Windshield Wiper Forehand - Wrist Action

[babolat_rocks]

I hit with a windshield wiper forehand, with a mild semi-western grip. Most of the time, it has good results. I have been really focusing on the "slot" position and pulling to the ball. I also supinate and **** my wrist before initiating the pull.

However, especially when I hit a ball that is coming with no pace, or just drop a ball and hitting it, I sometimes launch it into the fence with an open face. It is not a mild thing either. I mean it really gets launched! However, 90% of the time it does not happen and its a beautiful stroke.

It drives me crazy, and I can't isolate the problem. Any ideas or reference points? Does this commonly happen when people supinate too much from the slot, or not enough, etc...? Or, should I focus on keeping the racquet head closed from the slot through to the WW motion?

Any help would be much appreciated!!! :|

 

[FH2FH]

Sounds like you're thinking too much. Without seeing your swing, I'd guess your racquet head gets in front of your wrist and/or your elbow is closer to your body than in your normal swing. Just guesses though...

 

[toptalent]

Just a timing thing I think. Windshield wiper users tend to swing fast because you have to swing fast to get a deep and penetrating shot. When you swing fast, even the slightest difference in angle/contact point can make a huge difference on where the ball goes. Thats why the pros really send the balls fly (sometimes out of the stadium) when they mishit. When you hit a ball with irregular pace/irregular bounce/irregular spin, sometimes your timing/swing path/contact point changes just that much because you didnt adjust to the sudden change in rhythm. Hitting more and more will eventually make these happen less often because of muscle memory and faster reaction. Also the best way to avoid mishits is to "watch the ball" during that last split second. Very hard to do but always works when it's done.

 

[oldhacker]

I wish people would stop referring to supination and pronation as 'wrist action' etc. The wrist only moves passively in supination and pronation. It is the forerarm which moves actively from the elbow joint. The WW forehand utilises ARM rotation (from the shoulder and elbow joints) and not 'wrist action'.

Anyway - now I have got that off my chest - I had a similar problem with my forehand in that I would 'golf' the ball with an open face from time to time. Turned out to be an inconsistancy in my takeback whereby I would sometimes supinate on the takeback and so open the racquet face way too early. And on some strokes this would not self correct and I would golf the ball. I still do it sometimes but very rarely. What has helped me is to really concentrate on leading my takeback with the elbow and keeping my palm down. Once you start you forward swing you really do not want to be thinking about controlling supination etc.

I hit with a windshield wiper forehand, with a mild semi-western grip. Most of the time, it has good results. I have been really focusing on the "slot" position and pulling to the ball. I also supinate and **** my wrist before initiating the pull.

However, especially when I hit a ball that is coming with no pace, or just drop a ball and hitting it, I sometimes launch it into the fence with an open face. It is not a mild thing either. I mean it really gets launched! However, 90% of the time it does not happen and its a beautiful stroke.

It drives me crazy, and I can't isolate the problem. Any ideas or reference points? Does this commonly happen when people supinate too much from the slot, or not enough, etc...? Or, should I focus on keeping the racquet head closed from the slot through to the WW motion?

Any help would be much appreciated!!! :|

 

[babolat_rocks]

Sorry, I am indeed aware that wrist action and pronation/supination are not the same thing. However, I have read on some sites, especially hi-techtennis, that many pros start the forward pull of the forehand with a slight supination, and also in some cases a cocking of the wrist. So, it seems its good to supinate, but maybe not too much.

BTW, great tip about keeping the palm down! That is helpful. It ensures the racquet face is closed until it needs to open at impact.

From looking at many slow-motion pro videos, they always keep the raquet face closed from "the slot" through to impact, and it gradually opens more & more as it approaches impact. Somehow, I am managing to open early, probably by over-supination. Palm to the ground will certainly be a good reference point.

Now, I have 2 reference points:
(1) Get in "the slot" when approaching the ball.
(2) Keep the palm down when pulling forward, until pronating to meet the ball.

I wish people would stop referring to supination and pronation as 'wrist action' etc. The wrist only moves passively in supination and pronation. It is the forerarm which moves actively from the elbow joint. The WW forehand utilises ARM rotation (from the shoulder and elbow joints) and not 'wrist action'.

Anyway - now I have got that off my chest - I had a similar problem with my forehand in that I would 'golf' the ball with an open face from time to time. Turned out to be an inconsistancy in my takeback whereby I would sometimes supinate on the takeback and so open the racquet face way too early. And on some strokes this would not self correct and I would golf the ball. I still do it sometimes but very rarely. What has helped me is to really concentrate on leading my takeback with the elbow and keeping my palm down. Once you start you forward swing you really do not want to be thinking about controlling supination etc.

 

[aimr75]

BTW, great tip about keeping the palm down! That is helpful. It ensures the racquet face is closed until it needs to open at impact.

From looking at many slow-motion pro videos, they always keep the raquet face closed from "the slot" through to impact, and it gradually opens more & more as it approaches impact. Somehow, I am managing to open early, probably by over-supination. Palm to the ground will certainly be a good reference point.

Now, I have 2 reference points:
(1) Get in "the slot" when approaching the ball.
(2) Keep the palm down when pulling forward, until pronating to meet the ball.

the palm down (pat the dog) has helped me alot with my forehand.. it ensures i keep the racquet to the right side of my body (not crossing over on the back swing), so gives me a better sense as to where the racquet head is with the takeback.. makes my swing more compact and consistent

 

[trachsel]

(1) Get in "the slot" when approaching the ball

what/where is "the slot" on the forehand? i never heard that term before

 

[Blake0]

Weird, i was going to ask about the same problem too..:shock:.

I recently (like a couple days ago) switched my forehand into a slingshot..or well a correct form slingshot forehand. It's a great forehand, with good consistency, pace, & accuracy. I'm getting more racket head speed then before. But when i try to swing faster to put more pace on the balls sometimes my wrist feels like it somehow opens up too much and the racket face causing the ball to fly long. I guess what oldhacker said might be right, because i just recently started using this, and maybe my muscle memory takes my take back to my old one and makes me hit it weird, so it might be a problem with form pronation.

Well anyway thx.

 

[babolat_rocks]

The Slot

The slot is the position where the butt of the racquet is pointing at the net, towards the incoming ball. The racquet is parallel to the ground. From this position, you pull the racquet forward, then pronate as you approach the ball. The slot position is a reference point that helps you lien things up and get the forward pull started from the right spot. Nearly all pros have a similar slot position from which they launch their forehand.

 

[Power Player]

The slot is the position where the butt of the racquet is pointing at the net, towards the incoming ball. The racquet is parallel to the ground. From this position, you pull the racquet forward, then pronate as you approach the ball. The slot position is a reference point that helps you lien things up and get the forward pull started from the right spot. Nearly all pros have a similar slot position from which they launch their forehand.

Yeah...I never think of keeping the palm down. I just always aim the butt end at the net in my mind and it does it for me. You can feel your wrist get in the right position, and everything clicks into place.

The WW may be the secret to me getting more consistent. I have had so many balls sail long that I think I need to really focus on this finish since I use a Western grip.

 

[babolat_rocks]

Keeping the palm down and "patting the dog" seem like good points. When people say "patting the dog", is there also a cocking of the wrist or a supination involved? My wrist seems to ****. but sometimes I also twist it back and down, which you can see in some pro strokes (especially federer). But, I am afraid while this gives more spin potential, it also increases the complexity of the stroke and makes it more likely to mis-time. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Power Player]

You are thinking too much. You just have to go practice a lot. That is what I am doing..all I can tell you is that I got myself to consistently aim the butt end at the net, step in and drive the ball so far. My next tweak is a consistent follow through. If you think too much, it will not happen..you have to really free your mind at a certain point and just play.

 

[babolat_rocks]

You are thinking too much. You just have to go practice a lot. That is what I am doing..all I can tell you is that I got myself to consistently aim the butt end at the net, step in and drive the ball so far. My next tweak is a consistent follow through. If you think too much, it will not happen..you have to really free your mind at a certain point and just play.

Mostly agree with that advice! However, when you have a flaw or bad habit, and you don't know exactly what it is. you need to figure it out. What I am looking for are a few reference points I can check when I have trouble, to self-correct. However, once I figure it out, agree 100% its all about NOT thinking!