How to deal with high forehands?

tennis_hack

tennis_hack

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Having gone out of my way to practice hitting high 1hbh's nearly exclusively, I've become much weaker at dealing high balls on the forehand side. Usually I would run around a topspin moonball to my forehand to hit a high 1hbh, but sometimes there is pace as well as spin and height on the shot, and I can't run around my forehand fast enough.

Then I am forced to hit a high forehand, and I can't seem to get the motion right on it. It always feels like I am hooking at the ball and arming it instead of hitting through the ball, and although I can't tell, it feels to me like my racket face is open.

I use a strong semi-western grip by the way.

Usually I hit forehands with a straight arm, but when the ball is high I find it hard to hit forehands with a straight arm. I bend my arm and this contributes to making me feel like I'm 'arming' the shot. Do I have to bend my arm to hit high forehands? If not, how do I hit high forehands with my usual straight arm technique?
 
If you used to be able to hit the high forehands fine, you should be able to get the stroke back. I'd look at your positioning and footwork first and make sure you are in good position and able to move your body through the stroke. Setting up for the backhands is not he same as how you need to be set up for forehands.
 
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I change my grip to more eastern and hit it flat right after it bouncesand try to plow through more on the ball.
 
Step back and wait for the ball to fall (hit with TS and long with security to avoid being attacked), or hit it on the rise.
 
I struggle with high forehands and backhands as well. Backhands I find a bit easier to take on the rise. My husband tells me I need to work on both my forehand and backhand slice to be able to take the high-hopping balls.

Sometimes moving back and taking it after it drops in not an option as you run out of backcourt space. In those instances I think the slice would really help me. Annoying for me that I know what to do I just cannot implement it very well. I guess I should just get out on the ball machine and practice.
 
Try consciously RAISING your backswing, so the relative angles are the same as a normal waist high ball. Early high prep usually does the job, coupled with a bit of practice.
 
set your feet more below the ball in open stance. tilt your torso a little away from the ball. takeback maybe slightly higher. swing from high right to low left. the spin will be either flat or some side spin. if you want to swing faster jump and kick back the right leg.
 
MikeHitsHard93 said:
Haha my thoughts too. Must hit with a continental forehand and not have any hops at all...or he's a troll.
Click to expand...

Not everyone has the same strengths and weaknesses.

My back is far stronger than my pectorals, and, as a result, my backhand up high is stronger than my forehand up high.
 
Read the OP carefully. He's been practicing high backhands to get his backhand better in that situation and his forehand tailed off. Don't see why that would have to be a troll. Have you guys never focused on a specific shot?
 
I'm a 4.5-5.0 player, but the high forehand has been one of my weaknesses.

I've made major improvements dealing with this type of ball by committing more fully to the forehand slice on shoulder-high balls, including return-of-serve.

The forehand slice requires the same fundamentals as the forehand volley:
- Continental grip
- Turn the shoulders and step in with the left foot
- Punch forward firmly through the shot
- Do not chop down through the ball

By honing this shot, I patched what was previously a big exploitable hole in my game. I use the forehand slice much like players like Lendl, Graf, and Federer use their slice backhand. I can neutralize the high ball to my forehand by punching it back low. But when the ball is at my waist or below, I'm more comfortable using my topspin forehand.
 
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My coach hates when I hit forehand slices on high bouncing balls. I just don't anticipate quickly enough to get in and take it on the rise, which he sees as a serious weakness if the goal is to play higher level tennis.
 
I did some research lately and I have been in the process of improving my high forehand shots. I'm also use extreme semi western grip. Basically you'll need to hit "Dip Drive". There are two scenarios of Dip Drive. Scenario #1, the ball lands relatively short, you hit it on the rise (before it bounces higher than your shoulder). Scenario #2, the ball lands deep, it bounced high, you wait for it to drop around your shoulder level.

Here are the keys how to execute this shot.
1. Raise the racquet head high (I mean really high)
2. Open stance, Pivot, full unit turn, you'll need to finish backswing before the ball bounces. Full unit turn ensure you get enough racquet speed.
3. Do not drop racquet head below your wrist when doing forward swing. At most, racquet head is at around horizental level. Everyone might be different with how much racquet head drop is. The idea is minimum racquet head drop.
4. Swing forward (Do not swing up, Do not swing down). It's not a vertical WW swing. It's more like a horizental swing. Don't try to swing down, as it will go to net. Don't be afraid of hitting out, as the little bit racquet drop will still keep the ball inside baseline.
5. Make sure there is 1 feet more space horizentally, otherwise you'll be jammed.
6. Make sure your contact point is a little behind than your regular forehand.
7. You may hit inside of the ball, so that you add some side spin to it, and it will have more penetration.
 
maggmaster said:
My coach hates when I hit forehand slices on high bouncing balls. I just don't anticipate quickly enough to get in and take it on the rise, which he sees as a serious weakness if the goal is to play higher level tennis.
Click to expand...

I find that the forehand slice on high shots are highly effective, depending on your own and the opponents court position. For example, if you drive your opponent deep and off the court and hit a drop forehand slice or a low-short and skidding forehand slice, it can be next to impossible to combat.

In addition to that, if it is a biting shot, its a great way to mix up the rally to throw off their rhythm.
 
Doing a Forehand slice when you have enough time is a kind of pusher style shot. It won't do any damage to a good opponent

mr_fro2000 said:
I find that the forehand slice on high shots are highly effective, depending on your own and the opponents court position. For example, if you drive your opponent deep and off the court and hit a drop forehand slice or a low-short and skidding forehand slice, it can be next to impossible to combat.

In addition to that, if it is a biting shot, its a great way to mix up the rally to throw off their rhythm.
Click to expand...
 
I can't really comment on how to high a high forehand with a straight arm, as I use a double bend, but it is a shot that you will need to have. You can't always take the ball on the rise or retreat to allow it to fall into the strike zone, as other players have suggested.

When I hit high forehands (one of my favorite strokes), I do all the typical fundamental forehand parts. Load with the legs, point to the contact area with the non-dominant hand, and focus on keeping your eye on the ball. You will probably get airborne but this should be an almost accidental result of the above. Swing through the ball and try not to "windshield-wiper" (or arm) it too much. Stay loose. There are a number of high forehands hit in this video, but I happened to slow down one of mine in particular, that might help you see what I'm trying to convey:

http://youtu.be/Ds3-UYaxBJ8?t=5m45s
 
willroc7 said:
I can't really comment on how to high a high forehand with a straight arm, as I use a double bend, but it is a shot that you will need to have. You can't always take the ball on the rise or retreat to allow it to fall into the strike zone, as other players have suggested.

When I hit high forehands (one of my favorite strokes), I do all the typical fundamental forehand parts. Load with the legs, point to the contact area with the non-dominant hand, and focus on keeping your eye on the ball. You will probably get airborne but this should be an almost accidental result of the above. Swing through the ball and try not to "windshield-wiper" (or arm) it too much. Stay loose. There are a number of high forehands hit in this video, but I happened to slow down one of mine in particular, that might help you see what I'm trying to convey:

http://youtu.be/Ds3-UYaxBJ8?t=5m45s
Click to expand...

Willroc7 - Where in Philly are you? I'm in town for a bit and looking to hit if interested 4.0-4.5 pentium125 [at] gmail dot com
 
I moved to ohio a few months ago, unfortunately, but I could probably set you up with someone to hit with if you like. I had quite the hitting partner network there.
 
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