Here’s a reality check: a lot of players are not using their off-arm and hands correctly on the forehand. It’s bent, it’s contorted, it’s close to the body. So, how do you correct this, to give yourself more space, more power, and more consistency on your forehand?
Try imagining lightning bolts coming out of the fingers on your off-hand! When you make your first move, really spread out those fingers, and imaging those lightning bolts! By doing so, you’ll create more space, which allows you to swing more freely and to generate more power.
This type of extension, this type of exaggeration, is an awesome tennis tip that’s going to dramatically improve your forehand.
Special thanks to my good friend and coach Joseph O’Dwyer, who helped me break the Top 100 at the age of 30!
Got any questions, comments, and/or suggestions? Leave a comment down below, and I’ll be sure to get back to you with an answer. We’d love to hear from you!
Jeff, Huge fan of your work and this appears to be exactly what my daughter may need. How much practice time will it take to ingrain?
Mike, Hopefully she will pick it up fast. It is easy to stop doing it if you are not aware of it.
Sprinkle it into the practices but don’t make it the main focal point.
Great tip. Easy imagery for any student to grasp – and use!
Excellent as always Jeff!
Thank you, Jim!
Love this tip and as always you provide a short get to the point valuable tip that we need. Thanks, Jim
Jeff, where is off hand pointing? At ball, at net post, at side fence? Hard to tell from video.
Clint, Typically it points to the side fence. Parallel to the baseline but not past parallel.
Hey Jeff,
Dang, I love seeing all these tips! One question I have though. I coach highshool tennis and personally I’ve always had an inconsistent forehand. I’ve really polished things up lately, but I’m in scool too so I just don’t have time to practice enough. However, I adopted Rick Macci’s forehand preparation and technique tips. I made the adjustments for my forehand and it’s pretty close to what I teach my players. Rick says to keep the off hand on the racket as you bring your racket back. So the off hand shouldn’t come off the racket until you’ve brought the racket back, according to Rick. I notice your off hand doesn’t guide the racket back. Is this purely for intructional purposes or do you have a different theory?
Sorry for the long comment. I’m still learning so much on teaching/coaching and I believe people of your and Rick’s coaching caliber bring so much to the table and I learn invaluable tips from both of you, I just want understand and learn more. Thank you!
Caleb, Rick is great and have tremendous respect of this work. One thing I have experienced for some players is that when they hold on too long, they are LATE. Have you felt that yourself or with your players. I have felt it personally and watched it with other players especially when the ball comes a little faster. Some player are late preparing the racquet and I feel this tip can help them. Ideally you want to hold on longer like the pros but this is a modification for those that feels good for.