FH Question

[tennisboy87]

I have a question for all of you about what you do with your non-dominant arm on your fh. Do you use it to track the ball? To get your shoulders turned? Do you just let it hang there? Tell me what you do and how it helps you. I get my left hand out there in front of me to track the ball. It's almost if I was going to catch the ball with my left hand. I feel that it improves my balance, it keeps me from opening up my shoulder too soon, and it helps me watch the ball better. Thanks a lot guys.

 

[cliff]

The non-dominent hand is used in shoulder rotation which enables you to pre-stretch the upper body muscles. This stretch builds up elastic energy in the muscles which is then used to help increase racket head acceleration. The non-dominent hand can also be used to track the ball, but the pro's use it to help them hit the ball harder.

 

[devwizard]

For me a lot depends on how much time I have to set up for the ball.

If I'm given a deep, slow, topspin shot I will use my hand as a guide. I don't like physically point straight at the ball as it's coming at me, but instead, I use it more as a means of loading my shoulders/upper body for the shot. Actually, my non-dominant hand has more of a general guiding/sweeping motion sort of directed toward the incoming ball. My hand never stays in one spot, though, it is moving with sort a motion that basically starts my upper body rotation for hitting the ball.

Now if I have no time, lots of things are different. Sometimes I have zero chance to get that hand out on, say, maybe a REALLY deep topspin return from my opponent. In this instance, I am really only looking for a defensive shot, which is easily produced without said hand motion.

So I guess my general formula would be: When I have time to go for an aggressive fh, I will do a well timed guiding motion with my hand to effectively line up for ripping a huge shot. But, when off balance or short on time, I frequently don't have the opportunity to get that hand up, and therefore cannot go for anything more than something defensive.

 

[cliff]

Check out Moya's fh video at procomparetennis.com. Watching the video has helped me understand the rhythm and timing of the pre-stretch.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Check this thread
Ferrero Forehand Analyzed
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/viewtopic.php?t=6134
it has a nice video clip and many comments.

Also check on the Web:
http://www.tenniscruz.com/photo.htm
clips of many great forehands there, including Federer, Guga, Safin.

Combine with the comments you're getting in this thread.

The nondominant arm is very important for balance, help in the rotation, racket takeback, aiming for the target, etc.

 

[tennisboy87]

Thanks for the comments so far guys. Please keep them coming.

 

[papa]

I like to see it kept on the racquet during the initial part of the backswing - helps to get shoulders and hips positioned properly. Then I like to see it brought forward (and NOT STUCK TO THE BODY) to maintain a good balance throughout the swing.

 

[skuludo]

Never let your left hand just hang there. Thats one of the tips I read in a Tennis Magazine article. Just copy what Ferrero does. I don't point at the ball with my finger during the turn because I find that I don't get enough rotation. Instead I use my elbow, so I can coil up. Just make sure you don't over coil. A good test would be stand against a wall. If you are right handed the wall should be on your left side. Have your left arm about 2 cm away to 0 cm away from the wall. Perform your back swing and if your racket hits the wall you over rotated. When you swing the racket, have your left arm move with the right at the same time.

 

[vin]

Take a look at Agassi and notice how he brings his left arm forward at the same time he brings his right arm back. He's loading both sides of his upper body at the same time. Not all pros do this, but I think it's efficient and leaves less possibility for timing errors.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

Cliff has provided good explanation:

-- the non-hitting arm helps in finding the grip,

-- aids in taking the racket/body back resulting in upper body turn,

-- pre-tensing/loading of the hitting muscles,

-- and then getting out of the way when the hitting arm starts the forward swing (shoulder over shoulder).

If you use your non-hitting arm to track the ball, this will prevent your upper body to turn!

Good night.

 

[tennisboy87]

Anyone else have their opinion to add?

 

[tennisboy87]

Anyone have anything else to add?

 

[Serve-And-Volley]

Just me. I use my non-hitting hand to hold the throat of my racquet before I take a long backswing and then keep it out in front of me to get good rotation and then I bring it into my body. Sounds weird just my old habit.

 

[Boris]

I use my non-hitting hand to keep a good balance

 

[raftermania]

Check this thread
Ferrero Forehand Analyzed
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/viewtopic.php?t=6134
it has a nice video clip and many comments.

Also check on the Web:
http://www.tenniscruz.com/photo.htm
clips of many great forehands there, including Federer, Guga, Safin.

Combine with the comments you're getting in this thread.

The nondominant arm is very important for balance, help in the rotation, racket takeback, aiming for the target, etc.

Marius, you are quite the fan of tenniscruz!!! For practical reasons I can't access it (on dial-up). But I try to browse the site when I'm at school.