If you’re looking to improve your tennis game, having a solid forehand is non-negotiable. Think of your forehand as one of your primary weapons on the court.
Think about these phases of the stroke:
- Preparation For the Stroke
- The Stroke Itself
- The Follow-through
I recommend focusing on only one phase at a time, dedicating a few training sessions to it, and then focusing on the next one.
Preparation For the Stroke:
The preparation phase of a tennis stroke is crucial as it sets the foundation for the quality of the shot. During this phase, the player focuses on positioning themselves correctly about the incoming ball. It involves anticipating the trajectory and speed of the ball and adjusting footwork accordingly to ensure optimal balance and positioning. Additionally, players prepare their racket by adopting the appropriate grip and stance.
Effective preparation also includes mentally visualizing the upcoming shot, assessing the opponent’s position, and strategizing the intended direction and placement of the ball. This phase is about readiness and anticipation, ensuring the player is fully prepared to execute the stroke with precision and power.
- Shoulder rotation
- Preparation of the racket
- Footwork and Positioning
You can also focus on only one phase of preparation at a time, dedicating a few training sessions to it, and then focusing on the next one.
The goal of this phase is to stand with the shoulder correctly rotated in the right place and to have the racket in the correct position.
Shoulder rotation:
Shoulder rotation plays a pivotal role in tennis strokes as it serves as a precursor to directing the ball’s trajectory. As players prepare for the stroke, the rotation of the shoulder provides valuable cues for predicting the direction and angle of the shot. By turning the shoulders sideways, away from the net, players initiate the winding motion that stores potential energy for the impending swing.
This rotation not only sets the stage for generating power but also serves as a visual indicator of the intended direction of the stroke. Observing the positioning and orientation of the shoulders allows both the player and their opponent to anticipate where the ball may be directed, influencing strategic positioning and response on the court. Therefore, mastering the art of shoulder rotation enables players to effectively telegraph their shots, adding an element of anticipation and tactical advantage to their gameplay.
Preparation of the racket:
The preparation of the racket is a vital aspect of the tennis stroke, directly influencing the quality and effectiveness of the shot. Before initiating the swing, players must ensure that their racket is properly positioned and ready to make contact with the ball.
Make sure that the racket is positioned behind the body at the latest when the ball from the opponent passes over the net.
This may seem simple, but just by repeatedly ensuring that you reach the racket back as soon as possible, you will greatly improve your forehand. So now we know where the opponent is sending the ball, and we have the racket correctly prepared behind the back. It is time for footwork and positioning.
Footwork and Positioning:
In short, we start with big steps and end with small ones; the closer we are to the ball, the smaller steps we take to get into the perfect position. This takes time to master, but with more hours of practice, you’ll become more precise. Simply estimate where the ball will land, estimate where you should stand to hit the ball correctly and get there.
The Stroke Itself:
The stroke itself is the culmination of anticipation, preparation, and execution in tennis. It represents the moment when the player’s skill and technique converge to make contact with the ball, shaping its trajectory and determining the outcome of the point.
- Shoulder Rotation
- Moving Forward
- Hitting the ball in front of me
I recommend focusing on only one phase at a time, dedicating a few training sessions to it, and then focusing on the next one.
Shoulder rotation:
You should strive for a consistently identical arm movement. Try different movements to see which one causes the ball to land where you want it to, and then try to repeat that movement. It’s about training, muscle memory, and experimentation. Through this, you’ll discover how to move your arm. People are of different heights, and have different centers of gravity; everyone will move their arm differently to hit where they want. The key is to be able to repeat it.
Moving forward:
Moving forward during the act of hitting the ball is a fundamental aspect of tennis technique, essential for maximizing power, accuracy, and court coverage. As the ball approaches, players should aim to step into the shot, transferring their body weight forward to generate momentum and drive through the ball with force. This forward momentum not only adds power to the stroke but also helps to maintain balance and stability, enabling players to recover quickly for the next shot.
Hitting the ball in front of oneself :
It is a cornerstone of successful tennis technique, influencing both power and precision in every stroke. By aiming to make contact with the ball slightly in front of the body, players optimize their ability to generate pace and control the direction of their shots.
When striking the ball in front of the body, players can utilize the full range of motion in their swing, ensuring maximum racket acceleration and transfer of energy to the ball. This results in more forceful and penetrating shots, making it challenging for opponents to defend effectively.
The Follow-Through:
This is a very common mistake among many players, and that is not completing the stroke. It may seem that if I extend the racket behind my head after the hit, the ball will go out of the court, but the opposite is true. Don’t be afraid to extend the racket behind your head after every hit; it will be more precise, and the ball will go out of the court just when you don’t do it.
The Suggested Training Combinations:
- Shoulder rotation, my and also my opponents.
- Look at the opponent and estimate the direction of the ball based on the rotation of the shoulder.
- Observe changes in the direction and angle of your shots with different shoulder rotations. When you like a particular rotation, try to repeat it.
- Preparation of the racket and footwork with positioning.
- Always repeat to yourself: when the ball is coming towards me over the net, I must already have the racket behind my back.
- As the ball approaches me, I take small steps to get into the right position.
- Moving forward and hitting the ball in front of me.
- I used a little trick for this. Whenever the opponent is just about to hit the ball, I take a step back so that I always have to move forward. This not only helps with conditioning training but also ensures that you always move forward when hitting.
- At the moment of hitting the ball, look at it, so you can see if you hit it in front of you or not, and always try to hit it in front of you.
- And always finish the stroke with the racket behind you.
Read more about the tennis techniques:
Tennis Serve Tips For Beginners
