Forehand Problems

by Ben
(Japan)

I've just started playing tennis again after 5 years and i have completely lost my forehand. Everytime I either hit it too long or too short. I usually use a lot of topspin. Do you have any tips on improving my forehand?

Should I hit the ball as it is falling or rising, how high should I be hitting it?
Should I be stepping into my forehand as I hit it?
Where should my weight be?

Sorry for all the questions. It's just that I never had this problem 5 years ago and I can't seem to pinpoint what I 'm doing differently now. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Answer:

Hi Ben,

Glad to hear you have started playing tennis again :)

Whenever you find you are doing a larger than usual amount of miss hits, you should turn your attention to your footwork! Especially when balls are flying long and short. These irregular misses are usually a result of shabby footwork! You should get into the ideal position with small agile steps then plant your feet.

Ideally, you should hit the ball when it is at its peak! In other words when it is neither falling or rising :) If it is a really high ball I recommend you step in and take it on the rise! (around shoulder height) It is more difficult that letting the ball drop but it will help you in the long run as it pressurizes your opponent and that is when their errors start to leek in :)

Remember: If you are moving into the court to take the ball on the rise, pivot your body so that you shoulders face the net then move in. Cross over the first step to increase speed!

Don't try to step into your forehand when you hit it. Instead, balance yourself with your weight evenly distributed between both feet (plant your feet). When you hit, you hit with your hips (so to speak) and that will naturally take your weight through into the court.

Of course it could be a technical problem too. Keep in mind that it is helpful, for control, to lower your racquet before you hit and brush up the back of the ball!

You can practice top spin by standing inside the service line and hitting balls from a low height up over the net and trying to curl them back down before the opponents service line!

Finally, It may sound difficult to do, but if you are having problems with your forehand... try not to over-think things too much. Once you have repeated the steps need in preparation for a forehand your body will know how to do it and you just need to trust it. I think this is often the part people have the most problems with!

I wish you all the best and hopefully that forehand will improve soon.

Max