Are you supposed to bend your knees for a low forehand?

ramseszerg · Sep 1, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eExDwKgMJXs&feature=related

At 32 seconds, why doesn't fed? Because it's only practice and he's relaxed?

I also feel like when I get a low, short ball, I have more accuracy and power in putting it away if I just stand instead of bending down and let my arm go down there. One of those grey areas for me. Anyone explain? Is it because my leg muscles are weak?

deluxe · Sep 1, 2010

It's not a low, short ball. Fed is a couple of meters behind the baseline, you don't get to see where the ball bounces, but he's hitting it about waist height and on the rise, so it would have been a deep ball.

darthpwner · Sep 1, 2010

Federer uses an eastern grip, so he doesn't need to bend his knees when the ball is low as much as more western grips

Xenakis · Sep 1, 2010

I was looking for more info on hitting low forehands too. Played an 'old school' vet the other day who sliced virtually everything, was on a rain soaked artificial clay court too so there was virtually no bounce.

Really hard to dig the ball out and get it over the net, made a lot of mistakes and my thighs hurt afterwards.

darthpwner · Sep 1, 2010

Xenakis said:
I was looking for more info on hitting low forehands too. Played an 'old school' vet the other day who sliced virtually everything, was on a rain soaked artificial clay court too so there was virtually no bounce.

Really hard to dig the ball out and get it over the net, made a lot of mistakes and my thighs hurt afterwards.

What is your forehand grip? Maybe if you are comfortable at the net, you should take the ball in the air.

Xenakis · Sep 1, 2010

darthpwner said:
What is your forehand grip? Maybe if you are comfortable at the net, you should take the ball in the air.

Eastern. Not that comfortable at the net, prefer to play more modern players and stand at the baseline only coming in once I've dragged them wide (or 'if' more likely).

darthpwner · Sep 1, 2010

Xenakis said:
Eastern. Not that comfortable at the net, prefer to play more modern players and stand at the baseline only coming in once I've dragged them wide (or 'if' more likely).

I suggest you hit more to the other guy's forehands because I assume that his forehand slice (if he has one) is not as good as his backhand slice.

Xenakis · Sep 1, 2010

darthpwner said:
I suggest you hit more to the other guy's forehands because I assume that his forehand slice (if he has one) is not as good as his backhand slice.

I'm left handed and he's a righty so I was going more for his backhand which probably wasn't a good idea, his forehand is wierd, really flat and not that powerful, almost a slice but not quite, doesn't bounce much at all.

Would have been better on a dry hardcourt really.

darthpwner · Sep 1, 2010

Xenakis said:
I'm left handed and he's a righty so I was going more for his backhand which probably wasn't a good idea, his forehand is wierd, really flat and not that powerful, almost a slice but not quite, doesn't bounce much at all.

Would have been better on a dry hardcourt really.

How's your slice? The best way to counter a slice is with a slice.

LeeD · Sep 1, 2010

Nah, just pick your nose, stand with your knees locked, don't move much, and play.
IF you could hit like Roger right there, you would beat everyone you know bagels for life.
However, if Roger hit like that in a real match, everyone in the top 100 would beat him!
Do as you want, you make the choice.

darthpwner · Sep 1, 2010

LOL He's so small. That's what she said.

Xenakis · Sep 1, 2010

darthpwner said:
How's your slice? The best way to counter a slice is with a slice.

Backhand slice is ok, I was ok on that side and I find it easier to dig out low balls with my 2hbh than my forehand most of the time.

It's the forehand side that was giving me probs.

darthpwner · Sep 1, 2010

Xenakis said:
Backhand slice is ok, I was ok on that side and I find it easier to dig out low balls with my 2hbh than my forehand most of the time.

It's the forehand side that was giving me probs.

Okay, you should bend your knees and get into your optimal position. Maybe do some leg strengthening and core work.

Xenakis · Sep 1, 2010

darthpwner said:
Okay, you should bend your knees and get into your optimal position. Maybe do some leg strengthening and core work.

I was thinking of doing some drop ball practice but waiting till the ball is low before hitting it. Will try it soon.

darthpwner · Sep 1, 2010

Xenakis said:
I was thinking of doing some drop ball practice but waiting till the ball is low before hitting it. Will try it soon.

yeah drop ball drills are good practice.

ramseszerg · Sep 1, 2010

deluxe said:
It's not a low, short ball. Fed is a couple of meters behind the baseline, you don't get to see where the ball bounces, but he's hitting it about waist height and on the rise, so it would have been a deep ball.

Are you saying if it is a short and low ball you should hit it without going down? And try to pause it with the ball in the picture, it was knee height.

Oh, and the other thing is the buggy whip shot. I use a semi-western grip and I can dig out low balls without going down with this follow-through.. Is that okay or should I still bend my knees? I think I remember seeing nadal bend his knees reasonably but not too much using this shot..

LeeD · Sep 1, 2010

How consistent is your buggy whip off a shoetop ball?
If it's good, keep playing the way you have.
If it's inconsistent, maybe bend you knees and watch the ball more closely.
Everything depends on HOW IT WORKS.
If it don't, change it.
If it does, keep doing it.

KenC · Sep 1, 2010

I think it is important to always keep the racquet pretty much parallel to the ground during the swing. To do this you need to occasionaly dip with the knees. Too often I see people who never bend at the knees and just angle the racquet down to pick up low balls, but then they always send the ball way to high and often long.

Are you supposed to bend your knees for a low forehand?

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