Please help me with my forehand

[The Unknown]

My forehand is really struggling. Id appreciate some tips and advice on things to work on please. I feel like I arm the ball and have all sorts of issues.

The second video was later in my session, and I was focusing on trying to keep my feet still through more through contact - I noticed in the first video I that shuffle my feet as I hit the ball, which I though might contribute to unbalance and the overall awkwardness of the stroke.


Thanks

 

[Limpinhitter]

Your technique and swing path look good. You do let your racquet head drop back a bit too soon before you initiate your forward swing. Keep your racquet parallel to the baseline until you initiate your forward swing.

More importantly, in my view, you should focus your attention more on your footwork and shot preparation, getting into a perfect setup for each ball.

 

[The Unknown]

Your technique and swing path look good. You do let your racquet head drop back a bit too soon before you initiate your forward swing. Keep your racquet parallel to the baseline until you initiate your forward swing.

More importantly, in my view, you should focus your attention more on your footwork and shot preparation, getting into a perfect setup for each ball.

Thanks. Yeah my footwork looks very lazy. So many things you notice when viewing yourself on video...

Ill definitely work on my racket take back. Ive tried to keep my racket head up more, but apparently my grip forces me to keep it low and come up. A western grip (Ive been told).

Also, should I be doing more with my non hitting arm?

 

[Limpinhitter]

Thanks. Yeah my footwork looks very lazy. So many things you notice when viewing yourself on video...

Ill definitely work on my racket take back. Ive tried to keep my racket head up more, but apparently my grip forces me to keep it low and come up. A western grip (Ive been told).

Also, should I be doing more with my non hitting arm?

I think you are doing what you need to do with your left arm.

 

[ptuanminh]

your shoulder turn is tiny and your arm is doing most of the work. i don't know how it can be fix. May be try the closed stance first??? Your left leg should in front when you are loading. From my own experience, i feel the awkward closed stance make me use my shoulder and upper body rather than my arm. also try to hit with slower pace, focus on getting the right technique and control.

 

[cg.tennis]

you're not turning (opening) your hip into the shot. That's why it's like you're arming the shot most of time. Try to loose your arm (make it more like a spaghetti), use your hip and shoulder to generate power. As a result, your racquet head should be naturally lagged back. Once you get the feel of it. You'll probably need to figure out what's your best contact point with your hip almost parallel to the net.

 

[The Unknown]

you're not turning (opening) your hip into the shot. That's why it's like you're arming the shot most of time. Try to loose your arm (make it more like a spaghetti), use your hip and shoulder to generate power. As a result, your racquet head should be naturally lagged back. Once you get the feel of it. You'll probably need to figure out what's your best contact point with your hip almost parallel to the net.

I overheard the club coach saying that the right hitting elbow should move with the right hip as if they were locked. Is this correct?

 

[jga111]

I think you are doing what you need to do with your left arm.

No - that left arm is lazy and not doing anything - it slacks far too soon. Hit the shot more with your hip as you rotate from your shoulder turn, you're arming it at the moment. Use your left arm to help you balance as you drive forward into the shot - left arm is key here because you will be able to play with more power but still maintain your balance. See many examples of ATP players on youtube in slow motion with their forehand and notice the value in their non-dominant, it doesn't just switch off like your does. You also need to widen the spacing between your left and right feet - they are too close. Widen your stance, use your non-dominant arm to help balance your shot and you will be flying.

Biggest positive - I like your forward swing action that is all good, if you sort out the above you will have a great forehand, you're not too far from that

 

[cg.tennis]

I overheard the club coach saying that the right hitting elbow should move with the right hip as if they were locked. Is this correct?

Though I never heard this tip before, this is probably a good tip. I tried to do shadow swing just now, my right hip and right elbow seem to move together as a unit until contact point.

BTW, doing shadow swing in front of a big gym mirror really helps. You should see yourself totally loose your right arm, totally loose your grip tension, let the core (hip, right back & shoulder) do the work.

 

[The Unknown]

Though I never heard this tip before, this is probably a good tip. I tried to do shadow swing just now, my right hip and right elbow seem to move together as a unit until contact point.

BTW, doing shadow swing in front of a big gym mirror really helps. You should see yourself totally loose your right arm, totally loose your grip tension, let the core (hip, right back & shoulder) do the work.

No - that left arm is lazy and not doing anything - it slacks far too soon. Hit the shot more with your hip as you rotate from your shoulder turn, you're arming it at the moment. Use your left arm to help you balance as you drive forward into the shot - left arm is key here because you will be able to play with more power but still maintain your balance. See many examples of ATP players on youtube in slow motion with their forehand and notice the value in their non-dominant, it doesn't just switch off like your does. You also need to widen the spacing between your left and right feet - they are too close. Widen your stance, use your non-dominant arm to help balance your shot and you will be flying.

Biggest positive - I like your forward swing action that is all good, if you sort out the above you will have a great forehand, you're not too far from that

Thankyou for the great advice, I appreciate you taking the time to watch the videos and comment. Ill work on improving my non dominant arm, foot spacing and staying loose. Ill hit the ball machine tomorrow and try and drag the wife away from the mirror.

Just one other query, in my first video am I taking too many out of place steps at the point of contact? As in changing my stance as I hit the ball? Is this wrong?

 

[Rage]

Hi, i think the main problem with your forehand is that you are turning your shoulders too early, so you are hitting the ball with you arm only, i believe you need to let the ball come in, hit the ball and then turn your shoulders


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[Limpinhitter]

I overheard the club coach saying that the right hitting elbow should move with the right hip as if they were locked. Is this correct?

Not exactly. In my opinion, the hip should lead the torso, shoulders, arm and hand, in that sequence of events. I think you are doing a good job of it now. You could have a bit more pronounced hip drive to initiate your forward swing, and you could keep your racquet parallel to the baseline at the back of your backswing (not letting the racquet head fall back until you initiate your forward swing with your hip). But, in my view, as I stated earlier, your footwork is a bigger issue.

 

[NuBas]

You swing up too high

 

[JCo872]

You swing up too high

Same thing jumped out at me right away. You swing up too high for sure.

 

[JCo872]

I overheard the club coach saying that the right hitting elbow should move with the right hip as if they were locked. Is this correct?

That's a horrible idea. The right hitting elbow needs to move from behind the right hip to well in front of the right hip. You are doing that very well. He should be fired - seriously awful advice.

 

[LeeD]

Short takeback and swing, almost no torso rotation, usually mean's caution and not overhitting, but consistent.
Your wandering feet in video 11 shows you're not in balance, you don't have anything to drive off of, leading to inconsistent from shot to shot.
It's harder to time a ball machine than a real opponent, so you're inflight adjustment's have to be more flexible, with arm or feet, preferably both.

 

[JCo872]

Short takeback and swing, almost no torso rotation,

I disagree with that. His shoulders are parallel to the side fence on his takeback and completely parallel on contact. That's good shoulder rotation. There is the potential for a bit more by pointing the left arm straight across the body and twisting a bit more.

 

[LeeD]

No, his shoulder's are aligned WITH his feet, and where his feet go, so do his shoulder's so there is NO winding of the torso whatsoever.

 

[JCo872]

No, his shoulder's are aligned WITH his feet, and where his feet go, so do his shoulder's so there is NO winding of the torso whatsoever.

To me, this is pretty good shoulder rotation, but to each his own. However, looking at this, it is curious that you are in an open stance on preparation but have moved your left leg right in front of your back foot before contact. You definitely don't want that. I just looked and you do that every time. Don't do that.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I'm no coach and don't pretend to be one, but one thing that bothers me in these videos. Where is your target? Balls are spraying all over. Technique is nothing without accuracy. I've never done a groundstroke drill with a coach where he didn't set out some target for me to hit. Cones, ball baskets, singles line, whatever. Just something to aim at while you are working on your technique and consistency. Since the stroke does change slightly with angle and depth, there needs to be a purpose to your drill beyond "just hitting it over the net".

 

[dennis]

What happens when you try to hit with more spin and power but remain loose? I reckon you could hit with a looser wrist and accelerate through the shot more, the evidence will be a longer (and fluid) follow through. Obviously this will create more spin so you can keep hitting shots which you're confident will land in but you can hit a bit harder

 

[dennis]

^I meant 'spin and pace'

 

[The Unknown]

To me, this is pretty good shoulder rotation, but to each his own. However, looking at this, it is curious that you are in an open stance on preparation but have moved your left leg right in front of your back foot before contact. You definitely don't want that. I just looked and you do that every time. Don't do that.

Yes I noticed that too. Way too much movement of feet/sudden change of stance during contact, and not enough 'mini' steps prior to contact to get into the right position in the first place.

I also noticed that I finish very low. Well much lower than compared to Federer in this pic.

 

[The Unknown]

I'm no coach and don't pretend to be one, but one thing that bothers me in these videos. Where is your target? Balls are spraying all over. Technique is nothing without accuracy. I've never done a groundstroke drill with a coach where he didn't set out some target for me to hit. Cones, ball baskets, singles line, whatever. Just something to aim at while you are working on your technique and consistency. Since the stroke does change slightly with angle and depth, there needs to be a purpose to your drill beyond "just hitting it over the net".

Completely agree.

 

[Cheetah]

The main problem is the footwork. . The stroke is sorta almost ok. But even Federer's swing would be done in by that footwork. Strokes begin with the feet. Gotta fix that first. There's no way you will have a good swing with very poor footwork. Impossible. No balance, weight improperly placed, positioning all wrong,, poor prep.. Etc etc all caused by your feet. anyone telling you to do this and that with the swing and arm are steering you in the wrong direction. It will never improve without a proper fundamental base.

 

[rkelley]

Expanding on what Cheetah said, the biggest issue I see is that you are basically reaching out for the ball at contact. You reach out so far that while you start the stroke in close to a neutral stance (which is fine) you constantly have to bring your back foot up parallel to your front foot. You are unweighting the foot right around the time of contact, which is not going to help your consistency.

Honestly, it looks like you figured out a lot of this already. Huge improvement from the first video to the second. Continue in that vein. Let the ball come to you a bit more so that your contact point is a little closer to your body and you're not forced to reach out so much. Focus on planting that back foot and then keeping it planted through the entire stroke.

Otherwise the basic swing path and stroke look fine to me. I don't see an issue with the shoulder turn. There's this thing called separation angle, the angle between your hips and your shoulders, that you could use a bit more of this maybe. Stretching the left arm more in prep could help with that. But all of this is secondary to the feet. For now just work on planting that back foot behind the ball and wait for the ball to come to you.

 

[Todd Hicks]

Your form looks good and your balls are line drives that fall in bounds but you can do even better by getting your racquet back quicker, as soon as the ball is hit to you, rather than waiting until the ball is right in front of you.

 

[marsh]

No - that left arm is lazy and not doing anything - it slacks far too soon. Hit the shot more with your hip as you rotate from your shoulder turn, you're arming it at the moment. Use your left arm to help you balance as you drive forward into the shot - left arm is key here because you will be able to play with more power but still maintain your balance. See many examples of ATP players on youtube in slow motion with their forehand and notice the value in their non-dominant, it doesn't just switch off like your does. You also need to widen the spacing between your left and right feet - they are too close. Widen your stance, use your non-dominant arm to help balance your shot and you will be flying.

Biggest positive - I like your forward swing action that is all good, if you sort out the above you will have a great forehand, you're not too far from that

I agree with this post. That left arm needs flow with your body rotation instead of just dropping to the side. You also need to work on taking the ball earlier and into the court instead of backing up and then waiting for it to bounce. Think of it as as moving into the ball instead of to the point you think is going to put it in the optimal hitting position (not sure if this will paint an accurate picture).

 

[The Unknown]

Did some more hitting today. Stroke still has more issues than Time magazine, but I tried to focus on finishing the shot higher, trying to do something with the non hitting arm (although this wasnt the case for every shot) and not changing my stance at contact. My footwork is still lazy. It could well be a fitness issue. My legs got heavy quickly in the humid conditions today. Something else I need to work on.

Your form looks good and your balls are line drives that fall in bounds but you can do even better by getting your racquet back quicker, as soon as the ball is hit to you, rather than waiting until the ball is right in front of you.

Yes I agree with this. Definitely need to start getting my racket back quicker. I feel like I'm late to the ball a lot.

I agree with this post. That left arm needs flow with your body rotation instead of just dropping to the side. You also need to work on taking the ball earlier and into the court instead of backing up and then waiting for it to bounce. Think of it as as moving into the ball instead of to the point you think is going to put it in the optimal hitting position (not sure if this will paint an accurate picture).

I like this idea a lot and will give it a go for sure. I am really struggling trying to read the trajectory of the ball and getting into position to play the shot. If I move my body towards the ball more, and hit it a little more on the rise/earlier then hopefully it will help my positioning and footwork.

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated.

 

[ptuanminh]

looking good. but damn, your arm motion is weird. how does your shoulder joint feel after 2 hours hitting?

 

[dennis]

any chance we could see some points being played?

 

[NuBas]

The first, original video you posted looked fine. Your forehand is fine, unless you want to be more aesthetically pleasing you can try something different.

Why did you aim even higher the third video? You are not supposed to swing that HIGH up.
If you want effortless power just use a less powerful racquet and get a heavier one.

I thought your shots were good the first video, just loosen up and you're fine. I don't agree with footwork comments, its fine you're working with a tennis machine not playing a match or rallying.

Ball is going in, you are clearing the net well, only thing is stop swinging UP so high.

 

[dennis]

How about switching up the type of forehands shots and moving the ball machine so we get a bigger picture. eg 5 x high and deep crosscourt, 5 x deep but lower trajectory crosscourt, 5x running around backhands and hitting a more aggressive inside out shot, 5 x down the line.

or even simpler: all crosscourt and deep from a crosscourt feed but - 5 neutral shots, then 5 of more of a building shot then 5 aggressive shots. Recover back to middle between each shot

 

[The Unknown]

How about switching up the type of forehands shots and moving the ball machine so we get a bigger picture. eg 5 x high and deep crosscourt, 5 x deep but lower trajectory crosscourt, 5x running around backhands and hitting a more aggressive inside out shot, 5 x down the line.

or even simpler: all crosscourt and deep from a crosscourt feed but - 5 neutral shots, then 5 of more of a building shot then 5 aggressive shots. Recover back to middle between each shot

Yes the next session Ill be oscillating the machine and doing more cross court to cross court shot, working in my backhands.

 

[The Unknown]

The first, original video you posted looked fine. Your forehand is fine, unless you want to be more aesthetically pleasing you can try something different.

Why did you aim even higher the third video? You are not supposed to swing that HIGH up.
If you want effortless power just use a less powerful racquet and get a heavier one.

I thought your shots were good the first video, just loosen up and you're fine. I don't agree with footwork comments, its fine you're working with a tennis machine not playing a match or rallying.

Ball is going in, you are clearing the net well, only thing is stop swinging UP so high.

I cant reason with this yet - whats wrong with swinging "up" so high - isn't that how topspin is produced?

 

[beltsman]

I cant reason with this yet - whats wrong with swinging "up" so high - isn't that how topspin is produced?

Something about your contact point and high sweep just looks way off, but I can't put my finger on it. You should post a video of you hitting balls at different heights - not just high.

 

[NuBas]

I'm not an instructor and have my own faults but as a person critiquing your video, it looks as though you are a little tight.

IMHO try loosening your grip and allow the racquet to swing, use the weight and momentum of the racquet. Right now it looks like you are guiding or forcefully trying to swing which may be the reason why you swing looks a bit unnatural.

What is best is if you actually record yourself on the side. Having both back and side view is better.

Good luck on your tennis journey

 

[NuBas]

Here is my go-to video when I think too much about my forehand. Its really simple.

 

[The Unknown]

Had another session with the machine today and one thing I was doing was focusing on making my forward swing controlled and, dare I say it, slower as opposed to putting everything into it and almost throwing my arm out. Seemed to help a lot. I also focused on staying loose.

 

[zalive]

I cant reason with this yet - whats wrong with swinging "up" so high - isn't that how topspin is produced?

Nothing wrong. But on the OP video it seems to me that you keep your racquet face on contact too open for the given swing path.
So you want to use a bit more 'closed' grip if you wanna keep the current swing path, to lower the ball trajectory. The alternative is to lower your swing path a bit. You can try both and see which works the best for you.

The second thing from my perspective, most of your unit (body) turn happens too late, which is after the impact. After you lower the ball trajectory (which will result in a shorter ball as well), you want to connect your unit turn with the rest of the stroke, to utilize this power on the ball. Body turn brings free, powerless acceleration of the racquet's head so it's a waste not to use it as it should be.

 

[The Unknown]

Nothing wrong. But on the OP video it seems to me that you keep your racquet face on contact too open for the given swing path.
So you want to use a bit more 'closed' grip if you wanna keep the current swing path, to lower the ball trajectory. The alternative is to lower your swing path a bit. You can try both and see which works the best for you.

The second thing from my perspective, most of your unit (body) turn happens too late, which is after the impact. After you lower the ball trajectory (which will result in a shorter ball as well), you want to connect your unit turn with the rest of the stroke, to utilize this power on the ball. Body turn brings free, powerless acceleration of the racquet's head so it's a waste not to use it as it should be.

Thanks for the great advice.

Do you think that the above highlighted happens because Im trying to just wack the ball too hard as opposed to keeping things controlled and loose?

 

[zalive]

Hard to guess really.
Perhaps you restrain yourself unconsciously not to hit too long, so you hold your body turn to control the ball. Because with the given ball trajectory this would probably be happening, so connecting body turn makes sense only after you lower the ball trajectory.

Your present swing path is great for the spin, it should put enough spin on the ball to keep the hard ball in, as long as you control ball height within certain margins (which should not be that small with the spin you will be imparting).

 

[The Unknown]

Hard to guess really.
Perhaps you restrain yourself unconsciously not to hit too long, so you hold your body turn to control the ball. Because with the given ball trajectory this would probably be happening, so connecting body turn makes sense only after you lower the ball trajectory.

Your present swing path is great for the spin, it should put enough spin on the ball to keep the hard ball in, as long as you control ball height within certain margins (which should not be that small with the spin you will be imparting).

Yeah some opponents and hitting partners have said to me that I hit with a lot of top spin. Will put your advice into action and see how I go. Thanks

 

[zalive]

Yeah some opponents and hitting partners have said to me that I hit with a lot of top spin. Will put your advice into action and see how I go. Thanks

And with a bit more closed racquet face you should be getting even more spin
Try and report how it works.

 

[The Unknown]

And with a bit more closed racquet face you should be getting even more spin
Try and report how it works.

Do you mean a more western grip?

Ive been told my grip is already pretty extreme towards the Western end of the spectrum

 

[Limpinhitter]

Here is my go-to video when I think too much about my forehand. Its really simple.

In my view, the lesson in this video is both obsolete in one respect and fundamentally incorrect in another.

First, the technique taught in this video is appropriate only if you are still using a 14+ oz., 65 sq.in., wood racquet with a sweet spot the size of a tennis ball. The wide use of modern technique was enabled by modern equipment. The technique taught in this video squanders the advantages of modern equipment.

Second, in my opinion, shot preparation is the single most important aspect of a groundstroke, traditional or modern. For me, shot preparation includes: (1) the footwork needed to get into as nearly the perfect position in relation to the oncoming ball as possible, on every shot, and (2) the posture and position of your body from your feet all the way up to your shoulders, arm and racquet - the load up position - at the back of your backswing just before you begin your forward swing. As Ash Smith has explained, if your load up position is good, and you maintain a loose and relaxed grip and arm throughout the swing, including at contact, it is almost impossible not to hit a good shot.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Had another session with the machine today and one thing I was doing was focusing on making my forward swing controlled and, dare I say it, slower as opposed to putting everything into it and almost throwing my arm out. Seemed to help a lot. I also focused on staying loose.

I am a believer in practicing at slow, medium and full speed. Obviously, you want to be at full speed in match play. But, I think it is helpful when working on technique to slow things down and try to be aware of exactly what you are doing and executing correctly.

 

[PrestigeDave45]

Go with post no 8 above and you wont go too far wrong. Get that left arm moving to aid momentum. You have the nuts and bolts of a good forehand.

 

[maxxy777]

Be happy with you forhand its very good for your lvl.
You can be really happy with it.
You do a nice job drilling to.
Just keep practicing and playing and stop thinking about technic.
Basics are fine the rest will get better by it self.

 

[zalive]

Do you mean a more western grip?

Ive been told my grip is already pretty extreme towards the Western end of the spectrum

I understand. I use semi-western. I also never had any experience with western, only with sw and eastern. So I'm not sure what you need to do. The idea is to get the racquet's face a bit more closed when hitting the ball. I guess that means adjusting the position of your forearm/hand when hitting the ball.