Flat forehand with Western Grip

[stevenwags987]

I use a full western forehand grip and it works great for me.

However I have trouble ending point on short high balls due to the fact that I can't seem to flatten out my forehand when I need to and my topspin lets the ball sit and doesn't have the place im looking for when trying to end a point.

Just curious on how I can hit a flat forehand while using a western grip if there is a way.

I swing through the ball, I dont brush up on the ball....just cant seem to get the ball flat.

Thanks

 

[toly]

I use a full western forehand grip and it works great for me.

However I have trouble ending point on short high balls due to the fact that I can't seem to flatten out my forehand when I need to and my topspin lets the ball sit and doesn't have the place im looking for when trying to end a point.

Just curious on how I can hit a flat forehand while using a western grip if there is a way.

I swing through the ball, I dont brush up on the ball....just cant seem to get the ball flat.

Thanks

If and only if the direction of the racquet velocity is the perpendicular to the string plane around impact spot, the stroke is flat. Or, in other words, if the racquet is moved in the direction of the perpendicular to the string plane around impact spot, the shot will be flat.
To hit flat stroke, you have to maintain the racquet speed direction perpendicular to the racquet string bed. This is pure physics and nothing else.

 

[jdubbs]

It's really all about placement more than hitting it flat.

For instance, hitting a short ball you should be able to brush up on it while giving it good placement and hit a winner almost every time.

Try having a partner or a ball machine hit a bunch of short balls and practice hitting winners and getting the right footwork in tune with hitting them. You'll find you can keep the semi-western.

 

[dman72]

I use a full western forehand grip and it works great for me.

However I have trouble ending point on short high balls due to the fact that I can't seem to flatten out my forehand when I need to and my topspin lets the ball sit and doesn't have the place im looking for when trying to end a point.

Just curious on how I can hit a flat forehand while using a western grip if there is a way.

I swing through the ball, I dont brush up on the ball....just cant seem to get the ball flat.

Thanks

There's a tip on one of Brad Gilbert's videos..when the ball bounces high and you want to hit the ball flat or in a downwards manner, you should start your takeback high.. come at the ball with your racquet up at the level of the ball, that will force you to hit down or flat on the ball.

Of course, doing this on a deep high bouncing ball is a low percentage play, so be sure to differentiate between the 2.

 

[papa]

There's a tip on one of Brad Gilbert's videos..when the ball bounces high and you want to hit the ball flat or in a downwards manner, you should start your takeback high.. come at the ball with your racquet up at the level of the ball, that will force you to hit down or flat on the ball.

Of course, doing this on a deep high bouncing ball is a low percentage play, so be sure to differentiate between the 2.

Well, I don't have Gilberts thing in front of me but we "might" be putting a couple of things together that don't exactly fit. I like to teach a high loopy swing but it isn't to hit flat shots and in most cases, I don't want them to hit down on the ball. Yes, there are certainly times for this put players have to be very careful of hitting down from around the baseline area - regardless of ability. I hear and see this all the time but I think its bad advice and the source of many UE's as you nicely point out.

Brad Gilbert knows this game very well but sometimes his advice can be a little iffy - yes, its correct but under what conditions and at what skill level. He has dealt primarily, if not exclusively, with world class athletes who, IMO, don't process the same abilities of club players.

 

[julian]

Dip drive

Well, I don't have Gilberts thing in front of me but we "might" be putting a couple of things together that don't exactly fit. I like to teach a high loopy swing but it isn't to hit flat shots and in most cases, I don't want them to hit down on the ball. Yes, there are certainly times for this put players have to be very careful of hitting down from around the baseline area - regardless of ability. I hear and see this all the time but I think its bad advice and the source of many UE's as you nicely point out.

Brad Gilbert knows this game very well but sometimes his advice can be a little iffy - yes, its correct but under what conditions and at what skill level. He has dealt primarily, if not exclusively, with world class athletes who, IMO, don't process the same abilities of club players.

Is it a dip drive you are talking about?
http://www.tennisresources.com/index.cfm?area=video_detail&vidid=2072&ATT=&reso=hi

 

[papa]

Is it a dip drive you are talking about?
http://www.tennisresources.com/index.cfm?area=video_detail&vidid=2072&ATT=&reso=hi

Well, you can see these players are inside the baseline on these shots and that they are striking the ball around shoulder height. If you try hitting this ball from too far behind the baseline, your going to net more balls than you get in. I happen to like the shot a lot and its become very popular.

 

[Fuji]

I've never even heard of the "dip drive" until now! It is a really interesting shot! I will have to try it out sometime! Usually I just volley in that position, but it is definitely a different approach!

-Fuji

 

[Carolina Racquet]

Didn't Jimmy Connors hit flat, and only flat with a western grip on the forehand side?? Answer is simple. T2000.

 

[5263]

just pull across more.

 

[CityTennis22]

Try to swing so that the low to high motion is more gradual than your normal swing path. Extend the racket out in front before bringing it around on the follow through.

 

[papa]

I've never even heard of the "dip drive" until now! It is a really interesting shot! I will have to try it out sometime! Usually I just volley in that position, but it is definitely a different approach!

-Fuji

Its also used extensively when your driving the ball right at the net person - ball clears the net and dives down quickly which makes it a difficult shot to return.

 

[papa]

Try to swing so that the low to high motion is more gradual than your normal swing path. Extend the racket out in front before bringing it around on the follow through.

Well actually, if your trying for more spin, you want to pick up that racquet in a steeper, faster climb and finish over the shoulder or straight up which I prefer.

 

[dman72]

on short high balls

The OP said "SHORT HIGH BALLS". I'm assuming that means at or in front of the service line. That is one of few cases when you should actually swing flat or almost down at the ball...that doesn't mean you don't hit with topspin, he's still holding a full western grip, so even a "flat" swing path generates topspin. It's simple physics that if the net is 3 feet high and the ball bounces 4 feet high you can hit without an upward swing path and clear the net.

 

[dman72]

I've never even heard of the "dip drive" until now! It is a really interesting shot! I will have to try it out sometime! Usually I just volley in that position, but it is definitely a different approach!

-Fuji

It also can be a disaster if you start trying to hit it when you are at or behind the baseline, trust me, it's one of my worst habits. This is one of few shots that I can hit and finish points off with regularity, but what happens is, after your opponent gives you a couple of these at the service line, you start thinking you can pull this off from deeper in the court..it becomes VERY low percentage just moving back 5 feet from the service line.

You have to be very conscious about this, especially if it's something you've been practicing and are too eager to utilize. It's neutralized almost completely by deep shots, unless you're 6'8 or something.

 

[stevenwags987]

Thanks everyone for your answers.

They all make a lot of sense and will see if I can get a small feel for them the next time I go out and hit.

Steven

 

[LeeD]

Practice pounding flat shots against a concrete or wooden wall.
Get body sideways, close feet a lot, RAISE your arm on backswing to match height of contact, swing thru the ball, pronating a little later to get the flat shot.
It's not just flat on those high balls, there is a component of insideout sidespin, because of your grip.
Ball speed is what you're looking for, so practice against a wall and LISTEN.

 

[LeeD]

Linear as opposed to loop backswing...straight back and straight forward.

 

[toth]

I have a western grip, i usually play on clay.
I can hit decent approach shot from this situation without any difficouly, most of the time to my opponents backhand wing.
Maybe your opponents can hit better bh passing shot on the run.

 

[Jonesy]

Just slap it. Slap it hard.

JK, but if after 12 years OP didn't discover how to do it then he probably just gave up and went golfing.

 

[jz000]

Turn the racket around and use the butt end to tap it.

 

[onehandbh]

Go down with your back knee on the court and hit a top-slice overhead.




* not to be confused with 'bacne', which is acne on the back