How To Develop More Power On Your Forehand.

[thomas daniels]

Okay.

If you are ready to develop more power on your forehand.

Listen up closely.

Because.

I'm getting ready to break it down for YOU.

The forehand is one of the most important shots in tennis.

Whether you're playing for fun or competitively, having a powerful forehand can make all the difference.

But increasing power on this stroke requires a combination of technique, physical conditioning, and mental focus. Here are the key factors to help you develop more power on your forehand:

1. Proper Grip​

Your grip is the foundation of your forehand power.

The most common grip used for maximum power is the Eastern grip, where the base knuckle of your index finger rests on the third bevel of the racket handle.

This allows for greater control and spin while giving you the leverage needed to generate power.

For more aggressive hitting, you might also experiment with the Semi-Western grip, which provides more topspin while still delivering significant power. It’s crucial to find a grip that feels comfortable to you while allowing you to swing freely and generate force.

2. Footwork and Positioning​

Powerful forehands begin with proper footwork. Your feet should be positioned properly to allow your body to rotate and transfer energy into the shot. Here are a few tips:

• Stay low and balanced: The lower your center of gravity, the better your ability to drive the ball with power.
• Use your non-dominant hand: Your non-dominant hand helps with balance and control as you load your body into the shot.
• Step into the ball: The key to generating power is stepping forward with your front foot and rotating your hips into the shot. Make sure your weight is transferred from your back foot to your front foot during the stroke.

3. Use Your Core and Hips​

A powerful forehand isn't just about the arm; it’s about using your entire body.

To generate maximum power, focus on the following:

• Rotate your hips: The more you rotate your hips, the more power you can generate from your torso. This rotational movement is essential for transferring energy into the ball.
• Engage your core muscles: Your core is the powerhouse of your body. Engage it to help transfer the force from your legs and hips up into your upper body and ultimately into your racket.

4. Racket Speed​

The speed of your racket swing is critical in generating power.

To increase racket speed:

• Practice a fluid motion: A smooth and quick swing generates more racket head speed. Focus on acceleration rather than just strength.
• Snap the wrist: Toward the end of your stroke, a wrist snap can create a whip-like effect, adding speed to the ball. However, be careful not to overdo this, as it can affect consistency.
• Follow through: A full, extended follow-through will ensure that you maintain racket speed and generate power without losing control.

5. Hit the Ball at the Right Moment​

Timing is crucial for maximum power.

Striking the ball at the peak of its bounce, when it's in front of you and at a comfortable height, allows you to make the most of your body position and racket speed.

Avoid hitting the ball too early or late, as that can lead to mishits or weak shots.

6. Strength and Conditioning​

Building overall strength and conditioning will allow you to hit with more power consistently. Focus on:

• Leg strength: Powerful legs allow you to load and explode into your shot.
• Core strength: As mentioned, your core is key to transferring energy.
• Upper body strength: While the legs and core do most of the work, strong arms and shoulders provide control and help finish the stroke.

7. Mental Focus​

A confident mindset also plays a key role in developing power.

When you step into a forehand, commit to your shot.

A hesitant or uncertain swing can result in a weak, mishit shot.

Visualize hitting through the ball with power and focus on accelerating through the shot rather than just making contact.

8. Drills to Build Forehand Power​

Here are a few drills to practice enhancing your forehand power:

• Shadow swings: Without a ball, practice the forehand swing, focusing on technique, fluidity, and speed. Visualize hitting through the ball.
• Medicine ball rotational throws: This exercise helps with developing core and rotational strength, which directly translates into more power.
• Explosive footwork drills: Work on your quickness to get into position, using ladder drills or cone drills to improve your movement and position on the court.

Conclusion​

Developing more power on your forehand stroke takes time, dedication, and a combination of good technique, fitness, and mental toughness.

By focusing on your grip, footwork, core strength, racket speed, and overall conditioning, you can hit with more power and consistency. Regular practice and drilling will lead to noticeable improvements, making your forehand one of your biggest weapons on the court.

Now, let me know if I missed anything in this post?

Have a great week!

---

 

[10sbeast888]

how bout you post a vid of your fh.

copy paste from chatGPT - boring.

 

[ChaelAZ]

how bout you post a vid of your fh.

copy paste from chatGPT - boring.

Directly from ChatGPT to:

How to get more power on my tennis forehand

ChatGPT said:​

To generate more power on your tennis forehand, focus on these key areas:

1. Proper Technique​

• Grip: Use a semi-western or eastern forehand grip for better power and topspin.
• Stance: Use an open or neutral stance to load your legs effectively.
• Unit Turn: Rotate your shoulders early for a strong coiled position.
• Weight Transfer: Shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot for added power.
• Follow-Through: A full, relaxed follow-through helps maximize power and control.

2. Leg & Core Engagement​

• Leg Drive: Bend your knees and push off the ground to generate upward and forward force.
• Core Rotation: Engage your abs and obliques to create torque and accelerate the racquet.

3. Relaxed Arm & Wrist​

• Keep your arm loose and use a whipping motion.
• A relaxed wrist allows for better racquet head speed.

4. Optimize Contact Point​

• Make contact in front of your body, around waist-to-shoulder height.
• Hitting too late reduces power and control.

5. Increase Racquet Head Speed​

• Use a full backswing and accelerate through the ball.
• Let your wrist lag slightly before snapping through the shot.

6. Strength & Conditioning​

• Legs: Squats, lunges, and plyometrics for better push-off.
• Core: Medicine ball rotations, planks, and Russian twists for strong torso

 

[ErrorMachine]

My turn:
Hey everyone,

I wanted to share some tips on how to hit your forehand with more power. I’ve spent a lot of time tweaking my own game, and here are some things that have really helped me boost my shot speed and effectiveness:

1. Perfect Your Stance and Footwork
Your power starts from the ground up. Make sure you’re in a good athletic stance with your feet shoulder-width apart. Quick, decisive footwork helps you position your body correctly before the shot. Try to use a semi-open stance for better rotation and balance, especially when you're on the move.

2. Emphasize the Loading Phase
A powerful forehand relies on a proper loading phase. As you prepare to hit, take a small step back or sideways to load your weight. This “wind-up” is like storing energy in a spring—once you commit, that energy translates into racket speed.

3. Use Your Body Rotation
A common mistake is relying too much on the arm. Instead, engage your entire body. Rotate your hips and shoulders as you swing. This torso rotation not only adds power but also improves your timing and accuracy.

4. Accelerate Through the Ball
Focus on racket acceleration rather than trying to “muscle” the ball. Your swing should be smooth but fast, brushing through the ball with a full follow-through. Think of it as unleashing all the energy you stored during your load.

5. Strengthen Your Core and Wrists
Don’t forget conditioning off the court. A strong core supports your rotation, while wrist strength and flexibility help snap through the ball for extra pace. Incorporating exercises like medicine ball twists and wrist curls can make a noticeable difference.

6. Keep the Contact Point Consistent
Aim to hit the ball in front of your body. This ensures you’re maximizing leverage and transferring your body’s energy effectively. Consistency in your contact point will naturally increase your power and control.

7. Practice with Purpose
Drills are your friend. Try shadow swings to focus on form without the distraction of an incoming ball. Then, gradually add speed and power as you become comfortable with the mechanics. Video your strokes if you can; sometimes, seeing your motion helps spot areas for improvement.

Remember, power comes from a blend of technique, timing, and strength. Experiment with these tips during your practice sessions, and over time you should see a noticeable improvement in both the speed and consistency of your forehand.

Good luck on the court and happy hitting!

 

[Tenthinker]

Okay.

If you are ready to develop more power on your forehand.

Listen up closely.

Because.

I'm getting ready to break it down for YOU.

The forehand is one of the most important shots in tennis.

Whether you're playing for fun or competitively, having a powerful forehand can make all the difference.

But increasing power on this stroke requires a combination of technique, physical conditioning, and mental focus. Here are the key factors to help you develop more power on your forehand:

1. Proper Grip​

Your grip is the foundation of your forehand power.

The most common grip used for maximum power is the Eastern grip, where the base knuckle of your index finger rests on the third bevel of the racket handle.

This allows for greater control and spin while giving you the leverage needed to generate power.

For more aggressive hitting, you might also experiment with the Semi-Western grip, which provides more topspin while still delivering significant power. It’s crucial to find a grip that feels comfortable to you while allowing you to swing freely and generate force.

2. Footwork and Positioning​

Powerful forehands begin with proper footwork. Your feet should be positioned properly to allow your body to rotate and transfer energy into the shot. Here are a few tips:

• Stay low and balanced: The lower your center of gravity, the better your ability to drive the ball with power.
• Use your non-dominant hand: Your non-dominant hand helps with balance and control as you load your body into the shot.
• Step into the ball: The key to generating power is stepping forward with your front foot and rotating your hips into the shot. Make sure your weight is transferred from your back foot to your front foot during the stroke.

3. Use Your Core and Hips​

A powerful forehand isn't just about the arm; it’s about using your entire body.

To generate maximum power, focus on the following:

• Rotate your hips: The more you rotate your hips, the more power you can generate from your torso. This rotational movement is essential for transferring energy into the ball.
• Engage your core muscles: Your core is the powerhouse of your body. Engage it to help transfer the force from your legs and hips up into your upper body and ultimately into your racket.

4. Racket Speed​

The speed of your racket swing is critical in generating power.

To increase racket speed:

• Practice a fluid motion: A smooth and quick swing generates more racket head speed. Focus on acceleration rather than just strength.
• Snap the wrist: Toward the end of your stroke, a wrist snap can create a whip-like effect, adding speed to the ball. However, be careful not to overdo this, as it can affect consistency.
• Follow through: A full, extended follow-through will ensure that you maintain racket speed and generate power without losing control.

5. Hit the Ball at the Right Moment​

Timing is crucial for maximum power.

Striking the ball at the peak of its bounce, when it's in front of you and at a comfortable height, allows you to make the most of your body position and racket speed.

Avoid hitting the ball too early or late, as that can lead to mishits or weak shots.

6. Strength and Conditioning​

Building overall strength and conditioning will allow you to hit with more power consistently. Focus on:

• Leg strength: Powerful legs allow you to load and explode into your shot.
• Core strength: As mentioned, your core is key to transferring energy.
• Upper body strength: While the legs and core do most of the work, strong arms and shoulders provide control and help finish the stroke.

7. Mental Focus​

A confident mindset also plays a key role in developing power.

When you step into a forehand, commit to your shot.

A hesitant or uncertain swing can result in a weak, mishit shot.

Visualize hitting through the ball with power and focus on accelerating through the shot rather than just making contact.

8. Drills to Build Forehand Power​

Here are a few drills to practice enhancing your forehand power:

• Shadow swings: Without a ball, practice the forehand swing, focusing on technique, fluidity, and speed. Visualize hitting through the ball.
• Medicine ball rotational throws: This exercise helps with developing core and rotational strength, which directly translates into more power.
• Explosive footwork drills: Work on your quickness to get into position, using ladder drills or cone drills to improve your movement and position on the court.

Conclusion​

Developing more power on your forehand stroke takes time, dedication, and a combination of good technique, fitness, and mental toughness.

By focusing on your grip, footwork, core strength, racket speed, and overall conditioning, you can hit with more power and consistency. Regular practice and drilling will lead to noticeable improvements, making your forehand one of your biggest weapons on the court.

Now, let me know if I missed anything in this post?

Have a great week!

---

What about your equipment? I’ve noticed a general trend lately where strong players have looser strings, under 50 pounds, or even less! I’m pretty sure that’s below the string tension ranges printed by the manufacturer on the racket. This itself should give more power with good strings.

 

[thomas daniels]

What about your equipment? I’ve noticed a general trend lately where strong players have looser strings, under 50 pounds, or even less! I’m pretty sure that’s below the string tension ranges printed by the manufacturer on the racket. This itself should give more power with good strings.

Power comes from this-

 

[Tenthinker]

Excellent video on proper technique for more power, as well as some drills! Of course it all has to be done within a few seconds or less.

 

[Tenthinker]

One more thing: I’ve noticed watching good players don’t immediately get their racket head back, which some instructors emphasize. What I see instead is a slight delay in this after doing the shoulder turn, but racket is still only half way back with even a kinked arm. Then in the next phase the racket starts the whip motion which of course involves THEN getting the arm all the way back quite quickly and continuing forward in that whipping motion with the racket after contact ending up way over the opposite shoulder. Is everyone else noticing this “delay before whipping” moment?….especially with some heavy spin players like Tiafoe.

 

[ChaelAZ]

What about your equipment? I’ve noticed a general trend lately where strong players have looser strings, under 50 pounds, or even less! I’m pretty sure that’s below the string tension ranges printed by the manufacturer on the racket. This itself should give more power with good strings.

ChatGPT has you covered (using your post):

You said:
In tennis, how important is tennis racquet string tension? I’ve noticed a general trend lately where strong players have looser strings, under 50 pounds, or even less. I’m pretty sure that’s below the string tension ranges printed by the manufacturer on the racket. This itself should give more power with good strings.


ChatGPT said:

Tennis racquet string tension is very important and significantly affects a player's power, control, and feel on the court. The recent trend of strong players using lower string tensions (below 50 lbs) aligns with the physics of string behavior and how modern players generate power and spin.

Effects of Lower String Tension (Under 50 lbs)

More Power – A looser string bed acts like a trampoline, allowing the ball to stay on the strings longer and launching it with more energy.
More Spin – Since the ball sinks deeper into the strings, it increases the friction and snap-back effect (especially with polyester strings), leading to more spin.
More Comfort – Lower tension reduces impact vibrations, decreasing the risk of arm injuries such as tennis elbow.
Less Control (Potentially) – The downside is that looser strings can make precise ball placement more difficult, especially on flatter shots.

Why Strong Players Use Lower Tensions

Modern Racquet & String Technology – Polyester strings have excellent control and durability, so players can afford to lower tension for extra power and spin while maintaining control.
More Spin-Oriented Game – Modern tennis is dominated by heavy topspin, and lower tensions help generate more RPMs.
Adaptation to Faster Conditions – Lower tensions can help adjust to fast surfaces, lighter balls, and changes in altitude.

String Manufacturer Recommendations

The ranges printed on the racquet (e.g., 50-60 lbs) are general guidelines for average players. However, professional and advanced players often experiment with tensions far outside these ranges to match their playing style.

Would you like advice on stringing tension based on your own playing style?

 

[Tenthinker]

That’s a detailed interesting ChatGPT non-personal reply which reinforces what I’ve suspected about better players going with lower string tensions, partly because they can get more power. Any loss of control they may get they can adapt to since they are strong players! Lower level players would not be able to do that without losing control more often. I also haven’t broken a string in years!…so I’m thinking I should try to get more power from the strings and rackets I currently have. Maybe I’m not even getting the best possible performance out of them?