Modern Forehand Tips And Technique Explained | Tennis Forehand Lesson

Summary

In this informative tennis lesson, John Craig from Performance Plus Tennis explores the evolution of the forehand shot over the past 20 years. He demonstrates various forehand styles, including modern techniques like the floating wrist and the reverse forehand, as well as classic approaches. Craig emphasizes the importance of fundamentals such as unit turn, footwork, contact points, and unified movement for power and control. He recommends modeling forehand techniques after players like Carlos Alarz and Hugo Rune for simplicity and effectiveness, and advises against trying overly complex or snappy wrist movements, advocating for a simple, consistent forehand to win more matches.

Takeaways

• 🎾 The forehand in tennis has evolved significantly over the last 20 years, with various styles emerging.
• 🏸 John Craig's forehand is described as simple, without unusual nuances or complex movements, representing an older style.
• 🤔 There are modern forehand variations, like Tommy Paul's floating wrist and racket rise, which allow for more ball movement.
• 👋 Yannick Sinner's forehand features a pronounced lag and string rotation, which is challenging to execute without consistent practice.
• 🔄 Andy Roddick's forehand style involves pointing the racket tip at the ball before hitting it, creating a lag effect and more racket speed.
• 🌀 Roger Federer's forehand is noted for its simplicity and effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of fundamentals over style.
• 👣 Proper footwork and body positioning are crucial for storing energy and maintaining balance and control in forehand execution.
• 📍 Understanding the contact point's distance from the body in both width and depth is essential for consistent shot control.
• 💪 Power and control in the forehand come from a unified movement through contact, emphasizing shoulder rotation and a full extension.
• 👀 Observing top ATP players like Carlos Alcaraz and Hugo Rune can provide excellent models for a clean and effective forehand.
• 🚫 Avoid deliberately snapping or releasing the wrist through contact; let it happen naturally if the player is relaxed.
• 🔄 Strive for simplicity in the forehand to achieve consistency, which is key to winning more matches.

Q & A

What is the main focus of John Craig's lesson in the provided transcript?

The main focus of John Craig's lesson is to cover the forehand technique in tennis, discussing its evolution, variations, and how to find the ideal forehand style for the viewer.

How does John Craig describe his own forehand technique?

John Craig describes his forehand technique as simple and clean, without any unusual nuances, funny movements, or wrist flicks.

What are some of the different forehand styles that have evolved in tennis over the last 20 years?

Some of the different forehand styles include the modern forehand with a floating wrist, Yannick Center's forehand with strings facing the back fence and a lag, and Andy Roddick's forehand with the racket tip pointing at the ball before hitting it.

What is the significance of the 'floating wrist' in the modern forehand technique?

The floating wrist allows for more movement into the ball, enabling players to generate more spin and control.

How does John Craig demonstrate the modern forehand technique with the floating wrist?

John Craig tries to lift the racket high and give it a go, experimenting with the technique despite never having tried it before.

What is the difficulty in executing Yannick Center's forehand technique?

The difficulty lies in skillfully getting the racket strings from facing straight back to straight forward, which requires tremendous timing and is challenging for recreational players to develop.

What is the 'buggy whip' forehand and how is it used?

The 'buggy whip' forehand, also known as the variation forehand or reverse forehand, is a technique used by players like Rafael Nadal, especially for high balls or when late on the ball, to generate spin and reach balls that are far away.

Why does John Craig recommend simplicity in the forehand technique for recreational players?

Simplicity in the forehand technique is recommended for consistency, which is key to winning more matches, and because complex movements are difficult to develop and maintain for players who do not play regularly.

What are the fundamental aspects of the forehand technique that John Craig emphasizes?

The fundamental aspects include a unit turn for power and control, proper footwork for balance and energy storage, understanding the contact point, and a unified movement through contact that rotates through the shoulders.

Which ATP Tour players does John Craig suggest as good models for a clean and simple forehand?

John Craig suggests looking at Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune as good models for a clean and simple forehand.

What should a player avoid when trying to improve their forehand technique?

A player should avoid deliberately snapping or releasing the wrist through contact, as this should happen naturally if the player is relaxed and goes through the proper motion.

Outlines

00:00

🎾 Evolution and Techniques of the Tennis Forehand

In this video script, John Craig from Performance Plus Tennis introduces a lesson on the forehand stroke, emphasizing its significant evolution over the past 20 years. He discusses the variety of styles seen in modern tennis and aims to help viewers find their ideal forehand technique. Craig demonstrates his own simple forehand, which lacks complex nuances, and contrasts it with contemporary styles, such as Tommy Paul's floating wrist and Yannick Sinner's unique string positioning and lag. He also explores other variations, including Andy Roddick's forward racket face and Rafael Nadal's 'buggy whip' forehand. Craig advises against overcomplicating the forehand and stresses the importance of fundamentals, such as a unit turn, proper footwork, knowing the contact point, and maintaining a unified movement for power and control.

05:02

🏆 Fundamentals and Style in Tennis Forehand

The second paragraph delves deeper into the fundamentals of an effective tennis forehand. Craig highlights the importance of a unit turn for power and control, the use of feet for energy storage and balance, and the awareness of the contact point for consistent ball control. He emphasizes that while players have their own styles in how they enter the forehand, the execution through the ball is fundamentally similar among top players. Craig recommends modeling forehand techniques after clean and simple strokes from players like Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune, who exemplify the principles of a good forehand. He also cautions against deliberately snapping or releasing the wrist during contact, suggesting that a relaxed approach will naturally allow for any necessary wrist action. Lastly, Craig encourages simplifying the forehand for consistency, which is key to winning matches, and offers a free mini-course for further improvement.

Keywords

💡Forehand

The forehand is a fundamental stroke in tennis played with one hand, typically the dominant one. It is used to hit the ball with a forward and upward motion. In the video, the forehand is the central theme, with the instructor discussing its evolution, variations, and techniques to improve it. The script mentions different forehand styles, emphasizing the importance of finding the ideal forehand for the viewer.

💡Evolution

Evolution in this context refers to the changes and developments in the technique of the forehand shot in tennis over the years. The instructor notes that the forehand has changed significantly in the last 20 years, with various styles emerging. The script illustrates this by comparing the instructor's simple forehand from the 70s to modern styles with more complex movements.

💡Variations

Variations in tennis refer to different techniques or styles used to execute a particular shot. The script explores various forehand variations, such as the floating wrist, the back fence string face, and the buggy whip forehand. Each variation is demonstrated and discussed in terms of its effectiveness and difficulty level for the average player.

💡Ideal Forehand

The ideal forehand is a personalized technique that suits an individual player's style and abilities. The video aims to help viewers discover their best forehand by examining different styles and understanding the fundamentals. The instructor suggests that the ideal forehand is one that is consistent and within the player's reach, without overcomplicating the stroke.

💡Fundamentals

Fundamentals are the basic principles or techniques that form the foundation of a skill. In the context of the video, the instructor emphasizes the importance of understanding and mastering the fundamentals of the forehand, such as unit turn, footwork, contact points, and shoulder rotation. These are essential for consistent and powerful shots.

💡Unit Turn

A unit turn is a part of the forehand preparation where the player rotates their body as a single unit, engaging the legs, hips, and shoulders. The script explains that this is critical for setting up power and control in the forehand shot, as it connects the entire body and allows for a more fluid and powerful swing.

💡Contact Point

The contact point is the precise location where the racket meets the ball during a stroke. In the video, the instructor stresses the importance of knowing the contact point to ensure control and accuracy. The script provides guidance on how to measure the contact point in terms of width and depth from the body.

💡Shoulder Rotation

Shoulder rotation is a key component of the forehand swing, where the player rotates their shoulders to generate power. The script mentions that power and control come from a unified movement through contact that involves shoulder rotation, which then transfers through the hitting arm for a strong and controlled shot.

💡Lag

Lag in tennis refers to the delay in the acceleration of the racket head behind the player's body before making contact with the ball. The video discusses how modern forehand techniques involve creating lag to generate more power. The instructor tries to demonstrate this by imitating the forehand of a professional player, emphasizing the difficulty but also the potential benefits of this technique.

💡Snap or Release

To snap or release the wrist in tennis is to make a sudden, forceful movement at the point of contact with the ball, often used to generate spin. However, the instructor advises against deliberately trying to snap the wrist, as it should happen naturally if the player is relaxed and the technique is correct. The script suggests that consistency is more important than attempting complex wrist movements.

💡Consistency

Consistency in tennis means the ability to repeatedly perform a shot with accuracy and reliability. The video concludes with the message that consistency is crucial for winning matches. The instructor suggests simplifying the forehand if the player struggles with complex techniques, emphasizing that a simple, consistent forehand is more effective than a complicated, inconsistent one.

Highlights

The forehand has evolved significantly in the last 20 years, with various styles emerging.

The instructor's forehand is simple, without unusual nuances or movements.

Forehand techniques from the 70s were even simpler, lacking the modern loop.

Modern forehand styles include a rising racket and floating wrist for more ball movement.

Yanxi Center's forehand involves a unique string lag and square-up on the ball.

The challenge of hitting a forehand with strings facing back and then forward.

Andy Roddick's forehand technique with the racket tip pointing forward for better racket speed.

The importance of shoulder rotation and arm movement for creating lag and power.

Rafael Nadal's reverse forehand, or 'buggy whip', for high and low balls.

The 'buggy whip' forehand as a useful option for late or wide balls.

The importance of personal style in forehand play and its impact on shot consistency.

Fundamentals of forehand play, including unit turn, footwork, and contact point awareness.

Carlos Alarz and Hugo Rune as models for clean and simple forehand techniques.

Avoiding the deliberate snapping or releasing of the wrist through contact.

The value of simplicity in forehand for achieving consistency and winning matches.

An offer for a free mini course on the five principles to master a professional-quality forehand.

Transcripts

hello everybody John Craig here with

Performance Plus tennis in today's

lesson we're going to cover the forehand

and no doubt that the forehand is the

one shot in tennis that has changed more

than anything else in tennis in the last

20 years and we see so many different

styles and the evolution of the forehand

is so fascinating and we're going to

look at that beforehand we're going to

look at variations of it we're going to

help you also figure out what is the

ideal way for you to discover the best

forehand for you to play with all that

and more in today's lesson so by today's

standards I really think of my forehand

is being really simple in many ways it

really doesn't have any unusual nuances

or funny movements uh Wibble wobbles

wrist flicks anything like that in it so

I'm going to hit a couple of my regular

forehands just hit my for I'm not going

really think about it I'm just going to

play my forehand just the way I know I

play

it very

simple and this evolved from me learning

in the 70s where the swings were even

simpler and I didn't even have the loop

in my forehand at that time okay

so that's my forehand really Simple and

Clean um not a lot of wrist movement not

a lot of angle changes in the racket I

can spin the ball I can do a lot of

different things with it but we don't

see forand in the tour like that at all

anymore we're seeing four hands with

very different movements and if we take

like catching off for example and Tommy

Paul who's our new Us number one we see

the the racket Rises and we see a

floating wrist so we see a we see a

racket that rises and we see a floating

wrist and this allows to get a lot more

movement into the ball and actually I've

never even tried this before but I'm

going to have a little fun with it and

see if I can actually lift it high and

give it a go okay LIF it high and give

it a go that's one variation another

variation the best forehand on tour this

year in 2024 is yanx Center and yanx

Center's forehand he takes it back and

the strings actually face The Back Fence

and then he has this tremendous lag in

it and it releases and squares up on the

ball

I'm going to try that now and see if I

can actually do that

forehand

interesting strings facing back and

whack it through it's pretty hard to do

actually but it's kind of fun to try all

these

variations very difficult for me to do

so different but having fun with it got

it okay so this is difficult because in

order to hit the four hand this way you

have to skillfully get the racket

strings from facing straight back to

straight forward and it takes tremendous

timing to do that and if you're not

playing all the time and you're a

recreational player playing a couple

times a week very difficult to develop

that movement okay so I really wouldn't

recommend it now another variation that

we see on forehand that I recall seeing

from Andy rodic is that when you prepare

the racket faces more forward so with

Roger feder was racket was more above

the hand even with Nal more above the

hand but with rodic he was kind of one

of the first ones who actually pointed

the tip of the racket at the ball and

then hit it I actually like that right I

can actually generate pretty good racket

speed on that oh I love that one

right and what happens on this

particular technique is that when you

make your move to play the ball your

shoulder your whole arm is what would be

supinated and then when you come back it

rotates around so it it creates more of

a lag effect you're here and then when

you bring it back and you rotate right

there is this tremendous lag and the

shoulder rotates and puts it in a

position with a great stretch in there

and you can really accelerate through

the ball so that if you're looking to

improve the performance of your forein

and you want to try something that's

relatively simple you could try this I

hit a few more point it forward then

play it point it forward then play it

point it forward then play it so for me

that's probably the easiest adjustment I

could make on my forehand to generate

more lag and more power on the forehand

without making my stroke very

complicated I'm simply going from where

my natural position is here to actually

here so when I make my move the

shoulder's going to rotate back the

racket's going to rotate around the hand

and then catch up and that's something

you could try Okay so that would be a

variation that might work for you but I

think it's um complicated if you have a

sort of a traditional type of a forehand

and another notable variation on the

forehand is what Nadal has done his

whole career and that's hit what we call

the variation forehand or the reverse

forehand or the buggy whip forehand so

all those three names are sort of

interchangeable and he combined that

usually with an open stance and he had a

semi-western grip so I'm going to hit a

few of those and see if I can get that

whip up on the ball here that he would

get so

much oh I did a classic there didn't I

so up over the top and this is very

useful when the ball's high and you want

to get a lot of spin on it Ball's up

high I can spin over the top of the head

here whip it

around get a lot of

Spin and that's the shot right there

give another one buggy whip here the

other time of buggy whip is useful is

when the ball's low and wide like if I

get pulled out wide I could do a buggy

whip right here and play it this

way

okay

and there we go another

one and over the top and this also

happens naturally if you're late on the

ball too if I'm a little late naturally

I'll go up and out versus around the

shoulders so you can use that variation

for hand as an option as well I wouldn't

use it all the time but it's a way that

you can play balls are a little late a

little further away from you or you want

to get a lot more spin on the ball so

you might be thinking at this point gosh

what should I do what's My Style what

kind of thing should I be trying to do

to make my forign the best it can be now

just remember the ball doesn't know what

your style is it doesn't know if you're

a pro or an amateur it doesn't know

anything it knows the speed of the

racket the angle of the Racket and the

path of the racket at that instant of

contact and how you get there is your

own style but if you're trying to do

things that are accomplish ated and

difficult then that contact point is

going to be inconsistent and then of

course your shots are going to be

inconsistent as well so I think we just

have to go back to what are the

fundamentals you look at all these

different styles of play whether it's

Andy rodic in the past or Roger feder in

the past or we look at Tommy Paul today

other players they're all doing

fundamentally similar things and how

they enter into the forehand is their

style but what they do through the ball

is very very similar okay so we're going

to go through a couple fundamental

things that you need to do all right

first of all make sure that your left is

involved so that every one of these

players whether no matter what their

style is they're entering into the

forehand with a unit turn where

everything is connected so this is

critical that you have this okay because

this is going to set up your power and

your control on your forehand and give

you everything you need at the beginning

stage of your forehand

shot in addition to the unit turn

preparation you also have to understand

how to use your feet to get into a

position where you store energy and have

balance and control so that when you

execute your swing that you have

complete control over your swing and you

can generate power through your body

very very important next up you have to

understand where your contact points are

so you're not guessing when the ball

comes in you have to know where that

contact point is measurably away from

your body in terms of width and also in

terms of depth because your whole

objective is to get through that ideal

contact point to be able to control the

ball so you've got to understand where

your contact points are

and then finally you have to understand

that the power and control is a unified

movement through contact that rotates

through the shoulders and you play out

through so your power comes through your

shoulder rotation and then that power

transfers through your hitting shoulder

into a comfortable extension and you

want to at least get here we do not want

to be playing arms and keeping the upper

arm next to the body we want to rotate

and

drive and if you look at the players

that are the best models for you on the

ATP Tour today I would look closely at

Carlos alarz whose forehand is

ridiculously great amazing but it's also

very clean and pure and it's most of the

components of his forehand are a great

model for you to follow it's very simple

in many many ways and hogar Runa is

another player who's got a clean simple

forehand I would try to model your

forehands after those two players and

stick to the fundamentals and the basics

and really try to get rid of any idea

that you're going to be snapping yes

there is a lag and there's a natural

catchup but as a final thought to do not

try to snap or release your wrist

through contact not deliberately if it

happens because you're relaxed and it

goes through it will just happen by

itself but it's nothing that you're

trying to do intentionally and then as a

final thought if you struggle with all

this go back to making your forehand as

simple as possible because consistency

is what's going to help you win more

match thanks so much for watching

today's video and I hope that these

Concepts will help you improve your

forehand and give us a like subscribe to

the channel if you've not done so

already leave your comments down below

and if if you're looking to get more

information on how to improve your

forehand click in the link in

description down below and get my free

mini course on the five principles you

need to master to achieve a professional

quality forehand thank you so much for

watching today's video and we'll see you

in the next lesson