To teach a proper forehand in tennis, start with the basic techniques. There are several forehand styles; however, as a teacher it is best to teach beginner players the basic forehand stroke. As players become more experienced, they experiment with more sophisticated grips and evolve to more complex strokes.
Step 1
Show your student the basic Eastern forehand grip. This is sometimes referred to as the "shake hands" grip; it's as if you are shaking hands with the racket. Have your student hold her racket in her left hand and straight out in front of her body. The face of the racket is perpendicular to the court.
Step 2
Position the palm of your student's right hand flat against the strings of the racket. Have the student slide her hand down to the handle and close her hand. The fingers are wrapped around the handle so that the base knuckle of the index finger is on the right panel of the handle.
Step 3
Check to see that there is a slight space between the index and middle finger. This is sometimes referred to as a "trigger" finger.
Step 4
Position your student at the service line. The goal will be for her to control the ball and hit it into the service box on the other side of the net. Have her stand sideways to the net with her feet shoulder-width apart. The left shoulder is pointing toward the net. Show her where the contact point is when hitting the ball. For the basic forehand stroke, this is out toward the net and opposite the front foot.
Step 5
Instruct your student to take several practice swings without hitting a ball. This helps her learn how the stroke is to be executed. Ask her to take the racket back while keeping her elbow close to her body. Be sure her wrist stays firm and don't allow her to drop the racket head. The racket is parallel to the ground, the butt of the racket is pointing toward the net and the bottom edge of the racket is pointing toward the ground. Have her swing the racket forward through the contact point and finish with a high racket. As a reference, have her finish with the butt of the racket opposite the left shoulder.
Step 6
Stress the importance of shifting the weight from the back foot to the front foot during the stroke. After several practice swings, stand to the side of your student. Bounce a ball in such a way that she takes a small step toward the net, contacts the ball in the right place and finishes with a high racket. Make any technique corrections.
Step 7
Introduce the ready position after the student starts to hit the ball from a side-on stance. Have her stand facing the net, knees bent, weight on the balls of her feet and racket held out in front of her body. The racket is supported with the left hand.
Step 8
Have the student take several practice forehand swings starting from the ready position. Instruct her to turn her shoulders and hips to the right while taking her racket back. Most of the weight is transferred to the back foot. Have her complete the stroke and return to the ready position. Make any necessary technique corrections.
Step 9
Stand to the side of the student while she is in the ready position and bounce a ball. Instruct her to execute the forehand stroke and try to hit the ball into one of the service boxes. Once she starts to hit the ball with some consistency and good technique, stand out in front of her and off to the side while tossing the ball.
Step 10
Move the student halfway and eventually all the way back to the baseline while tossing balls. Start to hit balls to your student when her technique becomes more grooved and she can judge the pace of the incoming ball.
Tips and Warnings
- Reverse the directional references for left-handed players.
Things You'll Need
- Tennis racket
- Tennis balls
- Tennis court
References
- "Tennis: A Professional Guide"; U.S. Professional Tennis Association; 1984
- Guide to Coaching Sports: How to Teach Fundamental Stroke to Young Tennis Players
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