Modern Tennis Forehand Technique In 8 Steps

This step by step guide takes you through 8 steps that help you develop correct forehand technique which will allow you to hit with power and control.

Here are the time stamps of the video kindly provided by one of my subscribers:

Summary of this video:
0:25 The grip: the nuances of the forehand grip
2:36 Ready position (are you also in a ready state?)
5:22 Preparation: in which direction and how high?
6:37 The drop: let the gravity assist you
11:13 Acceleration. How the sync the body and the arm: the hip rotation
15:49 Swing path: bowling vs. discus throw
18:41 Contact & spin: how to spin the ball for control
19:15 Extension (and how it's based on intention)
21:56 Followthrough: why catch with the left hand?

We'll check the grip, how to be in a ready state, the preparation, the drop of the racket, how to accelerate it, how to apply topspin, how to swing so that you're very accurate and how to finish the forehand in the follow-through.

Some of these tips are different from what you see the top tennis pros do but remember this guide helps you build the fundamental technique of a modern forehand which you can then develop further into a more advanced forehand if you spend enough time working on it.

[feeltennis]

Please read this before commenting: 99% of the viewers of this video are recreational tennis players and I am teaching them the fundamentals of the modern forehand technique. We cannot possibly teach Roger Federer's drop & flip technique to 3.5 and 4.0 level of players because the movement is too complex. The technique shown above is used on ATP tour too - Del Potro plays like that - and most of WTA players like Halep, Sharapova and others. So before you start commenting and letting me know that this technique is not what the top pros use, please keep in mind that we DO NOT teach forehand technique by analyzing the top pros and then "telling" rec players what they should do. We teach fundamentals first and then advanced techniques later - if the player is actually capable of executing them at higher speeds. 99% of rec players are not capable of that so it is pointless to teach them something that is unattainable to them.

[akaafii]

I am 38 and held the tennis racket for first time, 2 months ago! And today I stand with guys who are playing for years! You are my coach and all credit goes to you! Seen almost all of your videos and follow the instructions on court! Your narration is so well articulated and flawless that sometimes Ive spent hours watching your videos while losing track of time! Being a mechanical engineer I feel that everything you say, makes so much sense and aligns with physics and ergonomics! Thumbs up, for this video! Keep up the good work! You are the best!

[FlowStateTrend]

This is the best instructional video I've ever seen. Many thanks!

[tulinmelek]

I'm 64 years old and have been playing tennis more than 15 years. Although I have taken private lessons, I have never been able to change my forehand. I was almost hopeless. However, after watching your videos, my forehand is very similar to performance players now and I'm very happy . Thanks for your super coaching.

[nasirrizvi]

Hands down smartest tennis coach I've ever seen. He addressed every mistake I've made and still make with my forehand. I am a conceptual guy, and I really appreciate how he relates everything back to first principals.

[lorenzomckeever]

3 years later, playing 5 days a week, devouring every video you put out, I still come back to this fundamental video and find something to adjust. Thank you for getting me to 4.5 and being a huge reason I've found my game.

[andrewbccoast]

Super. Been playing for 35 years and teaching for 10. This is an excellent primer that hits on all the key 'misconceptions'. I've seen hundreds of videos on youtube. This is the best forehand primer I've seen. Excellent work.

[drdoods]

i was ready to quit tennis because I just was not getting the forehand right. always so inconsistent, I think you just saved my tennis days from ending. thanks for a brilliant on point lesson.

[squaresensei]

Tomaz's videos are by far the best tennis videos. Big thanks!
Below are my custom bookmarks after having watched the video several times (for others, pls. watch the full video, and use the section bookmarks in the video description):
02:58 - Ready state / keep dancing.
10:08 - Drop and start acceleration
10:20 - Flexed wrists
12:00 - Ground up body sequency. Hips rotate 90 degrees
13:56 - Racquet lag
16:02 - Racquet swing / st. line / in direction of eventual ball target
18:50 - Compress and roll (not brush)
22:05 - Follow through / catch the racquet / helps shoulder rotation

[joegodwin]

I have been playing and studying the strokes of tennis for over 35 years and have never heard a more precise, practical and logical approach to the forehand drive. I especially like the drills that help assimilate the process. I feel very comfortable with your "intuitive" approach. Much like "Inner Tennis".

[chrisnieto]

This is the most useful forehand tutorial I have ever seen. I learnt more here in 10 mins than I have in ten years of hacking around the court. I look forward to trying this out on the court. Thank you!!

[gg-uiyj]

he’s such amazing guy .Best teacher I have ever seen.
I watched all his videos despite my poor English and only being able to understand part of them.

[peurytk]

Excellent class on forehand you touched important basic points thank you sir

[adelsonmendes]

I've been playing since 2012 and I've watched several tennis videos, this is the best video I've ever watched. Congratulations for the excellent work and thanks for the tips.

[marcocavalli]

Great video master Thomas... every section is a preciuous gem!
Please copy & paste in your description this summay of your video. It would be useful to view and review the single sections of your lesson...

Summary of this video:
0:25 The grip: the nuances of the forehand grip
2:36 Ready position (are you also in a ready state?)
5:22 Preparation: in which direction and how high?
6:37 The drop: let the gravity assist you
11:13 Acceleration. How the sync the body and the arm: the hip rotation
15:49 Swing path: bowling vs. discus throw
18:41 Contact & spin: how to spin the ball for control
19:15 Extension (and how it's based on intention)
21:56 Followthrough: why catch with the left hand?

[joranbergwall]

Great video. Thanks again., Tomas! I’m a former ATP ranked tennis professional and am highly impressed.

[melvinalvares]

Brilliant lesson, point by point and so detailed and precise.

[royaladjemian]

Thomas, excellent  video for me on the forehand technique. Recently my tennis coach  asked  me to concentrate on my top spin forehand . So, your 8 step technique  was implemented today during my practice time. I can report that it really helped me create excellent top spin and good clearance above the net. Allowing gravity to lower my racket was the best movement for me. It allowed my racket to get naturally into  the strike zone to press and roll the ball with nice top spin.  Also, the finger spreading on the grip has helped by providing more support and preventing wrist pain . Keep on Rocking Thomas !

[prasadvarier]

This is an excellent video. The concept of dropping the racket back along the edge using gravity reduces the effort required considerably and I get more control.
I am 50+ and started playing tennis recently.
Thank you very much.

[markkellman]

I'm getting back into tennis after being away from it for over 25 years. Now I'm able to learn the appropriate techniques by watching your videos. Thank you very much for sharing these drills and coaching gems!