PRO Forehand In 5 Simple Steps | Tennis Forehand Technique Lesson

Performance-Plus Tennis

15 Mar 202410:38

Summary

TLDRIn this informative video, John Craig from Performance Plus Tennis breaks down the key components of a high-performance forehand. He emphasizes the importance of a proper ready position, the correct unit turn with the left arm, and the significance of the contact point and follow-through. Craig uses his video editor, Randy, to demonstrate these points, offering tips on maintaining balance, ensuring consistent spacing, and achieving powerful, controlled strokes. The video is designed to help viewers refine their forehand technique for improved tennis performance.

Takeaways

🏹 **Ready Position**: Start with feet wider than shoulder width, on the balls of your feet, legs flexed, and upper body upright.
🤾‍♂️ **Non-Dominant Hand Role**: Use the non-dominant hand to control the racket, allowing the dominant hand to stay soft and relaxed.
📏 **Wrist Positioning**: Flex the wrist in the ready position to establish a stable foundation for making contact with the ball.
🔄 **Unit Turn**: The left arm (for right-handed players) initiates the turn, coiling the shoulders and setting up power for the forehand.
🦅 **Left Arm Function**: The left arm helps balance and measure up to the ball during the unit turn, then comes away to assist the forehand motion.
🎯 **Contact Point**: Identify a consistent contact point slightly in front and out to the side, where the arm feels most comfortable and powerful.
🚀 **Weight Transfer**: Use the unit turn to transfer weight and core strength into the forehand, propelling the racket through the ball.
🌪 **Follow-Through Importance**: The intention to follow through accelerates the racket head, and a complete follow-through ensures control and repetition of the swing pattern.
🏆 **Stroke Production**: Holding the finish of the swing helps in developing a consistent and relaxed forehand stroke.
💡 **Body Control**: Maintain body stillness and head down during the swing for better control and connection with the ball.
📌 **Practice Tips**: Regular practice focusing on these key points will improve forehand performance and consistency.

Q & A

What is the first key point of a high-performance forehand according to John Craig?
-The first key point of a high-performance forehand is the ready position, which should enable efficient movement and reproduce the same feeling as you enter into your stroke.
How should your feet be positioned in the ready position for a forehand?
-In the ready position, your feet should be wider than your shoulders, and you should be on the balls of your feet with your legs flexed.
What is the importance of the non-dominant hand in the forehand ready position?
-The non-dominant hand controls the racket in the ready position, allowing the dominant hand to stay soft and not engage too much, which helps maintain a comfortable and effective grip.
Why is it important to flex the wrist in the ready position?
-Flexing the wrist in the ready position is important because it establishes the wrist position needed for making contact, providing stability and helping to avoid the common mistake of keeping the wrist straight.
What should a right-handed player do with their left arm from the ready position?
-A right-handed player should take the racket to the side with their left arm, which triggers the unit of movement and causes the shoulders to coil, setting up the power for the forehand stroke.
How does the follow-through in a forehand stroke contribute to the stroke's effectiveness?
-The follow-through is important because the intention to accelerate through the ball accelerates the racket head, and the follow-through itself is a natural extension of this acceleration, contributing to a controlled and powerful stroke.
What should be the focus during the contact point of a forehand?
-During the contact point of a forehand, it's crucial to know and target a specific spot where the arm is most comfortable and powerful. This spot should be slightly in front and away from the body, allowing for the best control and power.
How does the unit turn contribute to the forehand stroke?
-The unit turn is essential as it helps to coil the shoulders and set up the power for the forehand. It's similar to the winding up motion in baseball, preparing the body for a strong and coordinated swing.
What advice does John Craig give for maintaining control and balance during the forehand stroke?
-John Craig advises maintaining a balanced position with the left hand coming away from the body and not falling away or getting isolated. This helps in maintaining control and balance throughout the stroke.
How can holding the finish of a forehand stroke benefit a player?
-Holding the finish of a forehand stroke helps create awareness and purpose in the swing, encouraging a consistent and repeatable swing pattern, which is crucial for good stroke production.
What does John Craig suggest to avoid when hitting a modern topspin forehand?
-John Craig suggests avoiding stopping on the ball out of fear of hitting it out, as it makes controlling the timing, direction, and spin of the shot very difficult.

Outlines

00:00

🎾 The Fundamentals of a High-Performance Forehand

This paragraph introduces the topic of the modern forehand in tennis, emphasizing the importance of a proper ready position. It highlights the need for feet wider than shoulder-width, being on the balls of the feet, and maintaining a flexed posture. The paragraph explains the correct positioning of the upper body, the role of the non-dominant hand in controlling the racket, and the importance of wrist positioning. It also discusses the common mistakes made by amateur players and provides tips for a professional ready position.

05:00

🎾 Mastering the Forehand: Contact Point and Follow-Through

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of the forehand stroke, focusing on the contact point and the follow-through. It clarifies the concept of 'out in front' by explaining that the contact point should be where the arm feels most comfortable and powerful. The paragraph also addresses the importance of the unit turn in setting up power and the role of the left hand in the forehand. The follow-through is discussed as a natural extension of the acceleration into the ball, emphasizing the intention behind it rather than the physical act itself. The paragraph concludes with advice on maintaining control and consistency in the forehand stroke.

10:06

🎾 Enhancing Forehand Technique with Practice and Awareness

The final paragraph wraps up the lesson by encouraging viewers to practice the tips provided and to be mindful of their forehand technique. It suggests holding the finish of the forehand stroke to improve swing pattern repetition and consistency. The paragraph also touches on the psychological aspect of staying calm and focused during play, and it invites viewers to share their progress and subscribe to the channel for more tennis lessons.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Ready Position

The ready position is the initial stance a tennis player adopts before initiating a forehand stroke. It is crucial for efficiency and consistency, as it sets the foundation for the entire movement. In the video, it is emphasized that the feet should be wider than the shoulders, the player should be on the balls of their feet with legs flexed, and the upper body should be upright. This stance allows for quick and dynamic movement during the stroke, as demonstrated by the coach's instructions to avoid bending over and to maintain a balanced posture.

💡Unit Turn

The unit turn refers to the coordinated rotation of the body that occurs as the player prepares to hit a forehand. This turn involves the shoulders coiling and the left arm (for right-handed players) moving to the side, which sets up the power and momentum needed for the stroke. The unit turn is essential for transferring weight and generating force from the core, as highlighted in the video where the coach emphasizes the importance of the shoulders turning with the preparation.

💡Contact Point

The contact point is the specific location where the tennis racket meets the ball during a forehand stroke. Finding the ideal contact point is critical for control and power, and it should be a position where the player feels most comfortable and balanced. The video explains that the contact point should be slightly in front of the player and not too close or too far away, allowing for optimal leverage and timing in the stroke.

💡Follow-Through

The follow-through is the movement and position of the body and racket after making contact with the ball. While it might seem less critical since the ball has already been hit, the follow-through is actually important for maintaining control and ensuring a smooth, powerful stroke. The video emphasizes that the intention to follow through helps accelerate the racket head through the ball, and the actual follow-through is a natural extension of this acceleration.

💡Stroke Production

Stroke production refers to the consistent reproduction of a swing pattern in tennis, which is crucial for developing a reliable and effective forehand. By holding the finish and maintaining the intention to follow through, players can train their bodies to repeat the same swing pattern, leading to improved consistency and performance over time.

💡Non-Dominant Hand

In the context of the forehand stroke, the non-dominant hand's role is to control the racket during the initial phase of the stroke, allowing the dominant hand to stay relaxed and ready for impact. This coordination between the hands ensures a smooth and effective transfer of energy to the ball.

💡Weight Transfer

Weight transfer is the movement of the player's body weight from the back foot to the front foot during the execution of a forehand stroke. This shift in weight is essential for generating power and maintaining balance throughout the stroke.

💡Racket Acceleration

Racket acceleration refers to the speed at which the racket head moves through the ball during contact. A faster racket head speed at contact point results in greater power and control. The video stresses the importance of the intention to accelerate through the ball, which contributes to a more effective follow-through and overall stroke quality.

💡Balance

Balance is the ability to maintain stability and control during the execution of a forehand stroke. It is crucial for ensuring that the player can effectively transfer weight and generate power without losing control or compromising their posture.

💡Timing

Timing in tennis refers to the player's ability to synchronize their movements with the incoming ball's speed and trajectory. Accurate timing is essential for making solid contact and controlling the ball effectively. The video highlights the importance of timing in relation to the unit turn and follow-through, where the player must coordinate their movements to hit the ball at the optimal moment.

💡Posture

Posture in the context of a tennis forehand refers to the body's alignment and positioning during the stroke. Proper posture is critical for maintaining balance, generating power, and ensuring accurate shots. The video stresses the importance of keeping the upper body upright and avoiding bending over, which would compromise the player's posture and potentially lead to less effective strokes.

Highlights

The importance of a proper ready position for an efficient and consistent forehand stroke.

Feet should be wider than shoulder width for optimal stance.

Being on the balls of your feet and legs flexed is crucial for the ready position.

Maintaining an upright posture from a side view prevents bending over.

The non-dominant hand should control the racket to keep the dominant hand soft.

The racket should be positioned comfortably in front, with arms in a natural shape.

Flexing the wrist in the ready position is essential for stability.

The left arm's role in controlling the racket and initiating the unit turn.

The unit turn is a key movement that sets up the power of the forehand.

The importance of not isolating the left arm but keeping it connected and balanced.

The concept of the contact point and finding the most comfortable and powerful position for it.

The contact point should be slightly in front and out from the body for optimal control and power.

The role of the unit turn in weight transfer and core engagement.

The follow-through is important for the intention to accelerate through the ball.

A complete finish and holding the follow-through helps in stroke production and consistency.

The importance of staying calm and controlled throughout the forehand stroke.

Holding the finish creates awareness and purpose in the swing pattern.

The modern forehand requires a natural and relaxed movement, not mechanical or robotic.

Staying down through the forehand and not pulling away is crucial for control.