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