[clattin]

I began playing tennis a year ago and have had a few lessons, but generally play a lot. I'm really getting frustrated with my forehand. I really want a good topspin forehand but I find that if I try to put much pace on them at all, they go long. I know that I frequently don't follow through which will make me hit them long, I think. I also know that I probably need to be hitting the ball further out in front of me. I think I'm waiting too long and the ball is almost even with me when I hit it. I use a semi-Western forehand grip.

I practice some with the ball machine at my club, but find that I can begin hitting them very good, but when I make a small change to how the ball machine throws them, I start hitting them long again.

My goal is to be a solid 3.5 player by the end of the summer. Right now, I'm a pretty solid 3.0 player with my serve being my biggest scoring weapon. I have a big, flat, first serve and have a solid spin serve for a second and to keep them off balance. It doesn't do much good though if my ground strokes won't keep me in the game though!


What should I be working on? Any sage advice? What drills should I be doing?

Thanks a ton!

Chris

[ironbmike]

Probably just need to work on a consistent swing/follow through and your brushing-up motion on the ball. Really think about brushing up the back of the ball until you do it naturally. Where does your racquet end up on the follow through?

[Popo21]

^exactly what he said

I stopped playing tennis for a good 5 years and when I started up again I had the exact same problem you do. You really need to concentrate on getting a little more brushing on the hit or windshield on the follow through to add a bit more spin to get it to stay in.

At first you will probably sacrifice a bit of power to make sure you get the extra spin on it, but it will be worth it to keep the balls in. Once you get the balls in and deep consistently, you can put your focus more toward the power.