Tennis Forehand Stroke: Improve Your First Move
Are you looking to improve your tennis forehand stroke? In this tennis article, I will explain one of the core elements to get more topspin on your tennis forehand like the top tennis players in the world.
As a coach, I am always looking for ways to help my players improve as quickly as possible. I also look at what might work for each individual student. There is an art and a science to help each player and what works for one player might not work for another.
Some players and even coaches are locked into just one way of making the first move on the tennis forehand. However, I feel like you can do things a different way if it feels right for you. Hence, I will describe two options that you can use for performing a proper first move to hit a better tennis forehand.
Let us get started,
Forehand: First Move Technique
Many players keep their elbow pretty close to their body when they make their first move. Therefore, they lose the ability to create momentum and acceleration on their tennis forehand stroke.
To rapidly fix this problem, I get them to practice the conventional first move which involves the following two aspects. First, having the racquet tip up. Second, keeping the arms bent and relaxed while holding a semi western or eastern forehand grip.
When you practice your tennis forehand, focus on getting your elbow away from the body during the first move. When you keep the elbow away from the body, your racquet strings will be closed. Thus, you can really accelerate to the ball at contact and get more power on your tennis forehand.
Forehand: First Move Modified Technique
Now, there is actually a different way to do your first move on your tennis forehand stroke. For instance, some professional tennis players make their first move with the racquet tip lower because it is more efficient for them. If you opt to try this, your topspin and flat forehand will have the three following characteristics:
First, your strings will be facing towards the ground more. Second, your elbow will come out more in the preparation phase. Third, your swing will become more compact. As a result, you will create more lag and generate effortless racquet head acceleration when you swing at the ball.
Summary
To recap, there are two different ways to perform a great first move for building a perfect tennis forehand technique. First, you can focus on getting your elbow away from the body to create proper spacing and load up your racquet. Consequently, you can accelerate into the ball and hit better topspin and flat tennis forehands.
On the other hand, you can consider making a lower first move by ensuring to create space and keep your racquet strings closed. I like this way of doing it as well, both ways can work, you just need to do what works for you. Keep in mind to avoid turning sideways on your tennis forehand stroke when practicing your first move.
I hope you enjoy learning about the importance of the first move for building a perfect tennis forehand technique. Next time you go to the tennis court, consider trying both options to instantly start hitting better tennis forehands.
By Jeff Salzenstein, Founder Tennis Evolution
Jeff is a former top 100 ATP player and USTA high performance coach committed to helping players and coaches all over the world improve.
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19 Comments
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Great lesson.Can you make video where should player toss the ball for all 4 version of serve?
HI Midzy, We have this break down in the Tennis Serve Secrets course.
Isn’t this similar to what Lendl used to do?
Hi Noah,
Now that you mention it, it does look a little like Lendl’s forehand
Jeff,
Looks like Ivan Lendl’s swing!
Could you pl analyze Ivan’s forehand stroke for us?
Thanks
Raj, Let me see what I can come up with.
Jeff, This is something I have been doing recently that works out very well for me. In my ready, the racket is up maybe between 30 – 45 degrees from the horizontal, and when I prepare it stays at about that angle, which is a more neutral position. Before when I raised the tip higher I wound up doing something odd with my elbow that let the back end of the stroke get all out of shape. And as you point out, I do get more lag, and on the right plane for a better swing path. You helped with that, with your advice to keep the racket head lower and the path more compact when returning fast serves to the FH. Very helpful!
That’s awesome to hear, Robert. Happy you are getting results.
I believe it has to feel natural. Some players benefit from elbow up first move while others can’t cope with racquet closed and they hit too many shots into the net.
By the way, what happened to your ankle?
Yes, It’s important to do what feels right.
I tweaked my ankle a little bit.
Lower racket head tip, using raised elbow, was outstanding tip! Result? Better timing, much more relaxed arm, more fluidity, more pop! Thanks for helping us consider alternatives to the standard methodology!
You’re welcome, Randy. That’s great news and appreciate you being open to new ways of doing things.
Thanks for the validation. I found taking the racket up Federer-style to be a bit awkward for me and it also threw off my timing. I am comfortable the approach you discussed here but I actually bring the racket face back where it is facing the back fence. It actually produced a bit more elastic energy for topspin. Anyway, felling much less of a rebel now.
So cool, Finny. Thank you for sharing.
I been using it and it works beautifull when I hit it on the sweet spot and actually it feels like I have more power effortlessly
Awesome, Gary!
Finally someone took note of Lendl’s forehand. If the finish is higher depth is even more natural.
I agree Raj!