Why 99% of Tennis Pros swing this way...(Drill included)

Do you want your forehand hit like the pros without copying the pros? You don’t have to play exactly like everyone else. In this video, I’ll teach you the secret move that almost all the pro players use to make their forehands powerful, controlled, and heavy. And the best part, I’ll show you how to make it fit just right with how you play.
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[@antonioroque4187]

One of the few videos that actually made me a difference on court, brilliantly explained. Cheers!

[@harethpotter1134]

Man i haven’t seen this channel in AGES, but I’m so glad you’re doing well! These videos were the best thing ever when I started tennis three years ago.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

thanks

[@fixit.makeit.buildit.1926]

The thing I absolutely like best about your vids is how you tell us to adapt the tips and rules so that they work for each individual player. No idea how helpful it was to learn that I don't have to have a straight elbow on my forehand when it feels way more comfortable to have just a little bend. The bed is OK! Same here with racket position pre-hammer. Thanks TTD.

[@alexg.2430]

This man’s a genius. I don’t even play tennis, but I play table tennis at a tournament level, and I’ve always struggled with my forehand. This is both the best theory I’ve run into on forehand fundamentals + such an intuitive drill to translate those fundamentals to one’s body.

[@alexandermayer2026]

Dude, bravo! You are the first online teacher who can clearly present the secret to lag and power. I call the lever/hammer the load. And just like you, I advise newbies to pre-load where you do. I tell them to drive the load, the forearm with the racket lagging almost through impact. This does require the body to turn to deliver the load. The release can be flat, slice or top. Early release of the racket head is pretty much the single biggest error in tennis. You need to get hold of Coco and teach her this; if she doesn’t get this down, she will keep missing forehands by 15 feet and never have a shot at catching Iga. . I am really impressed with your teaching.

[@IvanTenensoff]

Best video i have ever seen about forehand technique. Congrats 👏👏

[@affluencethirdy4894]

Man, I was not wrong when I subscribed to your channel, you are one of the most sensible tennis coach that I've watch so far. Your explanation about this next gen forehand is ON POINT. I learned a lot from this and applying it to my game.. Im a 4.0 player and im still adjusting and practicing everyday on how to perfect my new FH.

[@gnarfish5555]

Love your insights!! Thank you so much!!

[@kzetting]

You're such a great teacher! Great presentation. Thanks Kevin!

[@TotalTennisDomination]

I appreciate that!

[@LavernLee-zz5ln]

Gonna practice those forehand tips. Tnx Kevin!

[@user-gn4yh6ec9w]

Thank you! I'm understand how this all works, and man, this vid sure helps understand it all. I have my own 90 minute court time (indoor tennis) tomorrow with a ball machine. Your info will sure help - 👌

[@mje2518]

Great explanation on these mechanics!

[@user-hw7sp5fi2y]

Excellent video! You are a tremendous communicator.

[@SharonCole-eo4so]

This tutorial was fantastic!!! It is just what I needed. WOW

[@opalpearl3051]

Well done. Thank you for another great video.

[@michaelschaefer9266]

Man, you're great! Your explanation is fantastic! You don’t have to remind us to stay till the end of the video every two minutes. We'll stay even without those reminders 😊

[@js45658]

One of the best online coaches ever 💪🏻 thank you so much

[@Chris_Sheridan]

.. you obviously haven't researched much - there are many tennis channels on KZbin that have slow-motion video analysis of professional players and good coaches that explain the fundamental teaching points. There is not one 'best' coach, but a variety of teaching styles that can help beginner players understand the basics of tennis technique. I would recommend Tomaz Mencinger (Feel Tennis) - Ian Westermann (Essential Tennis) - Christophe Delavaut (Tennis Oxygen) - Florian Meier (Essential Tennis Instruction) - Will Hamilton (FYB) - Top Tennis Training (Alex + Simon) - Intuitive Tennis (Nikola Aracic)

[@dinoserricchio]

The way you broke it down and used the hammer as an example makes it so much easier to understand. With applying this to each's personal way of playing, the lag and snap come automatically. Really needed this, Thanks.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Awesome to hear! thanks

[@BrazosP]

Thanks Kevin. You are a great teacher. Always learn from your insightful posts. God bless!

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks

[@jimlawton6724]

Some of the best instruction, I've ever seen on line or in person.

[@NhatTa-ht7qw]

Amazing video, thanks Kevin!

[@comraquete]

One more fantastic video from the most understandable tennis coach on KZbin, Kevin. I just can't stop thinking how my tennis matches would be like if I had seen your videos 30 years ago. It's never too late though. Thanks, Kevin!

[@debview]

He was there in Ian’s videos i thought some years back though - not 30!

[@bradchervel5202]

Holy Sh1t!!! You are an incredible teacher. You broke this down so usefully.

[@sn1kzZe]

I'm a bit sad that I can't find such trainers as yourself near where I live, I wish I could! I actually think I wouldn't understand this video if I wasn't playing wrong for almost a year now, I think this video made it "click" for me now. I've been trying my own swings, my own grips, copying others swings and positions, but I think none of them (including my very own coach) couldn't explain to me the function of WHY, and the hammer analogy just brought it all together for me. I've been gathering little info here and there over the last year, but this analogy is the last piece of the puzzle to understand the function it self, now it makes more sense that you can tune the swing using the body as long as you keep to the fundamental of what the video is explaining, awesome video. If this video ends up helping me (I added it to my favorites so I can run it on repeat and train) I will try to pay back by joining the membership.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Awesome to hear that this has helped you! Thanks

[@markbuckholz3184]

First time here Kevin, this is an excellent teaching video. I will use your explanation at my HS boys tennis practice today!

[@AF-gt1fv]

Thanks for the advice, Kevin.

[@Ab20222]

For me it works if i think about launching/ throwing the racquet at the ball instead of hitting/hammering it.

[@user-nx9jt1dn6i]

Thank you very damn true, you shed the light on a very good point.

[@arisaul1896]

Very very useful video, you talked about a very important aspect

[@stratguitarman7831]

Excellent examples!

[@adriandumi1988]

Super! I struggle with my forehand so this might help. Thanks!

[@anacap007]

The fundamental technique comes from a completely relaxed arm, wrist and shoulder. Obviously, the muscle memory has to guide the arm and racquet into the right swing path. That's the hard part: having the arm swing correctly while being completely relaxed at the same time.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Yes, AKA we all have to practice it for it to work consistently! Thanks

[@jackyuan4363]

Great comment! Totally agree. Besides the hammer analogy from the wrist down, I usually think of it as a whipping motion from the shoulder down. You get the power and spin from the leg push, waist turn and shoulder turn. The shoulder leads the arm in the whipping motion. Everything below the shoulder just happens naturally. It's hard to time it perfectly, therefore the repetitions.

[@Lenobboy]

Great job 👏

[@Slothspeare]

This is a very important video for understanding the biomechanics of a forehand. Many coaches want me to point the racket to the back fence and achieve this elusive wrist lag. My footwork and preparation on the forehand side could also be better. A coach at my tennis club used to say that the backhand and the forehand are practically the same shot. They both follow the same biomechanics upon contact with the ball. However, my backhand feels way more natural than the forehand. It's very strange. I think my transfer of weight is the key to hitting the ball further out in-front than the forehand. Next time I'm on court I will definitely try to consciously open up my wrist upon contact. Thank you for your content.

[@schenckmark6699]

Awesome explanation!

[@thenostalgicnewyorker8183]

This was absolutely BRILLIANT! The explanation and execution of this lesson was flawless. I literally wanna find a court or wall to hit against to practice right now!

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks

[@thenostalgicnewyorker8183]

I have to tell you something, I put into practice the concepts you put forth here and got on the court this past Monday. This was one of the biggest unlocks I’ve had in years. Not only were my forehands landing in the court with extra bite and heavier rotation, it relaxed me to the point where even though I hadn’t been on a court in a couplea weeks, I felt so much better overall, physically and mentally, that I didn’t cramp up despite minimal stretching. I can’t remember having confidence like this on my forehand in years and am champing at the bit to get back on. My backhand is a better stroke because I have more variety, but because of the increase in fluidity in my forehand it allowed me to crack my backhand harder as well. Bravo! Thanks for this wonderful lesson!

[@hieuhuynh3654]

Thank you I love it verymuch

[@PeteInTheMatrix]

I was given great advise once for those that have been playing for a bit. To get a more relaxed motion feel and take back, don't think to much but feed a few balls with your forehand grip to your hitting partner and you will naturally pick the motion or take back that suits you. This is great again if you have some foundation but over think the takeback. The second piece that I found helpful along the lines of what you're describing is imagine you're skipping a stone across water. the whip effect of the elbow coming through and relaxing the arm is similar to the modern tennis forehand for guys.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks, overthinking is a disease we all face in tennis!

[@jerome_morrow]

Absolutely correct. The tennis forehand (like the right hand downswing release in golf) is a sidearm throwing motion.

[@watcher687]

I love the idea of feeding balls with a forehand grip. 👍 In the end that’s a forehand. Brilliant idea!

[@peoplespeace]

Just don't forget to rotate ur torso when you do it!

[@sjeemsje]

Great explanation, thanks Kevin for breaking it down

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks

[@huntsail3727]

Great job!

[@OBat6175]

very good explanation!

[@mariuszromasz3581]

I struggle with my forehand. Thanks Kevin for these useful tips. I am going to try them next time on court 👍

[@JULIO12ZEP]

THANK YOU GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@skinnyb702]

Great video!!!!!

[@tehatte]

Nothing new here but good explanation by the coach. The lagging, laser beam, leveraging, whatever you want to call it. But if you guys have not been hitting your FH this way, good luck! Have fun training your muscles memory.

[@willhopson1277]

I like this video he does a good job. I played tennis and I guess probably like a low division one level and I’m a teaching pro now. I’ve been teaching for 20 years and in my experiences you’re very much at the mercy of the students ability. Some people just cannot swing a racket if their life depended on it. 🤣

[@kmpiccolo]

I'm going to scrap the past 2 years of trying to copy Djokovic and start by copying Kevin's forehand.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

lol....Thanks

[@howelsw]

@@TotalTennisDomination It seems like your forehand is a nice balance between old school (someone like McEnroe) an d new school (someone like Djokovic) in a way that an average player can hit.

[@umelekvetiny]

good job man 👍

[@promatic3871]

Thank you

[@Piewalkermatt]

Subbed. Compelling stuff.

[@TheWakeupsheeple]

9:00 I call that angle of attack. Great video.

[@HoboHabilis]

Good. Thanks

[@stephenkeye2678]

When I take a lesson, they always keep my strokes. WHY? I need them to teach me this , they never do!

[@anthonygardner1934]

Good stuff

[@AidanSeufert-ti2uz]

LOVEEE what you said about “don’t copy a pro’s motion because you’re really just copying their personality.” YES!! I see so many people copy federer’s swing and style and while yes they achieved it to an eerie and cringy degree, they still haven’t figured out who they are as a player. I’m no coach but I always suggest people to develop their own game and style similar to what you just said. When you try to copy a pro you just look like a copy and never as good as the original. Love this

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks!

[@phonecians99]

Best explanation of the technique I've seen. Just one thing, I was looking forward to "the drill" so I could practice it but it wasn't clear to me what the drill was.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

The drills and shadowing the hammer swing motion. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmnCZHxoZtaao5osi=Z5MKGzaKNiPxoVVA&t=285 You can do self feeds to practice pulling the butt of the racquet to the ball. From here you could progression to something like a ball machine.

[@watcher687]

Kevin, you could’ve just said ‘don’t push the racket at the ball, pull it instead’😊 Great video!

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks

[@grzegorzkipa3113]

wall explained, thanks!

[@AdaoChagas]

Fantastic

[@stephenkeye2678]

Where do u teach? How do I arrange a private lesson please?

[@ruimirandamodanese]

Perfeito ensinamento

[@myronhelton4441]

I thought that Djokovic was doing an odd thing by bringing his racket back so far on his forehand, but you say he should do that. I was putting too much topspin, too low, too much brushing up on the ball with little power/ I notice that players swing their racket like a flat knife toward the ball, then turn their racket up flat against the ball. On some shots I noticed players that their racket isnt flat against the ball, that their racket is turned slightly forward, like the ball would go down, that gives more spin & power, but the ball dont hit the ground, because they hit the shot higher over the net. I notice players run around their backhand to use their forehand , then hit the ball to their opponents backhand. I notice that when players hit the ball, then their racket once they hit the ball, their racket head goes sharply up. I notice that Federa backhand on a high deep shot to him he chops down at the ball with a short swing. I notice people need to practice half volleys more often. Waiting to return a serve, a player should use a short swing to hit the ball. I notice that only 5 players in the world, do a half volley to return blazing shots deep to their backhand, that they return the shots by taking a quick short stab at the shot, or on a low blazing deep shot, do a half volley. I notice that women with 2 handed backhands rarely use a one handed backhand. I am somewhat ambidextrous & it for some reason gives me a great 2 handed backhand.I notice that players hit a slow ball without a lot of spin on their lobs. I am old, but I didnt have teachers years ago. I notice some players dont throw their serve up high & some do. My 2 handed backhand I hit too flat like Connors. Borg couldnt return fast shots from players today, because of his too slow windup on his 2 handed backhand. Players today dont have big forarms, look at Federa, but he swings the racket like a coil unwinding, the racket feels like a toothpick to Federa. You are a great teacher.

[@bradstark9624]

I think the serve and the forehand have a lot in common. This technique makes me think of pronation during the serve

[@Yeahthatguy617]

very imformative

[@djoniebie]

this leverage thing makes the difference between old school tennis and modern tennis. edberg, mcenroe, lecompte maybe some more..., people swinging forehands with a continental grip avoid this leverage thing more because it is difficult to control. they do put less tension on the strings to avoid the tenniselbow that comes with this kind of forehand. biomechanics is very interesting.

[@trifectafn5341]

Is it bad if I rotate my forehand to my waist? Some people are telling me its too low which causes my shots to go lower.

[@caocaohehe]

I also noticed that the moment the ball bounce the ground is also the moment the racquet drop the lowest.

[@vladimirgetselevich4704]

Thank you! Is two handed backhand hammering technique is similar or different?

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Yes, it's the same idea just done with two hands. You're still trying to create leverage to add racquet speed when hitting a ball.

[@Welcomelatet]

The quantum field. I explained this to a player on monday He had a problem with his follow through. So after his lesson I had to explain this to him. You hit the ball by point the buttcap of the racquet to the incoming ball, on all your strokes. He tried it, he said it was difficult. If you having problems with your follow through. Point the buttcap of the racquet to the ball.

[@GhostofGerulaitis]

I get your points re: leveraging and the hammer/whip. Makes total sense. But you didnt specify the actual grip type. Are all these dudes hitting semi-Western? Does it even matter?

[@ferre9002]

Hey Kevin,the hammer move is an ulnar deviation,but it's impossible to do this with a full extension, so I think you must go back to the drawing table .😅

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks, when you're pulling the hammer down, it does use more ulnar deviation when you shift the racquet into your rip and do the same motion towards the ball it shifts or into more of a extension move instead of the ulnar deviation move. Good point, thanks

[@cristiandececco]

Leverage is achieved by hitting the ball more distant from the body Wrist lag produces more racket acceleration (stretch-shortening cycle of muscles)

[@Osnosis]

Yes, but the ‘pull’ has a rhythm; first the muscles in the forearm are engaged to move the racquet to the proper prep position and then relaxes as the racquet drops, re-engages to,pull the racquet forward (awhile simultaneously relaxing the hand and wrist), and the grip re-engages at contact to keep,the racquet from flying out of the hand.

[@user-vh6fb5jo6h]

best coach

[@capcommz1672]

I'm confused now. Leveraging the weight of the racquet head means the wrist goes from straight to flexed back by keeping arm loose enough while flinging it forward? The slow motion vids look like players are swinging a weight at ball. But then i think back to ur video about not wristing and chokinyg up on rqt to prevent this....confused. The feel is to jave wrist firm roght before amd thru contact?

[@TotalTennisDomination]

The goal is that as you start pulling the butt of the racquet forward, the weight of the head creates a level of extension in the wrist. As you continue to pull the racquet head may catch up, creating some slight flexion into the ball. This is best done when the wrist has ability to flex without contracting the muscles aggressively. The flexion is caused by the racquet head accelerating into the ball. thanks

[@capcommz1672]

@@TotalTennisDomination thanks 😁😁😁

[@spencerschoonenberg1461]

This move is a gamechanger

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks

[@captainzappbrannagan]

so no continental grip with the forehand?

[@guybrushtwood]

Can this apply to a one handed backhand? I tried and it didn’t feel right. Would be wicked if you could do a similar video to this focusing on the single handers. We are a dying breed, but would love tips to assist before we become extinct

[@TotalTennisDomination]

No worries that video is in the making! I wouldn't leave my one hander's hanging. Thanks.

[@allboutthemojo]

Good video Kevin but you didn't mention the 1 key to be able to make this happen. Relaxed wrists. Wrists are the magic here. It's the final point of releasing all the speed you've generated from your other movements leading up to contact.

[@leonardostangler3126]

I have no idea how to relax the wrist and keep the racquet on my hand.

[@allboutthemojo]

@leonardostangler3126 yes and you're not alone. It is absolutely the most difficult thing to do because it feels like the grip has to be firm enough to hold on to the racket and that in turn stiffens the wrist. My suggestions would be 1 . Definitely have a new overgrip on so that it is tacky. 2 practice swinging with 2 fingers off the handle and 3. Swing with the thought that you're driving the butt cap towards the ball and not the racket head.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

I agree relaxation is important. One thing we have to all be careful with is describing relaxation as a certain point that we all should hit because there's different degrees of relaxation and pressure you would use for different shots. For example, if I'm using my forehand, to return a serve, my wrist is probably not gonna be super relaxed where I am hitting a topspin forehead groundstroke. My wrist would be more relaxed.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks for the insight. This is difficult to explain in words, but I'm going to do my best. The reason why you can be relaxed is you allow the weight of your racquet to put your wrist in a extended position which will cause more stability at impact without having to have a death grip on the racquet. One reason many players feel like they have to have a death. Grip on the racquet is to offset off center hit.

[@allboutthemojo]

@TotalTennisDomination yes for sure this does not apply to return of serves. I only mentioned it because your video was about forehands. Returns probably call for a totally different video as it's a different beast to tackle.

[@johnschroeder2710]

take a look at Manarino's swing

[@TotalTennisDomination]

He hits the position. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3mmf4Kaj9topdUsi=UbejHb6Y3DMX7QQ8 opening clip but I love how he hits the ball the way that fits him. He’s not a copy.

[@GrandmaConniesOrchard]

I just tried this last night hitting against the wall. Felt like it gave me more power and control. But now my wrist is super sore, is that to be expected?

[@shayamoya6595]

Yes

[@paddlepower888]

Advice on finding our own style reminds me of Monty Python’s “Life of Brian” Brian to followers: you’re all individuals. Followers: We’re all individuals. Lone voice: I’m not! 😂😂😂

[@TotalTennisDomination]

thanks, that's funny!

[@alimoini4718]

what about wrist movement should I bend it ?

[@TotalTennisDomination]

I like to think of it as the arm, pulling the racket, and as a result, the wrist will have some slight flex into the contact. But it's not because I'm forcing or flexing the wrist through extreme muscle.. thanks

[@rogersmj]

I have watched so many videos about relaxing the wrist and letting the racket accelerate like this…but I can’t get any degree of control. When I try to loosen my wrist, I lose (what feels like) vertical control of the racket face and it just goes all over the place, with wildly inconsistent results.

[@HoChiMinh1890]

What racket do you use?

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Head Radical MP with Head Hawk touch @48 pounds Thanks

[@yanjedvlogs]

This is very true tutorial... try to follow Kevin's explanation and you will amaze your forehand.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Thanks

[@Geistlos0]

fundamental approach is use your wrist for leverage.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

I don't think of it as using my wrist, but more so pulling the butt of the racket with the arm first. The wrist will have some tension (6 out 10 but this can vary with different shots), but not enough to lock it down. thanks.

[@mkleng]

I was talking with Boris Becker about this in the loo. We were beside each other at the urinal wall. It took five minutes but basically, he said the best analogy is think of BOTH your arm and racquet as a whip to the ball. He then shook his tool, whipped it in, and proceeded to leave.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

lol... thanks Boris!

[@rosshayden1416]

Good points. It might just be a language thing but you dont pull a hammer you thow a hammer.

[@TotalTennisDomination]

I'm really OK with saying pulling or throwing. I just want to the analogy to help people figure out what to do because it's hard for all of us to use the same language to describe internal sensations we have. Some players may think it's pulling and some may think it's throwing as long as they achieve the leverage "all is good" thanks for the comment.

[@joaolcorreia]

I see this, I understand, I practice, I film myself and it is nowhere near! Huge racket back … how do I lose the bad habits?

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Take it slow. Focus on one thing at a time. Changing habits can be overwhelming and the biggest mistake we all make is trying to bite off too much at the same time. thanks

[@mpnv1990]

I am able to lag the wrist subconsciously.

[@luckyuliveHI]

Seems like you just renamed "lag" to "leverage". How do you differentiate the two?

[@TotalTennisDomination]

Honestly, I don't think there's much difference, except I think lag is more vague. The idea of leverage and using the analogy of a hammer gives more of a concrete idea and an example of how to use the idea. Where lag depends more on feeling of relaxation and then there's different degrees of how much relaxation you're supposed to have.. Thanks

[@HoChiMinh1890]

Lag creates leverage

[@77addict77]

The lag is a consequence of a relaxed wrist. You absolutely don't force it. It's like a dead arm from start to the end.

[@user-gs7pn8sb5l]

would like to see 99% of pros do this .......for my backhand please !

[@minisurfbanana]

Now its called leveraged position? Thought it was called in the slot 😂

[@fgbw11]

You catch the key

[@damon123jones]

there are no points in a circle, at som point though attention on some point that works in practice is good ❤❤

[@marianna7371]

Do you have a video for kids? Please make a video for kids how to handle/receive/return very powerful balls. Like adult kind of powerful ball :) At age 8-12 the size and weight of kids is very different and skilled tennis players sometimes can't handle huge blows from large kids that learned to use the body weight well. Some 11 year olds these days have weight of 18 year olds and when facing small kid, the game turns to be quite one sided...and painful...

[@TotalTennisDomination]

From my experience the biggest thing a small kid can do is to work on keeping the ball out of the older and stronger kids strike zone by lifting the ball up or developing slice. Another thing is playing further behind the baseline to give you more time to deal with the powerful ball.

[@marianna7371]

Thank you @@TotalTennisDomination

[@alpiannoor3287]

but i still like pete sampras forehand, it's like draw sword and swing

[@BryanTanner]

For all you tennis-playing medieval warfare buffs, this video illustrates why trebuchets (shoulder and wrist levers) are far superior to catapults (shoulder lever only).

[@autry2012]

👍!!,