How To Develop More Forehand Power & Topspin

[@TEN-S60]

Most people prepare late for their strokes because they can’t correctly read the speed, height and spin of the incoming ball and anticipate where on the court it’s going to land so they aren’t able to beat the ball to the bounce and be balanced when hitting the ball. As a result they are rushed and try to impart topspin by pulling across the body rapidly instead of lifting the racket up with the shoulder and extending towards the target.

[@ReidVV]

Key to proper early prep is to immediately think forehand or backhand and move immediately into the unit turn on this identification in which the need for a forehand or backhand can be made in a second or less. So a quick, decisive, early unit turn is essential. Next is to train to hit the incoming ball on the rise, that is before it reaches the peak of its bounce and begins to fall downward. This increases good ball judgment and anticipation in moving to strike the ball. The final key is to watch the racquet hit the ball a-la Federer. This emphasizes good ball contact and when combined with the early unit turn and movement necessary to hit the ball on the rise of the bounce will result in striking the ball at the proper contact point at about a 45-degree angle in front of the body. A lot of words boils down to get the racquet back early, take the ball on the rise, and watch the racquet hit the ball.

[@ginomarone8831]

And what most coaches overlook is the “why” factor…. Not taking Eye Dominance into consideration. For example, my daughter is right handed and left eye dominant. Great for the FH, absolutely owns that space. The BH however is a completely different story. Imagine your right shoulder is forward getting ready to hit a BH, trying to gauge the depth of the ball - while your Right eye is shut closed. 😮. So that’s what we are working now (improving depth perception)

[@AlphaChinou]

Yeah that’s me

[@bartholomewlyons]

And what is your suggestion?

[@bartholomewlyons]

@@ReidVV but people hit the ball when it starts to dip (watch the vid) and slows down a bit. Hitting on the rise is a necessity if you misjudged the trajectory and the ball falls nearer than anticipated, resulting almost in a half-volley. Watch this vid. All his shots are on the drop, not the rise.

[@barrygleeson8415]

Best forehand coaching vid I have seen , from any provider

[@rucas10]

Perfect and brilliant execution from beginning to end of the various forehand phases, James !

[@dawng7270]

This is an awesome video!! I know about the slot but I wasn’t clear on how to achieve it. I knew about the leg bend and this makes it crystal clear. My arm is injured on the inside of the elbow due to a bent arm forehand so now I’m going to straighten it out and this video will be my model. You do such a great job of demonstrating the key fundamentals. Thank you sooo much!!

[@lyndseyandandrew5771]

Forehand is looking amazing James!

[@topgunfilmco.4124]

Hey ! Awesome tips ! How would the "raising of the shoulder" technique work with high balls ?

[@shailsh3965]

HI James..This is fantastic demo. Whether it is possible to do the same for Semi open and Open stance please ?

[@philbland4207]

Really useful video James, as ever.

[@Lugtor]

Great slow motion👍

[@K4R3N]

Any video on 2HBH inside-out swingpath?

[@nabirum]

Thanks James. Can you verify that in the unit turn you want a lot of spacing like a beach ball”s worth but in the slot you want the hitting hand close to the body to maximize the inside out swing? You have quite a talent to simplify the complex. Thanks.

[@ReidVV]

You will find the getting the racket backfaster. Helps you with your spacing.because the rackets already in the back position. You naturally approach the ball differently and more correctly.

[@watcher687]

Would you say it’s a pulling of the racket handle forward from the slot position onwards to contact?

[@andrewk8656]

Amazing video keep it up

[@franciscomanrique4979]

GRACIAS

[@popburl]

Very good video but can you do a video for how to hit balls higher up? I try to take balls closer to baseline and balls are not low and I play many recreational players who hit balls high and with no pace

[@georgepush4243]

Why your right elbow is so high? It seems to me contraproductive during fast balls. I keep my right elbow slightly above my weist (outside of course but not so high) during coiling because able to drop racket much faster than lowering elbow from high position as you do.

[@marktace1]

The very low racquet drop shown in this clip only works well for a straight arm contact. Even then it is difficult for a semi-western or stronger grip. Nadal of course can do it but he has to swing harder than most people are able to in order to get depth. With bent arm contact, which most people make, the swing path is too low to high to make effective contact. Nothing wrong with the instruction, but some people will try to copy that low racquet drop and find themselves hitting the ball into the net and having trouble getting it to land past the service line.

[@tonydaysog9164]

Nice.

[@lang897]

good

[@greatndit]

Generate more topspin is not the problem. If he did more top spin on that forehand , the ball will fly higher .

[@SDPBALLCOACH]

Looks like you're hitting a "falling" ball.. ?? Has hitting a RISING or Peaking ball gone out of favor.?