Perfecting Your Forehand Technique - Relaxed Wrist vs Tight Wrist?

Perfecting Your Forehand Technique - Relaxed Wrist vs Tight Wrist?
The role of the wrist on the tennis forehand is massive. The wrist movement allows you to direct the ball, to produce topspin and to also help you git a flat forehand. However, is it better to have a relaxed wrist on your forehand or a tight wrist?
In this lesson, Coach Simon Konov will break down exactly the role of the wrist and how you can perfect your forehand technique.
Relaxation is key in producing effortless power on any shot in tennis. However, being too relaxed can also cause issues, as you'll lose control of the racket face and the ball can fly off in any direction.
In this lesson, we'll cover the role of the wrist:
1. At the start of the preparation on the forehand
2. The wrist positioning during the forehand power position
3. How the wrist creates racket lag on the forehand
4. The ideal position of the wrist during the contact zone, and
5. The windshield wiper motion and the different ways to finish a forehand in tennis
Video Timeline:
00:00 - Relaxed vs Tight - the role of the wrist on the forehand
00:55 - The wrist motion during the preparation phase
02:04 - The wrist motion in the power position
03:24 - Racket lag phase of the forehand
04:52 - The wrist motion during contact
05:42 - The windshield wiper motion
06:43 - Supination vs pronation on the forehand
08:30 - The wrist motion on a flat forehand
#tennis #forehand #toptennistraining

[@dwightdunn7316]

A lot of coaches refuse to cover this topic because it was never understood . Thanks for exposing .

[@smohan123]

yeah this is money. i think my forehand is inconsistent compared to my backhand specifically because my wrist is very tight when i bring the racket back only with my one arm.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks for the support 🙏

[@berkan54]

This is the best forhand guide on youtube hands down. Amazing work.

[@Viralpassenger]

Absolutely fantastic breakdown! I'm getting back into tennis after 15 years, and I must say that your content has really ignited my passion again! Concise and detailed but not at all overwhelming. Keep doing what your doing and thank you

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks for the support 🙏

[@sunsioux444]

I just started learning tennis less than a year ago at age 69. I study with the teacher, almost weekly and watch videos. I really loved this video and I’m going to try to put it into action! I do have problems with relaxing, and I get tight intense. So thanks for all these great tips. I am a newcomer to your channel, found it in my YT feed, and now I am subscribed!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Good luck with the improvements 👍

[@cryptosir2025]

This helped me understand the mechanics more than every video and coaching I’ve had combined!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Happy to help 🙏

[@barbararailey6974]

One of the best forehand breakdowns I’ve seen. Thanks!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@luyin1961]

This is a great video. I have seen a lot of artificial windshield wiper forehand where the player artificially create the motion, as opposed "letting mechanic take over" as Simon said in the video.

[@alastairtheduke]

Thanks for explaining the arm pronation part. Very informative.

[@user-ie8gs5jy9s]

Excellent breakdown! Thank you coach Simon 👍

[@tannadwitawana]

This video really explain a lot of information and make all movement more sensible for me. Thx!

[@aaz0th601]

I just started playing tennis last week and watched a couple of tutorials along the way. This, by far, is the most helpful one. Thanks!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Good luck with the improvements

[@lukasz3tabis]

This is the best video about forehand and wrist. I know that I am too stiff with my body. Time to change it. Thank you a lot for video

[@Luther777Williams]

Great lesson Simon! Cheers man!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@AdaoChagas]

Many good videos about this issue. But this is the best one. WELL DONE. CONGRATS😊and thank you

[@danieluribe4057]

Great explanation, thank you.

[@dash4965]

Thank you for the detail breakdown, really appreciate it!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@sefermemisoglu3800]

Wonderful explanation Simon; thank you very much!!!🎉

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure 🙏

[@sergeikuznetsov5800]

Very detailed explanation, thanks Simon!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@cynthia0516]

Awesome video! I learned so much!❤

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Happy to help 🙏

[@adamw8142]

Very helpful video for me, you showed very clearly difference between flat and topspin shot, thanks!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@alyssaarute2127]

Excellent - this is so insightful!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@wiggi9339]

High grade technical detail. Well done. Thanks

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thanks for tuning in

[@psychokarken]

very nice! very solid your channel! don't see that often on KZbin :-)

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@petertan4205]

Really good video. Thank you!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@balispiritual]

Thank you so much coach. Highly appreciated. 🙏

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure 🙏

[@nourhassan6936]

Thanks very informative and good break-down

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure 🙏

[@nickherbert2591]

Excellent video

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thank you 🙏

[@tennis47]

Great explanation!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@pzivic]

Excellent video.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@lukasz3tabis]

Thank you.

[@user-dv4vg6ee7l]

Thank you for video.

[@franciscomanrique4979]

Gracias. Buenos consejos técnicos !!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Muchas gracias 🙏

[@reesefrancis]

good stuff, thank you!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure 🙏

[@siddharthjain2799]

Wow what a fantastic breakdown..always a confusion for me..thnx a lot

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@akaebbassouan4979]

Des conseils efficaces Bravo Awesome

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@at1838]

Top notch!!! Could you do something like this for the OHBH?

[@sandraquiroz4193]

Thank you!! I’ve been looking for a video to break this part! I have been struggling with the wrist movement 😫

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure 🙏

[@user-tl9bi7eo7r]

So cool coach😊😊😊😊!!!

[@travismaclean5804]

This is excellent. Can you please do this for the two-handed back hand? Also, I think a loose wrist requires a loose grip but it’s never been clear to me how strong my grip should be on my ground strokes. Do you tighten your grip at the moment of contact and then release it immediately after contact? This small details are rarely addressed by coaches.

[@eyy8298]

Thank you for this, i was so tensed and frustraited with my performance with my game that my shot was almost hit or miss

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Good luck with the improvements 👍

[@ox_MF_box]

Amazing video, you definitely get a sub for this . Just found you

[@ql3670]

Some coach I watched says between 0 and 10, your wrist should be at about #4 in terms of firmness. And thats for most groundstrokes. Of course, in some other situations your wrist should be softer or firmer.

[@deeptisaini769]

Nice

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@transklutz]

I'd like to see a match between Simon and Karue.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

👍

[@user-fi5wh3sm4o]

Thank you very much for the consistent and accurate analysis! I have had a question for a long time, to which there is no definite answer, I would like to hear your opinion. What is the degree of tension of the hand at the moment of contact with the ball on the string surface, how does it change, depending on the conditions in which the stroke is performed?

[@foxyonthrottle690]

3to4 on the scale of 10

[@JohnSmith-pb4ri]

The other day, I was was hitting better by letting the tip of the racket fall to the ground as I start making my swing. Basically, get into the Pat the Dog position. Then unhinge my wrist and let the tip of the racket fall to the ground as I start driving my hips and legs. This little move seemed to take the tension out of my wrist and forearm and allowed me to produce more spin and more effortless power.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Anything that helps you feel more relaxed will help you create more effortless power

[@JohnSmith-pb4ri]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial I'll keep working on it. It seems to help me a lot to create a bit of wrist adduction before going into extension. It seems to take the tension out of the wrist and arm and forces me to use the legs, hips and shoulders to move the racket. Creating adduction before extension also seems to naturally allow me to put more spin on the ball, as the wrist will naturally have to abduct through the point of contact. So I'm getting into the the Pat the Dog position. The creating wrist adduction but letting the tip of the racket fall to the ground a little before extending and pointing the buttcap at the ball as I go to hit it. This seemed to work wonders for my forehand last week. It felt like the first time I was able to put proper spin on the ball and hit tension free forehands. Thanks again.

[@benjaminbethards8733]

You should post a similar video about your wrist usage on the backhand. Simon you’re backhand is very loose and lot of people struggle to stay loose on the BH

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Is that for the one or two hander?

[@transklutz]

I'd like to see the same discussion for the 1HB, relaxed wrist, suponation, and so on.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Stay tuned 👍

[@patrickweston3293]

I see a lot of players gripping their racket in their dominant hand between points, getting tense and fatigued over the course of the match. I try to use that time (most of the time on the court, after all) to let my hitting hand hang loose. It adds up after a couple of hours!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

It’s a great way to stay relaxed for sure

[@beam6981]

Technically I am using the semi western forehand grip, but I am feeling I am not getting a solid enough contact with the ball...do you recommend I adjust the grip?

[@haljam8828]

Should the wrist be extended back throughout contact ?

[@ROSEMARY-gl7wx]

Coach Simon, great lesson! Im new into tennis, not producing consistent RHS. I’m trying to loosen my forehand, however when making contact with the ball, my grip flutters, & i lose my control completely.. Does this mean I need to grip tighter when making contact? Does it naturally stiffen my wrist a bit? How do I balance this compromises? Thanks

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

I would ensure you have a sticky overgrip on the racket, that will reduce the movement and then play around with the grip tightness. Often, the hand slips due to a worn out grip, or a too small grip size for your hand.

[@AdaoChagas]

Where is the link?😊

[@AB-xp8im]

great video and explanation. Just curious, what type of court is that? Looks like a tennis court but there is almost no "out" space, looks really tight

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

It’s a wall court, perfect for filming on

[@watcher687]

Hi Simon, Just to clarify please, are you saying that pronation happens before or after contact? As the racket travels upward and fast with pronation I thought it should start before contact to benefit from that to create top spin.🤔

[@foxyonthrottle690]

topspin just before , flat after

[@juicetest]

does the round the neck finish necessary mean stiff upper mechanics? cheers

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

No, you can be relaxed and finish over the shoulder

[@juicetest]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial got more head speed instantly thanks, also real top spin production from wrist snap.

[@adamgase8498]

What is that white string you have in your vs?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

When they start paying me, I’ll promote them 🤣 until then, nobody gets promoted for free.

[@veaaa11]

I've been wanting to get into tennis lately to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. Is 15 too late to start? I don't want to go pro or anything I would just like to have something to do as a hobby and enjoy. Thanks.

[@dustyroot4708]

No, 15 is not too late to start. It’s a great sport, singles and doubles, that you can play all the way through old age. (80’s or 90’s) You should give it a try.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

@veaaa11 - 15 is a great age to get into the game. Good luck with the journey, the main thing is to have fun in the process of learning

[@veaaa11]

@@dustyroot4708 Thank you so much

[@veaaa11]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial Thank you :))

[@bruno_mart]

I tend to snap my wrist, so hard to avoid it for whatever reason. It’s leading to shoulder and elbow injury. Frustrating thing is that I know I’m doing it but can’t help it. Any tips on exercises?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Exercises to improve the pronation? The drills I show in this lesson should help you feel the difference and get you started

[@bruno_mart]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial to stop snapping the wrist. I pronate fine but for whatever reason I have trouble relaxing the wrist so that the tip of the racket goes forward

[@bassxsp]

Where's the link for the forehand guide? :(

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Here it is - www.top-tennis-training.com/forehand-guide/

[@halili91]

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

🙏

[@hassaanr60]

One thing I’ll disagree with here. The wrist doesn’t stay in cocked back position during the contact. If wrist is loose and the player times it right the wrist will snap and meet the ball. And most coaches preach hit in front of body which I’m completely against. To achieve effortless power the contact is not too much infront, it’s actually matching the front foot. Your front foot aligns with the contact (sometimes that contact is a little ahead than the front foot) so let the ball come in a little bit if your having trouble brushing balls in the net too much.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Have to completely disagree with both things you said. Watch any slow motion clip of pros making contact. The wrist is cocked back at contact unless they’re using an extreme western grip. If I snapped my wrist prior to contact, my racket would be facing the left side of the court. And when you make contact late, you stress the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints. Increasing your risk of serious injuries

[@foxyonthrottle690]

if you say snap he wont understand ( simon i mean ) because for them snapping is a 180 degree angle , but the angle of the lag ( 90degree ) does indeed change towards contact to around a 45 degree (you are right on that one ) and it will continue true contact to neutral position or sometomes a little past also depending which grip you use BUT because of the impact of the ball you will see ( in slowmotion videos ) that it is as the racket stays in that position for a while but that because of the resistance of the ball. If you stay in lag position ( 90 degree ) until contact but you hit the ball with your arm in a 45 degree angle you will hit the court next to you so there has to be a change if you want to hit the ball in the court ( its pure logic )

[@dustyroot4708]

What’s up with that tiny court? I hope it’s just for a hitting wall. Specs aren’t up to code. 🧐

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

It is a wall court

[@mojikatofficial]

Always loose wrist is the best !

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

👍