The modern FH - help me get this right

[tdk]

Hi, did not know how to upload or link to a picture so I made a video insted. Stop the vid as it starts playing to view the content at your own pace.

I was watching some videos of "the modern FH" on YouTube today and thaught I write down stuff that came to mind. Feel free to correct me. Im doing this to learn myself, not to teach others. However, hopefully someone will learn something here except me as well. The player is Berdych and he has such a great FH. What changed my game a few years ago was the LAG component. Lets pick it apart. What are the key elements?

Thanks for any feedback.

T

 

[5263]

What changed my game a few years ago was the LAG component. Lets pick it apart. What are the key elements?

Thanks for any feedback.

Yes, the lag is a big one.

I would add, that if you could look down on the stroke, you could also see that the hand starts to change direction and pull across towards the midline right prior to contact. Very big key imo.

 

[tdk]

Thanks for your input. Are you refering to the left or the right hand? I did wright: "Pull your left arm towards your back to help drive shoulders"! Maybe I should edit the "towards your back" to "pull across towards the midline"? If that is what you are saying.

 

[FailBetter]

in his (berdychs) backswing he is pointing his rackt tip towards the net. I dont no why but when im doing this and my arm & wrist is loose I hit a very good FH.
Fed is doing this too.

 

[Curiosity]

in his (berdychs) backswing he is pointing his rackt tip towards the net. I dont no why but when im doing this and my arm & wrist is loose I hit a very good FH.
Fed is doing this too.

I think it is standard to hold the racquet tilted toward the net (but not upward...) just before launching forward motion in the forehand. The reason to do it is this: When you start your forward swing you will begin with off-arm pull-in (for rotation speed), leg extension, and upper body/shoulders rotation....and relaxation of the hitting arm and wrist. The result is that the racquet is "left behind" momentarily, lagged. If you have the racquet tilted a bit toward the net then the racquet will have time/distance to gain even greater lag. (If you also tilt the racquet slightly upward as well as netward, the racquet will end up not just farther behind the hitting hand, but also farther below it.)

 

[Raul_SJ]

Is the third pic from the left considered the "Robert Lansdorp Finish" ? You can just just catch the racquet
right there instead of rotating around like the first pic?

 

[ReopeningWed]

I don't know how to explain how to hit a tennis ball to someone, but to me personally it feels as if I just mildly take a step forward and turn my hips. My shoulders are still turned while my hips are moving and and there is absolutely zero effort from my arm.

Then I catch my racket. I'm under the impression that tennis is supposed to feel easy when you stand in one place and hit back to each other, when you let your big muscles do all of the work.