Beginner Tennis Lesson: Forehand Progressions

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Next week we will be posting part two of this series with Adriana where we work on backhands! Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 0:10 - Ready Position 1:00 - Moving Out To Forehand 4:38 - The Grip 6:18 - Unit Turn 9:05 - Left Arm Stretch 13:51 - Extension Through Contact 16:02 - Balance/Control Check Point

[@chaloseekhein.1996]

Thanks coach.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

@@chaloseekhein.1996 Glad you liked the video, Naved! Kindly, John

[@fromoz3154]

Excellent, I've been using turn amd load on return of serve, instead of thinking of the racquet, and of course if I move first the racquet comes automatically with the unit turn. So thanks for emphasising movement before stroking.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

@@fromoz3154 Thanks Oz for your valuable comment! Kindly, John

[@jungscabin]

This lesson is the best tutorial ever. I love it

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Jungs, Thank you so much! Kindly, John

[@bordman5068]

I’m a 4.5 player and my wife who has never played tennis before and has never done sports the require good hand eye coordination asked me to give her lessons. Your lessons have helped a lot!! I was making the mistake of expecting too much of my wife too soon. Thank you for making these videos!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Byron, Thanks so much for reaching out! Glad the videos are helping. Stay tuned! Kindly, John

[@tennisone6376]

keep put the pressure on the wife she can do it, can learn hand eye cordination when u keep to try

[@sunsioux444]

I love the patience of this teacher. I am 69 and have been playing pickleball 3 years and decided to take up tennis ( yay!) and it’s exciting! I get down on myself but if I compare myself to this student, I am doing just fine! This is great instruction for beginners!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Sun, Thanks for your comments and feedback. I hope you watched more of my lessons and gained more knowledge on the fundamentals. Let me know if you have questions. Kindly, John

[@sunsioux444]

@@PerformancePlusTennis I did watch more especially serve for beginners. the serve is tough!

[@lynnstpierre]

I love this trainer! Calm, explains really well and has the best voice!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you, Lynn! I am glad to know you resonate with my coaching style. I also enjoy Yoga and will check out your channel! Kindly, John

[@truthseekerglobalresearch3511]

I'm a 4.0 senior doubles player. I do some Learn to Play teaching and also Learn to Play Better Doubles. You do great detail on preparation and moving to the ball. I will pass this on to several adult ladies who are keen and progressing well after 5 or 6 lessons. Thanks for this video.

[@stellafan3335]

Very good coaching lesson

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you! Kindly, John

[@b.shankarrao9149]

Nice coaching with pedagogic skills. .

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you so much! Best, John

[@puttasatyanarayana5426]

Nice

[@kamals3582]

Great concept. To learn the movement first and then the stroke

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you! Once she's has the balance and rhythm, I will fine tune her stroke and it will all become very natural! Kindly, John

[@biblepool6313]

Best online tennis coach. Love your coaching style.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you so much! Kindly, John

[@HNg-re5rx]

Thanks for covering the basics of the forehand (Ready position, unit turn, Balance control/check point..). I’m trying to teach my son how to play and it’s been a challenge). It would be great if you went over the basics of the serve. Thanks 🙏

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you so much for your comments...glad to know the lesson was valuable for you. Check out my serve playlist for a complete range of lessons on the serve. I will certainly produce a serve fundamentals course. Thanks! John

[@mikesweetman373]

A great teacher this guy!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thanks again, Mike. Nothing thrills me more than helping others improve their tennis! Glad to know you resonate with my coaching! Best, John

[@jamesadcock5235]

Amazing how much she improved in 20 mins

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi James, Thanks for your comment and contribution to the video! Kindly, John

[@kumara3748]

Because she learned it before

[@Theicecreamvanman]

I love the order in which you teach these skills. Thanks, very inspiring

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you! Kindly, John

[@RJ-nf3jm]

I love the view from the baseline and how you hopped along with her before you tossed the balls. It looks like you're truly enjoying teaching and makes the student feel like you're participating in the lesson the same way by mirroring the movement they should do. I learned a lot about how to help others by watching this video. One suggestion I have is that you do a great job of demonstrating the footwork by doing the footwork and shadow hitting in front of the student a few times. I think it would be helpful if you then did the same thing behind the student so you could see that they are doing it correctly, and you can coach them from behind for a few. Your patience and encouragement are so genuine and refreshing -- it's obvious you enjoy helping others learn the game.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you so much, RJ for your feedback, suggestions and contribution to the video! Kindly, John

[@indikakodikara6670]

Im from sri lanka your explanation is very clear thank you 😊

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you! I hope you benefit from all the content here on the channel! Best, John

[@newhouse6112]

Just started playing and this has helped!!

[@tantennis]

Your drills are very impressive. I'm coaching some of my friends who never played tennis before. I taught them the unit turn and the swing and so far it went good with slow balls. However, their common issues are always the timing as their feet don't move so they are not in the right position as the balls move. I will implement your footwork lessons here next time and see how it goes!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thanks Tan! Keep me updated! Best, John

[@meenaagarwala1552]

So beautifully explained ! Thanks coach

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you, Meena! Kindly, John

[@duraivs1381]

Marvelous training

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you, Durai! Much appreciate your kind comment. Best, John

[@meenaagarwala1552]

So beautifully explained

[@wasistyoadisarasputro542]

Thanks for the tips John.. i still have difficulties to do forehand cross court. Do you have any easy tips to do it?

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Wasistyo, thanks for your question. I will try to keep it simple. 1) Prepare early so you have time. 2) Know your contact points. 3) Track/ anticipate the ball accurately. Check out my forehand playlist for more information. I also have a complete forehand course. Here is the link: performanceplustennis.com/forehand-foundation-description/. Best regards, John

[@wasistyoadisarasputro542]

@@PerformancePlusTennis thank you very much John

[@CYON4D]

Great session.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you!

[@nmdi2002]

great educational video

[@Erik_001]

Wow. She did really well.

[@rakeshchauhan26]

Damm thats good thankss

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thank you for the great feedback! Best, John

[@fromoz3154]

Agree with all the compliments below, would hire you in a heartbeat John. Movement and positioning first, and long strokes. More student lessons if possible, I think its easy to relate to, and learn as they learn. Do you have targeting videos?

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Oz, Thanks so much for the kind words! I am planning to have more students in future videos as well. I dod have some targeting videos, mostly for the serve here on the channel. Have a browse around and let me know if you have questions. Thanks, John

[@khwiserosportsacademy6826]

great

[@hopeallwell7228]

for a beginner, she should be hitting the ball when both of her feet are planted on the ground in a closed stance. More often than not, she is seen hitting the ball while moving her right leg to the front. The right leg only moved after hitting the ball as a natural consequence of hitting the ball by rotating the hip and shoulder led by the arm and wrist. She was doing it right when being fed the balls stationary. When she ran sideway to the ball, she got her right leg moving while hitting the ball, I don't think that's stable and optimum as a beginner. Yes she should move to the ball but the very moment she hit the ball her legs shouldn't be moving.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thanks for your comments and contribution to the video. She is a work in process, and still trying coordinate her footwork, balance and stroke. Best, John

[@hopeallwell7228]

@@PerformancePlusTennis thank you for the classy reply. Well done.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

@@hopeallwell7228 Thank you!

[@sceek561]

I'm teaching my kids and your instruction is very good progressions and makes a lot of sense! I was wondering about the grip. You showed her an Eastern Grip, which I agree is easier to hit with. Do you move them eventually to a semi western or just leave them in an Eastern? I am concerned if I teach an Eastern, transitioning to SW will be hard for them. Thank you!!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi C K, Thanks for reaching our with your questions. Actually the transition from Eastern forehand grip to Semi-western is the easiest, most comfortable grip change to make. I have been developing students for many years with the Eastern, knowing full well that the semi-western was coming, and I've only had positive results. Please keep me updated on your progress with your kids. Thanks, John

[@sceek561]

@@PerformancePlusTennis - John, before I wrote my question I looked through all the comments and saw that despite you posting this video over a year ago, you replied to every comment! That really told me that you are a stand up person and I thought you might reply. Thank you very much for your answer. I will let you know how it goes and will be a dedicated subscriber to your channel as much as I can, given you seem to not only be a great instructor but a great person as well. Cheers.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

@@sceek561 Thank you so much!

[@olafsrensen9578]

amazing improvement in a schort time ! I like you consentrate on the overall problems and that you start vith the leagmovements.Manny coaches start 2 with to many points too quickly .

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thanks Olaf. I believe the strokes follow the feet, so always start with movement to create balance and rhythm. Then it is easy to build strokes that are natural and fluid. Kindly, John

[@mikemorris5503]

If you’ve ever played defense in basketball, where you’re having to anticipate/track the movement of the person in front of you, then that part of the game shouldn’t be that hard I’d assume? Essentially, guarding someone in basketball is all about bent knees and staying on the ball of your feet to be ready for any sudden movements.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Mike, Thanks for your comments and contribution to the video. Basketball was the first sport that I loved before tennis...I played plenty of defense! However, many new players to tennis do not bring the same multi-sport experience, so they need to learn the most basic fundamentals. Kindly, John

[@jaquevius]

I agree the basketball defensive stance helps with the ready position, but as someone who played basketball for 30 years before moving to tennis, it’s the first step that is markedly different and is hard to break. In basketball you slide keeping your body square, and if you have to make what tennis calls a unit turn, you’re playing bad defense and your man has already gotten by you as you didn’t stay squared to wherever he moved (you want to keep the center of your chest in front of him, so the last thing you would do as a good defender is pivot to the right before stepping). Basketball translates nicely in many things to tennis, but in some areas it actually created ingrained movement patterns that aren’t good for tennis. The other movement pattern that is hard to break is the explosive movements versus trying to float on the court like this instructor. He looks like he’s just gliding to stay on proper tennis balance to help with timing. In basketball, you can glide and bounce on offense before exploding (quick first step for instance), but in defense it’s more of a fast twitch tense movement pattern. Overall basketball has definitely helped me move around the court and cover ground well (I can beat much better players than me at times just from court coverage and playing defensive tennis), but the soft bounce/ soft split step is not my natural instinct. My split step sounds like I’m slamming into the court like a hop step in basketball lol. When I’m playing well and relaxed I can be smooth, but oddly when I feel like I’m trying harder my movements and muscle tension revert back to what made me good at basketball, and it’s a hard habit to break.

[@Keroppikun]

Hello I’m new here but enjoying what I’ve seen if your channel so far. Surely she needs to build a basic swing first before all the added movement? Aren’t you trying to do too much here at what appears to be the beginning of the lesson? I mean, we need to learn to catch a ball at a stationary position first before attempting to run and catch. It might be a nice, fun, goal to attempt a running hit but without the basic swing skills isn’t it asking too much too soon for this beginner? Surely more controlled (relatively stationary) practice followed by less control; more open skills, would be better? Thx.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thanks for your feedback and great questions! I work to blend footwork and swing work together right from the start. The reason is beginners tend to stand and not create. Any rhythm of movement. The footwork in the swing work need to blend together to create rhythm and timing. Yes, there are times when I stop and isolate swing technique, but I quickly resume the footwork as well. I hope this makes sense. Thanks, John.

[@TJsCoffeeAdventures]

My forehand has a similar issue to hers where my balls go quite high. I feel like I’m keeping the head pretty flat but the shots keep clearing the net way too high. Is it all grip or is there something else I might be doing wrong? Great video!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi TJ, Thanks for your feedback and question. Without seeing your forehand I really can’t make a clear recommendation. You can contact me through my website and send me a link to a video and I will take a look. Best regards, John

[@specagent999]

as a coach, how do you know if a beginner has the potential to go far? can you tell early on when someone can be very good or just very average?

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Great question! The answer is complex and involves many factors. When you say "go far", do mean professional tour player? I have seen both sides: 1, where you see a young talent and you pretty much know right away. I worked with the same coach who developed Michael Chang. He ( the coach) knew Michael would be champion at age 7. It was clear. He had the "it factor": focused, talented determined. He knew exactly he wanted. And 2) where you see a young player and think "no chance". I knew a boy at 9 that looked like he might play high school tennis at best. Well, he got motivated and grew to 6'4", is a lefty, and was ranked the number 1 nationally in the boys 18's. You never know!

[@specagent999]

@@PerformancePlusTennis go far as in D1 and professional. Michael Chang was tenacious and maximized his strengths which were his legs and athleticism.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

@@specagent999 Actually, when Michael was 7, it was his mentality that provided insight to his future. He was so focused, so determined...playing professional tennis was his destiny. And I think his mentality was his greatest strength. His legs and athleticism came later, and as a result of his determination. It was truly unique. Kindly, John

[@rabeajune1432]

Its good I’m not the only one missing the ball

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thanks for sharing...everyone is on their own journey...keep enjoying it! Kindly, John

[@igorf243]

was there any progression on a unit turn rly?

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

The unit is a simple movement that doesn’t really require a progression. It can be isolated when not performed well, however. Thanks, John.

[@carolynhealey2544]

What about student keeping head still ? Not looking too early to the other end of the court.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Hi Carolyn, Yes, good point of course. I cover that thoroughly in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYqsh52QrryBqJo Thanks for your contribution to the video! Kindly, John

[@AlexanderGr8]

Are you a tennis coach Carolyn?

[@jcbryllebahari8503]

Fh grip?

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Yes, Eastern FH Grip to start. Thanks, John

[@valsiscar871]

Body should be relax..i saw theres some stifness in the body and the shoulder is not rotating in forehand

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thanks...all part of being a beginner!

[@Hrajuuu]

👍👍👏👏

[@iisan1]

That minor adjustments after every drills though…

[@donho4109]

👍🎾👏

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Thanks Don! Kindly, John

[@maxwelldewinter]

so no split step!😂

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

The "bounce-bounce" upon recovery (which is the split step) is presented repeatedly throughout the video. Best, John

[@maxwelldewinter]

@@PerformancePlusTennis 3:14 "so if you hop out of your ready position you lose time" That's a confusing statement. That's why I like the differentiation between moving the feet constantly from the actual split step! Anyway I do like the lateral movement concept you are teaching a beginner!

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

@@maxwelldewinter I am not sure why this is confusing. Adriana was hopping into a side skip to get to the ball. She was loosing time and not establishing a strong unit turn as a result, so she was not only late getting to the ball, she was also off balance. I hope this makes sense. Thanks, John

[@KenFlanagan]

Are you kidding me?? How is this the right way to coach tennis. Bizarre.

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

I've been coaching this progression for many years with outstanding results...if you have a better way, let me know.

[@tennisone6376]

She still a beginner after this lesson? lololol

[@PerformancePlusTennis]

Actually, she has come a long way! I will bring her back on the channel for a follow-up lesson soon! Best, John

[@tennisone6376]

@@PerformancePlusTennis Oh thats good keep to go