Stop Sailing Forehands Long: Drive Forward Instead of Lifting, and Contact Out in Front

Summary

Universal Rackets covers two mistakes that send balls long. One is lifting instead of driving: players swing upward with no forward motion, and if the body lifts every time, the ball goes up and out.

The other is making contact too close to the body instead of out in front. Unless you slow the swing down, a jammed contact sails the ball long — on the forehand or the backhand. Drive forward through the ball rather than lifting, and meet it out in front instead of letting it crowd you.

Key takeaways

• Lifting the body and swinging upward with no forward drive sends the ball up and long
• Contact too close to the body — on the forehand or backhand — sails the ball out unless you slow down
• Drive forward and meet the ball out in front

Action items

• Film 10 forehands and check two things: did your body lift or drive forward, and was contact out in front or jammed?
• Hit 15 firm drives focusing only on forward drive and contact out in front