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. Striking the ball at the point of contact will ensure a clean hit. Your footwork will ensure you move sideways to the ball before striking it. the point of contact for the tennis ball should ideally be in front of you, slightly to your right. Always aim to strike the tennis ball early i.e. at the apex of the flight. Hit through the ball and do not just touch it.
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.
The tips accorded here should guide you in being to hit the tennis ball with your forehand soundly. Always remember to turn, racket back into a 'v' position, focus on the point of contact in front of you and follow through completely. Have fun!
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. Striking the ball at the point of contact will ensure a clean hit. Your footwork will ensure you move sideways to the ball before striking it. the point of contact for the tennis ball should ideally be in front of you, slightly to your right. Always aim to strike the tennis ball early i.e. at the apex of the flight. Hit through the ball and do not just touch it.
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.
The tips accorded here should guide you in being to hit the tennis ball with your forehand soundly. Always remember to turn, racket back into a 'v' position, focus on the point of contact in front of you and follow through completely. Have fun!
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