Basics
Basic Eastern Forehand: Photo Lesson
This is the first stroke you'll want to learn in order to get out and start playing with a friend. It's not just suited for beginners, though. Many players use essentially the same style of Eastern forehand right into the advanced levels of competition.
Forehand Repair
If something isn't working quite right with your forehand, you'll probably find a specific fix for it here.
Intermediate and Advanced Forehands
Semi-Open Semi-Western Forehand: Photo Lesson
If you were to average the grips and stances of all the forehands hit at the pro level, the result would be very close to this shot. It combines the linear energy of a classic, square-stance forehand with the rotational energy of the more recently emergent open stances.
Inside-Out Forehand: Photo Lesson
This is the favorite and most powerful forehand for many of the biggest hitters in tennis. It's also a great way to make up for a comparatively weak backhand.
Forehand Topspin Lob: Photo Lesson
When even the fastest player in the pro game is at the net and an opponent puts a topspin over his reach, he'll just turn around to see where it lands. A good topspin lob is a sure winner against an opponent at net, and it can also pose great difficulty for an opponent who's at the baseline. The main reason you don't see more topspin lobs is the difficulty of hitting a really good one.
Slice Forehand Drive: Video and Analysis
Variety is always useful, and nothing constrasts with topspin more than a slice drive. Accompanying this video clip of a slice forehand drive are comments on footwork, grip, stance, power production, and swing path.
Forehand FAQ
Here are answers to the most common and important questions, mostly tactical, about forehands.
Styles
Photo Tour of the Forehand Grips
The choice of which forehand grip to use has a profound effect on your ability to hit particular spins and to meet the ball comfortably at a given height. Even if you like your current grip, knowing the other grips and their advantages and limitations will help you give opponents the type of ball they least like to hit, and you might also develop a new forehand weapon by using a different grip for a particular stroke.
Points of Contact and Stances for Five Forehand Styles
This visual and textual comparison will help you experiement with using different grips, stances, and swings in their most appropriate situations.
Forehand Loop, Non-Loop, and Paused-Loop Backswings
How much loop to use in the forehand backswing is a subject of much debate among tennis teaching pros. Does a large or small loop, or perhaps a paused-loop, give you the best timing, racquet-head speed, and topspin?
Pro Forehands
Roger Federer's Forehand: Photo Study
Many consider Roger's forehand the best in tennis. Here's a close-up, step-by-step study of how he does it.
Ana Ivanovic's Forehand: Photo Study
Ana's forehand was the primary weapon that took her to number one in the world. These outstanding photos, each explained, illustrate how she delivers power and spin.
Evolution of Pro Forehand Grips
Nothing has changed tennis more than the evolution of forehand grips and their accompanying styles.
