Learning the Forehand

[tennis_pr0]

When teaching the forehand to a beginner, I always introduce a very simple motion. No laying back of the wrist, just a simple low to high motion with a eastern/semi-western grip. When the player develops some feel and consistency, I then introduce the modern forehand.

Another teaching pro and I had a discussion the other day and he thought it was better to introduce the windshield wiper type forehand right off the bat. I disagreed with him because I feel keeping things simple in the beginning and developing consistency should come first before introducing a more complicated stroke, such as the one I mentioned. Any opinions, guys?

 

[tricky]

I guess it another question: when the student tells you "I wanna hit like Roger Nadalassi with my Western grip and Babolat!!", what do you say?

Learning an old school stroke convinces you that hitting flat, spinny, DTL, CC, powerful strokes is all about your preparation. Also, a simple low-to-high motion on the FH wing makes it easier for them to learn the BH wing.

 

[GuyClinch]

I'd like it if more pros would teach the modern forehand for their bigger stronger players..I find that most pros like to teach the traditional forehand..

BTW whats so much more "complicated" about the modern forehand compared to your old school one?

 

[ho]

Also, a simple low-to-high motion on the FH wing makes it easier for them to learn the BH wing.

i agree, beside, why is the beginner need ww for? he does not whack the ball to the fence, did he. ?

 

[ho]

BTW whats so much more "complicated" about the modern forehand compared to your old school one?

a lots, basicly because of the racket, it's the source of trouble that we have to make our stroke more complicated to just get it in.

 

[heretoserve]

Well seeing as how the WW effect is only an illusion of players relaxing the followthrough I think teaching the child to extend out from the shoulder would give him a better chance of succeeding. The racquet face needs to be vertical heading towards your target when you strike the ball to create topspin. Doesn't matter if your Laver, Sampras or Federrer.

It's in these moments when we as coaches better be darn sure of what we are teaching when you take a kids game/future into your hands.

Most pros do not know how to hit a forehand a volley or a serve.


There are some good sample videos at http://www.tennissmith.com

The creater of this web site has developed a handfull of national chanmpionship winners. Please see my post(post here if you have created a nationally ranked player from beginning to end). It's emptiness speaks for itself.



Let the first stage of truth begin!

 

[LeeD]

Depends on actual beginner level of the student.
For first time non athletes, the traditional flat forehand with racketface vertical thru the whole stroke.
For beginner students who can do this first time, allow them to work on a more advanced forehand with WW finish, since they adopt the first one so easily.
Some beginners need basic mechanics.
Other beginners can whack heck out of the ball right off the bat, and need CONTROL, not more power or a learned forward swing.

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

Depends on actual beginner level of the student.
For first time non athletes, the traditional flat forehand with racketface vertical thru the whole stroke.
For beginner students who can do this first time, allow them to work on a more advanced forehand with WW finish, since they adopt the first one so easily.
Some beginners need basic mechanics.
Other beginners can whack heck out of the ball right off the bat, and need CONTROL, not more power or a learned forward swing.

It's pretty obvious that learning a correct swing path helps you control the ball. Anybody can smack the ball over the fence.

 

[LeeD]

Wouldn't you agree that some "beginners" need to be taught swingpath, racketface control, prep position, grip, and turning shoulders?
While other's, it comes naturally, however WRONG.
Each type takes a DIFFERENT approach to teaching them the forehand stroke.
Athletes don't need to learn from the basic non athletic approach, and vice versa.
Lessons need to be INDIVIDUALLY tailored to the basic skills of the students involved.

 

[tennis_pr0]

I am speaking about someone who has never played tennis before. While I feel that the ww forehand is not a complicated stroke, I feel that a student will pick it up easier once they learn the basic swing mechanics and how to get the ball over the net consistently.

 

[LeeD]

Some students who never played tennis before have never played any ball sports.
Other students who never played tennis before, played squash, racketball, table tennis, baseball, dodgeball, airhockey, and similar sports using similar motor skills.
Need different teaching equations for each of the two above.

 

[GuyClinch]

....I don't think a modern forehand is anymore complicated then a traditional one. And personally think that it should be taught first (or at least very early on).

Watch this kid hitting forehands he is SEVEN -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHJglSlIxV8&feature=related

With a so called "modern" forehand - from what I can tell you pronate more and thus finish lower. Thats the ONLY difference. You swing though the ball on both forehands. You have the same prep. You load off the same leg. etc etc. You lay back your wrist..

We should be happy that some coaches know what they are doing (Landsdorp). I think many coaches do a very big disservice to the playing public by teaching watered down tennis.. I don't see any reason why amateurs couldn't hit forehands just like that kid from the get go..

 

[LeeD]

He might well be 7, but he's been hitting tennis balls for at least 3 years.
I thought this thread was about LEARNING to hit a forehand, from day one, not from years of coaching and practice.
And I know plenty of first year players who hit forehands better than that.

 

[GuyClinch]

How do you know he has been hitting forehands for three years in that video? You pulling that out of your *SS?

Anyway Landsdorp quickly moves people to this more advanced forehand. Like I said the differences are overblown..

I haven't abandoned the up-front finish. I still have players follow through out front and hold the finish. But at some point I usually teach the lower finish to everybody as well. Strangely enough, I have them hit maybe 20 balls and leave it up front. Then I tell them, "Okay, drive the ball and follow through down." And then sometimes I say, "Okay, drive the ball and follow through up." And I'm looking at how the ball comes off the racket the best

http://www.active.com/tennis/Articles/The_Downward_Finish.htm