Forehand Footwork Question

cg.tennis

Rookie
When being pulled a little wide at the deuce court, and the ball is a little short (the contact point could be near deuce court side line, halfway between service box corner to baseline corner). There are 2 scenarios:

#1. I may hit a forehand approach shot and follow to the net
#2. I may hit a forehand and recover back to baseline.

I saw coaches on youtube talks about 3 footwork patterns:
A) walking step (inside leg cross over, maybe just step forward as hitting) - FYB
B) 1 foot pivot (inside foot kicks up) - Bailey Method
C). Neutral stance (after setting up with open stance, you realize the ball is a little shot/there is enough time, you step into the shot so it becomes neutral stance).

Which footwork is correct or better for #1 and #2 scenarios?
 
When being pulled a little wide at the deuce court, and the ball is a little short (the contact point could be near deuce court side line, halfway between service box corner to baseline corner). There are 2 scenarios:

#1. I may hit a forehand approach shot and follow to the net
#2. I may hit a forehand and recover back to baseline.

I saw coaches on youtube talks about 3 footwork patterns:
A) walking step (inside leg cross over, maybe just step forward as hitting) - FYB
B) 1 foot pivot (inside foot kicks up) - Bailey Method
C). Neutral stance (after setting up with open stance, you realize the ball is a little shot/there is enough time, you step into the shot so it becomes neutral stance).

Which footwork is correct or better for #1 and #2 scenarios?

I probably found the answer to my own question.

 
For scenario #2 why not just hit an open (or semi open) stance scenario FH in most cases since you have been pulled out wide and do not intend to hit an approach? If needed, you can employ a mogul move (mogul step) if you are hitting on the run and need to recover quickly. OTOH, is you are not quite as rushed, the 1-foot pivot could possibly work.

For scenario #1, The height of your contact point can also be a factor in your footwork pattern choice. The walking step might work in some situations. If you can get into a suitable position, Federer's hop-step approach might work. This might be more suitable for a medium high ball rather than a low ball. Or try this guy's suggestion for an approach shot on a wide ball (at 1:09)...



 
Last edited:
Just saw your follow-up (#2) post after posting my answer (#3). Good ideas in the 1-minute clinic. Very similar to the 1st video I posted above. As I indicated, some of the other variations might work for scenario #1 or scenario #2.
 
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