Welcome back to our tennis fundamentals series! In our first blog post, we covered the essential starting steps for beginners. Now, it's time to dive into the core of tennis gameplay: the forehand and backhand strokes. These two foundational techniques will pave the way for more advanced strategies as you progress in your tennis journey.
Forehand Stroke: The Power Shot The forehand stroke is one of the most crucial shots in tennis. To execute a powerful and controlled forehand:
Prepare: Position your body sideways to the net with your non-dominant shoulder facing it. Hold the racket with your dominant hand in the continental grip.
Backswing: As the ball approaches, bring your racket back by bending your elbow and rotating your shoulders. Keep your eye on the ball throughout.
Contact: Swing your racket forward, making contact with the ball in front of your body. Rotate your hips and shoulders into the shot for added power.
Follow Through: After hitting the ball, let your racket follow through across your body. Your weight should transfer from your back foot to your front foot.
Backhand Stroke: Two-Handed or One-Handed The backhand can be executed with one hand or both hands on the racket. Here's a breakdown for both techniques:
Two-Handed Backhand:
Grip: Your dominant hand should be in a continental grip, and your non-dominant hand in an eastern or semi-western grip.
Backswing: Similar to the forehand, rotate your shoulders and bring the racket back while keeping both hands on the grip.
Contact: As the ball approaches, rotate your hips and shoulders, making contact with the ball between your two hands.
Follow Through: Finish with your racket high and parallel to the ground.
One-Handed Backhand:
Grip: Use an eastern or semi-western grip on your dominant hand.
Backswing: Rotate your shoulders and take the racket back with your dominant hand while your non-dominant hand guides the shot.
Contact: Make contact with the ball in front of your body, extending your arm fully.
Follow Through: Follow through with your racket over your shoulder, maintaining a fluid motion.
Practice Tips:
Begin practicing these strokes in a controlled manner, focusing on technique rather than power.
Hit against a wall or with a partner to work on consistency and accuracy.
Pay attention to your footwork, positioning yourself properly for each shot.
By mastering these fundamental strokes, you'll be well on your way to becoming a competent tennis player. In the next blog post, we'll explore the art of serving and how to start a point with confidence. Keep practicing, stay patient, and enjoy the progress you make on the court!