How to Swing a Tennis Racquet
Tennis is a difficult sport to master, especially if you neglect the basics. The forehand is the foundation of your game, and to be a threat on the court you must be comfortable with this shot. This means feeling comfortable with the mechanics of swinging the tennis racket in a way that results in a solid ground stroke. Here are a few steps to help you get the most from your racket swing.
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Instructions
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1
Get a grip! The standard grip for a simple forehand is the eastern grip. This is the most natural grip for most beginners because it feels most like a handshake. Imagine you're shaking hands with the racket handle, and you'll not go far wrong.
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2
Prepare early. This is the key to a successful tennis swing, whether it's a backhand or a forehand. Even if you have sound mechanics, a hurried shot is likely to result in errors. Keep your feet moving as you prepare for your swing, which will enable you to make last-minute adjustments to accommodate the flight of the oncoming ball.
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3
Keep your eye on the ball and your racket back. Turn your shoulders to establish a sideways stance. Your racket should be well behind you at around waist height and pointing away from the oncoming ball.
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4
Aim for the optimum zone for hitting the ball: around waist height. If the ball coming to you has a low bounce, bend your knees rather than standing upright and reaching down for the shot. This way, you can still play the ball around waist height, even though your waist is closer to the ground. Your balance will be so much better for the shot if you do this.
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Step into the shot, transferring your weight from your back foot to the front foot. Keep the racket head at around the same height as your racket hand, keep the wrist firm and swing the racket toward the ball. With the racket face square to the ball, make contact slightly in front of your body, around the point where your front foot is planted.
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Follow through with the racket to ensure a smooth and accurate shot. Your follow-through should follow the path that you want the ball to take, and the racket head should end up high, somewhere around the opposite shoulder. Again, hold your wrist firm throughout the entire swing. If you try to incorporate the wrist into the shot, the accuracy will suffer.
Your follow-through should naturally help your shoulders turn into the shot, which is where much of the power for the shot comes from. Your torso should now be facing your intended target. -
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Get onto the balls of your feet at the end of your follow-through, and continue to move your feet so that you're ready and able to move into position for the next shot.
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Tips & Warnings
When you move into the shot, keep the toes of your back foot on the ground. Your heel may well be raised, but if your foot leaves the ground completely, you'll lose the stability and balance necessary for an accurate shot. When you're on the practice court, have your partner feed you balls from different areas of the court, and practice hitting different angles. If you can comfortably hit down the line, cross-court and down the middle, you'll be more confident when you get into a match situation. Use your legs. If you can bend your knees before striking the ball, you can use the power of your leg muscles to generate more power as you uncoil and push up into the shot.
Don't be late! If you're preparing and hitting the ball late, your shots will have little in the way of accuracy and power. Make sure your racket is back early in preparation for your shot, and the stroke will be unhurried.
