Based on the analysis of hundreds of pro
forehands filmed in high speed video, this series of articles developed a
framework for understanding the core elements in the modern forehand, and also
the technical variations across the grip styles. Then Roger Federer emerged as
the world's dominant player, and started hitting forehands that looked
different than any of the other players we have studied.
Everyone loves watching him, for obvious reasons.
His forehand is one of the biggest shots in the game, and also one of the most
beautiful. It's explosive, fluid, and effortless. You can almost see his racket
head jump to warp speed on the forward swing. At the same time it looks so
natural and relaxed.
Then there is the amazing variety. He's very
natural with either an open or a neutral stance. He can play the ball on the
rise, he can break off incredible short angles. He can play higher balls from
deeper in the court like Roddick or Hewitt. One of the most amazing things is
his ability to combine great velocity with heavy spin.
If you want proof of the flexibility and variety
in his forehand, all you have to do is look at the range of his finishes. He
can look like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Gustavo Kuerten or Andy Roddick. And
sometimes that's in the same rally. How can this be possible? How does he do
it? What can we learn from him? What can we emulate? Is it a good idea to even
try? The only way to answer these questions is to look in detail at this
phenomenal shot and all its variations.
John Yandell is the Editor and Founder of Tennisplayer.net. Over a twenty
year career, he has been a leading force in the creation of new teaching and
educational resources in tennis, including a series of highly regarded
instructional books and videos. His high speed filming projects for
Tennisplayer and Advanced Tennis Research have created the resources that take
our understanding of the game to a new level. Before founding Tennisplayer, he
was the driving creative force behind Tennisone.com. Now he is taking the
web-based multi-media teaching approach he pioneered there to the next level.
