@@IntuitiveTennis not treu .. borg fooled you .. borg would never reveal his true forehadn to a tv audience. a magicina never reveals his tricks.. i been winning tennis matches after atp career of 7 tournaments i made it to 940 atp... with modern bs forehand but if i had the ususal antique forehand i woiuld have made it to the top.. is all usptwa bs.. so that playeres suck
You are the first tennis coach I've seen who states what I have found by watching and closely analyzing slow motion videos of all the best pro players, both male and female, hitting forehands, that is, it's NOT an upward swing path (low to high), or brushing "up" on the ball that creates the heavy topspin forehand shot ("heavy" being a combination of forward momentum AND topspin on the ball), but rather it's the striking of the ball at the proper contact point, in front of the body (with the racquet shoulder ahead of the non-dominant shoulder, as you indicate), and at the point just as the racquet starts to change from a forward direction to a more lateral, across the body motion. This causes the racquet face to make an upward and angled strike through the ball, changing its direction forward and imparting the topspin.This rotational change of direction during the swing path, where forward racquet motion starts to change into an upward and across-the-body motion is what produces the desired combination of both strong forward momentum and strong topspin on the ball. This swing path, when combined with good racquet speed and meeting the ball at the correct contact point, produces the "heavy ball" all players want to hit on the forehand.
06:33 contact point on the modern forehand is with the dominant shoulder in front! 07:02 contact point on the classic forehand was with the shoulder line parallel to the net 08:22 swing path: after contact, tip of the racket rotates up towards vertical and then to the side.
Very informative video. I especially enjoyed hearing Bjorn Borg explain his reasoning for converting to this technique despite being told not to do so.
Engaging and meticulous illustration of the contrast between traditional and modern forehand Nick. I liked the Borg archive footage too. Thank you. Gordon
Thanks for another great video. Loved the Borg footage and history lesson. Your breakdown of the mechanics was really helpful as I keep working on improving my forehand.
Hi Nick, I like all your videos and analysis. they are very interesting and straight to the point. tennis strokes are very complicated and confusing. you break it down so nicely. keep up the good work. hope to see more of you videos.
Very very deep knowledge !! Happy to know about Bjorn Borg influence on the modern forehand. Hope he had played for another couple of years and had more records in his name :)
@@IntuitiveTennis Nema na čemu, zaista mi se sviđa kako prezentiraš tenis. Igram ga rekeativno od 2010 godine i to je moja nova strast. Uglavnom učim ovde na youtubu. Impresioniran sam tvojim poznavanjem i analizom igrača kako novih, naših savremenika tako i ovih starijih koji jesu naši savremenici ali su igrali nekada davno. Ranije kada nije bilo interneta jako teško se dolazilo da saznanja i nisam imao pojma koliko je ova igra zapravo jednostavna a opet tako kompleksa.
Predrag, tenis je jednostavan sport. Uvijek kažem svojim studentima da informacije koje im dajem moraju biti logične i lako razumljive. Ne treba nam diploma fizike da naučimo igrati tenis.
@@IntuitiveTennis Jeste jednostavan ali kad kreneš da igraš mečeve dolazi do taktike, izbora selekcije udaraca, pristisak važnosti poena/meča onda stvari počinju da se komplikuju. Meni je tenis fantastična igra, što više si u njoj shvataš koliko može još da se napreduju ako želiš. Dobro je uvek kada su informacije logične, lakše se primene.
The detailed analysis derived from your sharp observations are all spot-on, making your presentations always interesting and watchable, while at the same time providing really useful info in each learning process. Thank you so much for giving us a better understanding of the game :)
Hey Nick, I am always impressed with the content you create on your channel and the level of detail that is broken down. The forehand is a popular topic to dissect and many “pros” on UA-cam have their various spins on how to teach it and what they feel are the most important components. I like your historical review of the stroke and relating it back to Borg. I agree, you have to give respect where it is deserved. Too many people think Roger Federer originated the “modern forehand” but even Ivan Lendl has his version of the modern forehand before Federer. I think with the success that Federer has in the modern era, it is easy to misinterpret that he originated the modern forehand swing. I may have missed it in your demonstration or overlooked it but I don’t remember you talking about “unit turn” or core rotation. Basically, the coil and uncoiling element. This is where I feel that most recreational players will miss the boat and all the other elements discussed and even the wrist lag will be of no benefit without the unit turn. Keep up the great videos and thank you for doing your part to make the game of tennis more enjoyable for the masses. I remember when I was a kid and the only way to learn what the pros do is to pay thousands of dollars for lessons. People still have to do that nowadays too, but at least UA-cam will give them some understanding of what the pros are doing and what they need to learn more about. Most people can watch lots of videos but they won’t be able to execute what they are watching unless they have a trained person supervising if they are executing it correctly. Otherwise, they might be practicing what they think they are watching but it could be completely wrong! Take good care. Don
Jimmy Arias deserves a mention as well. Nick Bolletieri mentions in his book, that seeing Jimmy's FH was like a light bulb moment for him, and that his stroke style became a key inspirational teaching model / concept.
So maybe that explains why Borg always got along with McEnroe. He was a bit of a rebel himself. He seen Johnny Mac carry on and it resounded with him...
A lot of great information, thank you. One note - the demonstrations of the open stance forehands here seem to be showing a special case of a very defensive situation in which court position is being surrendered and weight of shot is being compromised. The far more frequent application of the open stance fh I see among high level players is (for righties): weight loaded on right leg, then rapid pushing off of the right leg to initiate body uncoiling, and body weight during the “landing” is supported more so by the left (front) leg i.e. body’s center of mass went slightly forward, OR evenly on both legs i.e. body’s center of mass stayed in place. Only infrequently does the body’s center of mass move backward as shown in the video, and that would result in a compromised, rather than an attacking, forehand shot. The beauty of the open stance forehand is that it is aggressive and penetrating even when you have a scarcity of time to prepare due to the pace of the rally.
I am lucky to find the very useful video about the modern forehand techniques. Through my favoriate coach in Korea, I have learned the open stance with together semi-western grip. After I watched this video, I can improve my forehand skill more than I expected. Thanks again for your good explanation by UA-cam. In addtion, I would like to watch the ATP modern backhand as series. Can you provide this Youbube in soon?
my teacher Pato Cornejo tells me all the time I have to run towards the ball and continue moving after hitting. All the movements turns to be very natural. The idea is to find the ball at the best pposition. He insisted a lot on the movement of the feets and full body to be at the best place at the right time.
I like the very historycal (and detailed ) way you describes the development of the stroke for through the forhand history.Its the bedst I have ran into. Thanks a lot. I read about about a amarican guy that already played with a western grip at the time of Tilden who yoused the continentel grip. The westergrip guy was very already had this powerforhand at that time. Some coaches recommend a litle closed angel of the racket in the strikezone to get more topspin.How do you think about that. Anyway thanka again for this deepgoing explanation. Olaf Dip.coach from Copenhagen Denmark.
Thank you Olaf One of the commenters (Poida) made me aware of a player in the 1920’s that used a western grip (Bill Johnston). As far as the angle of the racquet face I’m releasing a video soon on that topic (it’s a complex one).
Do you think Stefanos Tsitsipas does a similar takeback to Del Potro where he doesn't close the racket when he takes it back. Could you make a video about Tsitsipas's forehand it seems to be very effective but different at the same time.
Fascinating level of detail. It must be very satisfying to be able to hit a forehand like this (or indeed at all! 😢😅). It seems very complex to execute. I wonder how many players ever get anywhere near being able to do this without extensive coaching?
Excellent breakdown of the modern forehand. It all makes sense, though I'm missing one piece. So, at the contact point when you move the racquet across the ball (across the body), are you making some kind of adjustment in the swing path to move the racquet head in that wiper cross motion? In other words, do you deliberately roll the forearm and wrist or does it happen naturally as part of the swing path?
Hi Von, that’s an excellent question. At slow speeds this swing path can be manufactured, however, once players start to rip genetic pre dispositions take over and the swing path becomes intuitive.
In the preparation stage, as advised, I try to keep my arm and wrist loose, so that when I begin forward swing from racket back, the motion induces wrist lag. This is all good, but at what point I should stiffen my wrist so that I can direct the ball better? What happens now is that if opponent hits a heavy ball or with lot of top spin, at my contact point, I cannot control the direction at all.
Amazing video yet again Nikola. I got told that my forehand technique is very good, relaxed and fluid, and the motion and everything resembles Federer which if course is not bad. However im finding some difficulties in some matches and its not so much the forehand its mostly mental. When I play tough players or better players I expect to lose and have no expectations and also I have that adrenaline kicking where I want to beat them because they are better and show them, and I hit awesome forehands and swing relaxed and through the ball. When I play slightly weaker players however my forehand tends to struggle because I kind of have expectations to win and im thinking if I lose its going to be embarassing to lose to weaker players and I tend to get somewhat tight and lose that loose whip and then compensate by really swinging across alot more which adds nice spin but not much penetration and balls land shorter aswell around service line. Was wondering if you have any experience or tips about it.
I have a question if I want to hit the ball harder do I just hold the racket tighter or only just before I make contact? I also hold the forehand with part of my hand hanging off the end of the racket
SP, you could try holding a little tighter (not too tight) and see if that helps. Pinky on edge of grip and part of the grip inside the palm is the best way to hold it.
Thanks for all the great content Nick! I have a problem with my non-hitting arm on the forehand. I use it correctly in the unit turn but as I initiate the swing, it just hangs there and slows down my body rotation. Do you have any tips on how to correct this? I finish with the racket at elbow or waist height so catching the racket with the non-hitting arm in the follow through doesn’t seem like a good solution for me.
Thank you so much for your videos man! they are the best ive seen in youtube. I have a question, my backswing is very simple and i just take the racquet back like say... blake, kachanov, cuevas, etc. should i change my backswing? because i have tried to change the backswing but i just get frustrated, its very difficult. As for the rest of what ive learned from you, i improved a lot.---Manuel. pd: i have posted this comment on the other video but i dont know wich one are you following most haha.
@@IntuitiveTennis i dont think im lacking power, maybe a bit of timing. I was trying to change it because you recommend to start from a high point and make a loop. Is that correct? and is that a deal breaker or will make me not being able to play my full potential?
Manuel, I do think it’s important to have a loop. It’s ubiquitous on the ATP/WTA tour. Try it out. If it doesn’t work go back to old school way ala Lendl, Sampras which is by no means a bad way to hit a forehand.
Nice video, just a few observations. You said Borg used an Eastern grip, on the video he said he uses a Western grip. You mentioned dropping the head after coiling. The head was not dropped but was even with the arm. You're correct in saying that the semi open stance is mostly used by the big boys and girls today, but If you look closely however when they're into rapid baseline exchanges, they use the full open stance. They are able to do that by shifting their hips. I do not ever recall Borg wrapping the raquet around the elbow. I have to go watch some more video, but instead he brought it high over the the opposite shoulder as you said, so I am glad you clarified that he did not touch the racquet on his shoulder or around the shoulder. Del Potro doesn't use his off hand as much as the others when he's coiling the forehand. It's almost like a slap. When the face is open in the beginning of a stroke I think he is trying to track the ball like others but instead of bringing the raquet around on the coil after that, he brings it back and slap it. this can generate a tremendous amount of power if you're big and strong like he is. This may also explain his continuous wrist problems. Lastly why suggest everyday players use the close stance. there's a lot of steps involved and why not suggest they do what the pros do and keep it simple. This is especially true for younger players who may one day obtain an advanced level. A coach then has to undo and start all over again. Teach the pro style from the outset, the results are always better.
Borg was not the first to use a ripping topspin forehand on the Pro tour. Tom Okker the Flying Dutchman was ripping forehands with the racket head dropped below his wrist and a windshield wiper finish in the late 1960s. You can still see his video on UA-cam. His forehand photo was shown on the 1970 Tennis Magazine book. In the commentaries by Jack Kramer he said it was all wrong and players should not copy him.
Really excellent explanation, to see and to see again. What do you think about using old racket (I love the Prince POG 4 stripes for example) performing a modern forehand? thank you
How would you describe as a player, what is the top in your mind when you hit? It seems like in any forehand situation there are so many things to think about, what do you say is the most important thing when hitting a forehand?
Penn Su, all high level players play intuitively without thinking about mechanics. All strokes are automatic. The most important thing in tennis is practice, so that one day a player can execute strokes intuitively.
@@IntuitiveTennis I agree with you about playing intuitively, that's what your channel is about :) However I am trying to understand what is the level of thinking in a player's mind when they do the swing. Would some form of "racquet angle", or the amount of "unit turn" still be something when they think about. That's what I was trying to understand. Perhaps I got all that wrong.
Hello, awesome video. I have a question about the Bent Arm and the Straight Arm, when I do shadow swings, I do it with a straight arm unintentionally but when I play on the court, my FH becomes a bent arm!!! What are your thoughts here? Am I getting too close to the contact point during gameplay? Or is it normal shadow swings differ from the real swings? Thanks.
I agree. My constant issue is keeping the correct distance from the contact point; I always hit the ball a bit close to my body. Is there a drill or something I can do to help me position myself correctly in order to hit the ball? Do you have a video for that? Thanks.
I wish I could have learned tennis in a different era. The early '90s were a transition period where players were still taught the techniques from the wood racquet days but they were increasingly out of touch with what advanced and professional players were doing. I had to try to teach myself different groundstrokes and change grips and tried so many ways of hitting nothing ever became truly natural.
Some good technical points however Borg was not the first to use Western grips. 🎾 "The western was widely used in the first two decades of the 20th century. For a number of years the small, apparently frail 1920s player Bill Johnston was considered by many to have had the best forehand of all time, a stroke that he hit shoulder-high using a western grip. Few top players used the western grip after the 1920s, as many of them moved to the eastern and continental, but in the latter part of the 20th century, as shot-making techniques and equipment changed radically, the western forehand made a strong comeback and is now used by many modern players. Some consider it to be an extreme or radical grip, however. The maximum amount of topspin can be generated with this grip...." en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forehand
Poida, Poida, wow that’s indeed a western grip. I’m making a retraction and saying Borg was the first player in the open era to use a eastern forehand grip. I’ll be honest, I do not know much about tennis pre 1968, but I’m willing to learn. Thank you for that clip 👍
@@IntuitiveTennis No worries. Maybe just say that you weren't aware of the early history of tennis prior to the open area and that Borg popularized a comeback of the western grips. There were some players in the 60's using it but they weren't GS champions and there wasn't much tennis on TV like today. Harold Solomon, an American like Bill Johnson, played Borg in the 70's with a very modern, current ATP style SW FH. ua-cam.com/video/wlw7cBR5g4c/v-deo.html
Poida, Solomon and Borg both started competing professionally in 1972 so technically Solomon didn’t precede Borg. You got any others from the open era with a modern grip?
In the forehand I am facing a great concentration of my children's coach on the head of the racket ... as the head of the racket should not come down while preparing for the blow ... Is that true? And why?
Borg wasn t only the father of the modern forhand he invented the two handed backhand too if you look carefully when he is doing it he does the two handed backhand technik until the ball hitting point when he hits the ball he lets his one hand it is a mix of one handed and two handed backhand hits the ball while holding his raquet with 2 hands and then just lets off one of his hands
Dimitrios, cliff drysdale had a two hander as well but not sure if he played before Borg. The David ferrer/berasategui/Borg (letting go) backhand is definitely rare and you might be right that Borg was the first one to use it.
Your closed stance forehand looks like you move your back leg forward as you contact the ball, on the open stance you move your front leg backwards. It looks like you are "falling backwards" on your open stance forehand (maybe for a ball coming in deeper and faster and thus more of a defensive posture?). I thought closed versus open was more in terms of coming in at a 45% angle with the front leg versus an open stance both feet are more in line with each other (hips are "open"). Regardless, your strokes look sweet, would be estatic to be able to hit the ball consistently with those mechanics lol.
I don't think the modern forehand rotate earlier, compared to the classic forehand. The timing of rotation is same. What make you think that? I thought you initiate rotation when the racquet drops below the ball. And you make it sound like you initiate rotation when the racquet is above the ball and it doesn't happen in atp forehand.
5.30 min. Hitting the ball with a straight arm gives a larger radius, so the ball can be hit faster. (Not only) the best players hit the ball with a straight arm.
I noticed your videos of Borg has him swinging with his right elbow considerably away (i.e. to one side) of his torso. This confirms the video of the modern forehand that Rick Macci did for the USPTA On Court series (ua-cam.com/video/5MHugAF2DiQ/v-deo.html). Interestingly, Macci emphasizes that the modern forehand maintains the power of the classical forehand, with its typically longer stroke, but utilizes a shorter backswing (and a more upright one, too) avoiding the horizontally circular one of the classical forehand). Thanks for your clear presentation, Nick.
Not so modern ....look at Borg. But, pros fail to tell people that only talented people can hit like this and not blow their arms. This kind of under the handle, back of handle grip demands that your shoulder and entire arm do some extensive mechanics that few can do and not hurt themselves. Sampras had a more neutral grip. The goal is topspin and there are two ways to get it. 1. This type of quick extreme rollover move and 2. More of a low to high move with slight rollover move. By comparison.
I hate when coaches use the words "Wrong or Correct".There are many variations of strokes, depending on the situation ....just watch the pros in slow motion. It happens even during the same point.
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Didn't know Borg was the inventor of the forehand we all use today. Respect for him...Respect
You are such a wonderful teacher
Thank you 🙏
your explanation of the wrist usage is probably if not the best i've seen so far, well done and thank you
My pleasure Zv 🙏
Borg = Master..... Innovation by not listening to the status quo ..... but doing what felt right to him.
Well said Funksta 👍👍
@@IntuitiveTennis not treu .. borg fooled you .. borg would never reveal his true forehadn to a tv audience. a magicina never reveals his tricks.. i been winning tennis matches after atp career of 7 tournaments i made it to 940 atp... with modern bs forehand but if i had the ususal antique forehand i woiuld have made it to the top.. is all usptwa bs.. so that playeres suck
Best online tennis coach by far!! Incredible detailed explanations of all tennis techniques
You are the first tennis coach I've seen who states what I have found by watching and closely analyzing slow motion videos of all the best pro players, both male and female, hitting forehands, that is, it's NOT an upward swing path (low to high), or brushing "up" on the ball that creates the heavy topspin forehand shot ("heavy" being a combination of forward momentum AND topspin on the ball), but rather it's the striking of the ball at the proper contact point, in front of the body (with the racquet shoulder ahead of the non-dominant shoulder, as you indicate), and at the point just as the racquet starts to change from a forward direction to a more lateral, across the body motion. This causes the racquet face to make an upward and angled strike through the ball, changing its direction forward and imparting the topspin.This rotational change of direction during the swing path, where forward racquet motion starts to change into an upward and across-the-body motion is what produces the desired combination of both strong forward momentum and strong topspin on the ball. This swing path, when combined with good racquet speed and meeting the ball at the correct contact point, produces the "heavy ball" all players want to hit on the forehand.
James, beautifully described. Thank you for the comment. 👌👌
You obviously are very new to tennis and haven't seen many coaching tutorials.
EXACTLY!!! Nick is doing the best explanation!
James Reid VanVoris found this out recently James. Thank you.
Great summary...well done!
This is one of the best videos about forehand I have ever seen. Loved the history lesson and original embedded footage.
Thank you Armando
Borg was a tennis pioneer
Vinh, absolutely
Boi
06:33 contact point on the modern forehand is with the dominant shoulder in front!
07:02 contact point on the classic forehand was with the shoulder line parallel to the net
08:22 swing path: after contact, tip of the racket rotates up towards vertical and then to the side.
Very informative video. I especially enjoyed hearing Bjorn Borg explain his reasoning for converting to this technique despite being told not to do so.
Engaging and meticulous illustration of the contrast between traditional and modern forehand Nick. I liked the Borg archive footage too. Thank you. Gordon
ripleygordon, thanks man. I appreciate it. 👍👍
Thanks for another great video. Loved the Borg footage and history lesson. Your breakdown of the mechanics was really helpful as I keep working on improving my forehand.
Brian, awesome! Glad it was helpful. 👍
Great and important explanation of the forehand grip you'd be amazed how many people don't know what grip they have or what it's even called.
Hi Nick, I like all your videos and analysis. they are very interesting and straight to the point. tennis strokes are very complicated and confusing. you break it down so nicely. keep up the good work. hope to see more of you videos.
Very very deep knowledge !! Happy to know about Bjorn Borg influence on the modern forehand. Hope he had played for another couple of years and had more records in his name :)
Krishna, thank you. Yes it’s such a shame he stopped so early.
Another great video and explanation of modern forehand. I didn't know all of those forehand things and Borg. Great old video with Borg.
Predrag, puno hvala 🙏
@@IntuitiveTennis Nema na čemu, zaista mi se sviđa kako prezentiraš tenis. Igram ga rekeativno od 2010 godine i to je moja nova strast. Uglavnom učim ovde na youtubu. Impresioniran sam tvojim poznavanjem i analizom igrača kako novih, naših savremenika tako i ovih starijih koji jesu naši savremenici ali su igrali nekada davno. Ranije kada nije bilo interneta jako teško se dolazilo da saznanja i nisam imao pojma koliko je ova igra zapravo jednostavna a opet tako kompleksa.
Predrag, tenis je jednostavan sport. Uvijek kažem svojim studentima da informacije koje im dajem moraju biti logične i lako razumljive. Ne treba nam diploma fizike da naučimo igrati tenis.
@@IntuitiveTennis Jeste jednostavan ali kad kreneš da igraš mečeve dolazi do taktike, izbora selekcije udaraca, pristisak važnosti poena/meča onda stvari počinju da se komplikuju. Meni je tenis fantastična igra, što više si u njoj shvataš koliko može još da se napreduju ako želiš. Dobro je uvek kada su informacije logične, lakše se primene.
The detailed analysis derived from your sharp observations are all spot-on, making your presentations always interesting and watchable, while at the same time providing really useful info in each learning process. Thank you so much for giving us a better understanding of the game :)
Reynaldo, thank you for the kind words. 🙏🙏
Wow! That old clip of Borg!! Thank you!
Ivan lendl was another good example of modern swing, great video congratulations.
Feels good to be Swedish watching this vid ;)
Hey Nick, I am always impressed with the content you create on your channel and the level of detail that is broken down. The forehand is a popular topic to dissect and many “pros” on UA-cam have their various spins on how to teach it and what they feel are the most important components. I like your historical review of the stroke and relating it back to Borg. I agree, you have to give respect where it is deserved. Too many people think Roger Federer originated the “modern forehand” but even Ivan Lendl has his version of the modern forehand before Federer. I think with the success that Federer has in the modern era, it is easy to misinterpret that he originated the modern forehand swing. I may have missed it in your demonstration or overlooked it but I don’t remember you talking about “unit turn” or core rotation. Basically, the coil and uncoiling element. This is where I feel that most recreational players will miss the boat and all the other elements discussed and even the wrist lag will be of no benefit without the unit turn. Keep up the great videos and thank you for doing your part to make the game of tennis more enjoyable for the masses. I remember when I was a kid and the only way to learn what the pros do is to pay thousands of dollars for lessons. People still have to do that nowadays too, but at least UA-cam will give them some understanding of what the pros are doing and what they need to learn more about. Most people can watch lots of videos but they won’t be able to execute what they are watching unless they have a trained person supervising if they are executing it correctly. Otherwise, they might be practicing what they think they are watching but it could be completely wrong! Take good care. Don
Fantastic video and explanation Nick !!!
Patrick, thank u
Jimmy Arias deserves a mention as well. Nick Bolletieri mentions in his book, that seeing Jimmy's FH was like a light bulb moment for him, and that his stroke style became a key inspirational teaching model / concept.
So maybe that explains why Borg always got along with McEnroe. He was a bit of a rebel himself. He seen Johnny Mac carry on and it resounded with him...
A lot of great information, thank you. One note - the demonstrations of the open stance forehands here seem to be showing a special case of a very defensive situation in which court position is being surrendered and weight of shot is being compromised. The far more frequent application of the open stance fh I see among high level players is (for righties): weight loaded on right leg, then rapid pushing off of the right leg to initiate body uncoiling, and body weight during the “landing” is supported more so by the left (front) leg i.e. body’s center of mass went slightly forward, OR evenly on both legs i.e. body’s center of mass stayed in place. Only infrequently does the body’s center of mass move backward as shown in the video, and that would result in a compromised, rather than an attacking, forehand shot. The beauty of the open stance forehand is that it is aggressive and penetrating even when you have a scarcity of time to prepare due to the pace of the rally.
This video is a gem of insight, superb content and explaination. Thank you Nick!
I am lucky to find the very useful video about the modern forehand techniques. Through my favoriate coach in Korea, I have learned the open stance with together semi-western grip. After I watched this video, I can improve my forehand skill more than I expected. Thanks again for your good explanation by UA-cam.
In addtion, I would like to watch the ATP modern backhand as series. Can you provide this Youbube in soon?
TAE-WOONG-KIN, thank you.
I will definitely cover the modern backhands in the near future.
@@IntuitiveTennis Thanks a lot and I hope that I will enjoy your explanation about the ATP modern backhand in the near future.
TAE-WOONG-KIM, I hope so too
Very good video,coach.Waiting for the wrist lag one.
All the best !
Catalin, 🙏thank u
Very good explanation! Thanks, Ed
Ed, 👍🙏
You do such a great job on every video-- congratulations
Thanks Tom
Amazing video. Thanks Nick
bailadorr, 🙏👌
my teacher Pato Cornejo tells me all the time I have to run towards the ball and continue moving after hitting. All the movements turns to be very natural. The idea is to find the ball at the best pposition. He insisted a lot on the movement of the feets and full body to be at the best place at the right time.
Ignacio, footwork is indispensable 👍
Very informative tutorial on modern forehand
👌👌👍👍🌷🌷
Thank you doc 🥼 🙏
That's the best analysis. That's what I've been looking for.
Michael, 🙏
Thanks James - Great tutorial
I’m Nick but thank you Uba Funksta 🙏🙏
very informative. I didn’t know this thank u
Fantastic detail! Thank you.
03.49 ช่วง take back นักแข่งคนนึงใช้ eastern grip ไม่ได้หุบหน้าไม้ลง
05.45 grip สมัยใหม่สามารถตีแบบงอหรือเหยียดแขนได้
07.30 dominant sholder อยู่หน้า non dominant sholder ไม่ว่าจะตีตรงหรือเหยียดช่วง contact point
10.18 swing path หลัง contact point มีสองแบบ แบบที่สองทำให้สปินน้อยลงแต่ลูกมุดลง
15.15 closed stance และ open stance ขาซ้ายกระโดดนิดนึงก่อน contact point
Another awesome video Nick!!👏🏻👏🏻
Natachi, 🙏 👍👌
I like the very historycal (and detailed ) way you describes the development of the stroke for through the forhand history.Its the bedst I have ran into. Thanks a lot. I read about about a
amarican guy that already played with a western grip at the time of Tilden who yoused the continentel grip. The westergrip guy was very already had this powerforhand at that time.
Some coaches recommend a litle closed angel of the racket in the strikezone to get more topspin.How do you think about that. Anyway thanka again for this deepgoing explanation.
Olaf Dip.coach from Copenhagen Denmark.
Thank you Olaf
One of the commenters (Poida) made me aware of a player in the 1920’s that used a western grip (Bill Johnston).
As far as the angle of the racquet face I’m releasing a video soon on that topic (it’s a complex one).
Great video. Thank you
Very informative, many thanks.. 🙋🏿♂️
Many thanks about teaching us your knowledge. Abrazooo
My pleasure Al
Excellent had and footwork drill.
Very comprehensive !
I use to watch Borg and McEnroe play all the time back in the day; Classic vs Modern!
Thank you
Thank you with best wishes
The Bjorn Borg footage is awesome !
Do you think Stefanos Tsitsipas does a similar takeback to Del Potro where he doesn't close the racket when he takes it back. Could you make a video about Tsitsipas's forehand it seems to be very effective but different at the same time.
I am thankful sir
Fascinating level of detail. It must be very satisfying to be able to hit a forehand like this (or indeed at all! 😢😅). It seems very complex to execute. I wonder how many players ever get anywhere near being able to do this without extensive coaching?
Excellent breakdown of the modern forehand. It all makes sense, though I'm missing one piece. So, at the contact point when you move the racquet across the ball (across the body), are you making some kind of adjustment in the swing path to move the racquet head in that wiper cross motion? In other words, do you deliberately roll the forearm and wrist or does it happen naturally as part of the swing path?
Hi Von, that’s an excellent question.
At slow speeds this swing path can be manufactured, however, once players start to rip genetic pre dispositions take over and the swing path becomes intuitive.
@@IntuitiveTennis Thanks, Nick. Do you cover how to upgrade from hitting through the ball to the cross motion in your training?
A video on that is in the works Von. Stay tuned 👍
Very cool. The way you articulate the concepts helps me visualize the goal. I’m tuned 👍
@@von8217 my pleasure
Great share many thanks.
Great explanation; will definetely help :-) thanks
MrV 👍
In the preparation stage, as advised, I try to keep my arm and wrist loose, so that when I begin forward swing from racket back, the motion induces wrist lag. This is all good, but at what point I should stiffen my wrist so that I can direct the ball better?
What happens now is that if opponent hits a heavy ball or with lot of top spin, at my contact point, I cannot control the direction at all.
Jay, you might be holding to loose
Amazing video yet again Nikola.
I got told that my forehand technique is very good, relaxed and fluid, and the motion and everything resembles Federer which if course is not bad.
However im finding some difficulties in some matches and its not so much the forehand its mostly mental.
When I play tough players or better players I expect to lose and have no expectations and also I have that adrenaline kicking where I want to beat them because they are better and show them, and I hit awesome forehands and swing relaxed and through the ball.
When I play slightly weaker players however my forehand tends to struggle because I kind of have expectations to win and im thinking if I lose its going to be embarassing to lose to weaker players and I tend to get somewhat tight and lose that loose whip and then compensate by really swinging across alot more which adds nice spin but not much penetration and balls land shorter aswell around service line.
Was wondering if you have any experience or tips about it.
Timothy Golvey " The inner game of tennis"
I have a question if I want to hit the ball harder do I just hold the racket tighter or only just before I make contact? I also hold the forehand with part of my hand hanging off the end of the racket
SP, you could try holding a little tighter (not too tight) and see if that helps. Pinky on edge of grip and part of the grip inside the palm is the best way to hold it.
Intuitive Tennis thank you! 😊🙏
Brilliant. Thank you 👏💪
💯
Hey Nick, Tom Okker, the Dutchman, showed 10 years before Borg, a forehand with a loop.
Thanks for all the great content Nick!
I have a problem with my non-hitting arm on the forehand. I use it correctly in the unit turn but as I initiate the swing, it just hangs there and slows down my body rotation. Do you have any tips on how to correct this? I finish with the racket at elbow or waist height so catching the racket with the non-hitting arm in the follow through doesn’t seem like a good solution for me.
There is a drill in this video that might help 👉 ua-cam.com/video/W1Ef8HFZAuU/v-deo.html
What's your take on the high elbow forehand like Kyrgios or Shapovalov?
Thank you so much for your videos man! they are the best ive seen in youtube. I have a question, my backswing is very simple and i just take the racquet back like say... blake, kachanov, cuevas, etc. should i change my backswing? because i have tried to change the backswing but i just get frustrated, its very difficult. As for the rest of what ive learned from you, i improved a lot.---Manuel.
pd: i have posted this comment on the other video but i dont know wich one are you following most haha.
Manuel, Thank you
As far as the backswing, why are you trying to change it? You lacking power?
@@IntuitiveTennis i dont think im lacking power, maybe a bit of timing. I was trying to change it because you recommend to start from a high point and make a loop. Is that correct? and is that a deal breaker or will make me not being able to play my full potential?
Manuel, I do think it’s important to have a loop. It’s ubiquitous on the ATP/WTA tour. Try it out. If it doesn’t work go back to old school way ala Lendl, Sampras which is by no means a bad way to hit a forehand.
@@IntuitiveTennis will do coach! thank you very much!!
@@dudem5447, My pleasure!
SUPER COOL !!!!!!!
Alain, 👍🙏
Useful!
Elias, 👍
Is there a video that talks more about the footwork when hitting the forehand? thanks
👉 ua-cam.com/video/mrTag-q3F84/v-deo.html
Nice video, just a few observations. You said Borg used an Eastern grip, on the video he said he uses a Western grip. You mentioned dropping the head after coiling. The head was not dropped but was even with the arm. You're correct in saying that the semi open stance is mostly used by the big boys and girls today, but If you look closely however when they're into rapid baseline exchanges, they use the full open stance. They are able to do that by shifting their hips. I do not ever recall Borg wrapping the raquet around the elbow. I have to go watch some more video, but instead he brought it high over the the opposite shoulder as you said, so I am glad you clarified that he did not touch the racquet on his shoulder or around the shoulder. Del Potro doesn't use his off hand as much as the others when he's coiling the forehand. It's almost like a slap. When the face is open in the beginning of a stroke I think he is trying to track the ball like others but instead of bringing the raquet around on the coil after that, he brings it back and slap it. this can generate a tremendous amount of power if you're big and strong like he is. This may also explain his continuous wrist problems. Lastly why suggest everyday players use the close stance. there's a lot of steps involved and why not suggest they do what the pros do and keep it simple. This is especially true for younger players who may one day obtain an advanced level. A coach then has to undo and start all over again. Teach the pro style from the outset, the results are always better.
Robe tennis
Can you tell me what grip you are using in this video? Is it Eastern forehand or Semi- Western forehand?
SW
Borg was not the first to use a ripping topspin forehand on the Pro tour. Tom Okker the Flying Dutchman was ripping forehands with the racket head dropped below his wrist and a windshield wiper finish in the late 1960s. You can still see his video on UA-cam. His forehand photo was shown on the 1970 Tennis Magazine book. In the commentaries by Jack Kramer he said it was all wrong and players should not copy him.
Really excellent explanation, to see and to see again. What do you think about using old racket (I love the Prince POG 4 stripes for example) performing a modern forehand? thank you
Which muscles are used to raise the racket if not the forearm (Borg said he used his forearm)?
How would you describe as a player, what is the top in your mind when you hit? It seems like in any forehand situation there are so many things to think about, what do you say is the most important thing when hitting a forehand?
Penn Su, all high level players play intuitively without thinking about mechanics. All strokes are automatic. The most important thing in tennis is practice, so that one day a player can execute strokes intuitively.
@@IntuitiveTennis I agree with you about playing intuitively, that's what your channel is about :) However I am trying to understand what is the level of thinking in a player's mind when they do the swing. Would some form of "racquet angle", or the amount of "unit turn" still be something when they think about. That's what I was trying to understand. Perhaps I got all that wrong.
good stuff
I’m old school, 66 next month. I wonder if I should max out with an eastern grip. The semi-western almost feels too strange.
do you suggest juan martin del potros raquet back open or closer as Federer for someone that want to become pro and why??
Depends on player.
Hello, awesome video. I have a question about the Bent Arm and the Straight Arm, when I do shadow swings, I do it with a straight arm unintentionally but when I play on the court, my FH becomes a bent arm!!! What are your thoughts here? Am I getting too close to the contact point during gameplay? Or is it normal shadow swings differ from the real swings? Thanks.
I use a Western grip.
It’s very common for this to happen and there absolutely nothing wrong with a bent arm
ua-cam.com/video/fRjwYp_t0OE/v-deo.html
I agree. My constant issue is keeping the correct distance from the contact point; I always hit the ball a bit close to my body. Is there a drill or something I can do to help me position myself correctly in order to hit the ball? Do you have a video for that? Thanks.
Lendl led his swing with elbow and big shoulder turn to generate tremendous power.
I wish I could have learned tennis in a different era. The early '90s were a transition period where players were still taught the techniques from the wood racquet days but they were increasingly out of touch with what advanced and professional players were doing. I had to try to teach myself different groundstrokes and change grips and tried so many ways of hitting nothing ever became truly natural.
Never heard of the Hawaiian....Heard of Eastern and Western and Continental grips..
VL, it’s an very obscure grip
@@IntuitiveTennis I guess.. lol
Some good technical points however Borg was not the first to use Western grips.
🎾 "The western was widely used in the first two decades of the 20th century. For a number of years the small, apparently frail 1920s player Bill Johnston was considered by many to have had the best forehand of all time, a stroke that he hit shoulder-high using a western grip. Few top players used the western grip after the 1920s, as many of them moved to the eastern and continental, but in the latter part of the 20th century, as shot-making techniques and equipment changed radically, the western forehand made a strong comeback and is now used by many modern players. Some consider it to be an extreme or radical grip, however. The maximum amount of topspin can be generated with this grip...."
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forehand
Poida, Borg and I stand corrected. Did not know that the western Grip was heavily featured in the 20’s. I will need to see video proof. Lol
@@IntuitiveTennis ua-cam.com/video/9IdvdxqSg8E/v-deo.html 😀
Poida, Poida, wow that’s indeed a western grip. I’m making a retraction and saying Borg was the first player in the open era to use a eastern forehand grip. I’ll be honest, I do not know much about tennis pre 1968, but I’m willing to learn. Thank you for that clip 👍
@@IntuitiveTennis No worries. Maybe just say that you weren't aware of the early history of tennis prior to the open area and that Borg popularized a comeback of the western grips. There were some players in the 60's using it but they weren't GS champions and there wasn't much tennis on TV like today. Harold Solomon, an American like Bill Johnson, played Borg in the 70's with a very modern, current ATP style SW FH.
ua-cam.com/video/wlw7cBR5g4c/v-deo.html
Poida, Solomon and Borg both started competing professionally in 1972 so technically Solomon didn’t precede Borg. You got any others from the open era with a modern grip?
In the forehand I am facing a great concentration of my children's coach on the head of the racket ... as the head of the racket should not come down while preparing for the blow ... Is that true? And why?
It’s true, a loop is beneficial
I find some "even" more modern forehands such as Fritz and Sock... their forehands are like with shortern reach
Borg wasn t only the father of the modern forhand he invented the two handed backhand too if you look carefully when he is doing it he does the two handed backhand technik until the ball hitting point when he hits the ball he lets his one hand it is a mix of one handed and two handed backhand hits the ball while holding his raquet with 2 hands and then just lets off one of his hands
Dimitros, Vivian McGrath and John Bromwich had two handers in the 1930’s
@@IntuitiveTennis oh I didn t know the two handed backhand existed before borg then he is the father of the mixed one handed and two handed backhand
Dimitrios, cliff drysdale had a two hander as well but not sure if he played before Borg. The David ferrer/berasategui/Borg (letting go) backhand is definitely rare and you might be right that Borg was the first one to use it.
Your closed stance forehand looks like you move your back leg forward as you contact the ball, on the open stance you move your front leg backwards. It looks like you are "falling backwards" on your open stance forehand (maybe for a ball coming in deeper and faster and thus more of a defensive posture?). I thought closed versus open was more in terms of coming in at a 45% angle with the front leg versus an open stance both feet are more in line with each other (hips are "open"). Regardless, your strokes look sweet, would be estatic to be able to hit the ball consistently with those mechanics lol.
Borg basically had what is now the Del Potro Forehand
I don't think the modern forehand rotate earlier, compared to the classic forehand. The timing of rotation is same. What make you think that? I thought you initiate rotation when the racquet drops below the ball. And you make it sound like you initiate rotation when the racquet is above the ball and it doesn't happen in atp forehand.
5.30 min. Hitting the ball with a straight arm gives a larger radius, so the ball can be hit faster. (Not only) the best players hit the ball with a straight arm.
Why do you think the WTA use a different forehand? Surely the girls are strong enough for an ATP forehand? Or is it other male - female biomechanics?
ua-cam.com/video/1pRz1QqEKsM/v-deo.html
@@IntuitiveTennis thank you 👍
I noticed your videos of Borg has him swinging with his right elbow considerably away (i.e. to one side) of his torso. This confirms the video of the modern forehand that Rick Macci did for the USPTA On Court series (ua-cam.com/video/5MHugAF2DiQ/v-deo.html). Interestingly, Macci emphasizes that the modern forehand maintains the power of the classical forehand, with its typically longer stroke, but utilizes a shorter backswing (and a more upright one, too) avoiding the horizontally circular one of the classical forehand).
Thanks for your clear presentation, Nick.
Nickola e fucking awesome in his analyses of movements....
Not breaking your elbow is not discussed:)
Not so modern ....look at Borg. But, pros fail to tell people that only talented people can hit like this and not blow their arms. This kind of under the handle, back of handle grip demands that your shoulder and entire arm do some extensive mechanics that few can do and not hurt themselves. Sampras had a more neutral grip. The goal is topspin and there are two ways to get it. 1. This type of quick extreme rollover move and 2. More of a low to high move with slight rollover move. By comparison.
Every player has a plan till he gets hit in the mouth 😂
Summa cum laude!
T Unger, thank you 👨🏫 👍
I hate when coaches use the words "Wrong or Correct".There are many variations of strokes, depending on the situation ....just watch the pros in slow motion. It happens even during the same point.
Talk toooooo much