Tennis Forehand - The Windshield Wiper Forehand

[@alanbeck9502]

As someone who has been playing tennis for over 50 years I still find these excellent videos helpful. Meier is a great coach.

[@Christopher-L-Edler]

Excellent explanation! One thing you didn't mention is that the windshield-wiper follow-through also reduces horizontal angle errors when you mistime ball-contact. If you look at the comparison with the traditional follow-through starting at 2:44, and pause it at ball contact (2:58), the horizontal aim for both strokes is about the same, but if you advance the video until the racket in the video on the right is "on-edge" (just past your head), you can see that it's aiming more to the left compared to the windshield-wiper follow-through -- in other words, the windshield-wiper is better at keeping the racket face square to the direction that you're trying to hit the ball, so if you mistime ball contact there is less horizontal angle error. The irony is that, even though the windshield-wiper is appropriate for returning fast incoming balls to help shorten your return, it is also appropriate for slow balls if you tend to mistime ball contact, which typically happens on a speed-change-up by your opponent even if you are otherwise good at timing ball contact; so I use the windshield-wiper quite a bit. NOTE: you can advance KZbin videos one frame at a time by first pausing the video and then pressing the period (".") key (and the comma key backs up one frame at a time).

[@redbirdcraig1]

Thanks for the information and the demonstration. I find I learn so much more when the rationale behind attempting (or not attempting, in this case) a certain technique is explained rather than simply showing the technique. While at my level it certainly shouldn't be a go-to technique, you explained the reasoning so well I can see why I might want to use the WW in certain "emergency" situations while still focusing on refining the traditional technique. Thanks again!

[@tennisudin]

Great video showing the difference. But, it would help to mention that the windshield wiper can follow the path of a sloping car windshield, which allows for the racquet to extend forward for more drive and also get a lot of top spin. Your windshield wiper in the video is closer to a bus or truck windshield than a car windshield. As you mentioned, this bus windshield is best used for specialty shots, such as when near the net or for more of a buggy whip stroke.

[@barryparker6011]

Hi Florian, As a USPTA professional, I was very pleased to see your video on the windshield wiper forehand. Your information was very clear and extremely well presented. Many thanks for your excellent instruction. Sincerely, Barry Parker

[@kklin7]

Thanks for distinguishing the 2 types of forehands and when to use them!

[@frederickpeters3318]

Your point about the speed of the pro game is well taken. The pro player can brush the ball more because the pace is already there. I find that when I am playing higher level hitters I can utilize that shot more. conversely it is imperative to be able to hit linear to get depth and for driving the ball. Thanks for making an excellent point.

[@alfo.9574]

Really well explained. I thank you for this and will subscribe

[@andrewhoward8642]

Great explanation. I believe too many video's are focused to the Pro Speed of play as to where most of us do not even experience remotely. All be it they are good technical video's for really advanced players, the results can be misleading due to your normal opponents skills, thus causing unintended results and possibly frustration or bad habits. Thanks for the video, will look forward to more.

[@peteangjeleski3212]

Great video Florian. Nothing new when it comes from you. :)

[@jescold316]

Thanks!!! This is a game changing tip!!

[@Matthew9818]

My basic forehands solid and has power ( for my level ) I want to learn this forehand thought. I think I finally get why it,s called Winshield wiper ! Lol

[@10sDog]

Nice job, Florian!! Stay in touch.

[@shmuelgoldberg8657]

...Something you did not mention, and it is out of the scope when talking about the "windshield wiper". However, it is so obvious in these two clips that I must mention it. Please note your left hand "hugging" the body on the left side clip, while it goes up on the right side of the screen. This is what makes a faster ball, because the upper body, along the kinetic chain, rotates faster when the arms are close to the body..

[@noriega78]

great video, i'll try to remberer how my finish should be on The Windshield Wiper when i hit low balls mid court.... as i often go too long because i do more the "traditional" shot...

[@TNToncourt]

I've just given you a thumbs up for your good tip,thanks.

[@arturohernandez2086]

Hi Florian, Very Interesting video! I am wondering if one way to think about it is that there is always a combination of extension and spin on every ball. As you noted extension comes first and then additional spin comes into to control how far the ball goes into the court. Many people advocate teaching children and beginners the traditional shots. In fact, some have found that pros hitter much more traditional shots as juniors. Is that your view?

[@msun5]

Thanks! Great videos!

[@ernescer]

Hello Florian, Very helpfull information. I teach this kind of shot just when you are 3 or more steps inside the court, in order to "contain" the strenght of the shoulder and use more the arm avoiding longer shots. Do you think it is correct? Regards.

[@Matthew9818]

I use a winshield wiper finish every now and again . Only problem is I have to change my grip so it is more western .

[@TheWakeupsheeple]

Use windshield wiper strokes on every shot people. The further you are away from the net the further you extension goes out away from you. That way you get drive and with spin. If the ball is coming up short, add height to the shot. This in turn gets the ball to go down, then up, closer to the base line letting the ball cross the strike zone instead of staying flat and longer in the strike zone. When you come closer to the net on an approach shot swing the tip of the racquet up more and closer to you. This takes away drive and adds more topspin for shorter more angled shots. If you are to old to change then do it Florians way. Oh, and you have to let the shoulders come around more, it adds more mass to the shot with less effort and more control because you don't have to swing as hard.

[@chtomlin]

yes and use semi or full open to do the WW correctly where you can hit out front and get the drive Florian is missing with his closed stance.

[@chtomlin]

You say Pros generally hit with lots of extension out towards the target, but I guess that is a relative term. Imo study the hit more up and across with not so much extension.

[@snowmarten129]

Are the other fundamentals of a normal forehand (shoulder turn, knee bend, inside out swing path) still applicable to the windshield wiper forehand?

[@msun5]

Your racket looks like it is almost touching the back of your knee on the WW forehand...do you actively move your forearm to make that happen?

[@SamSung-pn6il]

What about use of this shot to be aggressive at the net, specially for high balls?

[@rednick06]

What is you grip for forehand? i gues semi-wester(4)?

[@SamSung-pn6il]

Great video, I now know I can live without it too much.

[@okaythen001]

can I do this with closed stance or semi open? seems this is only for open stance? (trying to add windshield to my traditional only swing for more spin)

[@andrewbeard1380]

I'm sorry, but with my past experience I have to disagree. Anyone like me who uses a western forehand grip will use this as their bread-and-butter forehand, however on highballs I prefer to use the inverted forehand. This is actually the same strategy Nadal uses, since he too has the western fore hand grip. Yes- if you use anything flatter than a western grip, this is a shot you will want to veer away from. But if you use western, this is your basic forehand stroke.

[@user-be5qg7mr1s]

I don't agree. Many pros use windshield as much as possible. The trick is to make contact first and do the windshield motion. Some rec people just brush which has no extension.

[@carlosesa]

Here I saw that me forehand is completely wrong... :(