in an open stance forehand. I'm a little confused as to how the inside foot should be positioned. As far as I can see there are two common positions: 1. To turn the inside foot so it is parallel to the baseline (as shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...sBpAQdL0#t=21s), 2. position the foot more or less perpendicular to the baseline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ImeQ...tailpage#t=33s)

(there's also option 3 which would be to open the inside foot even more, as a coach once told me to do, I'm not convinced that is a valid option though, seems to me you prohibit some unit turn that way...)

When I watch clips of the pros in slow motion i think most of them don't really turn their inside foot that much. I'm not sure of the importance of this, however. But I would think that you can get a better unit turn if you turn the foot, why is it then that most of the pros don't?

I hope it's clear what I mean...

Here's my answer: On your takeback, your toes on both feet should be facing the side fence, and, on your finish they should be facing the other side fence.

FrisbeeFool · 10-03-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

Here's my answer: On your takeback, your toes on both feet should be facing the side fence, and, on your finish they should be facing the other side fence.

Are you Serious? This advice seems so absurd. I really hope you're joking around and not actually advocating this. Could you post a video of a player actually doing this?

I'm watching this video and I'm not seeing what you are advocating at all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ImeQaAyFPc

LeeD · 10-03-2012, 03:16 PM

Perhaps it depends on exactly WHO is hitting this insideout forehand, and how hard he's swinging.
I know I hit some mediocre inside out forehands for clean winners at 4.0, and my feet barely move as I hit thru the ball, but I"m 63, haven't been able to run or jump in 4 years, and have injured knees and ankles.
I hope some of you are younger and more athletic, and might actually get off the ground as you followthru on some of your winner attempts.
I'm grounded, so my feet are not pivoting 140 degrees anywhere.

Limpinhitter · 10-03-2012, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrisbeeFool

Are you Serious? This advice seems so absurd. I really hope you're joking around and not actually advocating this. Could you post a video of a player actually doing this?

I'm watching this video and I'm not seeing what you are advocating at all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ImeQaAyFPc

Yes, I'm serious. But, you have a video of Roger Federer casually hitting warm ups down the middle, so you know better.

5263 · 10-03-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrisbeeFool

Are you Serious? This advice seems so absurd.

Maybe, but isn't this what he is saying?
With Fed a little more serious-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5rWS...tailpage#t=31s

I'm not sure, but seems Feds left foot starts point to rt fence, the during
follow thru gets turned to the left fence. What do you see here.

stephan_58 · 10-04-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5263

Maybe, but isn't this what he is saying?
With Fed a little more serious-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5rWS...tailpage#t=31s

I'm not sure, but seems Feds left foot starts point to rt fence, the during
follow thru gets turned to the left fence. What do you see here.

Just found this video showing Fed in a match-rally hitting only Forehands. It's incredibly clear and illustrates pretty well what you guys are discussing in my opinion. For example this forehand where you can clearly see how his foot turns from pointing to the right fence 180° to the left.

Very educational video if you ask me...

Limpinhitter · 10-04-2012, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephan_58

Just found this video showing Fed in a match-rally hitting only Forehands. It's incredibly clear and illustrates pretty well what you guys are discussing in my opinion. For example this forehand where you can clearly see how his foot turns from pointing to the right fence 180° to the left.

Very educational video if you ask me...

Good find. Thanks.

Nellie · 10-04-2012, 10:56 AM

It seems to me that how you point your feet is not an absolute, but is situational. If you are moving wide, your feet are going to be pointed to side as part of the footwork to get to the ball and set up. If the ball is coming right at me, I would not think to turn my feet if (when hitting) my hips are not moving.

I think the more important issue is to be on the balls on you feet so that you can rotate, as needed for the shot.

5263 · 10-04-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephan_58

Just found this video showing Fed in a match-rally hitting only Forehands. It's incredibly clear and illustrates pretty well what you guys are discussing in my opinion. For example this forehand where you can clearly see how his foot turns from pointing to the right fence 180° to the left.

Very educational video if you ask me...

Yes, a better view than the one I quickly found, but I do agree with Nellie
it is quite situational.

BridgetJones · 10-04-2012, 04:53 PM

as the others have said it is situational, google tennis contact moves and you will find some examples.

10-03-2012, 01:27 PM	#1
stephan_58 New User Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 85	Open Stance Forehand - inside foot? I have a question about the inside foot when you pivot and do the shoulder turn in an open stance forehand. I'm a little confused as to how the inside foot should be positioned. As far as I can see there are two common positions: 1. To turn the inside foot so it is parallel to the baseline (as shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...sBpAQdL0#t=21s), 2. position the foot more or less perpendicular to the baseline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ImeQ...tailpage#t=33s) (there's also option 3 which would be to open the inside foot even more, as a coach once told me to do, I'm not convinced that is a valid option though, seems to me you prohibit some unit turn that way...) When I watch clips of the pros in slow motion i think most of them don't really turn their inside foot that much. I'm not sure of the importance of this, however. But I would think that you can get a better unit turn if you turn the foot, why is it then that most of the pros don't? I hope it's clear what I mean...

10-03-2012, 01:49 PM	#2
5263 Legend Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7,371	It's going to vary and not matter too much for pros, as they will often lift into the air and land with the feet how they want them to finish. like the first Fh here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soADA...feature=relmfu If you are staying on the ground, it seems you don't want the feet too close to parallel with the BL and blocking your rotation or putting stress on ankles/knees. In your vid of Fed warming up, you can see him often twist his foot from 45 off the net to more direct to net when he is not getting the full lift to change the feet in the air. Your first vid is just FYB's version of moving to or stalking the ball and not setting up to hit yet. __________________ ************ MTM Instructor -Pro Supex Big Ace Last edited by 5263 : 10-03-2012 at 02:17 PM.

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