Hitting in front on forehand

[Ledigs]

I have good form, but apparently I'm hitting the ball too far in to my body. I hit it when it's level with my body or a little up instead of hitting out in front, and thus I don't get enough power.

But when I hit out in front I tend to hit it left. I try to step in but am used to playing with a more open stance.

How can I fix this?

 

[4sound]

Try:
-Getting your shoulders forward on the open stance.
-Start getting forward right before the bounce.
-See the ball from behind the strings on contact.

Be aware of where in the ball bounce you are making contact. On the rise or on the way down. Try not to hit balls at the peak of the arch on ground strokes.

 

[coyfish]

You have to lead with your buttcap facing the ball. Right before impact you level the racquet. Watch a fed or any top 10 slomo.

 

[5263]

Try not to hit balls at the peak of the arch on ground strokes.

Why would you say this? This is one of the best times to hit the shot provided that it has not bounced too high.

Hitting out requires the right grip. Grip needs to always match the contact point. For example, it is very hard to hit out front with a continental grip.

Also some wrist lag helps to have the racket still in good position for an out front contact point.

 

[coyfish]

^^^ I agree. If the OP is hitting the ball late though I doubt hes hitting it at the peak of the bounce.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

I've noticed I've been doing the same these past few days as well. And it's destroyed what was my best and most reliable shot and turned it into pure cr@p!

What I didn't do was rotate my shoulder through my shot which allowed me to hit through the ball and follow through naturally without forcing anything.

When I didn't do that, I'd end up hitting the ball with a bent elbow, and my follow through would be way lower than normal.

And to contact the ball out in front, send the racket after the ball and push your shoulder through the stroke. Your shoulder should go towards where you want to hit the ball. Don't let the ball come to you, attack it! Meet it halfway at least!

When you hit a forehand, you should be going shoulder to shoulder. What this means, is on your takeback you should be looking over your non-dominant shoulder to see the ball. And on your follow through, you should be looking over your dominant shoulder.

 

[Ledigs]

My instructor told me to bend my elbow! Which is it?

 

[Power Player]

The bent elbow is not an issue. Focus on opening everything at once during contact..hips, shoulders and racquet. You can do this with a bent or straight arm.

 

[Ledigs]

^^^ I agree. If the OP is hitting the ball late though I doubt hes hitting it at the peak of the bounce.

yeah i don't think i am. should i be?

 

[paulfreda]

There is no 'good' way to answer your question because there are so many variables involved; grip, type of swing, direction intended, stance, etc.
Try taking a forehand in the deuce corner and hit it down the line. You will have to hit it late to do it easily and thus do it consistently. Note the adjustments you need to make and this will show you how to hit it later and not out in front.

 

[ci2ca]

The bent elbow is not an issue. Focus on opening everything at once during contact..hips, shoulders and racquet. You can do this with a bent or straight arm.

His instructor was semi correct. He was probably telling him to use a double bend forehand which Forces him to hit the ball in front. But it seems like he may be hitting the ball in front but not extending his racket and/or sending the top edge of his racket towards the desired target, therefore causing him to hook the ball and causing the ball to go crosscourt.

 

[moroni]

well different grips need different contact points and althoug hthe basics are the same each grip requires some adjustments so noone can answer your question with absolut certainty without seeing a vid ...too many variables

 

[Ledigs]

I'm actually really good at hitting down the line on the forehand (and backhand). I hit down the line more then crosscourt. He says I'm hitting when it's parallel to my body, and I should be hitting out in front. I have no idea what to do!

 

[Ledigs]

I have an eastern grip for the most part

 

[moroni]

well why dont you set up earlier ? that will give you a chance to hit earlier

(BTW eastern forhand is OLLLLLLD XD)

 

[Karlovic's Sunglasses]

I had the same problem with my two-handed backhand. I eventually tried switching to a one-hander but it was so wrong. All I needed to do was to focus extending my arms, other than learning how to play all over again on the backhand side. And you should do the same. Stretch out your arm on that forehand, don't be afraid.

tl;dr: Extend you arm to the ball.