Tennis: A Proper Forehand for Begginers and Pros

Are you wanting to learn to play tennis? Well to get started you need to know how to hold the raquet. On the raquet handle there are 8 sides, or “bevels”. Now lay your raquet on the ground and open the hand you are going to hold the raquet in palm facing upwards. Pretend there is an “X” drawn at the base of your pointer finger and on the bottom corner of your palm opposite of the thumb. Place both X’s on the top side of the handle. Then comfortably grip the handle and wrap your thumb around the handle. You now have the proper grip.

Now in tennis the Forehand is the easiest way to return the ball across the net. If you have ever watched a proffesional tennis game you will notice the players will always try to hit with a forehand. Now stand with your feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent, and raquet in front of you. Take the hand you aren’t hold the raquet with and gently grab the “V” looking part of the raquet above the handle. You are now in a good ready position.

Take a step forward with the opposite foot that you are holding your raquet with. Bring your raquet back, swing it upwards and make sure you have your arm extended in front of you when you make contact with the ball. You should have your arm extended wrist angled so that your raquet handle is parallel to the ground and your raquet head is straight up and down. Now when you make contact with the ball bring your raquet face straight up and bring it around next to the opposite arm. Then take a step with your foot that is the same side as the hand you ARE holding the raquet with and bring it up next to your other foot. After that bring your raquet back in front of you and back into a ready postion. Practice this peice by peice so that when you play it is all one fluid motion.

Now when you hit the ball it should go over the net by at least 2 feet. It is a common misconception but if you have ever been to a proffesional tennis game in real life the player tend to hit the ball 2-4 feet over the net (except on serves). You cannot tell on TV. Now that you have this down, search for Tennis: A Proper Backhand if you wish to continue.