A forehand is a basic stroke in the game of tennis. It is one of the most important strokes in the game as it can be both a defensive and an offensive shot. There are various kinds of forehands such as the topspin, slice, flat and lob forehands. This is due to the different spins used to hit each type of forehand. The topspin forehand will create a heavy bounce that will cause the ball to rotate forward and hop when it bounces on the court. The slice forehand will cause the ball to rotate backwards (backspin) and creates a shorter bounce. A slice forehand can also cause the ball to skid when it bounces on the court. The flat forehand will cause the ball to travel fast through the air with very little spin and will skid off the court. The flat forehand is usually an offensive shot as it travels very fast. The lob is a shot that is loopy and can have either spin or no spin; usually a defensive shot. This article aims to teach you how to hit a forehand and the things to take note of when hitting a forehand.
The following pointers are important to hitting a sound forehand:
1. The ready position. To hit a forehand, firstly one must get into position before hitting the ball. Bend your knees slightly and assume a comfortable crouch. Hold your racket with your hands gripping the racket at your comfortable grip; usually eastern or semi-eastern grip. Now, you are ready to head off in any direction to hit the ball. Stay relaxed and focused with your eyes on the ball all the time.
2. Take your racket back and move towards the ball, at the same time, turn your body to a quarter to the right.
3. Good footwork will help you move towards the ball and put you into position to hit the ball at the contact point. Sound footwork for the forehand will require the left foot to step towards the ball. This automatically puts your body in a side-way position. Move towards the ball and step in with your left foot.
4. Contacting the ball on the racket sweet spot is important. Always try to hit the ball in a squarely. Have your tennis racket beside and low and brush up and forward on the ball. Ensure you are properly balanced. As a beginner it is better to stay sideways and only rotate your arms. Do not rotate your lower body. This will ensure stability when you strike the ball.
5. Follow through. The follow through will complete the forehand stroke and can also determine whether the forehand will be flat or topspin. If the follow through is below your shoulder, the shot would usually be a flat shot.
Now that you are equipped with the pointers, ensure that you try out these tip when you practise your fore hand. Try out the top-spin and flat forehands. Always remember that its a combination of footwork, stance and focus on the point of contact. Enjoy the game!
The following pointers are important to hitting a sound forehand:
1. The ready position. To hit a forehand, firstly one must get into position before hitting the ball. Bend your knees slightly and assume a comfortable crouch. Hold your racket with your hands gripping the racket at your comfortable grip; usually eastern or semi-eastern grip. Now, you are ready to head off in any direction to hit the ball. Stay relaxed and focused with your eyes on the ball all the time.
2. Take your racket back and move towards the ball, at the same time, turn your body to a quarter to the right.
3. Good footwork will help you move towards the ball and put you into position to hit the ball at the contact point. Sound footwork for the forehand will require the left foot to step towards the ball. This automatically puts your body in a side-way position. Move towards the ball and step in with your left foot.
4. Contacting the ball on the racket sweet spot is important. Always try to hit the ball in a squarely. Have your tennis racket beside and low and brush up and forward on the ball. Ensure you are properly balanced. As a beginner it is better to stay sideways and only rotate your arms. Do not rotate your lower body. This will ensure stability when you strike the ball.
5. Follow through. The follow through will complete the forehand stroke and can also determine whether the forehand will be flat or topspin. If the follow through is below your shoulder, the shot would usually be a flat shot.
Now that you are equipped with the pointers, ensure that you try out these tip when you practise your fore hand. Try out the top-spin and flat forehands. Always remember that its a combination of footwork, stance and focus on the point of contact. Enjoy the game!
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