Tennis Forehand Drive - Wisetrips Travel Blog

These are my personal practice notes for right-handed strokes. Coaching cues depend on the player, shot, and situation.

Tennis Forehand Drive

1.    Grip

a. Use Eastern Forehand (3) or Semi-Western (4), with index knuckle on bevel (3) or (4)

b. Be sure that the wrist is loose. Only the ring and pinkie fingers are holding the racket (to allow for a smooth racket rotation)

c. The pinkie finger should be wrapped around the tapered bottom of the racket

d. The index finger should be spread out "Captain Hook" style for more control

2.    Preparation (before the incoming ball bounces)

a. When the opponent hits the ball, do a split step toward the ball. 

b. If you decide that this is a forehand topspin drive, immediately execute the following preparation steps

c. Select either Closed Stance or Open Stance to receive the ball

d. In Closed Stance, load up the back leg (30% front, 70% back), front foot pointing at 45 degrees, back foot at 90 degrees (Legs are perpendicular to the direction you want to hit). Legs should be 3-4 inches wider than shoulder-width.

e. In Open Stance, load up the right leg (70% right, 30% left), right foot pointing 90 degrees.

f. If you want to hit the ball straight ahead, aim for 6 o'clock on the ball. To aim left, aim for 5 o'clock on the ball. To aim right, aim for 7 o'clock. These adjustments are best made by setting up the slightly pointed left or right stance.

g. Use the left arm to move the right arm into the "L" position, the right arm is horizontal with the racket at 3 o'clock (ball is coming from 12 o'clock). Once in position, the left arm tracks the ball. The left arm can be further extended (to load up) for additional power.

h. For added power, the left arm could extend further out to enable more shoulder rotation

i. You should visualize the height and direction of the returned ball

3.    Forehand Drive

a.   When the incoming ball bounces, breathe in and start the forehand stroke

b.   Be sure to accelerate gradually (not suddenly) and build up maximum racket speed when about to hit the ball. You may need to initiate strokes earlier than you're used to. Making the "vrrrooooom" sound will help you achieve this new timing.

c.   Kick off with the right leg, rotating the hips counter-clockwise and pushing off the ground

d.    Rotate the shoulders by using the "yes" motion of the left arm

e.    Right arm drops down, with the racket head lagging and the butt cap facing the ball

f.    Twist the doorknob (counter-clockwise) on the right arm to add more topspin

g.   Hit the ball with the right arm fully extended at waist level (ball should be 1-1.5 feet in front of your body) while breathing out

h.   Your head should be as still as possible during the forehand stroke, with the eyes tracking the ball. Do not move the head to look where the ball is going!

4.    Completion

a.    Finish the stroke with the right arm near the shoulder and elbow pointed at the opponent

b.    Pivot on the left leg and step forward on your right leg after hitting the ball. Forward momentum is critical for maximum power

c.    The chest should be facing forward on completion

d.    Move your head to observe the ball

5.    Refinements

a.    A more vertical swing adds more topspin (use a semi-western grip)

b.    More knee bend adds more topspin (while straightening the front leg)

c.    Using a semi-western (4) grip allows for more topspin at the expense of power

Roger Federer's slow-motion videos show what an ideal forehand drive should look like.

I have been watching lots of YouTube videos to improve my forehand groundstroke. The book Championship Tennis by Frank Giampaolo and Jon Levey has been beneficial, especially in illuminating the concept of Strike Zones.

I did not realize that the forehand grip needs to change depending on where the ball is in the strike zone.

Forehand Grip

The grip influences the angle of the racket (Open or Closed) and your ideal swing.

The index knuckle is the best indicator of the grip.

1.    Use Continental (2) for below-the-waist shots (Open Face)

2.    Use Eastern (3) for more power or waist-level shots (Closed Face)

3.    Use Semi-Western (4) for a lot of spin or shoulder-high shots (Closed Face)

Strike Zone

The Strike Zone is the 3-foot racket path window where the string may contact the ball.

1.    Waist-level Strike Zone

a.   Use Eastern (3) or Semi-Western (4) grip

b.   The ball is hit when it reaches the player's waist

c.   Use a compact loop backswing, along with a closed racket that drops about a foot below the contact point before accelerating to the strike zone

d.   At impact, the racket face should be quiet and vertical

e.   Do not move your head during the ball impact!

2.    Below-the-waist-Strike Zone

a.   Use Continental (2) grip

b.   Use an abbreviated loop backswing (or no backswing at all)

c.   The lower the ball, the less backswing is needed

d.   If the ball is too low, the player should switch to Continental grip (more open face), making it easier to get underneath the ball over the net

e.   The player should accelerate forearm speed to lift the ball 

f.    At impact, the racket face should be quiet and vertical

g.    Do not move your head during the ball impact!

3.    High Strike Zone

a.    Use Semi-Western (4) grip

b.    Use compact loop backswing and vertical racket face at shoulder height

c.    Do not move your head during the ball impact!

Typical Problems

1.    Fix Your Grip to Amp Up Your Topspin

1.    Use Eastern(3) grip, with space between index and middle fingers, for topspin

2.    Use Semi-Western(4) grip for more topspin

3.    The hook will help with the wrist snap

4.    The forehand swing is moving at 45 degrees to the incoming ball

5.    Stay away from Continental(2), as it inhibits topspin

2.    Snap the Cap for Lightning Speed

1.    Watch the video for proper wrist snap technique. This adds a lot of power!

3.    Tennis Topspin Secrets

1.    Rotation (body rotates)

2.    Tabletop (racket is horizontal as if being placed on a table)

3.    Tip lag (racket lags behind the body, with the cap pointing at the incoming ball)

4.    Release the wrist

4.    Hit A Forehand Like Federer

1.    Keep the hitting arm reasonably straight throughout the swing

2.    Twist the hitting hand (like a doorknob right, to pre-load) and snap back during the return

3.    See these slow-motion videos

5.    Simple Way to Maximize Leverage

1.    Keep the hitting arm straight (don't bend it)

6.    How to Time Your Strokes on Deep Shots and Not Be Late

1.    If the ball is falling short, I can initiate the stroke after the ball bounces and still hit it in front of me

2.    If the ball is deep, initiate the stroke blind (you cannot wait to see the ball) before the bounce. (Otherwise, you will be late!)

7.    How to Handle Fast Balls

1.    For fastballs, initiate the stroke blind (before the ball bounces)

2. Don't panic - be smooth in your stroke (and don't speed up the stroke)

3. Don't rush your racket speed (a fast racket against a fastball does not work)

8.    How to Handle High Balls

1.    Move back to hit the ball at your preferred height

2.    Move in and take the ball early (on the rise)

3.    Drive volley (no ball bounce)

4.    Hit the ball at its peak (off the bounce)

§  The backswing (racket preparation) needs to be higher than the ball (you may need to jump while moving forward)

9.    How to kill Short Balls

1.    Use the Strike Zone

10. Tennis Return: How the Pros take a short backswing

1.    During a return, hold both hands together on the racket, open up immediately

11. Hitting Cross Court vs Down the Line

1.    The key is timing. The moment when the racket hits the ball determines whether it will go straight or cross-court.

12. Modern (Open) vs Closed Forehand

1.    Closed (Perpendicular Stance)

§  Advantage: Heavier/harder hit on the ball

§  Disadvantage: It takes one extra step (slower to get to the ball)

2.    Open (Parallel Stance)

§  Advantage: Get to the ball much sooner (fewest steps). Keep forward movement!

§  Disadvantage: Lighter hit on the ball

13. How to watch tennis balls

1.    Problem: Most Tennis players mess up shots for two reasons:

§  Too much tightness/tension in their body

§  Not hitting a clean shot (off-center contact)

2.    Solution:

§  Keep the head steady and watch the racket. Do not look where the ball is heading, or look at your opponent

§  Hit the ball well in front of you, where you can see it

14. When should I hit the slice (forehand or backhand)?

1.    The general change of pace

2.    More favorable to use on the backhand side (forehand topspin is a more powerful stroke)

3.    Slice shots tend to stay lower, making the opponent bend

15. Footwork

1.    After hitting the shot, get back (even if you think you hit a winner)

16. Picking a Tennis Racket

1.    Lightest rackets for beginners

1.    Easier volleying

2.    Less deflection (more control)

2.    Heavy racket for a professional player

0.    More topspin

1.    Can hit the ball more off-center

2.    More deflection

Forehand Stroke Types

1. Topspin drive

2. Topspin loop

3.    Short angle or side door

4.    Slice

Forehand Kinetic Chain

1.    Start

2.    Loading ("It's all in the hips!")

3.    Lock-In

4.    Acceleration

5.    Contact

6.    Extension

7.    Finish

Racket Setup for Topspin

 A larger head leads to more topspin (more string flex)

2.    Wider string spacing leads to more topspin

3.    Lower string tension leads to more topspin

4. 15-gauge string has less spin (but breaks less often)

5.    Polyester strings can support topspin through sideways string movement and snap-back, and are generally durable. They are typically stiffer than nylon strings.