Download - Tennis Skill: Forehand
TENNIS SKILL: FOREHAND
Jennifer JohnsonMilosh Lukovic
BACKGROUND Forehand is one of the most common
shots in tennis as well as most powerful Tennis is a lifting game and therefore
you should contact the ball below the net line
FOREHAND VIDEO Play video clip of forehand
GRIP Place palm and base
knuckle along side #3 on the racket
Wrap fingers around handle of racket
BODY POSITIONS
1. Ready Position
2. Racket Back
3. Step with L foot forward
4. Contact tennis ball
5. Follow through
READY POSITION Knees bent Facing net
Open up body Step back with dominant foot Form “T” with the body
Take forward step with non-dominant footBegin to make C motion
with racket
Contact the ball at about waist level
Follow through bring the racket upwardsupinate wrist
CUES TO REMEMBER Open, bend, step and swing
Open
Bend
Swing
Step
SITUATIONS TO USE FOREHAND Due to the power of the shot the
forehand should be the number one option when thinking of shot selectionHowever, this isn’t always plausible and
other shots must be used Most commonly used when a ball is
hit to a players dominant side
WAYS TO IMPROVE Remember to bend knees
Tennis is lifting game but if knees aren’t bent the ball will be contacted to high and lifted over the net and out of bounds because not enough time allowed for ball to come down
Start with the basics before attempting to add top spin It’s important that the fundamentals are
mastered before more advanced techniques are used because that leads to bad/lazy form
Ask for/Accept feedback You can only get better if you practice and
feedback allows others to see what you cannot
CLASS INSTRUCTION Now that you know proper
mechanics/techniques of the forehand we will begin to practice
Find a partner and get on opposite sides of the courtOne partner will through the tennis ball to the
other’s dominant sideThe hitter will use correct form while hitting the
ballThe thrower will provide instantaneous feedback
Eventually will be utilized in match play as well