Need help with semi-western forehand

[soyizgood]

I'm getting very upset with my semi-western forehand. I just cannot be consistent with this.

For a long time I played with an eastern forehand. The only reason I switched was because one kid gave me all sorts of problems with his Western forehand. My returns often were late and would land deep on his side, but not in an offensive manner.

Case in point: for 6 months my pusher friend could not win a single set against me. But one month into playing with a semi-western forehand, that streak ended. And since then he's won at least 7 sets against me in a 3 month span. Including today where he won 6-4. I thought this stroke would make my forehand more aggressive and would take my game a step further. It has not, at least not yet.

I am a he|| of a lot better than my pusher friend. Granted he has improved after my owning him for 3 years. But he's only perfected his pusher type shots while I'm struggling to incorporate new strokes and tactics. The only thing I've done right is my serving. It pi$$es me off bigtime when for 4 months I have struggled with my semi-western forehand. 11 years of eastern forehand playing just makes it harder for me to fully change grips. I want to solidify myself as a 4.0 player and advance to 4.5, but I can't until I get this d@mn stroke to work. That and I am a hothead when things don't work.

 

[sharpy]

with the semi western grip you must adjust to it. make sure you really really get under that ball and use your wrist to get topspin

 

[superbooga]

use your wrist to get topspin

Do not forcefully use your wrist to get topspin. Wristing the ball results in shots that lack power, and only average spin at best.

For topspin, you should learn to use the muscles in your torso and legs to assist the arm and produce the correct swing path. In fact, you can practice hitting with the arm and wrist virtually locked in place, relative to your torso. Bend down with your legs, and then unbend. This will create the upwards motion that is necessary for topspin. After contact relax your arm so that you will still follow-through.

 

[soyizgood]

I originally thought it would be a relatively easy transition from eastern to semi-western. I don't do a full (or long) swing motion before contact. The eastern grip allowed me to kind of develop lazy or bad habits I guess.

I try hitting hard with a semi and it flattens out. I try to brush the ball and it doesn't travel far nor has much spin. I can get spin on returning balls at mid-level down to my knees. Hitting balls at my upper levels tend to float.

I'm trying to hit the ball earlier than I would with an eastern. This is going to be harder than I thought. Until then, that pusher is likely going to cause me problems with his improving static, unorthodox game. ARGH!!!!

I may need a book on self-control or else I'll be a mini-Safin, minus the girls/money/fame.

 

[kimizz]

I suggest searching these boards, especially instructions from Bungalo Bill. This forum has really improved some areas of my game. Especially my forehand and I also use SW. If you are willing to spend some money Id suggest visiting the hitech tennis site.(google, I cant remember the url)

How well you know the basics of SW? The stuff about elbow leading the stroke butt cap facing forward, concept of double bend, shoulder rotation, using your legs to power the forehand, do you bend your knees, non dominant hand is important too. But I dont want to give any spesific instrucitons since im not qualified. I can post links later...

 

[kimizz]

I had this in my bookmarks so I found it pretty fast: Read the stuff BBill explains(I think its the 4th post in the topic)

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=13154

http://www.hi-techtennis.com/

 

[jktennis59]

Do not forcefully use your wrist to get topspin. Wristing the ball results in shots that lack power, and only average spin at best.

For topspin, you should learn to use the muscles in your torso and legs to assist the arm and produce the correct swing path. In fact, you can practice hitting with the arm and wrist virtually locked in place, relative to your torso. Bend down with your legs, and then unbend. This will create the upwards motion that is necessary for topspin. After contact relax your arm so that you will still follow-through.

Totally agree. But there's one important detail: with semiwestern or western grip you have to hit the ball more in front of your body.

 

[soyizgood]

I challenged myself on Sunday. Went to the tennis court by myself and practiced for 4 hours.

I was so fuming mad over the previous day I was going to keep practicing until I got sick of swatting.

I realized I don't need to wack the hell out of the ball on a semi-Western. When I took a bit off of the ball, the ball was spinning and kicking out. I got underneath the ball and hit it in a relaxed manner. I'm thinking my blast stroke would be my eastern forehand. Also I'm planning to use eastern to return serves.

As for that 1HBH I never get to use against that pusher, I made major improvements. I still can't reliably hit down the line on it, but I got under that ball and the ball had more pace than I expected.

I worked on my backhand slice. I realized I tried to use too much force. Took my time, improved my stance and that shot was working nice. I still need to control the amount of floating on it, but I can control the direction.

All in all, a very productive workout. Even my serves were doing pretty good. I expect nothing less than to massacre that pusher next time. I even brought a racquet to work so I can practice my strokes during lunch. My crusade against this pusher will be bloody and painful....for HIM!

 

[habib]

Destroy the Pusher! RAAAARRRGRGH!