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!
I am 62 and played my forehand without spin . My friend Mathieu and you made me discover the best technique to improve and develop a great forehand shot
That’s great to hear! Those are my hopes and plans too. I’m 42, ex volleyball player, hoping that will help somewhat with picking up tennis. Hope you are still playing and enjoying tennis!
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.
Practice hitting lots of inside out forehands - so hit the from the backhand corner using your forehand and aim to the other backhand corner. Have a clear target in mind and you'll see that you probably won't want to over-rotate. Once you get used to the feel try hitting the balls straight down the middle.
Hello Tomaz , thks for the tips especially the first one on the grip, omgz u just solve the biggest mystery that I have and trouble with consistency for different time I play tennis. Everytime when I fk up its like I always feel my wrist angle on the racket is at the wrong place even like you said the hand is holding to the right bevel, sometime to the worst place I feel I am like a beginner who just learn tennis on my forehand. Really Thanks so much and really appreciate it :") Meanwhile is it possible to explain this "Roger Federer's drop & flip technique" because I think I might be doing this for my forehand unconsciously as a habit. Just want to be sure or to see if any part is wrong. I find that my wrist isn't that drop that much(or it happen too fast) as u mentioned on certain shots but its still very effortless
Feel Tennis Instruction sir plz tell me where do u live i m 22 yrs old and want to take lessons from u in personal m coming to germany in january is there any chance i can meet u plz reply
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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".
Superb video on the forehand stroke!! I really like your "secret tip" about a right-handed player catching his/her racket with the left hand above shoulder height as a means of assuring complete rotation of the left shoulder as the endpoint of what should be a flowing, continuous movement of the upper body. There are some VERY important counter-intuitive moves involved in hitting a great topspin forehand. It is obvious to me that you have thought about your words with great care. The crisp closeup photos and slow-mo or stop-action replays give your instruction penetrating power and strong insight too. Thanks. You are the man.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience as someone who has watched all your videos. It's the second time I watch these videos and take notes, I notice new things every time I watch them. In the video 10:30, you mentioned the movement of the wrist as flexion in the lagging part of the wrist, I guess there was a small mistake there, that movement is called wrist extension.
Tomaz: this is probably the best ever begginer lesson video I've seen, an believe me, I've seen a lot in the last year. The best channels I know are 'Intuitive Tennis', '2minute Tennis', 'My tennis HQ' , 'Patrick Moratouglu' and 'Feel tennis instructions'. None of this previous has made such a serius and well designed approach to the tennis technique for amateurs players. Many, many thanks for sharing the Tomaz, and keep it up!!
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.
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!
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?
Thank you very much, Marco, I have added the time stamps to the description! Note that on my website for this article I also offer a free download of a PDF with all the checkpoints.
Tomas I’m and adult tennis player. I picked it up about three years ago and found your videos really helpful in getting started. I feel like I’ve made some progress. I’m rewatching your videos an now can truly appreciate your advice and going back to the fundamentals really helps me refine my game - I’m v grateful. Cheers!
The "best" video on how to forehand n play. After hours of checking google results, this is the video to watch by a beginner and even other players for the straight facts n mind aspects. Thanks a lot n congrats!
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 !
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.
Excellent tip, instruction and explanation. I have been teaching tennis players and explaining to them the same technique like this one as well other techniques Tomas taught on TH-cam, but could never re-direct my players to confirm with other professional instructors. Tomas' videos let my players truly appreciate these techniques. Many thanks to Tomas!!!
You are the best Tomas.. My game has improved so much. You make it so natural and institictive. For instance, its a bowling motion makes such a big difference.
@ Feel Tennis Instruction ; Thank You very much Tomaz for this video about the forehand. Your comprehension of the basics, modern technique, method and bio-mechanics are important, essential and critical. Excellent video in every aspect of showing, explaining, detailing with videos of complete technique and method in action to replicate, imitate and copy. You also explain other essential aspects to the forehand here [and for every shot in tennis] with regard to ready position with movement that is required constantly, and the basic mental, visual aspects necessary for every shot. Here the exact contact point and effect of its placement are not covered or discussed [perhaps elsewhere in other videos]. Your descriptions and showing the proper body movements are excellent with showing from both an open and neutral stance, from in front and behind [perhaps showing from above will also help (have seen on videos from Vic Braden), which will also improve and show the path of the racket/raquet more, not as a lateral arc but the more elliptical path it follows and the full path of the racket/racquet from more views]. Seems You may be of similar age to me, perhaps younger even (am born in 1959). My background has many sports activities. My neighbor taught me to hit a baseball at the age of four, from both sides. Then began tennis at about 12, first from just watching others, then playing with others, watching professional tournaments on TV, some minimal instruction in school PE [which was not so good]. Finally at met someone my age at tennis courts who became my good friend and taught me all of my strokes. He was a student of (Dr.) Alex Mayer [You many know of or about him], who gave me sound, repeatable, bio-mechanical strokes and shots; forehand, backhand, serve, volley [both sides], overhead, topspin, slice. He showed me topspin and slice serves and he has a great control of spin on the ball [his backspin he executed numerous times, also during matches, is extreme. More recently after a hiatus, in returning to the game, have been adjusting my shots and strokes to the more modern ones. My benefit is that with the baseball and wooden racket/racquet frames am very familiar with the follow through which happens more normally with using a bat or the heavier frames we had. My friend suggested me to switch from my Donnay Borg Pro to a midsize and change me grip size to a smaller one, it helped me extensively. My choice became a Yonex R-22 which for me was a huge increase in head size, and reduction in weight, but compared with today's production frames it is considered heavy [silly to me]. However, as professionals use similar to what my frame was or slightly heavier today, it still seem quite light [340g + strings, with leather grip]. The frame was thin, solid, though the handle probably hollow. Have tried many modern production frames and they do not suit me at all. The best ones are 325g initially, low power certainly, prefer thin frames [but none are like the old Rexkings, Pro Staff, Puma, Kneissl, Donnay, Dunlop, Fox/Bosworth, etc. (closest was the 2011 Donnay X- series Xenecore, which am still interested to get, some older Vôlkl like PB 10, C-10 Pro)]. A solid frame has much better, more feel, more control, better for the arm, and do not want such stiffness that lack the control as many public, commercial frames. Though have figured a way to improve a hollow frame by adding solid foam [better to start with a thinner frame] and RTV to the hollow handle, thus getting more mass along with the vibration absorption. As a result am interested in trying a few specific advanced material frames that are also not very stiff. Any way, in my searching and investigating my development of modern strokes and shots have found some very good videos especially from IMG and a few other from former professionals and similar. One aspect which am familiar with from baseball, is the hip, shoulder rotation and swing not being a lateral arc and similar to tennis though has some slight differences. The initiation of movement of rotation into the swing and shot is first leading with the leaning into the hip forward, which then causes the proper bends including the knee and the rotation with the resultant lag as described. Also found this described on the IMG videos especially for the serve which causes the knee bend properly, to begin the unloading of body and result in an upward launch instead of purposely launching via a vertical motion from bending the knees directly. Similarly here for the forehand, when the hit movement is forward, outward leading with the outer hip in the release of the coil, the resultant desired motions occur and directs more power into the shot forward also. On a running forehand there is obviously much less hip shift, but still has the forward shift through the hips and lower body. Please tell me what You think about this description, detail and analysis [which was not entirely my own, but a combination developed from all of my experience and the others mentioned]. It also seems through the viewing of Your forehand shots You do this also, though these videos are showing simple rally shots, still the weight shift is there and seems to naturally precede in the uncoil motion. A small additional point, but seemingly important from a viewer and the imitation aspect. The other man shown for demonstration of the movement and shots is very good with constant movement and has fluid techniques. However, he consistently rises upward vertically during the shot, becoming upright. This is poor technique and bio-mechanically inefficient. Also most of the shots showing Your technique also have a slight rise instead of remaining lower with constantly bent knees. Perhaps this is for the average club level or beginner whom You may say is not ready for the constant bent knee technique and method. The ready position also needs a weight more forward on the balls of the feet too, which You may have a similar response. Please tell me what You think about these too. All The Best and Much Success. Sincerely, :-) Note: will view other videos of Yours, since have certainly gained from this one.
Hello Mr.Thomas.We are so grateful for all your instructions.These are really helpful for all levels of players.And the name feeltennis is so perfect for your instructions.U teach the tennis tips in a really natural way.These videos are so simple yet they answer a lot of our doubts.Thank you so much for all the videos.
Great videos. Just one small correction in step 2, the movement of the wrist to the stable position is EXTENSION, not flexion. This is just a small detail, the explanation and tips provided in all the videos are amazing. Probably the best TH-cam channel on tennis
Hi Thomas! After a shoulder injury, I'm about to restart tennis, this time using my left hand. It's an opportunity to leave all my bad habits behind and learn your technique.
Great video for a beginner like me! Now everything actually makes sense to me> I am getting much better control of the ball with good speed and even a little topspin without swing my arm like hell or wrist pain.
I was taught the classic forehand: racquet back, point to the ball, step forward, swing along a coffee table, catch your racquet. I came back to tennis not too long ago and my new racquet is way lighter and the poly strings were new to me and that type of instruction had me hitting the back fence! This one video had me hitting nice topspin deep shots with little effort! Thanks for a game changing video for me! 😄
the stop action sequence at 19:45 is a good example of how little wrist movement occurs around contact. One of my pet peeves is instructors or talk about wrist roll, windshield wiper or wrist snap at contact. If you want a consistent ground stroke, use a passive wrist with near zero movement just before, during and just after contact.
had been struggling with my forehand for a while, even the private lessons didn’t do much to help. I compared my swing with your key points and finally realized I didn’t sync the acceleration with hip rotation! Just tried and my swing has come alive for the time!
Thank you! I've been looking for someone to talk about using the hips and correct amount of racquet lag. We talk about load, coil, separation, and lag all the time in softball/baseball. I've asked many tennis pros their thoughts on lag and separation. They look at me like I'm purple. :D Never hear anyone talk about it in tennis. Until now! Thank you for that!
I really love watching your instruction videos! I am 42 and just began playing tennis.. and not very good at it yet... but your videos are so detailed and clear that I learn so much from it!! Thank you so much and keep up the good work!!!
Thanks a ton. It corrected one of the silly mistake I was doing by approaching the forehand more like a table tennis/ping pong, direct attack in an angle. I was not finishing and catching the racket. Nor using the gravity technique, which gives an easy starts for the motion and momentum to maintain. Thanks again, this is invaluable.
Very nice complete video of the forehand; I learned my forehand basically from watching Lendl back in the 80's, so this is quite a change in how a forehand should be played. You explain it very well, can not wait to put it in practice. Thank you for this!
Hi Tomaz, Most appreciate the good work that you are doing of breaking down the most complex of forehand techniques to the simplest form for us emulate. Your take on simplifying the mechanics and physics of all tennis strokes is comparable only to Richard Feynman's take on simplifying science. I have learnt a lot from your videos, my forehand is better than ever before, single handed backhand still does need way too much improvement. Somehow my backhand breaks down in a match situation but in practice sessions seems ok. Finally do keep up the good work and we do appreciate the effort and time you put in making these videos for us. Take care and God Bless.
I have started playing tennis this year, on my uniweristy's PE lessons. My teacher is great, but he doesn't have this ease of explaining as You. Tommorow I will try Yours directions. Stay positive
I've tried the Rick Macci's Tap the dog forehand for a while....at first it was my dream forehand but then It messed up my strokes and I got a double bagel from a player who I used to beat easily.... I like your videos and I'm very excited to try this new forehand. Thanks Tomaz.
So i've been playing tennis for a couple of years now but my school "coach" is a beginner in tennis (Just a supervisor) so i've had to rely on myself to catch my errors and problems in form. After watching this video i've realized my form is wrong. The way i've been hitting is i keep my wrist firm and swing the racquet when the ball is right next to me. When i swing, my arm and racquet is aligned in one straight line. As you can imagine this has caused many problems as im not hitting at the ideal contact point, my timing is much more difficult, and my natural swing causes the ball to lift too much. It has also caused me to hit the balls with very little to no topspin. Thank you for this video it will help my improve my tennis game tremendously
Thank you so much for this video. I have been having problems with my forehand and just could not figure it out. I look forward to trying your suggestions tomorrow! Great video! Extremely helpful and totally makes sense. I am recreational player and getting the basics down first is most important. Regina
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!
Thank you, keep in touch!
i am 38 too. the mechanical concept is helping me so much. Now i play all action with the physics theory in my mind.
I am 62 and played my forehand without spin . My friend Mathieu and you made me discover the best technique to improve and develop a great forehand shot
That’s great to hear! Those are my hopes and plans too. I’m 42, ex volleyball player, hoping that will help somewhat with picking up tennis. Hope you are still playing and enjoying tennis!
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.
Practice hitting lots of inside out forehands - so hit the from the backhand corner using your forehand and aim to the other backhand corner. Have a clear target in mind and you'll see that you probably won't want to over-rotate. Once you get used to the feel try hitting the balls straight down the middle.
Hello Tomaz , thks for the tips especially the first one on the grip, omgz u just solve the biggest mystery that I have and trouble with consistency for different time I play tennis. Everytime when I fk up its like I always feel my wrist angle on the racket is at the wrong place even like you said the hand is holding to the right bevel, sometime to the worst place I feel I am like a beginner who just learn tennis on my forehand. Really Thanks so much and really appreciate it :")
Meanwhile is it possible to explain this "Roger Federer's drop & flip technique" because I think I might be doing this for my forehand unconsciously as a habit. Just want to be sure or to see if any part is wrong. I find that my wrist isn't that drop that much(or it happen too fast) as u mentioned on certain shots but its still very effortless
Feel Tennis Instruction sir plz tell me where do u live i m 22 yrs old and want to take lessons from u in personal m coming to germany in january is there any chance i can meet u plz reply
Fails
Classic fails
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.
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.
This is the best instructional video I've ever seen. Many thanks!
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
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.
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.
Great to hear!
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!!
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.
atisang MOKHELE same here,today is was thinking about quitting because of my poor forehand until watched this video
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.
நன்றி!
Instruction that helps every time I watch. Thanks!
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".
Much appreciated, Joe!
Superb video on the forehand stroke!! I really like your "secret tip" about a right-handed player catching his/her racket with the left hand above shoulder height as a means of assuring complete rotation of the left shoulder as the endpoint of what should be a flowing, continuous movement of the upper body. There are some VERY important counter-intuitive moves involved in hitting a great topspin forehand. It is obvious to me that you have thought about your words with great care. The crisp closeup photos and slow-mo or stop-action replays give your instruction penetrating power and strong
insight too. Thanks. You are the man.
Brilliant lesson, point by point and so detailed and precise.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience as someone who has watched all your videos. It's the second time I watch these videos and take notes, I notice new things every time I watch them.
In the video 10:30, you mentioned the movement of the wrist as flexion in the lagging part of the wrist, I guess there was a small mistake there, that movement is called wrist extension.
Thanks for the feedback and support, and yes, it should be "extension" of the wrist!
Tomaz: this is probably the best ever begginer lesson video I've seen, an believe me, I've seen a lot in the last year. The best channels I know are 'Intuitive Tennis', '2minute Tennis', 'My tennis HQ' , 'Patrick Moratouglu' and 'Feel tennis instructions'. None of this previous has made such a serius and well designed approach to the tennis technique for amateurs players. Many, many thanks for sharing the Tomaz, and keep it up!!
Excellent class on forehand you touched important basic points thank you sir
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.
THANK YOU!!!!
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!
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?
Thank you very much, Marco, I have added the time stamps to the description! Note that on my website for this article I also offer a free download of a PDF with all the checkpoints.
Great video. Thanks again., Tomas! I’m a former ATP ranked tennis professional and am highly impressed.
Awesome!
This is the best teaching of forehand technique that I have seen anywhere...
You are my favorite coach on the internet! I always try to employ your tips whenever I'm out playing tennis.
I can watch this video over and over again and learn something new every time!
Tomas I’m and adult tennis player. I picked it up about three years ago and found your videos really helpful in getting started. I feel like I’ve made some progress. I’m rewatching your videos an now can truly appreciate your advice and going back to the fundamentals really helps me refine my game - I’m v grateful. Cheers!
The "best" video on how to forehand n play. After hours of checking google results, this is the video to watch by a beginner and even other players for the straight facts n mind aspects. Thanks a lot n congrats!
Best tennis instructor on the Internet.
Best video on the web for recretional players! Awesome.
Thank you
Some slow motion would be helpful in the video
IMO
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 !
I absolutely agreed that you are my no 1 favourite in learning and improve the tennis skills in TH-cam
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.
A modest question: dropping means the rotation of the arm from the shoulder. The wrist follows the arm. Do you agree?
I think this is your best video Tomaz. Fantastic stuff!
Excellent tip, instruction and explanation. I have been teaching tennis players and explaining to them the same technique like this one as well other techniques Tomas taught on TH-cam, but could never re-direct my players to confirm with other professional instructors. Tomas' videos let my players truly appreciate these techniques. Many thanks to Tomas!!!
You are the best Tomas.. My game has improved so much. You make it so natural and institictive. For instance, its a bowling motion makes such a big difference.
謝謝！
This was an excellent and comprehensive guide. Huge thanks again to coach Tomaz!
Glad it was helpful!
This is the absolute best tennis forehand instruction I have every seen!
It is a forehand technique but it is not the ATP forehand or a forehand with a lag.
Thanks
Much appreciated!
@ Feel Tennis Instruction ; Thank You very much Tomaz for this video about the forehand. Your comprehension of the basics, modern technique, method and bio-mechanics are important, essential and critical. Excellent video in every aspect of showing, explaining, detailing with videos of complete technique and method in action to replicate, imitate and copy. You also explain other essential aspects to the forehand here [and for every shot in tennis] with regard to ready position with movement that is required constantly, and the basic mental, visual aspects necessary for every shot. Here the exact contact point and effect of its placement are not covered or discussed [perhaps elsewhere in other videos]. Your descriptions and showing the proper body movements are excellent with showing from both an open and neutral stance, from in front and behind [perhaps showing from above will also help (have seen on videos from Vic Braden), which will also improve and show the path of the racket/raquet more, not as a lateral arc but the more elliptical path it follows and the full path of the racket/racquet from more views].
Seems You may be of similar age to me, perhaps younger even (am born in 1959). My background has many sports activities. My neighbor taught me to hit a baseball at the age of four, from both sides. Then began tennis at about 12, first from just watching others, then playing with others, watching professional tournaments on TV, some minimal instruction in school PE [which was not so good]. Finally at met someone my age at tennis courts who became my good friend and taught me all of my strokes. He was a student of (Dr.) Alex Mayer [You many know of or about him], who gave me sound, repeatable, bio-mechanical strokes and shots; forehand, backhand, serve, volley [both sides], overhead, topspin, slice. He showed me topspin and slice serves and he has a great control of spin on the ball [his backspin he executed numerous times, also during matches, is extreme. More recently after a hiatus, in returning to the game, have been adjusting my shots and strokes to the more modern ones. My benefit is that with the baseball and wooden racket/racquet frames am very familiar with the follow through which happens more normally with using a bat or the heavier frames we had. My friend suggested me to switch from my Donnay Borg Pro to a midsize and change me grip size to a smaller one, it helped me extensively. My choice became a Yonex R-22 which for me was a huge increase in head size, and reduction in weight, but compared with today's production frames it is considered heavy [silly to me]. However, as professionals use similar to what my frame was or slightly heavier today, it still seem quite light [340g + strings, with leather grip]. The frame was thin, solid, though the handle probably hollow. Have tried many modern production frames and they do not suit me at all. The best ones are 325g initially, low power certainly, prefer thin frames [but none are like the old Rexkings, Pro Staff, Puma, Kneissl, Donnay, Dunlop, Fox/Bosworth, etc. (closest was the 2011 Donnay X- series Xenecore, which am still interested to get, some older Vôlkl like PB 10, C-10 Pro)]. A solid frame has much better, more feel, more control, better for the arm, and do not want such stiffness that lack the control as many public, commercial frames. Though have figured a way to improve a hollow frame by adding solid foam [better to start with a thinner frame] and RTV to the hollow handle, thus getting more mass along with the vibration absorption. As a result am interested in trying a few specific advanced material frames that are also not very stiff.
Any way, in my searching and investigating my development of modern strokes and shots have found some very good videos especially from IMG and a few other from former professionals and similar.
One aspect which am familiar with from baseball, is the hip, shoulder rotation and swing not being a lateral arc and similar to tennis though has some slight differences. The initiation of movement of rotation into the swing and shot is first leading with the leaning into the hip forward, which then causes the proper bends including the knee and the rotation with the resultant lag as described. Also found this described on the IMG videos especially for the serve which causes the knee bend properly, to begin the unloading of body and result in an upward launch instead of purposely launching via a vertical motion from bending the knees directly. Similarly here for the forehand, when the hit movement is forward, outward leading with the outer hip in the release of the coil, the resultant desired motions occur and directs more power into the shot forward also. On a running forehand there is obviously much less hip shift, but still has the forward shift through the hips and lower body.
Please tell me what You think about this description, detail and analysis [which was not entirely my own, but a combination developed from all of my experience and the others mentioned]. It also seems through the viewing of Your forehand shots You do this also, though these videos are showing simple rally shots, still the weight shift is there and seems to naturally precede in the uncoil motion.
A small additional point, but seemingly important from a viewer and the imitation aspect. The other man shown for demonstration of the movement and shots is very good with constant movement and has fluid techniques. However, he consistently rises upward vertically during the shot, becoming upright. This is poor technique and bio-mechanically inefficient. Also most of the shots showing Your technique also have a slight rise instead of remaining lower with constantly bent knees. Perhaps this is for the average club level or beginner whom You may say is not ready for the constant bent knee technique and method. The ready position also needs a weight more forward on the balls of the feet too, which You may have a similar response.
Please tell me what You think about these too.
All The Best and Much Success.
Sincerely,
:-)
Note: will view other videos of Yours, since have certainly gained from this one.
Hello Mr.Thomas.We are so grateful for all your instructions.These are really helpful for all levels of players.And the name feeltennis is so perfect for your instructions.U teach the tennis tips in a really natural way.These videos are so simple yet they answer a lot of our doubts.Thank you so much for all the videos.
Thanks for the kind feedback!
Great videos. Just one small correction in step 2, the movement of the wrist to the stable position is EXTENSION, not flexion. This is just a small detail, the explanation and tips provided in all the videos are amazing. Probably the best TH-cam channel on tennis
Hi Thomas!
After a shoulder injury, I'm about to restart tennis, this time using my left hand.
It's an opportunity to leave all my bad habits behind and learn your technique.
Great video for a beginner like me! Now everything actually makes sense to me> I am getting much better control of the ball with good speed and even a little topspin without swing my arm like hell or wrist pain.
This is the best explanation and demonstration I have seen on hitting the modern forehand.
Awesome!
I was taught the classic forehand: racquet back, point to the ball, step forward, swing along a coffee table, catch your racquet. I came back to tennis not too long ago and my new racquet is way lighter and the poly strings were new to me and that type of instruction had me hitting the back fence! This one video had me hitting nice topspin deep shots with little effort! Thanks for a game changing video for me! 😄
And thank you for sharing the feedback!
Great! Clear and concise techniques. I am using your helpful videos for my 12 year old daughter. Her progress is fantastic. Than you! Stuart W
Best tennis channel
the stop action sequence at 19:45 is a good example of how little wrist movement occurs around contact. One of my pet peeves is instructors or talk about wrist roll, windshield wiper or wrist snap at contact. If you want a consistent ground stroke, use a passive wrist with near zero movement just before, during and just after contact.
Very detailed instructions, one of the very best video for Forehand technique for beginners! great job, thanks!!!
It is so nice instruction forehand ever
I am lucky to got a this from my friend.
Thank you
U save my forehand. Best coach.
thanks a lot. you're such a great analytical coach . you're transforming my tennis techniques
had been struggling with my forehand for a while, even the private lessons didn’t do much to help. I compared my swing with your key points and finally realized I didn’t sync the acceleration with hip rotation! Just tried and my swing has come alive for the time!
Thank you! I've been looking for someone to talk about using the hips and correct amount of racquet lag. We talk about load, coil, separation, and lag all the time in softball/baseball. I've asked many tennis pros their thoughts on lag and separation. They look at me like I'm purple. :D Never hear anyone talk about it in tennis. Until now! Thank you for that!
Wow! Best explanation ever! Thank you!
Very nice teaching for early learning thanks
I really love watching your instruction videos! I am 42 and just began playing tennis.. and not very good at it yet... but your videos are so detailed and clear that I learn so much from it!! Thank you so much and keep up the good work!!!
Your instruction is perfect, 100%. Thats how I hit the forehand:)
Thanks a ton. It corrected one of the silly mistake I was doing by approaching the forehand more like a table tennis/ping pong, direct attack in an angle. I was not finishing and catching the racket. Nor using the gravity technique, which gives an easy starts for the motion and momentum to maintain. Thanks again, this is invaluable.
That's some great analysis. Thank you so much! Is always great to see people passionate about what they do.
Very nice complete video of the forehand; I learned my forehand basically from watching Lendl back in the 80's, so this is quite a change in how a forehand should be played. You explain it very well, can not wait to put it in practice. Thank you for this!
Your explanation is excellent. It is so detailed and covers all our missing actions and points out what we need to do. Thank you so much. Love it
Hi Tomaz, Most appreciate the good work that you are doing of breaking down the most complex of forehand techniques to the simplest form for us emulate. Your take on simplifying the mechanics and physics of all tennis strokes is comparable only to Richard Feynman's take on simplifying science. I have learnt a lot from your videos, my forehand is better than ever before, single handed backhand still does need way too much improvement. Somehow my backhand breaks down in a match situation but in practice sessions seems ok.
Finally do keep up the good work and we do appreciate the effort and time you put in making these videos for us.
Take care and God Bless.
Much appreciated, Alex. I'll be working soon on my full one-handed backhand course and will publish the key sections from it here. Stay tuned.
I started tennis as a compulsory practical for my study. Never played tennis in my life and I think this video is very helpfull, thank you for that!
Excellent video with a lot of details. Best forehand video I’ve seen.
This guy is an amazing teacher! Thanks so much!
Excellent instruction - thank you for posting! I found the segment on 'Drop - let gravity assist' especially helpful.
The best ever instruction, fantastic !!!! I will follow 🙂 Thank you very much. You speak tennis with top FEEL /Björn
Congratulation, my friend, on educated analysis and clear explanation this is how I am teaching last 23
Thank you from egypt ... was great i learn alot to teach my son
I have started playing tennis this year, on my uniweristy's PE lessons. My teacher is great, but he doesn't have this ease of explaining as You. Tommorow I will try Yours directions. Stay positive
As always, very good analytic and explain clearly to get the message across. Thank you
Excellent technique and instructions.
Tomaz- thank you for all your video lessons. I try to follow your advice as much as possible & my game has improved tremendously.
Excellent techniques. Learling a lot by following your instructions. Keep up the good work.
Fantastic video! The best explanation on the web. Thanks for sharing!
I've tried the Rick Macci's Tap the dog forehand for a while....at first it was my dream forehand but then It messed up my strokes and I got a double bagel from a player who I used to beat easily.... I like your videos and I'm very excited to try this new forehand. Thanks Tomaz.
You are an amazing coach Tomas!
You are an excellent coach, sir.
So i've been playing tennis for a couple of years now but my school "coach" is a beginner in tennis (Just a supervisor) so i've had to rely on myself to catch my errors and problems in form. After watching this video i've realized my form is wrong. The way i've been hitting is i keep my wrist firm and swing the racquet when the ball is right next to me. When i swing, my arm and racquet is aligned in one straight line. As you can imagine this has caused many problems as im not hitting at the ideal contact point, my timing is much more difficult, and my natural swing causes the ball to lift too much. It has also caused me to hit the balls with very little to no topspin. Thank you for this video it will help my improve my tennis game tremendously
Best video I have seen on forehand technique!
Danke. Ready state is important.
You are a very good coach. Thank you so much. Greetings from Uganda.
You're the BEST, Tomas! Thanks .
great lesson, everything to the point, very detailed and will be very helpful. Thank you very much!
Thanks Tomasz your videos are amazing and so well explained thank you. You have helped move my game forward over the last year
Tomaz, you are the best! Always learn something by watching his lessons. Subscribed!
J'ai beaucoup appris avec vous Thank U
Thank you so much for this video. I have been having problems with my forehand and just could not figure it out. I look forward to trying your suggestions tomorrow! Great video! Extremely helpful and totally makes sense. I am recreational player and getting the basics down first is most important. Regina
Muy bien explicado tu técnica me ayudado a mejorar mi golpe de derecha Gracias y saludos
Great lesson
Sir i learned lot from you thanx from bottom of my heart
You are just awesome! Thanks!
Loved this video and your explanation is perfect!
Very clear explanation
Amazing coach!