The Non-Dominant Arm Position Of A Tennis Forehand Explained

[@edison8309]

From time to time, I come back to this channel when I need to refresh my fundamental basics. This video is the cornor stone of my tennis skill. You are the best tennis coach on youtube ever.

[@abiodun5823]

Well said 🎉

[@katiewright2232]

Ditto!

[@kks3186]

Man you must be one of the most scientific practical coaches out there. Fantastic explanation. Love watching your lessons. 👌

[@jfkbrera]

I have seen many channels on you tube looking for tips to improve my tennis and this one is the best. I found all of your videos to be the most complete way of learning. I finally understand the fundamentals in a comprehensive way. Not just isolated tips as you see in many other videos. Thanks Thomaz!

[@TCD企医生]

ありがとうございます！

[@jhugoluz]

5:26 up to 5:51 : Perfect conclusion of the whole video! This is such a great tennis class video! Thank you Thomas!!

[@quiakeqiu6081]

this is by far the best forehand technics explained

[@vonbraun8051]

One of the best explanations about one of the most overlooked parts of a forehand I've ever heard. Few, if any, pros and coaches even talk about this important aspect of the forehand. I'm not sure where Thomas is from but probably Eastern Europe. My experiences over the years with coaches I've known and worked with--the best have been from Eastern Europe (and I've worked side by side with coaches all over the world).

[@feeltennis]

Much appreciated. I am from Slovenia and we consider ourselves Central Europe. ;)

[@vonbraun8051]

@@feeltennis Of course. My Czech and Polish friends would correct me as well. I guess I divided Europe geography into only East and West. Sorry. At any rate, your video was superb. The explanation of the way the shoulders and chest forming a hitting "structure" was simple and brilliant. Your tennis mind is the best one out there.

[@alimortezai4639]

So insightful.. best tennis channel for breaking down the mechanics and explaining why it is

[@morriemukoda45]

Hey Thomaz, thank you for providing this explanation. I had wonder about the real purposes of the non-dominant arm, and you have done an incredible job to break it down to its most fundamental reasoning. Always enjoyed your video!

[@feeltennis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Naomi-gr7fm]

Just wanted to say, Tomaz... THANK YOU GREATLY! Been in a frustrating rut trying to fix my forehand for months and this instruction is what made it click. I do a lot of fundamental stuff right naturally on my 2HBH which is why it's consistently been my more reliable/solid shot. Have been struggling trying to apply the same feeling/stability on my FH for the longest trying different things. This made me realize HOW I arm the ball causing inconsistent contact angles and that I wasn't as conscious of stabilizing my torso and synchronizing my off arm and hitting through the shot. Now both wings feel more effortless and solid. Played a match the other day mainly focusing on this and was hitting my spots with confidence and solid contact (and won) 😊. Still need more reps on my FH so I can get up my racquet head speed, but I'm serious when this has been the holy grail for me currently. Again, thank you for sharing your coaching content with us. 💛

[@feeltennis]

And thank you, Naomi, for this wonderful feedback!

[@dimawood007]

Fantastic lesson. Tomaz, thank you. Truly incredible insight.

[@johnwright2460]

Tomaz, I just want to tell you that this training session caused an instant improvement in my game. I knew my forehand was not consistent but did not know why. After using this technique I now have other players commenting on my improvement. This also helped my volley technique as well. Thanks again; you are a great coach.

[@feeltennis]

Very much appreciated! As for membership, look for a JOIN button under any of the videos. Click it to learn more about memberships. If the JOIN button doesn't show up on mobile view, access KZbin on desktop computer...

[@P3u99]

This is the BEST explanation and it’s improved my forehand tremendously, THANK YOU

[@MrGuitar50]

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen on hitting with your core instead of just arm along with great drills to incorporate it.

[@feeltennis]

I appreciate that!

[@mounishsavier5774]

I had no idea till I recorded myself hitting a forehand that I was collapsing my non dominant arm. Only then did I realize that was the action causing all my confusion on what to do after making contact with the ball. This video just tied everything together and it was so eloquently explained!!

[@feeltennis]

Great to hear you're on the right track. Check out this video for drills: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKapGlqh8x9hdU

[@DavidBartosik]

Thomas, I can't believe it! Just the video I was looking for... About 6 months ago. It took me that long to finally break old habits implement this. I think it finally all came together for me yesterday. This is still awesome. I'm sure it will help me evolve it even further. Your videos and thorough explanations are THE GOLD standard of KZbin tennis instruction. I only wish you'd put them out more often. Thank you, as always. ❤️👍

[@feeltennis]

Great to hear and much appreciated!

[@alandasher8789]

The personification of a comprehensive presentation helps to build a solid foundation, and is surely being offered here. Thank you so much.

[@TennisAloha]

Great video Tomaz. Many rec playets strggle to rotate due to their non dominant arm's movement or lack therof. I'm glad you're tackling these topics.

[@satgill830]

Just found this video….wow!!! Could be retitled don’t hit the ball with your arm, elbow or wrist which is so often taught. Love how you showed that we must keep our wrist laid back all the way through and really our shoulders do all the work. Fantastic!!! We assume the same applies for the 2 handed backhand as well? This may be the best video in the world for how to hit a tennis ball.

[@JulianBG]

Dimitrov should be happy with this lesson. Whole world now knows how firm Dimitrov is! Every chunk, every unit, every part of him!

[@rabihnas1]

Keep posting such very helpful videos. I'm already watching many channels about tennis but you are the first who treated the subject well elaborated and well explained. Well done!

[@mtyhb9356]

Thomas thank you awesome video! Finally being able to find the answer to the question I’ve been wondering a long time about, amazing coaching!

[@Bully000001]

Best coach on KZbin

[@ponduruprakesh]

Thanq Guru ji ( master of tennis for learners) 🙏🙏🙏 clear explanation for shoulder turn this concept increase tremendous speed,deapth in ball placing, angeling ball and consistency tq

[@ldgnotebook]

Thanks. It is really helpful. Your analysis makes more sense about the non-dominant hand. Upper body on the non-dominant side needs to emphasize “just a tiny bit”, but makes a big difference. It helps my back straight up easier. I am working on it. It works so far.

[@AlexanderGr8]

I think this is one of your best videos Tomas👍👍

[@SugathanAravindan]

Precise explanation Mr.Thomas. Waiting for the part2.

[@TikiCat3]

Great clarification of upper body firmness that leads to non-dominant arm position and dominant swing!

[@rok4937]

First, I saw the video headline and the picture, didn't watch the video, because didn't have a time for this. Tried to put today the non-dominant hand in the front on the court. I got that this movement allows to stabilize the stroke. But than I watched the video and got the idea from the new point of view, the idea Thomas promotes from video to video again and again: tennis strokes are not executed by hands only, they are executed by the whole body! I already feel that my lack of stability is going to be fixed by this and other advices from the channel. Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation!

[@feeltennis]

And thank you for the kind feedback and putting to use the ideas! Stay tuned for the next video with exercises.

[@songhe1671]

Thanks Thomas for the wonderful and inspiring material as always. Sometimes I feel pain in non-dominant shoulder after playing tennis; now according to this video I may have improper movements of the non-hitting arm that hurt the shoulder. You are a unique instructor who grasp every important aspects of the game effortlessly. Greatly appreciated!!!

[@feeltennis]

My pleasure!

[@mdougf]

You are the fricken best, Tomaz. Thank you for all your videos

[@feeltennis]

My pleasure!

[@cliveburks]

Very helpful I am left handed my backhand is more powerful than my forehand when I hit it well. My forehand has loads of spin but it loops and I really struggle to hit it with the speed and power of top players I play against. I think if I do what you say at the beginning I will get the foundation to hit more solidly and with power as I can with my backhand. I will wort at it thanks Tomas

[@peterthielsen5795]

Superb video. Many thanks

[@guyrestivo]

brilliant instruction---as a beginner and very right side dominant i consistently over-rotate my arm/elbow...i can't wait to go practice and ingrain this new feeling...thks for what you do!!!!

[@guyrestivo]

follow if i may--would u say that an early lag(too much golf) prohibits this consistent racket angle---i also have a bad habit of trapping my rt elbow behind my body which i believe is both tight rt hand and lack of backswing rotation...also..would holding a light weight chest high with left arm on thru-stroke work for stabilization or would this prevent shoulder rotation and possible injury...thks again for your great instruction..love this video--such a great breakdown!!!

[@guyrestivo]

just watched your follow-up video...fantastic...those exercises should help alot..thks again!!!!

[@davidmcdonald2003]

Thanks

[@davidmcdonald2003]

I’ve watched hundreds of KZbin tennis videos over the years but none explained this fundamental concept. Excellent explanation with great annotated graphics.

[@flowtennispro]

Excellent explanation 👌

[@jayakin2650]

Having the right shoulder internally rotate (i.e. rotating the upper arm like turning a knob counter clockwise) throughout the contact will help keep the racket angle even more steady, during contact and even after contact. You can see this both in Tomaz' and Grigor's slow-mo (and other pros) when you pay attention to the change in the direction of where the right elbow is pointing towards throughout the contact. "Covering over the ball", or "coming over the ball" is the sensation of this motion and it is primarily the internal shoulder rotating while keeping the wrist loose.

[@feeltennis]

There is no covering of the ball happening at contact. The racket is pushing the ball straight while it's perpendicular. The racket closes WAY AFTER the contact has been made. You do not want to tell a 3.5 rec player to close the racket face as they will start doing it while hitting the ball and shots will end up in the net. You have to understand the difference between analysis and what happens in 0.02 seconds in slow motion and what you actually say to a tennis student.

[@jayakin2650]

@@feeltennis First of all, great video on the connectedness of the upper body. This important and fundamental part of tennis can be truly misunderstood (even at the collegiate level which I am more familiar with) and you have clarified that exceptionally well, as you always do in your videos. I also agree that for 3.5 level players, diluting that core teaching of this video with the shoulder details may be too soon. However, I would like to make one point, if I may: If the player swings without the hitting shoulder internally rotating, then he will end up with that more vertical follow through (more old school style) with the racket ending over the shoulder (which you mention as not desired in your video also). That type of swing without the internal shoulder rotation (ISR) will actually open up the racket face slightly during contact (since the player would be swinging the racket up, somewhat circularly with the center of the circle being the hitting shoulder). Now, by adding that internal shoulder rotation (not from the wrist, not from the elbow, but from the shoulder only), will work towards closing the racket face and therefore somewhat cancel out the face opening from the upwards swing. This will result in the racket face to stay towards the target longer during the contact zone, which you again correctly point out in your video as one of the goals. I would argue that both your swing as well as Dmitrov's has ISR. Best way to observe this is to look at the arrow pointing out from the hitting elbow. Until right before contact the arrow is pointing somewhat towards the ground. Right before contact when the ISR starts, the arrow starts to lift up and ends up pointing parallel to the ground (this can only be done by internally rotating the shoulder). The most aggressive ISR I have seen is by Nadal. His super slow-mo videos is eye-opening with respect to ISR. Btw, the side effect of ISR is an unexpected gain in additional power, spin and even control as you need to do less with the arm itself. Can't wait for part 2 of this video!

[@propgee]

Thank you Tom

[@DavidBartosik]

I hope I'm not the only one guilty of trying to emulate the pros... but when I tried to study Thiem on this aspect, it was nearly impossible to make it work, since his strokes, prep and finish are so exaggerated. Then I started copying Djokovic on this. Because his movements are more subdued and efficient it fond it started to click more. Still took me a while, but it started to make sense sooner, and I realized almost every point Tomas touches on here.

[@marcschneider4845]

that is a problem for me too, trying to do what it looks like the pros do on tv.

[@stephen89]

Thank you Thomas excellent video I’ll start working on that

[@joshuak4223]

Thanks mate, you explained it perfectly.

[@dammitol25mg19]

Well explained.

[@eliastieleniuskruythoff7588]

Usefull, good explanation!

[@huangwee3465]

This is excellent coaching

[@Tomandojazz]

Thank you! Great lesson!

[@jimmellert3962]

Excellent presentation. Thank you

[@heripurwata]

Thanks Thomas. I think it's a video that explains how to hit a forehand in more detail, Thomas, from preparation to contact point and follow through racket. But I haven't been able to hit the forehand perfectly.

[@pierreschoemaeker3656]

thé best-seller vidéo i havé ssen about forehand stability

[@P3u99]

Best coach !

[@petercheng5240]

Good instruction video, not many coaches talk about the non dominant arm in the stroke, I have success using a tip from Nick Aracic @ Intuitive Tennis, by tugging the non dominant elbow in as the forward swing starts, it helps me to rotate my upper body and I was able to make contact with the ball more in front than before.

[@marcorenato1814]

Great lesson, please do one for the one handed backhand, I struggle with keeping the racket face stable during contact

[@berkantavc7668]

Great content. Thanks.

[@nathanmiller6051]

Spot on excellent thanks

[@sidharthakaushik6677]

Good one thanks! There was a previous video from you on grazing the ball. In this one it is more about using upper body. Will be great if you can advise how we tie them together

[@feeltennis]

As I said in this video upper body rotation is the main engine that drives the arm forward through contact. Grazing the ball just means you are now aiming at the top half of the ball with a somewhat closed racket face WHILE rotating your upper body.

[@jackspradlin4183]

I rewatch your videos often, I am a high 4.0 player who wants that really high level forehand. This time watching my question first is as part of firming up upper body and doing everything else correctly after extending arm in loading, while not dropping non dominant arm, should I let it naturally come across to left side or should I move it physically? I heard some coaches say by moving it it helps get a better hip turn, others say it could open you up too soon.Other question is by firming up the upper do you find it may just take time to relax your arm as your tightening up rest of upper body?The longer I play the looser I am getting as I play a lot and work on it. I will watch next video for exercises!!

[@feeltennis]

Every move or every instruction in tennis can be overdone or not done enough. The hips actually lead the uncoiling and the upper body follows, so left arm is not the one opening the hips, it's the other way around. You can always consciously overcomplicate this that's why I share the drills: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKapGlqh8x9hdU You should the drills to feel the arm better and then FORGET ABOUT IT! Your body needs to find the right amount for every shot you make as evert shot is slightly different. A good way to see how the left arm pulls away is the top view of the forehand in slow motion, that help you visualize better and not think too much: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZ_ToK2Qi5ZoqJo

[@photobearcmh]

Great breakdown Tomas.

[@johnwright2460]

Tomaz, how do I become a member so I can watch the members only videos? I can see them but can’t see any way to join. Thanks.

[@oooodaxteroooo]

10:45 Tomacz, you can very clearly see that Grigor is doing a wiping motion. Looking from his perspective, the wrist is rotating along the z-axis, while the body rotates along y. He's slapping for power and wiping for topspin. He's including the wrist in the motion, the loop, not keeping it stiff. Otherwise he would be playing grandpa tennis. I learned though, that the wrist rotates as if you're waving it, leaving two degrees of freedom out. For more power, you add slap (literally) and can add a little more spin by rotating along the lower arm axis (as if trying to get into a pipe e.g.).

[@feeltennis]

There is a difference between a stable wrist and a stiff wrist. You will never hear me say in any video the word "stiff" wrist, that is your interpretation of my words. Of course the wrist rotates, but it's stable and the arm extends through the contact. If you focus ONLY on wrist rotation but NOT stability and extension, then the ball goes nowhere, you just spin it and it drops in the service box. That is how most players intepret the stupid "windshield wiper" nonsense.

[@oooodaxteroooo]

@@feeltennis i partly agree. It's not the wrist alone. That's true, but the wrist is rotating and it id wiping, even if it is only the end of the kinetic chain! I thought that is important to notice after all, because looking at the footage and hearing you talk, one might think the wrist shouldn't move. It does, that's biomechanics and it should. 👍 The point you made about "freezing" movement on one axis by staying at the movement extreme is very valuable. Very good point!

[@martinrosemary5654]

Hello Thomas , At minute 13:30 you said : ''every frame that goes forward here goes backward here, the arms are in complete sync", I agree that s what you see on Dimitrov s Forehand but.., i looked at clips of Federer, very similar forehand yet he seems to to not have both is arms in complete sync, at least not the whole forward swing.., his racket arm seems to swing independent from his left arm at some point looking more loose and fluid than Dimitrov.. am i correct?, if so perhaps this is not the best forehand example? and maybe the point you made on this clip of him is not entirely correct?, I would really appreciate your feedback, i have been struggling whit this for years and your explanation really makes sense to me but i just want to make sure i have the theory one hundred percept correct.

[@feeltennis]

Hi Martin, Federer will have arms in sync on most forehands as he is approaching the contact, that's because shoulders rotate and pull both arms at the same time. See this clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX3dkpSio5uFnJI. But you need to understand that every player has their OWN STYLE. There are small variations in how they move their body parts. Federer tends to stop the body rotation very strongly before contact in order to have his hitting arm accelerate in order to "whip" at the ball. So that's his style. So if you want to have theory 100% correct, you will never be happy because you are observing styles (which are different) rather than biomechanics (which is always the same). In Biomechanics terms, you have leg drive, hip rotation, shoulder rotation, arm swing and wrist lag. That's what generates easy power if it is timed well. But in the game of tennis there are hundreds of different situations where the player has to adjust their stroke. Therefore we cannot say what is perfectly correct. Dimitrov will also not have perfectly synced arms in a different situation. See more on fundamentals and styles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fau7Y3ZpZbRln8U So what to do? Train FUNDAMENTALS and let your mind and body figure out the small variations while you play. Fundamental drills for the forehand that also sync arms well are here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZaonXuOoKh6bck. And then you can use the non-hitting arm drills to train the arms to work better together: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKapGlqh8x9hdU. Then as you go play points, you forget about everything and let your mind / body figure it out over time.

[@biggbang9461]

ı learned soo much from you thanks

[@TennisJunkie]

This is a weakness of mine, thank you!!

[@drarov91]

Hi! Thanks a lot for the video. In response, I have an exact example of myself how I do it wrong with all that passive non-hitting arm and striking only with dominant arm and not using upper body at all. If you wish I can send you a video.

[@katiewright2232]

I have been wondering why so many players practically wrap their arm around their necks on the follow-through of the forehand. At least now I know that isn’t necessary! Keeping the upper body firm answers that question

[@feeltennis]

Yes, good point, firm upper body and rotation of the whole unit drives the arm forward...

[@jackspradlin4183]

Towards the end of your video you said your arm is very passive through hitting zone, allow shoulder with rotation to finish stroke, a teaching pro told me to throw your hand at the ball once you are loaded to swing, I hear Serenas previous coach say the same, lead with your hand and everything else follows, any thoughts?

[@feeltennis]

I would answer in two ways: 1. How much to engage the hand into the stroke depends on your skill level, what kind of ball you receive and what kind of ball you want to send away. For a nice rally fundamental forehand the hand is not very active, it's just comfortable. If one has a lower skill level (below 4.0 NTRP), then they don't have very good timing. If they use the hand a lot, it will change racket angle very quickly through contact and they will spray the balls all over the place. So the lower the skill level, the more simple the stroke needs to be for the player to have some decent level of direction control. If you are 4.0 and higher, then your hand is likely doing more or less the right thing. You can just experiment with loosening it more (just in small increments) and see if you still have ball control. You have to keep practicing "on the edge" of your skill level to force the brain / body to adapt. If you want more topspin and you can time the ball well, then in that case you could use the "throw the hand" into the ball although I prefer the idea of "slapping" the ball with the racket. I don't want the player to think too much about body parts, I prefer to guide them towards the right feel. 2. I am aware of PM's idea of lead with your hand but I cannot agree with that. The wrist is last link in the kinetic chain that goes from legs, hips, trunk, arm, forearm and hand so it makes no sense to "lead with the hand". You need to lead with body rotation, especially hips just like in golf, baseball, etc. - and the hand follows. Since PM is not stupid and is a very smart coach, my assumption is that since he plays tennis really well and he works with players who all have basic biomechanics already fixed since age 10, he does NOT feel his body and hips leading the stroke since it's so natural to him. He only feels the hand because eventually, it is the hand (racket head) that manipulates the ball. The hand controls most of the direction, height and spin - and that's what a skilled player is aware of since they feel the differences in hand movements but they do not feel their hips at all because everything is so perfectly connected. I know that feeling too. I came across this clip where Emma Raducanu is explaining how she hits the forehand: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ2bnnaQds2Cpa8 Do you think she has any awareness of what is going on with the forehand? She has absolutely no idea, she learned as a child, She has no awareness of stability, the hips, what the arm does through contact, how the hand works, etc. When she plays, she just aims the ball, the body does the rest. So that is a problem when you are coached by a very skilled player, they have no idea what your problem is because they fixed it at age 8 or possibly never had it at all. That's why coaching is an art and only coaches who can relate and understand "normal people's" problems and have very good understanding of biomechanics can actually help those people.

[@joacoc.4440]

Hi, I am starting playing tennis. It is awesome the way you explain each concept! But I could not find anything about hitting wall practice. Are you against this ????

[@feeltennis]

Thanks! No, I just don't have any tennis wall nearby to record some drills. Check out the wall drills from top-tennis-training guys, those are good.

[@EdgarLopez-ff2qw]

Great explanation but how do you correct it?

[@feeltennis]

Follow these drills: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKapGlqh8x9hdU

[@architennis]

Do you actually tense the chest and scapula muscles a bit as you swing? I just tried that in my house. It felt a bit strange since I never did it before. Or are you just focused on keeping an upright posture?

[@feeltennis]

Yes, the chest is very firm, back too.

[@batukilinch7754]

I believe Leyton Hewitt may be great example. For some reason his forehand stuck in my mind as I thought it was funny to me, but in fact the guy doing forehand by the BOOK.

[@FLAVILOM1962]

Great Tomas

[@rahulsharma-cs7oy]

Ingenious tomas

[@chinesefashionmodels]

Please give us drills to correct arm swing forehand to body rotation forehand

[@feeltennis]

Will upload next week!

[@javierdonaire6877]

Gracias amigo

[@speedymr]

Definitely the best tennis coach on KZbin. Patrick Mouratoglu is not even close to Tomaz.

[@allboutthemojo]

Thomas great video. Important subject for a lot of people I'm sure. I'm looking to change mine as well but I didn't know it was happening this bad until I recorded myself. However, the main reason I didn't know is because I have a very good forehand. I'm able to hit with direction, power and spin and win points with it in matches against futures level players. I want to change it because I don't like the way it looks but am confused because you said it's not possible to hit a quality forehand when the non dominant arm drops? We frequently have cross court pre match practice rallys at high speed , forehand to forehand most times 20 shots without missing. I'm curious what compensation is my body doing for the obvious technical flaw to not have much impact on my stroke. Exercises to fix this?

[@feeltennis]

If you have a good forehand then you are rotating your shoulders as one unit while hitting the ball even though your arm drops. Exercises coming in the next video.

[@allboutthemojo]

@@feeltennis thanks. Look forward to the exercises

[@kakashisharingan709]

Thank u sir

[@ZorroNumber1]

Brilliant Observation that always escaped me.

[@niltoncosta6222]

Semi West?

[@ibrahimkara3043]

👍

[@mikecapp7864]

"Calm down the arm" aha moment

[@TCD企医生]

和棒球一样

[@jeanhuz3689]

Thanks Thomas great video but for me your are not exactly true in your explanation. In the forehand you have an internal rotation of the hitting shoulder that creat pronation and topspin. So when hitting you must let occurs this (small) internal rotation of the shoulder then elbow and wrist and those all rotations maintain the stability in the stroke. I know you make great video for every tennis player level but for my tennis it was difficult to improve without having understood this.

[@feeltennis]

There are different types of forehands. There is no internal rotation on the forehand on Dimitrov or my forehand as the racket is passing through contact. Internal rotation happens at higher accelerations but not at basic forehand. If there was any rotation the racket angle would be changing as it's passing through contact zone. And finally, you really don't want to be teaching 3.0 - 3.5 rec players (which is 80% of the tennis population) internal shoulder rotation on the forehand, it will result in total mess.

[@jeanhuz3689]

@@feeltennis thanks for answer.