Forehand

[ashtonm60]

This is my forehand on the 30th of December of 2016. Looking for feedback and tips on how to improve. I've been seeing a coach recently and he has been helping me learn the modern forehand but it is very hard for me to switch from my modified eastern to a semi western. I appreciate all your feedback! Sorry for awful video quality my phone camera isn't the best. The guy that comments on my first swing is my friend so just ignore him

 

[Disgruntled Worker]

Lol. Modern forehand

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

This is my forehand on the 30th of December of 2016. Looking for feedback and tips on how to improve. I've been seeing a coach recently and he has been helping me learn the modern forehand but it is very hard for me to switch from my modified eastern to a semi western. I appreciate all your feedback! Sorry for awful video quality my phone camera isn't the best. The guy that comments on my first swing is my friend so just ignore him

You didn't post a video, awful or otherwise.

 

[ashtonm60]

Lol. Modern forehand

What do you mean

 

[ashtonm60]

Oh it didn't post whoops one sec

 

[ashtonm60]

 

[ashtonm60]

Okay I actually posted it this time sorry bout that

 

[AlexR]

Okay I actually posted it this time sorry bout that

The shank was the best looking shot, I'd say.

I noticed that on the other shots, it looks like you're pulling off the ball and ending up leaning on your back foot. Force of your swing isn't really directed toward your opponent. You kind of spin off the ball.

Other thing is too army. Use the torso/shoulder turn to power the swing.

To me it looks like you have a good turn and setup.

 

[Daniel_K]

not a bad forehand at all. of the 4 shots that you hit I found the 2nd one the best IMO. good fluid take back and swing, and follow through. One thing that i noticed was that you tend to pull back on your forehand(you should always move through and forward). you don't see this on the first shot, but i think thats mainly due to your movement being forward rather than a different stroke intention.

 

[Disgruntled Worker]

What do you mean

There's no such thing as a "modern forehand". There's a technically sound forehand and then there's an improper forehand.

Your shot is OK. But you're still at that phase where you're trying to blast winners by arming the ball. Relax and slow down the swing, hold the follow-through a little longer and go for a 2-3 foot net clearance rather than raw, linear penetration.

Your vid doesn't give the best angle. But from the sound of the strings and the trajectory of the ball I can tell your shots are all pace no weight, meaning they have depth, but they're inconsistent and lacking in spin. If you ever played against me I wouldn't try to outhit you. I'd just spin the ball with extra clearance and wait for you to dump it into the net.

 

[AlexR]

One other thing I noticed on a second look, your elbow looks a little bit pinned to your hip. You can hit a decent forehand from there but generally you'd want to do so only if you're jammed, overran a ball, etc. Try to put a few more inches between you and the ball. Don't try to "correct" the elbow, rather correct the hitting zone of the forehand and the elbow will come out naturally.

 

[AlexR]

There's no such thing as a "modern forehand". There's a technically sound forehand and then there's an improper forehand.

Your shot is OK. But you're still at that phase where you're trying to blast winners by arming the ball. Relax and slow down the swing, hold the follow-through a little longer and go for a 2-3 foot net clearance rather than raw, linear penetration.

Your vid doesn't give the best angle. But from the sound of the strings and the trajectory of the ball I can tell your shots are all pace no weight, meaning they have depth, but they're inconsistent and lacking in spin. If you ever played against me I wouldn't try to outhit you. I'd just spin the ball with extra clearance and wait for you to dump it into the net.

Don't agree w/ this except where you say he's arming the ball.

The first shot, yes, he goes for a winner. But this is a short, high ball and that's what you do. That was a fine stroke except the shank :|

The next two shots though are lots of topspin, little pace, very clearly, so idk if you watched the whole vid.

 

[Disgruntled Worker]

Don't agree w/ this except where you say he's arming the ball.

The first shot, yes, he goes for a winner. But this is a short, high ball and that's what you do. That was a fine stroke except the shank :|

The next two shots though are lots of topspin, little pace, very clearly, so idk if you watched the whole vid.

Well, you can agree or disagree. It's irrelevant to me. I'm telling you I've played with guys that smash the ball off of both wings. This guy wouldn't be able to keep up with his current technique. It's inefficient and technically flawed.

 

[AlexR]

Well, you can agree or disagree. It's irrelevant to me. I'm telling you I've played with guys that smash the ball off of both wings. This guy wouldn't be able to keep up with his current technique. It's inefficient and technically flawed.

Just watch it again and tell me if you still think he's trying to hit flat winners on shots 2 and 3. You can tell by the angle the ball leaves the strings, the time it takes for the opponent to hit, the racquet angle and trajectory, etc.

I also forgot to disagree with "hold the follow through". Can you explain the point of this, I've never heard it before.

 

[Daniel_K]

It is technically flawed yes, but what person starting a new change to their stroke doesn't have some flaws?

on another note From this angle it is to hard to gauge pace and depth on the ball.

this is a warmup of nishikori from when he is younger. looks like a pretty wimpy shot with lots of "flaws" but he has taken that forehand and really turned it into a weapon. even at this stage in his career he would probably cream most players on these boards

top 5 with a forehand based off of that? probably not.

 

[Disgruntled Worker]

Just watch it again and tell me if you still think he's trying to hit flat winners on shots 2 and 3. You can tell by the angle the ball leaves the strings, the time it takes for the opponent to hit, the racquet angle and trajectory, etc.

I also forgot to disagree with "hold the follow through". Can you explain the point of this, I've never heard it before.

I'm not gonna explain anything, dude. Learn tennis the correct way. Not by reading comments from anonymous strangers over the internet who are clueless. Me trying to explain to you how to hit a proper forehand through text is like Eddie van Halen trying to teach a kid how to play guitar over the telephone using a ukelele. If you genuinely think a professional, ATP player hits the ball the way OP is hitting it here, then that already speaks volumes about your knowledge of technique, and the minutiae behind groundstrokes.

NO ATP player arms the ball like this. No pro would hit such a limp, anemic shot which would get munched on by even a low-ranked junior.

 

[Disgruntled Worker]

It is technically flawed yes, but what person starting a new change to their stroke doesn't have some flaws?

on another note From this angle it is to hard to gauge pace and depth on the ball.

this is a warmup of nishikori from when he is younger. looks like a pretty wimpy shot with lots of "flaws" but he has taken that forehand and really turned it into a weapon. even at this stage in his career he would probably cream most players on these boards

top 5 with a forehand based off of that? probably not.

PLEASE don't compare yourself to a top 10 player in the world. The disparity in power and spin and pace between you and Kei Nishikori is so substantial it's not even funny. Go to an ATP event or even a DI college match and tell me they're hitting the ball the same as you. They're not. The pros execute all these subtle things so quickly it's invisible to the naked eye. That's the worst thing a club player can do is emulate a pro using full-speed footage. All you're going to do is phuck up your timing.

 

[Daniel_K]

Read man. I'm not comparing anyone to kei, it was simply to illustrate the idea that you can't expect someone to be perfect right away, and its even harder to gauge what is wrong off of one single reference frame video. specifically because kei doesn't hit a forehand like that anymore...

 

[AlexR]

Read man. I'm not comparing anyone to kei, it was simply to illustrate the idea that you can't expect someone to be perfect right away, and its even harder to gauge what is wrong off of one single reference frame video. specifically because kei doesn't hit a forehand like that anymore...

Don't listen to this guy dude. He appears to just be trolling. He isn't actually responding to your words, or mine... telling us we're saying things we're not, crapping on your stroke yet a) not offering anything constructive besides "relax" and "hold your follow through" (which is nonsense advice... like, why? this isn't golf), and b) not even able to distinguish between a looping topspin forehand (which shot 3 and probably 2 are, right?) and a flat winner try.

 

[ashtonm60]

Don't listen to this guy dude. He appears to just be trolling. He isn't actually responding to your words, or mine... telling us we're saying things we're not, crapping on your stroke yet a) not offering anything constructive besides "relax" and "hold your follow through" (which is nonsense advice... like, why? this isn't golf), and b) not even able to distinguish between a looping topspin forehand (which shot 3 and probably 2 are, right?) and a flat winner try.

Well thanks anyway I'll try and use the kinetic chain more cause I don't. I haven't had much instruction for this and I'm just trying to get some help so I can become better. Thanks for all the feedback and I'll post another video today and I'll get it from a better angle

 

[ashtonm60]

not a bad forehand at all. of the 4 shots that you hit I found the 2nd one the best IMO. good fluid take back and swing, and follow through. One thing that i noticed was that you tend to pull back on your forehand(you should always move through and forward). you don't see this on the first shot, but i think thats mainly due to your movement being forward rather than a different stroke intention.

And yeah I do feel I do that sometimes when I try and play more careful, which I try not to do, but it happens

 

[ashtonm60]

Here's an updated vid of me hitting it's longer than the last one and it's a back view

 

[ashtonm60]

Whoops double post sorry

 

[Daniel_K]

good video. I see you start off with a bent arm, which is fine but on some strokes it seems you contact the ball a tad late which causes the stroke to jam and your arm to fold in. (watch at 8 seconds)

Now, this may help you or it may not. to try to help keep your hitting arm out and away from your body try to "catch" the racket on followthrough with your left hand.

and.... split step on every shot.

 

[spun_out]

looks good. you should try to hit the ball more out in front, but i think that with the way you have the ball machine set up (with the ball bouncing close to you and having to hit on the rise), that is a hard ask. try setting the ball machine so that you can hit the ball on the way down and see if you can hit more out in front.

 

[ashtonm60]

good video. I see you start off with a bent arm, which is fine but on some strokes it seems you contact the ball a tad late which causes the stroke to jam and your arm to fold in. (watch at 8 seconds)

Now, this may help you or it may not. to try to help keep your hitting arm out and away from your body try to "catch" the racket on followthrough with your left hand.

and.... split step on every shot.

So instead of having it bent through the whole shot, extend it out away from my body?

 

[Daniel_K]

yes, extend through contact

 

[Disgruntled Worker]

Here's an updated vid of me hitting it's longer than the last one and it's a back view

God, the peanut gallery is chiming in again...LOL

You have potential, kid. But again, what you're doing won't work against a moving opponent that's looking to take your head off with their ground-strokes. You can listen to the nitwits on this forum or you can find a real-life coach that's willing to invest time with you and really take your game to the next level. The choice is yours. Taking tennis tips from a person that hasn't posted a video of himself hitting is like taking legal advice from an escaped convict. Dangerous and potentially destructive long-term.

 

[Daniel_K]

Comparing taking harmless tennis pointers from people online akin to taking help from dangerous criminals...

Which opens up the debate of if you believe that, the why did you post to the thread in the first place.

 

[Dartagnan64]

God, the peanut gallery is chiming in again...LOL

You have potential, kid. But again, what you're doing won't work against a moving opponent that's looking to take your head off with their ground-strokes. You can listen to the nitwits on this forum or you can find a real-life coach that's willing to invest time with you and really take your game to the next level. The choice is yours. Taking tennis tips from a person that hasn't posted a video of himself hitting is like taking legal advice from an escaped convict. Dangerous and potentially destructive long-term.

Admittedly there are some decent coaches who aren't nearly as good as their students. Being a good coach is more about understanding how to teach tennis technique, having a good eye for what your pupil is going wrong, knowing corrective drills and being able to hand feed thousands of balls. It has little to do with your own skill set.

Nonetheless I'd agree that taking advice from the internet is fraught with risk. But there are plenty of coaches out there that can't make students better either and take your money at the same time.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

...like taking legal advice from an escaped convict.

I wouid argue that the escaped convict knows more about the legal system than the average person.

 

[Limpinhitter]

There's no such thing as a "modern forehand". There's a technically sound forehand and then there's an improper forehand.

Your shot is OK. But you're still at that phase where you're trying to blast winners by arming the ball. Relax and slow down the swing, hold the follow-through a little longer and go for a 2-3 foot net clearance rather than raw, linear penetration.

Your vid doesn't give the best angle. But from the sound of the strings and the trajectory of the ball I can tell your shots are all pace no weight, meaning they have depth, but they're inconsistent and lacking in spin. If you ever played against me I wouldn't try to outhit you. I'd just spin the ball with extra clearance and wait for you to dump it into the net.

donnybrook, is that you?

 

[Limpinhitter]

Well, you can agree or disagree. It's irrelevant to me. I'm telling you I've played with guys that smash the ball off of both wings. This guy wouldn't be able to keep up with his current technique. It's inefficient and technically flawed.

I'm not gonna explain anything, dude. Learn tennis the correct way. Not by reading comments from anonymous strangers over the internet who are clueless. Me trying to explain to you how to hit a proper forehand through text is like Eddie van Halen trying to teach a kid how to play guitar over the telephone using a ukelele. If you genuinely think a professional, ATP player hits the ball the way OP is hitting it here, then that already speaks volumes about your knowledge of technique, and the minutiae behind groundstrokes.

NO ATP player arms the ball like this. No pro would hit such a limp, anemic shot which would get munched on by even a low-ranked junior.

God, the peanut gallery is chiming in again...LOL

You have potential, kid. But again, what you're doing won't work against a moving opponent that's looking to take your head off with their ground-strokes. You can listen to the nitwits on this forum or you can find a real-life coach that's willing to invest time with you and really take your game to the next level. The choice is yours. Taking tennis tips from a person that hasn't posted a video of himself hitting is like taking legal advice from an escaped convict. Dangerous and potentially destructive long-term.

Yup, it's donnybrook! I recognize the attitude.

 

[GuyClinch]

Have to agree with Donnybrook -

1) He is arming the ball. I have noticed that most beginners and even some decent players don't understand that. It took me ages to understand that criticism. It's not just empty criticism - its a real thing. And once you get it - you can't unsee it. It's the #1 problem in groundstrokes..

2) Modern forehand #1 most overblown idea in sports. For rec players there are basically two forehands - mostly arm - and correctly hit. A correctly hit forehand will allow the shoulders to rotate and pull the racquet. The only difference with a so called 'modern' forehand IMHO is that the wrist is more relaxed (on the men's forehand) and on the women they tend to fix in a laid back position.. But the fundamentals - almost identical - in that they use angular momentum of upper rotation to power the forehand and they allow the entire arm to lag this rotation..

 

[DavidGibson]

Here's an updated vid of me hitting it's longer than the last one and it's a back view

It's not the worst forehand I've seen, You're hitting late and your wrist is doing some very funky things. Don't try to lag or whip anything. Prepare the racket a little earlier so you have more time to execute a fuller simpler stroke. Everything about your stroke is in tight. Eventually you want to create a lot more distance between you and the ball. It takes time. You'll get it if you listen to the right people.

 

[PMChambers]

Here's an updated vid of me hitting it's longer than the last one and it's a back view

I'd dump the modern forehand concept if I was you. Develop a sound predictable FH that could get you 5.5 level. Only people I see with decent modern FH are national reps and challenger circuit level or above. Looks like an uncontrolled slap. Look at Agassi style FH. Less to go wrong. More control.
(Agassi = 90s style, Courier, Chang, Stich, Sampras, most current Wta, etc. Anyone pre poly male or most female.}

 

[MisterP]

This is my forehand on the 30th of December of 2016. Looking for feedback and tips on how to improve. I've been seeing a coach recently and he has been helping me learn the modern forehand but it is very hard for me to switch from my modified eastern to a semi western. I appreciate all your feedback! Sorry for awful video quality my phone camera isn't the best. The guy that comments on my first swing is my friend so just ignore him

I'd like to see a video of your eastern grip forehand, personally.

 

[ashtonm60]

It's not the worst forehand I've seen, You're hitting late and your wrist is doing some very funky things. Don't try to lag or whip anything. Prepare the racket a little earlier so you have more time to execute a fuller simpler stroke. Everything about your stroke is in tight. Eventually you want to create a lot more distance between you and the ball. It takes time. You'll get it if you listen to the right people.

What do you mean by my wrist is doing funky things

 

[tennis_balla]

Here's an updated vid of me hitting it's longer than the last one and it's a back view

I watched the first 30 seconds which was good enough. You hit a lot of balls way too close to your body. This is one of the main reasons why you're arming the ball. Your body has no where to move, is stuck, because your contact point if too close to your body. That would be one of the first things I would work on with you.

 

[ashtonm60]

I watched the first 30 seconds which was good enough. You hit a lot of balls way too close to your body. This is one of the main reasons why you're arming the ball. Your body has no where to move, is stuck, because your contact point if too close to your body. That would be one of the first things I would work on with you.

Wish I could work on it with one of you XD closest place I could go is the John new Newcombe tennis ranch

 

[5263]

Wish I could work on it with one of you XD closest place I could go is the John new Newcombe tennis ranch

one thing that could help to make you less jammed is to try to hit nearer to the throat of the racket. You did it on a couple and they looked much better. Most of your shots are so near the racket tip that they lose lots of power and control. Another tip would be to take it another 4-6 inches in front. With those 2 adjustments, you would not seem too close or jammed at all.

 

[Disgruntled Worker]

Yup, it's donnybrook! I recognize the attitude.

Not trolling. I just realize how ridiculous it is to take advice from Internet coaches that have zero footage of themselves hitting. Why should I believe you or anybody on these boards? People embellish the truth online all the time.

 

[SinjinCooper]

Don't listen to this guy dude. He appears to just be trolling. He isn't actually responding to your words, or mine... telling us we're saying things we're not, crapping on your stroke yet a) not offering anything constructive besides "relax" and "hold your follow through" (which is nonsense advice... like, why? this isn't golf), and b) not even able to distinguish between a looping topspin forehand (which shot 3 and probably 2 are, right?) and a flat winner try.

"Hold the follow through," was actually good advice in 1985.

But there's a reason this Disgruntled guy is so against the entire concept of the modern forehand. It's because he hasn't got a clue what one is, or why it exists. Polys have not only allowed -- they've absolutely demanded an entirely different set of mechanics to generate additional power and spin in combinations that would have been out and out mistakes using older equipment. With gut and classical racquets, it was literally impossible to generate enough spin to hit with maximum full body power all the time. The classical forehand was an exercise in restraint, allowing truly crushing shots only on high balls, or when you were willing to take much higher risks with respect to low net clearance.

The modern forehand has changed all that. Current equipment allows that kind of crushing power on each and every stroke, and allows it safely, so long as you combine it with adequate spin and adequate net clearance. The modern stroke, being far more athletic and gyroscopic in nature, demands both a stretch with the off-hand in the direction of the incoming ball, and a radical retraction of that same arm and hand as the incoming ball approaches, and the torso rotates. This creates racquet head speed the same way figure skaters go into fast spins. With that off arm properly retracted, the follow through comes across the body, and can't be "held" in the way old Bill Tilden videos would ask you to. People telling you to do that are dinosaurs.

Ironically, this same Disgruntled guy plays with a Pure Drive and Luxilon-type strings which in combination absolutely require a proper modern forehand to be of any use whatsoever beyond vanity. And of course, has no idea that it's the case. (And in a greater irony still, calls others out for being "posers" in threads in the Racquet subforum. LOL. See his hysterical musings and photos in this thread... https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/customizing-pure-drive-to-federer-specs.579842/ )

You should probably just slap him on ignore and be done with it. He'll do your game a lot more harm than good if you read and attempt to implement any advice he offers.

 

[5263]

With gut and classical racquets, it was literally impossible to generate enough spin to hit with maximum full body power all the time. The classical forehand was an exercise in restraint, allowing truly crushing shots only on high balls, or when you were willing to take much higher risks with respect to low net clearance.

The modern forehand has changed all that. Current equipment allows that kind of crushing power on each and every stroke, and allows it safely, so long as you combine it with adequate spin and adequate net clearance. The modern stroke, being far more athletic and gyroscopic in nature, demands both a stretch with the off-hand in the direction of the incoming ball, and a radical retraction of that same arm and hand as the incoming ball approaches, and the torso rotates. This creates racquet head speed the same way figure skaters go into fast spins. With that off arm properly retracted, the follow through comes across the body, and can't be "held" in the way old Bill Tilden videos would ask you to. People telling you to do that are dinosaurs..

You really make some good points here, but there were quite a few pros who had pretty modern Fhs even with gut and wood rackets. Imo what you say does hold a lot of truth for most rec players though.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Not trolling. I just realize how ridiculous it is to take advice from Internet coaches that have zero footage of themselves hitting. Why should I believe you or anybody on these boards? People embellish the truth online all the time.

First, my apology if I mistook you for donnybrook, a former member of this board who was acrimonious and antagonistic to just about everyone on the board, who did come back with another name but then disappeared again.

Understand that there are members on this board with a lot of knowledge to share, but, who elect not to disclose their identities online. Having said that, as a practical matter, a novice might not be able to discern good advice from bad. But, in my view, a recreational player who has had some lessons and some experience in match play should be able to recognize good advice when he/she reads it.

 

[tennis_balla]

Wish I could work on it with one of you XD closest place I could go is the John new Newcombe tennis ranch

I wouldn't go to that place, don't ask me how I know haha.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I'd dump the modern forehand concept if I was you. Develop a sound predictable FH that could get you 5.5 level. Only people I see with decent modern FH are national reps and challenger circuit level or above. Looks like an uncontrolled slap. Look at Agassi style FH. Less to go wrong. More control.
(Agassi = 90s style, Courier, Chang, Stich, Sampras, most current Wta, etc. Anyone pre poly male or most female.}

Not true. I see a lot of juniors, boys and girls, hitting modern forehands.

PS: BTW, Agassi had a pretty modern forehand. He didn't have as much forearm rotation ("the flip"), as Federer or Nadal. Instead, he had a big internal/external shoulder rotation and upper body rotation.

 

[PMChambers]

Not true. I see a lot of juniors, boys and girls, hitting modern forehands.

PS: BTW, Agassi had a pretty modern forehand. He didn't have as much forearm rotation ("the flip"), as Federer or Nadal. Instead, he had a big internal/external shoulder rotation and upper body rotation.

I see a some juniors trying to do a modern ATP forehand and struggle a lot. Yet to see girls hit one, then again you won't see many modern forehand in the WTA, and if top level professional female players aren't using it then I struggle to see why junior girls would benefit at their development stage.

I don't see a sound modern forehand technique until futures level. If your intending to make tennis your profession and break into ATP top 100, it's probably valuable but not essential. Definitely essential in today's game if your contemplating Top 10. Gilles Simon got to No.6 without a true modern forehand, very 90's.

What I don't like about it for non-professional players is it has a lot of compound motions that require perfect timing in order to get high racquet head speed at impact. It engages a lot of wrist motion which I have yet to see many club players control due to lack of strength of flexibility. The angle of contract happens over a significantly shorter time frame, hence high racquet head speed, but this means the timing required to ensure the correct angle at impact is significantly increased. In effect it's a much riskier shot and requires much greater timing, flexibility of arm and strength. There are obviously benefits else it would not be used, but to me these benefits are not evident in non-professional game and obviously by lack use in WTA including the very top not a necessity in WTA.

Agassi does not have a modern forehand, he has a Bolletteri or late 80's forehand. As doe most of tho Top player through 90's and early 00. The Hewitt / Agassi / Courier forehand is much simpler in mechanics and as such I believe is far better for most non-professionals. All my ex-professional playing coaches have pushed the point that increasing complexity and timing requirements should not be done unless you need to (IE: mastered simplied shot and require it to add more pace/spin/work). It's like serving at 100% or red-lining any shot all the time, it loses matches. There are numerous professional coaches I've read or heard who recommend simplification over complexity at least until mastery is reached. Of course if your as naturally gifted a Federer and happy to train like him, go for it. But if your a club player then your likely holding your game back with complexity and higher physical requirements than required.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I see a some juniors trying to do a modern ATP forehand and struggle a lot. Yet to see girls hit one, then again you won't see many modern forehand in the WTA, and if top level professional female players aren't using it then I struggle to see why junior girls would benefit at their development stage.

I don't see a sound modern forehand technique until futures level. If your intending to make tennis your profession and break into ATP top 100, it's probably valuable but not essential. Definitely essential in today's game if your contemplating Top 10. Gilles Simon got to No.6 without a true modern forehand, very 90's.

What I don't like about it for non-professional players is it has a lot of compound motions that require perfect timing in order to get high racquet head speed at impact. It engages a lot of wrist motion which I have yet to see many club players control due to lack of strength of flexibility. The angle of contract happens over a significantly shorter time frame, hence high racquet head speed, but this means the timing required to ensure the correct angle at impact is significantly increased. In effect it's a much riskier shot and requires much greater timing, flexibility of arm and strength. There are obviously benefits else it would not be used, but to me these benefits are not evident in non-professional game and obviously by lack use in WTA including the very top not a necessity in WTA.

Agassi does not have a modern forehand, he has a Bolletteri or late 80's forehand. As doe most of tho Top player through 90's and early 00. The Hewitt / Agassi / Courier forehand is much simpler in mechanics and as such I believe is far better for most non-professionals. All my ex-professional playing coaches have pushed the point that increasing complexity and timing requirements should not be done unless you need to (IE: mastered simplied shot and require it to add more pace/spin/work). It's like serving at 100% or red-lining any shot all the time, it loses matches. There are numerous professional coaches I've read or heard who recommend simplification over complexity at least until mastery is reached. Of course if your as naturally gifted a Federer and happy to train like him, go for it. But if your a club player then your likely holding your game back with complexity and higher physical requirements than required.

I've seen junior girls executing modern forehands excellently. Current women pros weren't taught the modern forehand.

 

[ashtonm60]

I see a some juniors trying to do a modern ATP forehand and struggle a lot. Yet to see girls hit one, then again you won't see many modern forehand in the WTA, and if top level professional female players aren't using it then I struggle to see why junior girls would benefit at their development stage.

I don't see a sound modern forehand technique until futures level. If your intending to make tennis your profession and break into ATP top 100, it's probably valuable but not essential. Definitely essential in today's game if your contemplating Top 10. Gilles Simon got to No.6 without a true modern forehand, very 90's.

What I don't like about it for non-professional players is it has a lot of compound motions that require perfect timing in order to get high racquet head speed at impact. It engages a lot of wrist motion which I have yet to see many club players control due to lack of strength of flexibility. The angle of contract happens over a significantly shorter time frame, hence high racquet head speed, but this means the timing required to ensure the correct angle at impact is significantly increased. In effect it's a much riskier shot and requires much greater timing, flexibility of arm and strength. There are obviously benefits else it would not be used, but to me these benefits are not evident in non-professional game and obviously by lack use in WTA including the very top not a necessity in WTA.

Agassi does not have a modern forehand, he has a Bolletteri or late 80's forehand. As doe most of tho Top player through 90's and early 00. The Hewitt / Agassi / Courier forehand is much simpler in mechanics and as such I believe is far better for most non-professionals. All my ex-professional playing coaches have pushed the point that increasing complexity and timing requirements should not be done unless you need to (IE: mastered simplied shot and require it to add more pace/spin/work). It's like serving at 100% or red-lining any shot all the time, it loses matches. There are numerous professional coaches I've read or heard who recommend simplification over complexity at least until mastery is reached. Of course if your as naturally gifted a Federer and happy to train like him, go for it. But if your a club player then your likely holding your game back with complexity and higher physical requirements than required.

What are the mechanics of the Agassi forehand? I've watched countless videos studying it and trying to replicate the same mechanics of elbow up and then extend the elbow or does Agassi just go straight back every time? Hard to tell for me