7 Steps To Perfect Forehand Technique

Hitting a forehand is one of the most natural shots in a player’s arsenal, but it can be tough to perfect it. Not only can it be a little wild at times, but being able to hit it consistently on the move is sometimes a challenge as well.

The good news is that a person can simply break down their forehand and focus on steps that they might struggle with. It might seem like one effortless motion, but it is something that players can start to examine at each stage of the stroke. Getting it all down can lead to a lot more consistency overall. These steps below will not only help to improve your forehand technique, but also overall as a tennis player.


1. Use The Right Grip

A tennis forehand is never going to be consistent without a grip that works for the player. How the player grips the racquet for any stroke is important to bring some level of consistency to the game.

The most commonly recommended forehand grip is the semi-western. It is a very stable and reliable forehand stroke that is perfect for individuals, and even professional players.

Another option to take a look at is an eastern grip. Players like Roger Federer still use this for their forehand, and it allows for both power and spin.

The final two options are a full western grip, and a continental grip. Although some people are out there using these grips to this day, they are a bit antiquated and tough for those just starting out. They do not do as well in the modern game.

Ultimately, if the racquet feels comfortable in the hands and the ball goes where a person wants it to go, that is the grip to focus on.


2. Proper Prep Work

Tennis is a game of movement, and players need to always be in a ready position if they want to have any consistency with any stroke. This means more than just standing and waiting for the next point. Players must always be in an athletic stance, ready to move wherever the ball might go to then prepare for the next shot.

Why is it so important to keep moving while on the court? Not only does it allow a player to get to a ball faster with a great first step, but reaction time is improved as well. This could be the difference between getting there in time to hit a good forehand, and be in a challenging spot instead.

This flows into the overall preparation for a forehand, as it does take time to prepare to hit. Getting to the ball is key, but also identifying the ball and turning to the proper side right away.

A common habit that a lot of people fall into (but is wrong) is using the arm to pull back. Instead of doing that, turn to the side, and prepare the racquet with the help of the offhand guiding things as well.


3. Dropping The Racquet

If a player does the preparation process just right, the next step is to drop the racquet a bit right before starting the stroke and accelerating.

Why does dropping the racket makes so much sense? It all has to do with starting the motion the right way. Watch a professional player, and all of them easily drop the racquet and even go to the extreme of having a racquet facing down with a relaxed wrist.

Most beginners or and even intermediate players are fighting their own body and gravity, instead of simplifying the stroke. Dropping the racquet is easier and more efficient on the body.


4. Acceleration On The Right Swing Path

Acceleration with a forehand is essential, as it is the most lethal weapon for a lot of players on groundstrokes. Gravity helps if a player prepares their shot correctly, but the entire process involves the body moving into the court at once.

The first thing that happens is that the hips rotate as the arm starts to drop. Wrist lag might look a little different at first, but it is actually the recommended method to generate power. In a freeze-frame scenario, the wrist seems way behind the rest of the body, but this will make the entire swing a little more effortless.

The wrist is not flexed during this time, so even though it might look a little weird, it is actually very comfortable and easy on the body. Only when the body starts to turn forward, and the swing becomes a little more pronounced, will the wrist start to come through the ball.

It takes time to really get down how to put the ball in the right part of the court, so do not be frustrated if it does not work out right away. However, people will start to notice that they are really starting to make some changes for the better if they put in enough effort.


5. Follow Through

No tennis player is going to have any success with their forehand if they do not have a proper follow through. It helps to complete the stroke, and also keep the player balanced so that they are ready for the next shot.

One simple way to work on this is to actually catch the racquet with the opposite hand after completion of the stroke. The racquet should end up somewhere above the shoulder, and that helps keep it out of the way. There are way too many people who do not use both arms with a follow through. The off hand needs to be moving as well, not just hanging there dead while the strong hand is doing all the work. This ends up making the body fight each other and not move as fluidly.


6. Knee Bend

A good knee bend is essential for just about every stroke in tennis, but players tend to find themselves pretty lazy with a forehand. It seems like a relatively simple shot, so some players feel like they do not need to go through the same technique that they use on the more difficult ones.

If forehands start to miss, make sure to examine the knee bend right away. It is challenging to get in that habit, but it helps in so many other ways besides just being more consistent with the forehand.


7. Adding Variety To The Mix

Pounding a forehand over and over again might seem like a good strategy, but the best players are going to have variety off of that wing. There are times when a player needs to have a powerful forehand to take control of the point, but the downfall is that it gives less margin of error.

The goal with a powerful forehand is to create power thanks to the rotation of the body, and the extension of the arm. In the first part of the forward swing, the body needs to start rotating by about 90 degrees. In the second part, the arm moves forward through the contact zone and towards the direction of the court a player wants to hit the ball.

Hitting topspin means that the racquet needs to move a little upwards through the swing. That might seem like it starts in the arm, but it actually begins in the legs. Dipping a little lower and exploding up can help with some spin. It also helps to use the shoulder, elbow, and wrist to have a slightly more rotated motion.

The advantages of hitting with a lot of top spin are that players can swing through the ball with a little more freedom. It also kicks off the ground and keeps the opponent back a little longer. Just be careful about not making the top spin shots a little to loopy, or it will end up backfiring.

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