My Forehand

[lol]

I am a student of the game; lessons in the 80's, studying/emulating my favorite players. More or less the love of the game provides my drive. I am open to always extracting something positive out of any situation, good or bad and applying it to my game (and life too, ).

We all hit strokes that can feel great at times and "off" the next moment. My forehand has been something I've always considered as strong but never really devoted as much time to as my serve and backhand. With the strength of this forum I recognize I can get help.

I'd like comments on my analysis of two forehands I captured on video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3gCpzVW2jw&feature=youtu.be

One felt really good, one is typical of one that felt off. I'd appreciate comments on what is going on with the off one.

I've captured key moments of the swing side-by-side and I will post them shortly. The two swings seemingly look somewhat similar yet felt so different. Small details are pretty evident and offer a very different result.

From seeing video I'm more aware of what is going wrong and hopefully comments will confirm or disprove my self analysis...

 

[Jay2014]

Hey, hate those ones when they dont feel right! Im sure the side on shots will help diagnose the problem and Im sure more experienced people than me can help there.

However, id say its probably a positioning issue. Beause the first ball was deeper you made more effort to move back so that when you struck the ball your weight was moving forward again correctly. You also kept your head nice and still through the shot. On the second shot, because it was pretty much straight to you, little bit lazy on the footwork, I suspect hit it just that tiny bit later, and then it looks like your weight balance is slightly further back, lifting your head just that subtle bit more through the shot.

Thats a bit of guess, based on the limited video. Im sure the side view will help but hope any of the above is useful!

 

[lol]

[/URL][/IMG]

Start of forward swing (1 of 7 pictures in the sequence)...

Good fh: better balanced platform, I think my hips and back leg are loading up more

Bad fh: the beginnings of a pushing type result, wrist angle is weaker, standing too straight?

 

[lol]

Hey, hate those ones when they dont feel right! Im sure the side on shots will help diagnose the problem and Im sure more experienced people than me can help there.

However, id say its probably a positioning issue. Beause the first ball was deeper you made more effort to move back so that when you struck the ball your weight was moving forward again correctly. You also kept your head nice and still through the shot. On the second shot, because it was pretty much straight to you, little bit lazy on the footwork, I suspect hit it just that tiny bit later, and then it looks like your weight balance is slightly further back, lifting your head just that subtle bit more through the shot.

Thats a bit of guess, based on the limited video. Im sure the side view will help but hope any of the above is useful!

Jay2014 your comments are really spot on. How did you pick up on the subtle lifting of the head? I couldn't see it in real time, but it ends up later sort of stunting the swing from contact thru follow thru. I really wouldn't of thought that a higher chin would have such an effect.

 

[user92626]

I think you're expecting too much. Most shots are supposed to have their own challenge. If they feel easy most of the time, you're not really playing your potential.

If you want easy, play with a 70 years old man. You'll look like Federer.

I just came back from playing. Would you believe that in two sets against two different sets of players (doubles), I made less than 4 UEs and naturally won with ease? Two of my opponents were men in their 60s They kept challenging me and paying for lunch. hehe

 

[lol]

Not really trying to overthink it. Just trying to develop key fixes I can remind myself of when my forehand starts feeling cramped and what not. So far, a higher chin thru the stroke seems to benefit me greatly.

Again, I happened to capture two similar yet different strokes on video and want to know what's happening.