Forehand tips needed

[smiley74]

I am having a problem with my forehand. I bring the racquet back and then come down but stop at my waist and swing through.

I know I am supposed to bring the racquet lower and then come up high but I can't seem to do it! I had an ok forehand and then focused on my backhand. When I went back to forehand I am having this new problem. *sigh*

Anyone have any tips for getting the racquet lower or any comments I can think about that might help me to do this?

Maybe I just need to hear the instruction in a different way. I know when someone told me to point my racquet behind me for my backhand when it wa slow...that seems to work for me.

Thank you in advance!:neutral:

 

[FedererISBetter]

Err... I really dont understand the question. Why would you want to get your rac lower for strokes... more spin? low balls?

 

[shojun25]

I don't get the question as well.

Remember to hit THROUGH the ball, don't stop right after you hit it. Bend your knees if its a low ball too.

 

[Leelord337]

what got my forehand good is to let loose and hit the ball like your arm is a shoelace or a strand of spaghetti

 

[smiley74]

Thnks, leelord...I'll try that.

To answer other posters-Yes, to get it lower to generate more topspin.

I just need like something to make me think differently about getting the racquet lower before I come up to brush the ball. Someone told me to pretend I was sitting down before I hit but that's not working. *sigh*

 

[fuzz nation]

Sounds like you are describing an exaggerated loop style of backswing, but it's stalling on you and your swing is flatter than you want.

Great teachers can come up with the right mental cues for students when they're out on the courts at work with them, but it's a little tricky to know what's ailing you on this format. If it's the case that you need to come up through the ball with a more low to high swingpath, try to focus on a different cue to reshape your backswing. I sometimes think of turning my shoulders and at the same time pointing the tip of the racquet at the base of the fence behind me, or even down at the court. Use both hands to quickly take the racquet back and that will encourage a quick and deliberate shoulder turn. With a short 'n sweet backswing, I can more easily keep my timing ahead of the incoming ball, especially when it's coming at me with more pace.

The other issue with a low to high swingpath is that you sometimes need to get yourself down to where you can still swing up through a lower ball. All this needs is a dose of bending those knees.

As you pusue a comfortable swingpath, don't be afraid to experiment with moving your grip a little further around to the forehand side. Nothing exotic; you just want to be able to stay balanced and turn naturally through the stroke without putting major kinks in your arm or wrist. Changing that grip will probably send a couple of balls down into the net, but that's supposed to happen at first since you've adjusted the angle of your racquet face. If your swing feels more balanced and natural, you will be a little more free to "lift" through your stroke which ought to help you carry the ball over the net now with some topspin that will land it in the far court. Go out after the ball where your swing is on the rise (not back beside you or in too close to your hip) and that's where your most productive contact point should be.

Hope I'm in the right ballpark with you here.

 

[smiley74]

Sounds like you are describing an exaggerated loop style of backswing, but it's stalling on you and your swing is flatter than you want.

Great teachers can come up with the right mental cues for students when they're out on the courts at work with them, but it's a little tricky to know what's ailing you on this format. If it's the case that you need to come up through the ball with a more low to high swingpath, try to focus on a different cue to reshape your backswing. I sometimes think of turning my shoulders and at the same time pointing the tip of the racquet at the base of the fence behind me, or even down at the court. Use both hands to quickly take the racquet back and that will encourage a quick and deliberate shoulder turn. With a short 'n sweet backswing, I can more easily keep my timing ahead of the incoming ball, especially when it's coming at me with more pace.

The other issue with a low to high swingpath is that you sometimes need to get yourself down to where you can still swing up through a lower ball. All this needs is a dose of bending those knees.

As you pusue a comfortable swingpath, don't be afraid to experiment with moving your grip a little further around to the forehand side. Nothing exotic; you just want to be able to stay balanced and turn naturally through the stroke without putting major kinks in your arm or wrist. Changing that grip will probably send a couple of balls down into the net, but that's supposed to happen at first since you've adjusted the angle of your racquet face. If your swing feels more balanced and natural, you will be a little more free to "lift" through your stroke which ought to help you carry the ball over the net now with some topspin that will land it in the far court. Go out after the ball where your swing is on the rise (not back beside you or in too close to your hip) and that's where your most productive contact point should be.

Hope I'm in the right ballpark with you here.

That...Fuzz Nation....was PERFECT!!!! Thank you!!