Emulating Rafa's forehand

[Curious]

This hasn't come up from simple admiration of his forehand or trying to copy a pro forehand just to look cool or whatever. I have been thinking, watching and studying this shot for months now. I love it and I truely believe this is the ultimate forehand, a perfect throwing motion of the racket at the ball, nice and loose also explosive. In the end every one uses SW or W grip, poly strings, similar rackets etc but no one can hit like him.
Anyway, you may think it's not even remotely similar. I know, it doesn't look very similar, as yet! But the feel and the impact it gives to the ball is similar. I can spot the similarities and the differences. But I want to see first what you think. This is work in progress and I'm definitely determined to get the hang of it fully. The shirt was just a coincidence!

 

[FiReFTW]

The forehand looks nothing like Rafa, and also emulating someone's forehand in my opinion is a bad idea, because everyone is different as far as their body goes, so everyone will have some slight unique properties depending on their body type, arm lenght, flexibility etc etc
But thats just my opinion, if you disagree think thats the way you should go then go for it, copy his forehand to the last detail, its just my opinion.

Now ignoring the fact that your forehand looks nothing like Rafa, your forehand itself looks very solid in my opinion, mechanics are there and u get good lag and nice racquet speed and the ball has nice spin.

So that makes me wonder, why are you not using this forehand in your matches? Because your forehand from the match video you posted is not even 1/10th of what this forehand is.

 

[Keendog]

Pity you spent 6 weeks hitting cross court forehands ingraining your old stroke into muscle memory...

BTW you need to lose 5lbs immediately!

 

[Curious]

BTW you need to lose 5lbs immediately!

Well, that's true but it should be kg, not lb! I'm serious.

 

[Nostradamus]

This hasn't come up from simple admiration of his forehand or trying to copy a pro forehand just to look cool or whatever. I have been thinking, watching and studying this shot for months now. I love it and I truely believe this is the ultimate forehand, a perfect throwing motion of the racket at the ball, nice and loose also explosive. In the end every one uses SW or W grip, poly strings, similar rackets etc but no one can hit like him.
Anyway, you may think it's not even remotely similar. I know, it doesn't look very similar, as yet! But the feel and the impact it gives to the ball is similar. I can spot the similarities and the differences. But I want to see first what you think. This is work in progress and I'm definitely determined to get the hang of it fully. The shirt was just a coincidence!

this is not the forehand RAFA hits. RAFA hits reverse forehand


https://www.tennisplayer.net/public...finishes/lansdorp_three_forhand_finishes.html

 

[Keendog]

Well, that's true but it should be kg, not lb! I'm serious.

Haha only kidding of course! Would you be interested in doing a vid of a side by side comparison of your old forehand and this one? Not sure what you've changed

 

[Curious]

RAFA hits reverse forehand

Always?!

 

[Nostradamus]

Always?!

Not always, but most of the time. My point as coach is this. you don't have to hit reverse forehand to get massive topspin. I don't hit reverse forehand but still get close to 3000 RPM's. It is about racket head speed and proper swing path. Important thing with the forehand is to hit it the way that feel Natural to you. Way it feels good to you. and use the low to high swing path and semi-western grip. it is better if this comes to you naturally rather than trying to copy somebody else's swing motion.

 

[Curious]

Not always, but most of the time. My point as coach is this. you don't have to hit reverse forehand to get massive topspin. I don't hit reverse forehand but still get close to 3000 RPM's. It is about racket head speed and proper swing path. Important thing with the forehand is to hit it the way that feel Natural to you. Way it feels good to you. and use the low to high swing path and semi-western grip. it is better if this comes to you naturally rather than trying to copy somebody else's swing motion.

What in your opinion makes Rafa's racket head speed probably the fastest? Second question: is there anything unique in his mechanics that makes this possible or you think he's just stronger than all the other guys on tour?

 

[zaph]

You're wasting your time, there are strokes that an average players could try and imitate; Rafa's forehand isn't one of them. For a start you're nowhere close in that video and even if you managed to copy it, what is likely to happen is you will end up will loads of spin and no go.

Even Rafa struggles to get length on that shot when he is playing badly, an average club player wouldn't have a hope.

 

[Curious]

You're wasting your time, there are strokes that an average players could try and imitate; Rafa's forehand isn't one of them. For a start you're nowhere close in that video and even if you managed to copy it, what is likely to happen is you will end up will loads of spin and no go.

Even Rafa struggles to get length on that shot when he is playing badly, an average club player wouldn't have a hope.

I learned my serve by emulating pro serves and it's not a bad one at all.

 

[Nostradamus]

What in your opinion makes Rafa's racket head speed probably the fastest? Second question: is there anything unique in his mechanics that makes this possible or you think he's just stronger than all the other guys on tour?

this guy is a great coach. and he is hitting reverse forehand.

Also this guy talks about continuous flowing motion with laid back wrist and racket head drop just like RAFA does. Rafa gets big time racket head speed by racket head drop and laid back wrist. but again, you have to do what comes naturally to you and what feel comfortable to you.

 

[Curious]

Haha only kidding of course! Would you be interested in doing a vid of a side by side comparison of your old forehand and this one? Not sure what you've changed

Have noticed a few issues today after watching the video. Once fixed I will update.

 

[StringSnapper]

This hasn't come up from simple admiration of his forehand or trying to copy a pro forehand just to look cool or whatever. I have been thinking, watching and studying this shot for months now. I love it and I truely believe this is the ultimate forehand, a perfect throwing motion of the racket at the ball, nice and loose also explosive. In the end every one uses SW or W grip, poly strings, similar rackets etc but no one can hit like him.
Anyway, you may think it's not even remotely similar. I know, it doesn't look very similar, as yet! But the feel and the impact it gives to the ball is similar. I can spot the similarities and the differences. But I want to see first what you think. This is work in progress and I'm definitely determined to get the hang of it fully. The shirt was just a coincidence!

You're hitting the ball mostly as its on the way down from its apex... good luck doing this in a match. I wouldn't focus on any one specific forehand; the forehand you showed in your match play had good technique. It was all spacing and footwork and timing that you need to work on, not Rafa levels of spin lol.

It is much easier to hit a spinny ball when its coming down from the apex, but its unlikely you'll be able to do this over and over (or that your opponent will allow you)

 

[StringSnapper]

What in your opinion makes Rafa's racket head speed probably the fastest? Second question: is there anything unique in his mechanics that makes this possible or you think he's just stronger than all the other guys on tour?

Something to do with his straight arm and reverse finish i think

 

[BetaServe]

The shirt was just a coincidence!

Clearly not.

 

[IowaGuy]

This hasn't come up from simple admiration of his forehand or trying to copy a pro forehand just to look cool or whatever. I have been thinking, watching and studying this shot for months now. I love it and I truely believe this is the ultimate forehand, a perfect throwing motion of the racket at the ball, nice and loose also explosive. In the end every one uses SW or W grip, poly strings, similar rackets etc but no one can hit like him.
Anyway, you may think it's not even remotely similar. I know, it doesn't look very similar, as yet! But the feel and the impact it gives to the ball is similar. I can spot the similarities and the differences. But I want to see first what you think. This is work in progress and I'm definitely determined to get the hang of it fully. The shirt was just a coincidence!

One disadvantage of a Nadal-type loopy FH prep is that it isn't as good on fast courts.

Exhibit 1: Nadal's success on clay vs. hardcourt.
Exhibit 2: Nadal's return-of-serve location practically in the stands, versus a more compact FH like Agassi (who would stand on the baseline against Sampras).

I personally recommend a more compact FH for most rec players (unless playing almost exclusively on clay or Har-Tru).

 

[tlm]

I didn’t try to copy Rafa’s forehand but I do hit a reverse forehand at times.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

I didn’t try to copy Rafa’s forehand but I do hit a reverse forehand at times.

What grip , looks western?

 

[Hmgraphite1]

This hasn't come up from simple admiration of his forehand or trying to copy a pro forehand just to look cool or whatever. I have been thinking, watching and studying this shot for months now. I love it and I truely believe this is the ultimate forehand, a perfect throwing motion of the racket at the ball, nice and loose also explosive. In the end every one uses SW or W grip, poly strings, similar rackets etc but no one can hit like him.
Anyway, you may think it's not even remotely similar. I know, it doesn't look very similar, as yet! But the feel and the impact it gives to the ball is similar. I can spot the similarities and the differences. But I want to see first what you think. This is work in progress and I'm definitely determined to get the hang of it fully. The shirt was just a coincidence!

Looks good, closest i've seen from ttw member, good flexed wrist to start, maybe turn more shoulder in load up
You will know be referred to as "Rafa Jr",
When you post update, what did yiu change?

 

[tlm]

What grip , looks western?

Ya I use a western grip, lately I’m going with extreme western grip or what some would call Hawaiin.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Uh oh ... wait until @J011yroger sees that right foot in front of your left.

 

[ByeByePoly]

You will never be able to hit near a cone with that spinny cr@p ... quit spinning your wheels.

 

[FiReFTW]

Looks good, closest i've seen from ttw member, good flexed wrist to start, maybe turn more shoulder in load up
You will know be referred to as "Rafa Jr",
When you post update, what did yiu change?

Don't feed his delusions, the forehand has no resemblence of Rafa at all in any point in the swing.

Rafa flipped right handed, same angle of court.

Where is a single resemblence of any similarity?

 

[travlerajm]

Don't feed his delusions, the forehand has no resemblence of Rafa at all in any point in the swing.

Rafa flipped right handed, same angle of court.

Where is a single resemblence of any similarity?

Which one is Rafa?

 

[FiReFTW]

Which one is Rafa?

Obviously green shirt one, come on!

 

[travlerajm]

Obviously green shirt one, come on!

Thanks. I thought so, but just wanted to make sure. Everyone looks same age with hat on.

 

[FailBetter]

Don't feed his delusions, the forehand has no resemblence of Rafa at all in any point in the swing.

Rafa flipped right handed, same angle of court.

Where is a single resemblence of any similarity?

I dont think that he is that far away. All the fundamentals are there. Also you have to remember that rafa changed his backswing a few times during his career.

Not that far away from OP.
edit: ok maybe first 12sec, then rafa exlpodes way more than OP, but I think thats normal

Here he dropped the raquet on the edge, laying the wrist fully back before initiating forward swing:

 

[navigator]

My point as coach is this.

I thought you claimed to be a "doctor"? Now you're a tennis coach. Perhaps you're both... amazing.

I don't hit reverse forehand but still get close to 3000 RPM's.

Wow. Better than most ATP pros. Again... amazing.

Average FH rpm:

Nadal 3200 rpm
Federer 2700
Roddick 2700
Safin 2200
Hewitt 2200
Agassi 1900
Sampras 1800

 

[mad dog1]

Don't feed his delusions, the forehand has no resemblence of Rafa at all in any point in the swing.

Rafa flipped right handed, same angle of court.

Where is a single resemblence of any similarity?

They are both hitting a tennis ball on a tennis court?

 

[mad dog1]

@Curious thanks for posting your Rafa fh video. Did any of your forehands land in? I couldn’t tell.

 

[Curious]

I dont think that he is that far away. All the fundamentals are there. Also you have to remember that rafa changed his backswing a few times during his career.

Thanks brother. You’re a smart and brave person. Definitely not that far away and will look almost the same very soon. I wonder what they will say then.

 

[Curious]

@Curious thanks for posting your Rafa fh video. Did any of your forehands land in? I couldn’t tell.

Accuracy here was not the focus at all. The form and how the ball behaves were.

 

[Curious]

An observant eye will spot the two big issues/dissimilarity to Rafa’s forehand and I can see that. One is very simple to fix, the other will probably take some time.

 

[Curious]

Let’s put it another way: which pro forehand does this forehand resemble the most? Now be honest. Think about all of them from Fed to Djoker, Del potro, Gulbis, Halep, Kyrgios and anyone you can think of and don’t forget R. Nadal!

 

[BetaServe]

@Curious are these courts free?

 

[mad dog1]

Accuracy here was not the focus at all. The form and how the ball behaves were.

If you want to hit the back fence, baseball might be a better sport for you to take up.

In all seriousness, good luck! You look much lighter on your feet.

 

[aimr75]

An observant eye will spot the two big issues/dissimilarity to Rafa’s forehand and I can see that. One is very simple to fix, the other will probably take some time.

You have a double bend and umm, you have to switch to a lefty

 

[Curious]

In all seriousness, good luck! You look much lighter on your feet.

I appreciate your help on that. I also notice a big improvement there.

 

[Curious]

You have a double bend and umm, you have to switch to a lefty

I have some restricted ROM in my elbow probably due to some scarring from chronic injury.

 

[Curious]

@Curious are these courts free?

$23 per month for unlimited entry including using lights. Great isn’t it?

 

[mad dog1]

I appreciate your help on that. I also notice a big improvement there.

Any time. Glad I was able to help.

Now that you are in a receptive mood...start hitting your forehands using the neutral stance. Jolly has been telling you that forever.

 

[Curious]

Any time. Glad I was able to help.

Now that you are in a receptive mood...start hitting your forehands using the neutral stance. Jolly has been telling you that forever.

Yeah that’s a PITA habit. I have to find a way to fix it, load on the right foot. I don’t know why that right foot wants to be ahead always!

 

[mad dog1]

Yeah that’s a PITA habit. I have to find a way to fix it, load on the right foot. I don’t know why that right foot wants to be ahead always!

Maybe try the closed stance fh for awhile just to break the habit. Not as a permanent fh. Just go extreme the other way temporarily to completely break your current habit.

 

[FiReFTW]

Let’s put it another way: which pro forehand does this forehand resemble the most? Now be honest. Think about all of them from Fed to Djoker, Del potro, Gulbis, Halep, Kyrgios and anyone you can think of and don’t forget R. Nadal!

Thats easy to answer, but its none from your list

 

[navigator]

The forehand looks nothing like Rafa, and also emulating someone's forehand in my opinion is a bad idea, because everyone is different as far as their body goes, so everyone will have some slight unique properties depending on their body type, arm lenght, flexibility etc etc

Oh thats nothing strange, my extreme eastern allows this too, impossible to hit long even if I hit 200% of my ability, but my stroke is modeled after federer, straight arm and very loose grip tension and extreme lag...

So, which one is it?

 

[Curious]

So, which one is it?

That was the first thing I thought about as soon as I read his post but I'm determined not to be involved in a conversation with him any more.

 

[mad dog1]

That was the first thing I thought about as soon as I read his post but I'm determined not to be involved in a conversation with him any more.

Maybe it should be

 

[rrortiz5]

If you take out all the extra movements in the takeback along with the wrist extrension throughout I think if I had to choose a pro it most looks like it would have to be Taylor Fritz.

 

[mad dog1]

If you take out all the extra movements in the takeback along with the wrist extrension throughout I think if I had to choose a pro it most looks like it would have to be Taylor Fritz.

I spent almost an entire week at Newport Beach standing behind Taylor Fritz hitting forehands on court 1 and I honestly can’t see any resemblance. Recorded his matches as well.

From what I could see, Fritz looks like he’s using a strong SW to full western hammer grip. His fh is quite flat which surprised me given the grip.