Forehand

Introduction

Besides the backhand, the forehand is one of the basic strokes in tennis. Most tennis players find the forehand easier to hit than the backhand, because the ball is hit on the right side of the body for right-handed players and on the left side for left-handed players. On the forehand side, it allows the player to act with more freedom of stroke arm. Usually the forehand is played with only one hand (one-handed) due to the greater reach.

Tactics

For tactical reasons, the forehand stroke in tennis is usually a top spin variant. This allows a high speed of the stroke and the opponent is put under pressure or held. In addition, the ball experiences a downforce due to the forward rotation.

The probability of hitting the ball into the “out” is thus significantly reduced. When hitting the ball well above the edge of the net, it is not absolutely necessary to rotate the ball, as the flight curve runs forward and downwards. For forehand shots with a very low point of impact, however, the ball must be hit with a lot of topspin, since the flight curve must first start upwards.

Technology

  • The racket is held with forehand grip.
  • The backswing movement is early, slow and controlled.
  • The player stands in open position (load on the right foot during the whole forehand movement)
  • The upper body is turned to the side. This causes a muscle pre-stretching.
  • The right arm is led far back/up.
  • The view is on the ball.
  • The point in time of the maximum backswing movement has been reached.
  • The tennis racket is located far behind the body.
  • The load of the body weight is still on the right foot.
  • The player kneels slightly to lower the center of gravity and extend the acceleration distance.
  • The ball is located directly in front of the meeting point.
  • The load is on the right foot.
  • The knee joint is stretched. This is followed by a rotation of the upper body in the direction of the opponent’s field
  • The club is guided forward/down so that the ball can be hit in an upward movement
  • The club is accelerated towards the point of impact
  • The view is directed to the ball
  • The club overtakes the body, and the ball is hit in an upward movement sideways, in front of the body
  • The upper body is wide open
  • The load is on the right foot

Read next article in this series:

All articles in this series:

  1. Forehand
  2. Typical errors