How to flatten out loopy forehands?

[myalterego]

I'm starting to get better form on my forehand, though it seems a bit loopy--not a lob, but a little slower and loopier than the type of shot I want to hit in a rally. How should I flatten it out a bit? I'm using a semi-western grip.

Thanks.

 

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

I don't think loopy forehands are as bad as people think they are

 

[fruitytennis1]

He didnt exactly ask if it was good or not.
Swing more horizontally-not low to high but more so medium to high

 

[[d]ragon]

Maybe try coming over the top of the ball more. It'll give it a flatter trajectory but will still be spinny, bouncing forward faster rather than kicking up higher

 

[ManuGinobili]

What has worked for one of my friends who uses a western grip, is try "reaching out" to the target with your racket. Even when pros do the windshield wiper motion, they still hit out instead of purely up across the body.

 

[brownbearfalling]

One way is to play a hard hitting fast pace player. You'll have to quicken your swing to keep up. But if you don't have to, then why change your form.

 

[GuyClinch]

^^^ So you can punish people when they give you open court to hit too? So in doubles people don't easily poach your shots and end the point..

I have a loopy forehand sometimes too. It could be your opening your racquet face a little - or you are not swinging through the ball as much you should. Late prep can contribute to both factors, IMHO.

 

[LeeD]

One cure is to hit the wall, and try to make the ball go POP and fast, with you using little effort.
Another is, as mentioned by ManuG, is to flatten out your followthru, so it stays at the level of the strikepoint. A few will go into the net, at first, but soon, you will open the racketface to get the flat ball, with POP, with ball speed.
NOT saying a flatter ball is better or worst, it's another weapon in your arsenal.

 

[ProgressoR]

loopy doesnt mean the shot has to be slow, my aggressive loop is pretty fast, and dips down very fast after crossing the net, using the angles means its pretty effective at my level, and i put pretty much my all into the shot. So if you get good consistency with a slow loop you can try keeping that form just making the stroke more powerful and quicker to speed up the shot.
And the dip means i can hit pretty much all out and it wont go long, it has given me a lot more confidence when i approach the ball and in my shot, which in turn gives confidence in hitting all out etc.

my opinion.

 

[myalterego]

I used to like hitting flatter, harder balls, and now that I think I know the mechanics of topspin better, I want to hit a decent, not flat but not loopy groundstroke.

I find that when I hit out in front of me while driving more through the ball and finish around my shoulder, I get a nice looking stroke. Thanks guys! I think I know what to do!

 

[tricky]

If you're interested in more suggestions . . .

Try visualizing hitting the middle or lower part of the ball. Then initiate your takeback. That'll give you a flatter swing when you need to flatten out a shot.

If you're looking for a straighter "between-and-across" swing, you can try visualizing a tall "H" stamped onto the ball. Try hitting the center of that "H."

 

[Nellie]

Try going to an over the shoulder finish -you will get some top spin but not as much as finish around the hip (from swinging a big up and down loop)

 

[Slazenger07]

Your loopy shot can be very aggressive, you just have to shift your weight into the shot and gets lots of acceleration to hit it more forcefully. I have a very loopy forehand with two different swing paths. When I want my shot to be less loopy and more penetrating I finish with the racquet across my body and explode into the shot, getting low and using my legs and hip rotation to help me generate power, the amount of spin on this shot is tremendous but it still moves fast through the air and when it hits the court it takes off.

 

[Slazenger07]

Try going to an over the shoulder finish -you will get some top spin but not as much as finish around the hip (from swinging a big up and down loop)

I only find this is true only when I hit this shot on the run, other wise I generate as much or more topspin with the over the shoulder finish. Weight transfer has alot to do with it.