windshield wiper question

[stanley92]

is it better to force the wiper? or kinda let it come naturally? because when i try and let it come naturally i end up hitting it kinda flat.

oh and one more question is holding the grip inbetween semi-western and eastern a correct grip? or should i move to full semi-western?

 

[papa]

Grip is certainly right.

Not exactly sure what you mean by "forcing". You want to be pulling the racquet forward on the first phase of the stroke - aiming the butt of the racquet into the path of the ball. Keeping the double bend in place (wrist and elbow) try to get the fist/hand in front as you rotate your hips and shoulders. Yes, its going to feel a little odd/funny at first but you want to fight any urge to start rotating the racquet/breaking your wrist - this is where most have a major problem. The racquet head is going to come around as you rotate anyway and its imperative you keep your wrist in the laid back/strongest position. There is some movement of the wrist but I wouldn't be concerned with that at the moment. As the stroke develops, the wrist will release naturally without much effort or thought on your part. Remember, hold the racquet like your holding onto a egg (not hard boiled either), your brain will take care of tightening the grip just before impact - trust me it will.

From the front, I should just be seeing one side of your stringbed - players try to turn the racquet head over which is a mistake. You can actually stand very close to a wall and do this stroke because we're not looking for a great deal of follow-thru (to the front) with the racquet. The other thing is do not try and stop or slow the racquet down - just let it go.

 

[Zachol82]

is it better to force the wiper? or kinda let it come naturally? because when i try and let it come naturally i end up hitting it kinda flat.

oh and one more question is holding the grip inbetween semi-western and eastern a correct grip? or should i move to full semi-western?

You don't force the wiper but you SHOULD force the form that leads to a windshield-wiper forehand. Meaning that you can't just hit with random form and force the wiper with your wrist. If you use the windshield-wiper form then the wiper should come naturally.

 

[stanley92]

but why when i try to hit the ball it looks like im hitting flat?

 

[Zachol82]

but why when i try to hit the ball it looks like im hitting flat?

It'd be best if you post a video, or a video of someone else with a forehand that you're trying to describe.

We need you to describe how you're hitting your forehand and the easiest way is just to post a video. You can censor your head out if you want

 

[aimr75]

You don't force the wiper but you SHOULD force the form that leads to a windshield-wiper forehand. Meaning that you can't just hit with random form and force the wiper with your wrist. If you use the windshield-wiper form then the wiper should come naturally.

there is more then one way to hit the WW though right? both roddick and federer can hit with a WW, but they do it differently

 

[Zachol82]

there is more then one way to hit the WW though right? both roddick and federer can hit with a WW, but they do it differently

Yes, of course, just like any strokes in tennis there are different variations of it.

 

[ManuGinobili]

About the forcing part... don't force the wiper finish, which is a mistake plenty of people make.
A reliable video instruction would be from Fuzzy yellow balls.

 

[LeeD]

Rather than "force" or allowing nature to take over....
When I need more top, I make sure to fully WW over as I hit the ball.
When I need more penetration, I still WW over, but allow it to happen later.
As long as you always WW over on the finish, you can adjust for higher or lower balls with timing on the WW turnover.....earlier, more top.....later, less top and flatter.

 

[Blake0]

You kind of force the windshield wiper. Imagine painting a rainbow when you hit WW forehand. Use your whole arm though, don't just turn your wrist.

 

[aimr75]

You kind of force the windshield wiper. Imagine painting a rainbow when you hit WW forehand. Use your whole arm though, don't just turn your wrist.

i guess with my post earlier i was alluding to whether its forced based on technique used for the WW.. i posted my swing at one point here asking about the WW since i wasnt sure i actually really did it.. but seems to an extent i do, without really forcing it

 

[keepurpowderdry]

About the forcing part... don't force the wiper finish, which is a mistake plenty of people make.
A reliable video instruction would be from Fuzzy yellow balls.

yeah left handed though lol

 

[keepurpowderdry]

I think he means using all arm and wrist when he says force. All I think you have to do is go up against the fence and swing the ww swing and get as close to the fence without hitting it as possible. Then go and hit the same swing pattern but add the correct movement of your lower body (bend your knees turn your shoulders raise your body up and forward with your ww swing and hit the ball..

 

[papa]

I think he means using all arm and wrist when he says force. All I think you have to do is go up against the fence and swing the ww swing and get as close to the fence without hitting it as possible. Then go and hit the same swing pattern but add the correct movement of your lower body (bend your knees turn your shoulders raise your body up and forward with your ww swing and hit the ball..

Yeah, this is a pretty good drill. You don't want to take your nose off in the process but I like to tell players to have the racquet about a foot in front of their face, give or take a little. This is something that does vary a little from stroke to stroke.