Have you ever been told to “get your racket back early”? If so, you’re definitely not alone. In today’s lesson, Brady’s debunking this myth and what you should be focusing on instead.
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Published on 01/20/2020 by Brady
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The difference you are talking about is really a difference in the length of the forehand stroke from the set position. John McEnroe still hits pretty good forehands (with a Continental grip!) from the position you do not advocate.
Yes, what you are teaching is the “modern” forehand. Young players should absolutely try to perfect what you are saying. But I am almost 84, have played tennis for about 80 years. Consistently producing correct timing with the long stroke you are advocating is very difficult for an old guy like me, particularly on a ball hit hard, such as a good first serve. We are much more likely to make solid, sweet-spot contact with the short, early, straight-back method. Sure, I won’t hit it as hard or produce as much topspin with this method as opposed to your method *if* I can hit it clean consistently using your approach. But that long backswing provides everyone a lot more opportunity to screw up, particularly older players, and therefore lower likelihood of hitting it clean.
Another suggestion I received from Earl Buchholz,sr.( Butch’s dad) was TURN rather than racquet back. The racquet would naturally go back as your entire body prepared to stroke the ball. Your comments remind me so much of how he instructed. Thank you for your great tips.
Phantastic intructor!