The Tennis Forehand - 6 Fundamentals EVERY Beginner Needs To Have

With this video, I'm going back to the basics of the tennis forehand.
Before you can add MONSTER pace and heavy topspin you need to make sure that you have sound technique.
In this video, I'll break down exactly what the KEY POINTS are you need to have to develop a great forehand.
And, of course, I do have videos if you want more topspin and get more power :-)
Modernize your Forehand: • Modernize Your Tennis ...
Create Heavy Topspin on your Forehand: • How to increase topspi...
Carlos Alcaraz's Forehand: • The Carlos Alcaraz Ten...
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[@dwahunt]

Over the years I've watched hundreds, if not thousands of instructional videos on stroke technique. For the amateur tennis player--perhaps even advanced players--yours are superb. Thank you.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you so much for those very kind words!

[@nouher5613]

I started to play tennis a year ago. Wish I saw your video first, I’m just now discovering how to properly hit a forehand. Great and clear description of every step.

[@fmtien]

Excellent instruction. One of the best videos available on KZbin!

[@joelcenteno7048]

Very well said.. Thanks for this video. I will try this..feels like my forehand was fixed already..can't wait to see the court and try this..Will give feedback . Stay Safe😊

[@blaskbla]

Great video Meike! Thank you for sharing fundamentals. Naturally, we need the similar video for backhand, volley and serve! :)

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

It’s on the list to film, all of the above :)

[@tennfunn6332]

Appreciate the breakdown of the forehand 👍 There's always a seemingly minor point such as (wrist pointing to ball-not just butt cap-or not forcing takeback) that could make a difference in the forehand- Thank-you!

[@praveenbhide]

Great video Coach Bebel. All steps explained very clearly. Very useful for beginners as well as middle level players. Thank you 👍

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You’re welcome! That’s what I was hoping to accomplish

[@ghvsp]

just watched your video , and want to say THANK YOU to you. it's really a good comprehensive video !

[@lucianovaldezgarcia3438]

I truly like the way You explain the forehand technique, quite simple but with a deep insight. Nice

[@lesandres23]

Finally someone making sense! This video is about a solid foundation…Thanks!

[@cmanavi]

This is the best and most accurate forehead instruction video I’ve seen . Thanks

[@tennnis498]

I like the split-view. Amazing the clarity you have.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! I thought I’d give it a try and I’ve gotten good feedback

[@northvanlarry561]

Thanks for the instruction video, so helpful.

[@Golfcentric]

Excellent, excellent instruction. Thank you!

[@agentsmith3034]

Great video, very helpful!

[@AlfonsoFaustino]

Concur, Meike. Great lesson! I use an Eastern; because, the feel I have when I go to Continental for my volleys doesn’t feel as drastic from Western or Semi Western to Continental. I also agree with you about footwork - usually, when my strokes break down, it’s because, my footwork failed; hence, that’s the first thing I check - am I flat-footed? Am I taking small little steps before I set for impact? If my sneakers ain’t squeaking, it usually means they’re sleepin’; and , I ain’t movin’ to position myself for clean contact and allowing my arm to extend out for my lag-n-roll, and getting my body out of the way for clean contact. Yes, I agree with you regarding a tight grip. After footwork, I check if I’m white-knuckling my grip. In the heat of battle, I forget to relax, and I know I’m tight in my arms when I notice my follow-through is cramped into my body rather than being fully extended and naturally rolling to my left side of my body. Yes, I never liked that term, “snap”. I see many players at the club, slapping the ball, as a result of their understanding of the word, “snap”. Keep up the great videos. I’m still viewing your awesome library. /s/ Alfonso Faustino

[@bonjongokid5468]

Another no nonsense show and tell...not sitting back and analyzing strokes from other pros. She actually demos it biomenchanically well with speed and clear illustrations. Thank you.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You're welcome!

[@satgill830]

Wow, great content Coach Babel! I’m new to your channel, but having seen so many KZbin tennis videos I can state that this is one of the very best out there! No nonsense and great tips with amazing demonstrations as well. A quick question, the racquet drop - it seems the modern forehand had a more significant drop (like yours when you are shadow swing) but the NextGen forehand there is very little drop and the racquet head path is much more parallel. Can you talk about how much drop you’d like to see? Thanks and I’ve subscribed!

[@JakobSandven]

This is such a good video that explains the fundamentals.

[@arunshayanarasan9731]

Thank you, very helpful!!!

[@dogs.and.tennis]

Your forehand is the best I've ever watched in women , after the goat Serena

[@terryg3921]

Great video. Thanks

[@CoachDaisha]

Nice video coach!

[@America2gether]

Awesome vid!

[@michaeltruax4523]

great video thank you so very much

[@007ericsiu]

“Don’t snap” , this is never mentioned in many trainings, you are the best … thank you 👍👍

[@stantonloh5893]

as a 3.0 rec player trying to improve, this sequential summary of fundamentals is really helpful, it even got me off of the couch and shadow swinging before I can get out on the court next lol and thanks.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

That’s is awesome to hear, that’s exactly what I’m hoping to accomplish with my videos!

[@Churros-nl8yl]

Great video and tips!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad you liked it!

[@AaeriosYT]

Just discovered your channel. Your content is fantastic, thank you!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Awesome, thank you!

[@pppaaa5399]

Best Video for beginners ever!

[@ahnfarhan1986]

Thanks for the complete guidance

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You're welcome!

[@bjreed1251]

Meike, thanks for reviewing fundamentals, great video!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thanks BJ! How are all your shots coming along?

[@bjreed1251]

I am pleased considering this is my first year back to tennis. I will send you a link of my just uploaded KZbin video. Thanks for your great coaching!

[@lucasmendes397]

This is the best forehand video for beginners

[@gareth_yt497]

Hi great video will you be able to make a video with tips to play with a western forehand

[@fionabidwill3150]

Excellent

[@ssenssel]

Coach Babel has go to be the most fun tennis pro to get lessons from. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Come to Brazil and do a clinic! =)

[@gregoryphillips3969]

Roll yes snap no. THANK YOU . There are so many instructors who teach the forehand wrong. I won't give his last name but there's an instructor named Peter who has his students breaking their wrist on contact. I want to shout at the screen. You and Rick Macci should work together. Fantastic video you're as good as any instructor on You Tube.

[@pppaaa5399]

Fundamentals are important !

[@lyubovpolietaieva4885]

Thank you ❤

[@nathanmiller6051]

Thanks Coach Babel 🙏 appreciate greatly!! One of the young male Pros , I can't remember his name, said he was in Vegas recently got to hit with Graf, said he had never seen anyone hit a cleaner ball! That's an amazing statement!!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

She is such a great player and I think you'd have to blindfold her for her to ever shank a ball!

[@nathanmiller6051]

@@MeikeBabelTennis 🙏❤️‼️

[@NickNeras]

Perfect Tennis ABC... Thank you

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad you like it!

[@007cambon]

having the left arm out front like a surfer ,,, for balance has improved my game 100% ,,,game changer

[@miketang7533]

Great FH 🎾 tips. 👍👏🙏

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@thewronganswer]

Thanks, you're the best!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You're welcome! And thank you!

[@user-pe1ur2yt1k]

Thank you excellent

[@rds4629]

Thanks for this video. To my eye, Graf and Agassi seem like ideal models to copy. Unfortunately, I find myself on SW - close to full Western Grip. So I cannot copy completely but can look at other fundamentals like how they move etc.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Two of the best forehands ever for sure. Yes, with a different grip you will have a different swing Path and contact point. But as you say you can copy other things

[@futurechampstennisacademy]

Youre a good player. Great video!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thanks!

[@dodskieclaps3167]

Thank you Maam SA tuturial!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you

[@bearmond]

Hey Maike, great video, keep rewatching. Could you please explain - how stance affects "leading shoulder in front" checkpoint, I mean, for closed stance in feels off

[@bournejason66]

The forearm pronation in the forehand is seldom mentioned yet I think it’s crucial to hit a modern forehand.

[@yakzivz1104]

I love Steffi!!! She was my first favorite tennis player!!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

She was my heroine too

[@marzellabrown2763]

Thanks!

[@orlandogori8609]

I want you to be my master! Wonderful teaching Meike..

[@James-3735]

Thank you. GREAT VIDEO. Can you share what is the training aid used in your video?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you! It's called the TopspinPro and if you email me at [e-mail] I can give you discount link for you to save money.

[@pppaaa5399]

Subscribed and Liked!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you for your kind comments on my videos and welcome on board!

[@fabienausset8190]

Great video as ever, very understandable. I'm interested in the tool you use in the lock in position : what is it called and where I can find it? Thanks

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

It's the Topspinpro. If you email me at [e-mail] I can give you a discount code

[@FairwayJack]

good stuff

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you!

[@xltian4368]

I now do the racquet drop and drive forward at the same time instead of sperate them into two sequencial move. that same a lot of time and i got better prepare of my forehand.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Great!

[@kubolkudesai]

Great tipps. What do you think about raising an elbow a little bit during preparation? It helped me to keep good distance between a racquet and my body (sometimes i tend do be to close to the body with my racquet).

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

For that particular problem that's a good fix.

[@thomasc4777]

Nicely done, Meike. You covered everything to eventually hit winners. I couldn't help but notice that your hand is almost completely wrapped around the grip with little or no space space between the tips of your fingers and the heel of your hand. I know the trend is moving towards a smaller grip size. And that's fine for some players. But when you were on tour, it seems like the racquet grips were larger. What is your grip size now, and have you changed it since your tour days? Just curious. Great work!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Great observation! I'm actually one size smaller now, I'm a 2. When I played on tour I played with 3's. And it is true, the 2 does allow you to swing faster.

[@thomasc4777]

@@MeikeBabelTennis Thank you. You're always on point. And you explain the stroke nuances extraordinarily well. I enjoy your work. Keep posting!

[@songtaoart3038]

Great forehand technic . Where are your location so I try visit you to take lesson

[@hammerdown9]

Excellent video! Do you offer privates or clinics in the Denver area for juniors?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I don't really unless it's summer camp. Unfortunately, my schedule is already full. www.meikebabel.com/summercamp

[@weyman4317]

Hi Meike- just trying to get more power on my forehand but what about hip rotation? Dr. Mark Kovacs and untwisting the coke bottle top?

[@registrationsOne]

Halló Meike. I recently discovered your channel (and obviously subscribed 😊) and fount it súper instructive. Being able to get coached by a former top 100 is amazing! One question I have is about how relaxed the wrist should be during the preparation (taking racket back), during the motion forward (where the lag occurs) and during contact. It seems like the pros have the wrist relaxed. Btw. I am a 2.5 or so recreational level willing to improve.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Hi there and welcome on board. Yes, the warm/ hand/ wrist should be relaxed. One of my childhood coaches always said to hold the racket as loose/ tight as you would hold a little bird in your hand. Too loose and it flies away, too hard... well, you can imagine.

[@registrationsOne]

@@MeikeBabelTennis wow!! Thanks for answering Meike. That bird strength even at contact point? I tried to loosen the wrist but felt lack of control. The racket strings ended up pointing in random directions. I will keep on trying and thanks a lot for answering. 😀😀

[@registrationsOne]

Hi @MeikeBabelTennis I tried loosing up the wrist following your tip and voala, I am hitting better forehands, much better. This was an eye opener. Thanks a lot again!

[@jguy8306]

this lady is no joke... no dog and pony show... Real

[@mowghlee]

Super

[@jguy8306]

bravo ......

[@SailingOnACrow]

I saw a video about a month or so ago saying the "loop" was outdated and almost fell out of my chair -- Gonzalez, Federer, Del Potro and all the way to Alcaraz or Rublev all have a great loop on their forehand (with a bit of flair to match their individual styles) and are known for having monster forehands.

[@jerome_morrow]

Federer does not have a loop on his forehand.

[@tennnis498]

Federer has a loop.

[@jerome_morrow]

@@tennnis498 Fed’s “loop” gets him to the racquet drop position, but has no gravitational contribution to the forward motion part of the stroke. Fed could take the racquet straight back without a loop to the same racquet drop position and his forward motion acceleration would be no different. It’s not the same type of loop as eg Gonzalez’s.

[@tennnis498]

I wonder where you saw the video.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I disagree with that. Call it modified loop or c-shape or whatever. They all have the racket head above the wrist on the take back and then let it drop below the wrist.

[@paull7937]

Why I still can't finish with the back of my hand facing myself naturally or I need to force my arm and wrist to do that way? I have already loosen up my hand.

[@BrunoCoutant]

Maybe not the right place to say so, but let me wish you a merry Christmas and a happy festive season as well a great year 2023.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

That is absolutely the right place and it's very much appreciated. The same to you!

[@bournejason66]

An unrelated question: I saw (PR) next to Stan Warinka’s name in the Swiss indoor tournament going on now. What does PR mean?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Protected ranking. If you’re injured longer than a certain time your ranking is frozen and you can use it to enter tournaments

[@bournejason66]

@@MeikeBabelTennis thank you 🙏

[@PetSKi67]

Snap, if passive will add another level to the speed acceleration. Active snap is allways detrimental and will kill the pure contact.

[@vitaltennis]

It is not obvious, but it is logical that there may be in-between grips. For example, between the eastern and semi-western.

[@agradina]

U have the same forehand of gustavo kuerten

[@serenegang874]

Why no coach accept the full western grip? Atbeginner level (3.0-4.0) top spin is difficult to manage thus more unforced errors.

[@yakzivz1104]

I think that it is just a preference to some and not others. I'm a beginner and I love playing with western grip. There are some inaccurate myths around the western grip as well. I have no problems getting to the low balls with western.

[@ale03000]

Mostly no.4 or semi western for beginners, I trained for a few months with this & now just swiched to no.3 or Eastern forehand. Federer's grip. Hitting with more power slightly less topspin and still consistent when I rally 😎 I use a 1 handed backhand with eastern grip no.1

[@abujabi]

I think as a beginner, it's more important to focus on clean contact and penetration as opposed to topspin. More conservative grips help with that.

[@cezarpalaghia7449]

Naturally i play full western grip, i feel very comfortable with it and i also can generate enough power. For me the most important tip and challenge is to keep the arm and wrist relaxed, so if you do this it will come easy that "wrist lag/snap etc." or whatever people call it. When i hit relaxed, even if the ball goes out i fell that i did something good and i am on the good road :).

[@spooky1304]

Meike I'm really sorry I clicked thumbs down by mistake - so sorry :(

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

No worries!

[@AamirShahzad-xr3qk]

🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰💵💵💵🎾🎾🎾 plz plz sir

[@user-rx3hh9tz8e]

Big​forehand.good.