Forehand myths debunked: Former Top 100 ATP Pro, Jeff Salzenstein, is exposing 3 common myths that could be crippling your forehands potential. Most players make at least 1 of these 3 mistakes... Do you? goo.gl/WBBxGM
Gosh! I discovered your channel today and this precisely has been one of the most challenging topic on my game after 1.5y of practice. When beginner/interm, you tend to think 'topspin = rushing my wrist/arm when at contact point' except it's all wrong bc it makes your trajectory be either downward or straight, when all we want is UP. I'm currently trying to relax my wrist as much as I can and have the perfect timing in order to have the right margin to hit on the sweetspot as well, having a nice and smooth forehand, with adequate preperation. The key is to stop trying to hit a winner on every ball haha. Thanks a lot for that video!
Yes, that is one of the challenges: the "waiting position" and knowing when to accelerate. Your swing may be smooth and grooved to a fast pace rally ball. But then you get a slow ball and swing gets "disjointed"... Don't want to get into the "disjointed backswing". Wait with the racquet head up and then swing smoothly. What I also learned from this video is "Wait" may actually mean moving the racquet very slowly, depending on the tempo of incoming ball.... This probably explains why so many opponents miss balls when I mix up the speed...Suspect this tempo/disjointed swing is a HUGE problem at rec level.
Great point in your lesson Jeff. What will help the timing is being aware of the three hits in tennis, opponent hits the ball, ball hits the court, you hit the ball. It's important to make that first move, either to the forehand or to the backhand, before the second hit when the ball bounces on the court coming toward you. In other words, the first move, the turn, needs to be started before your opponent's shot bounces on the court. This early timing is what allows you to go slow and then fast, but with one continuous motion once the swing is actually started.
I appreciate this reply. Especially with the flow of the swing. The video seems a bit counterproductive, because from the sample swings and explanations it sounds and looks like Jeff wants you to muscle the ball instead of having a fluid stroke powered by the rotation of the body.
Tennis Evolution - Online Tennis Lessons Thanks for the help, Jeff! One lesson I’d like to see is how to take advantage of short high balls. I struggle with finishing the point when given this opportunity.
This is really good advice. When I get nervous, I try to prepare for the ball early and sometimes make this mistake. Really great to have someone spell it out
Terrific Jeff. I'm at the Australian Open and notice exactly how smooth all the players are on their ground strokes. Quick question, in my forehand, I tend to get tension in my wrist and "poke" the ball- especially under pressure. Any tips?? Again, great stuff!
Dig your stuff, Jeff. Sampras once said of Agassi that "he turns really well" which I think your lesson today is a part of. Being brought up old school we're still transitioning, racquet take back and smooth stroke included. Your reference to McEnroe is insightful. Do you have a lesson on uncoiling, especially the hips, and including the role of the back leg?
another awesome vid coach. as a self taught player who has been lucky enough to develop some decent strokes and habits, the one issue i notice on the forehand is that I sometimes get the "chicken wing elbow" i.e. when the elbow get above the racquet hand. its not a constant issue but its obvious when it happens, and the results are never great. thats why we keep learning and practicing. cheers and happy hitting!
Golden advice Been there , was stopping and then forcing the forehand with a quick wrist snap , it was absolutely destroying my forehand particularily footwork and timing/rythm . I found the issue . self corrected and it was a night & day difference , i stopped doing the millions little steps and began to take big steps to go to the ball) and have now a nice smooth motion :)
Thank you man I watched a lot of tennis videos on the forhand and no body talk about this tempo I think it could realy help me on my forhand (french young tennis player)
Hey Jeff, Just wanted to say thanks for your tip and the passion with which you bring it. Also a quick question - do you think this "modern" forehand technique works with player rackets? I've always used Prostaffs or tour 90s, and now use the RF signature. I've always used a modified version of the older classical forehand sonce I'm a shorter player and want to attack the ball early so my oppinent can't even think about spinning the ball out of my strike zone. On good days it works but it also demands a lot of focus and frankly willpower which I don't always have. Would love to hear your thoughts on whether the wrist lag and modern loop forehand works with player rackets. Thanks -Farid
Hey Jeff, I actually hit my forehand exactly the same way! Hold racquet high for as long as possible/needed and then bring down to table top position and swing through. (all in one smooth motion, obviously). Hurrah! I'm actually doing something right. Yesssss, get in there! Thanks Kevan
My problem is after I make my unit turn, I accelerate the racquet too quickly and the racquet face opens up. It’s almost like I need to exaggerate the drop portion of the swing, I’m afraid it will lead to this disjointed motion though. Eugh.
Why waiting shoulder turned ? Why not do the whole swing well timed with the incoming ball ? I don't like the idea of breaking the rythm and the motion and I prefer a full fluid motion (French Tennis Coach).
+Team-Tennis.fr One observed difference between pros and some junior players (not all, but some) was how much earlier pros rotate the upper body prior to hitting the ball. Notice - "rotate the upper body" - as Jeff does prior to his "pause" , not make the entire swing. Someone said that this happens latest about the point in time when the ball incoming from the opponent is above the net. Again, these time points might deviate here and there, with some small margin, but this was the observation, made at RG, during some practice session. "Breaking the rhythm", if done properly does promote the proper loading of potential energy and release of the kinetic energy, as Jeff demonstrates in the video. Jeff's pausing of the swing with the racquet head up half-turned position (almost) on the incoming ball, promotes - as he demonstrates (the point of the whole thing) continuous (latter portion of the) swing on the ball, from that moment. Better to do as he does (for learning and technique and timing and rhythm-developing purposes) than to try to make the CONTINUOUS swing at any cost, or just for the sake of continuity in the swing, but otherwise disjointed from the speed and "timing" of the incoming ball. The point is to enable the proper acceleration from the point of the swing starting from that "pausing position" (in his case racquet head up-type of swing) through the so called hitting position (butt of the racquet pointing forward) together with the forward motion to the point of contact. Exactly that portion of the back- and forward swing (after his "pause" or loading) should be continuous - one movement, and the "pause" Jeff makes serves entirely that purpose. The whole movement - whole swing, on the other hand does Not have to be entirely continuous. That has always been one misconception about forehand, well debunked in this video. "Loading" means exactly that, he is in the "loaded" position while "waiting" or pausing with the racquet head up. The analogy (of sorts) can be made with the rhythm of the archers movement. The point where the bow is spanned to the max is here the racquet head up position. The release moment, when the arrow is released, is the moment when Jeff goes from the pausing in the racquet head up position into releasing his movement from the potential (pause with racquet head up) to the kinetic (the rest of the swing) energy. "Breaking the rhythm of the motion" in this case is not wrong at all, on the contrary, it is done with the exact purpose and enhances/enables the proper delivery on the ball, if executed and timed properly.
Hey kishore, thanks for watching. We have a comprehensive forehand course, where I explain and give specific drills to improve you racquet drop. Let me know if you would like to check it out, and I'll send the link. Follow us on Instagram @tennisevolution for more forehand tips and tennis instruction
I think you should elaborate on the sequence which imho should always be rhythm, timing, tempo. Good rhythm gives good timing which gives good tempo. Rhythm is the beat of the stroke. Timing is the synchronization of the stroke to contact point. Tempo is the speed of play (power often). You’ve gotten some of these terms backwards or misused the wrong term during parts of the video. This is the key to putting all the techniques together. Rarely discussed. Some just group it into “timing” but it’s much more than that. You can’t get good timing without good rhythm. Bruce Lee experimented with complex drum beats to get rhythm in his fights. Fortunately tennis doesn’t need complex rhythms as the rhythm is dictated by the ball.
Its my 1 year in tennis. Just by watching your videos. And to be honest I beat most of the top guys in tennis club here in our place (Philippines). They were shocked because most of them they didn't know me. And they're asking .who's my Coach and I Said . in UA-cam .jeff salzenstein 😊. They'paid their coach 2,000 pesos /month .and I got free from here. So much thankful of you sir. You help me alot to improve more about this game.... Thank you so much
@@TennisEvolution I'm feeling better on court and that makes all the difference. The club that I play in São Paulo Brazil has 18 clay surface courts. Only clay. Sometimes I loose for guys with soft balls. I miss fast surface.
@@carloscosta8743 Thanks for sharing your progress. It ain't easy to deal with these type of players in slow conditions; however, you'll get better as you play more against them. It's about self-reflecting on what has worked and what has not. Then, learn from it and work on practice to continue getting better.
My forehand has won me many points over the years. It's my go to shot. I wouldn't change a thing. I have an eastern standard grip but can move my grip either way to create the desired spin and shot. This video emphasizes one grip for the forehand, its limitations, and no mention that you can adjust your grip and body to hit the best shot. That being said, I agree, tempo and timing are key!
However good intended, I've stopped watching vids like these other than for entertainment because I never know what applies to me. If I am one of the "so many players" who does something wrong or not. I don't believe in video lessons.
Forehand myths debunked: Former Top 100 ATP Pro, Jeff Salzenstein, is exposing 3 common myths that could be crippling your forehands potential. Most players make at least 1 of these 3 mistakes... Do you? goo.gl/WBBxGM
Gosh! I discovered your channel today and this precisely has been one of the most challenging topic on my game after 1.5y of practice. When beginner/interm, you tend to think 'topspin = rushing my wrist/arm when at contact point' except it's all wrong bc it makes your trajectory be either downward or straight, when all we want is UP. I'm currently trying to relax my wrist as much as I can and have the perfect timing in order to have the right margin to hit on the sweetspot as well, having a nice and smooth forehand, with adequate preperation. The key is to stop trying to hit a winner on every ball haha. Thanks a lot for that video!
Yes, that is one of the challenges: the "waiting position" and knowing when to accelerate. Your swing may be smooth and grooved to a fast pace rally ball. But then you get a slow ball and swing gets "disjointed"... Don't want to get into the "disjointed backswing". Wait with the racquet head up and then swing smoothly. What I also learned from this video is "Wait" may actually mean moving the racquet very slowly, depending on the tempo of incoming ball.... This probably explains why so many opponents miss balls when I mix up the speed...Suspect this tempo/disjointed swing is a HUGE problem at rec level.
Great point in your lesson Jeff. What will help the timing is being aware of the three hits in tennis, opponent hits the ball, ball hits the court, you hit the ball. It's important to make that first move, either to the forehand or to the backhand, before the second hit when the ball bounces on the court coming toward you. In other words, the first move, the turn, needs to be started before your opponent's shot bounces on the court. This early timing is what allows you to go slow and then fast, but with one continuous motion once the swing is actually started.
James Reid VanVoris this is great. Thanks
I appreciate this reply. Especially with the flow of the swing. The video seems a bit counterproductive, because from the sample swings and explanations it sounds and looks like Jeff wants you to muscle the ball instead of having a fluid stroke powered by the rotation of the body.
As someone who has somehow “lost” their forehand recently, this has been the help I needed. Many thanks!
That's awesome! You're welcome, thank you for watching. What other types of lessons would you like to see from me in the near future?
Jeff.
Tennis Evolution - Online Tennis Lessons Thanks for the help, Jeff! One lesson I’d like to see is how to take advantage of short high balls. I struggle with finishing the point when given this opportunity.
@@zezyiox You're welcome. I'll add your request ;)
Jeff.
I love the way you break things down and make it simple to go out on the court and implement them. Thanks!
This is really good advice. When I get nervous, I try to prepare for the ball early and sometimes make this mistake. Really great to have someone spell it out
This is very, very helpful. Thanks!
tungalol you are welcome :)
Thanks Jeff. I will teach this today, hope it goes well.
Really a great video and so true. Thanks.
You're welcome Aaron. Thank you for watching. What other types of lessons you'd like to see from me in the near future?
Jeff.
Nice job man, I am 5.0 player, it did not help me a lot but still appreciate your videos
Ahror Muminov awesome !
Could you do more videos on tempo timing and rhythm? Or is that the best kept secret?
Pickle riick more videos ?
Terrific Jeff. I'm at the Australian Open and notice exactly how smooth all the players are on their ground strokes. Quick question, in my forehand, I tend to get tension in my wrist and "poke" the ball- especially under pressure. Any tips?? Again, great stuff!
Greg Lowe thank you 🙏🏻. Please share with others :). Send me a video of this wrist thing
This lesson really hits home for me. Thank you for the insights Jeff!!!
You're welcome Patrick! Thank you for watching ;)
Jeff Salzenstein is the most trusted online coach to me.
Mike Praditya thank you:). Please share our channel with others !
Sure coach !!
Mike Praditya Thank you :)
Really Appreciated thanks
You're welcome!
Hi Jeff, what is the reason for keeping the palm down in the take back? That has never been clear to me. Is it a natural way to allow lag?
Excellent video! Thanks!
You are welcome Jay!
Super didático!
Parabéns e obrigado!! 🙌🙌🙌
Thx Jeff! Can’t wait to try this out next time I play!❤️
roberta singer let me know how it goes !
Tennis Evolution - Online Tennis Lessons Thx so much for all your lessons! I really enjoy them!
roberta singer thank you for the support! Appreciate you!
Dig your stuff, Jeff. Sampras once said of Agassi that "he turns really well" which I think your lesson today is a part of. Being brought up old school we're still transitioning, racquet take back and smooth stroke included. Your reference to McEnroe is insightful. Do you have a lesson on uncoiling, especially the hips, and including the role of the back leg?
another awesome vid coach. as a self taught player who has been lucky enough to develop some decent strokes and habits, the one issue i notice on the forehand is that I sometimes get the "chicken wing elbow" i.e. when the elbow get above the racquet hand. its not a constant issue but its obvious when it happens, and the results are never great. thats why we keep learning and practicing. cheers and happy hitting!
Thank you Dee. Stay strong and keep digging ;)
What other type of lessons would you like to see next in our channel?
Jeff.
watched Zverev so checking out good fore hand instruction. thanks. forgot about closing my racquet face a little
johnny6148 go for it!
I have this problem, thanks for pointing it out 🌹
Golden advice
Been there , was stopping and then forcing the forehand with a quick wrist snap , it was absolutely destroying my forehand particularily footwork and timing/rythm .
I found the issue . self corrected and it was a night & day difference , i stopped doing the millions little steps and began to take big steps to go to the ball) and have now a nice smooth motion :)
Another fantabulous breakdown Jeff! Waiting for the ball (in my view) gives you more time.
Thank you Alain!
Thank you, Jeff! I did these mistakes, but I hope I will not turn them around anymore.
Yuge Choe you can fix it now
great tip, thanks
You're welcome Andreas!
Thank you man I watched a lot of tennis videos on the forhand and no body talk about this tempo I think it could realy help me on my forhand (french young tennis player)
Hey Jeff,
Just wanted to say thanks for your tip and the passion with which you bring it. Also a quick question - do you think this "modern" forehand technique works with player rackets? I've always used Prostaffs or tour 90s, and now use the RF signature. I've always used a modified version of the older classical forehand sonce I'm a shorter player and want to attack the ball early so my oppinent can't even think about spinning the ball out of my strike zone. On good days it works but it also demands a lot of focus and frankly willpower which I don't always have. Would love to hear your thoughts on whether the wrist lag and modern loop forehand works with player rackets. Thanks
-Farid
Hey Farid, thanks for watching and supporting our channel. I don't think it makes a huge difference in terms of racquet and wrist lag.
Awesome instruction. 👍👍👍
Tempo, Time , Rhythm, that important for Beginners and Intermediate.... You're Genius , Sir
Many thanks!
Hey Jeff, I actually hit my forehand exactly the same way! Hold racquet high for as long as possible/needed and then bring down to table top position and swing through. (all in one smooth motion, obviously). Hurrah! I'm actually doing something right. Yesssss, get in there!
Thanks Kevan
Excellent tip.
Tom Barry thank you :)
My problem is after I make my unit turn, I accelerate the racquet too quickly and the racquet face opens up. It’s almost like I need to exaggerate the drop portion of the swing, I’m afraid it will lead to this disjointed motion though. Eugh.
Why waiting shoulder turned ? Why not do the whole swing well timed with the incoming ball ?
I don't like the idea of breaking the rythm and the motion and I prefer a full fluid motion (French Tennis Coach).
Team-Tennis.fr I agree. That can work !
Ok, thanks for your answer.
Team-Tennis.fr welcome :)
+Team-Tennis.fr
One observed difference between pros and some junior players (not all, but some) was how much earlier pros rotate the upper body prior to hitting the ball.
Notice - "rotate the upper body" - as Jeff does prior to his "pause" , not make the entire swing.
Someone said that this happens latest about the point in time when the ball incoming from the opponent is above the net. Again, these time points might deviate here and there, with some small margin, but this was the observation, made at RG, during some practice session.
"Breaking the rhythm", if done properly does promote the proper loading of potential energy and release of the kinetic energy, as Jeff demonstrates in the video.
Jeff's pausing of the swing with the racquet head up half-turned position (almost) on the incoming ball, promotes - as he demonstrates (the point of the whole thing) continuous (latter portion of the) swing on the ball, from that moment. Better to do as he does (for learning and technique and timing and rhythm-developing purposes) than to try to make the CONTINUOUS swing at any cost, or just for the sake of continuity in the swing, but otherwise disjointed from the speed and "timing" of the incoming ball. The point is to enable the proper acceleration from the point of the swing starting from that "pausing position" (in his case racquet head up-type of swing) through the so called hitting position (butt of the racquet pointing forward) together with the forward motion to the point of contact.
Exactly that portion of the back- and forward swing (after his "pause" or loading) should be continuous - one movement, and the "pause" Jeff makes serves entirely that purpose.
The whole movement - whole swing, on the other hand does Not have to be entirely continuous.
That has always been one misconception about forehand, well debunked in this video.
"Loading" means exactly that, he is in the "loaded" position while "waiting" or pausing with the racquet head up.
The analogy (of sorts) can be made with the rhythm of the archers movement. The point where the bow is spanned to the max is here the racquet head up position. The release moment, when the arrow is released, is the moment when Jeff goes from the pausing in the racquet head up position into releasing his movement from the potential (pause with racquet head up) to the kinetic (the rest of the swing) energy.
"Breaking the rhythm of the motion" in this case is not wrong at all, on the contrary, it is done with the exact purpose and enhances/enables the proper delivery on the ball, if executed and timed properly.
yay nay good stuff :)
Is there any video on racquet drop?
Hey kishore, thanks for watching. We have a comprehensive forehand course, where I explain and give specific drills to improve you racquet drop. Let me know if you would like to check it out, and I'll send the link. Follow us on Instagram @tennisevolution for more forehand tips and tennis instruction
Thanks!! This helped so much like all of your videos!!!
Calen Stewart you are very welcome
Great advice! Thank You!
I think you should elaborate on the sequence which imho should always be rhythm, timing, tempo. Good rhythm gives good timing which gives good tempo. Rhythm is the beat of the stroke. Timing is the synchronization of the stroke to contact point. Tempo is the speed of play (power often). You’ve gotten some of these terms backwards or misused the wrong term during parts of the video. This is the key to putting all the techniques together. Rarely discussed. Some just group it into “timing” but it’s much more than that. You can’t get good timing without good rhythm. Bruce Lee experimented with complex drum beats to get rhythm in his fights. Fortunately tennis doesn’t need complex rhythms as the rhythm is dictated by the ball.
Thanks for your feedback Tien.
Thank you. It will be great if you have another person to feed you the ball and rally with you a little bit
Kanin Maneepairoj I agree !
Thank you
Hồng Thái Ngô Phạm you are welcome
That’s it
U got the point, I feel like this is my problem. Thanks a lot
i loved this video !
Thanks!
Nice Job🤗
Bare Miskic thank you :)
Wow. such a awesome tip, rarely see this type of advice that makes such a difference and I love the "word" suggestions to apply.
Thom Pham love to here it!
Excellent. As always!!!!
Belmiro Valente THank you
Its my 1 year in tennis. Just by watching your videos. And to be honest I beat most of the top guys in tennis club here in our place (Philippines). They were shocked because most of them they didn't know me. And they're asking .who's my Coach and I Said . in UA-cam
.jeff salzenstein 😊. They'paid their coach 2,000 pesos /month .and I got free from here. So much thankful of you sir. You help me alot to improve more about this game.... Thank you so much
Good one
Thank you Carlos. How's your tennis going?
Jeff.
@@TennisEvolution I'm feeling better on court and that makes all the difference. The club that I play in São Paulo Brazil has 18 clay surface courts. Only clay. Sometimes I loose for guys with soft balls. I miss fast surface.
@@carloscosta8743 Thanks for sharing your progress. It ain't easy to deal with these type of players in slow conditions; however, you'll get better as you play more against them. It's about self-reflecting on what has worked and what has not. Then, learn from it and work on practice to continue getting better.
@@TennisEvolution it's all about foccus and practice. Thank you so much for your support Jeff!
@@carloscosta8743 You're welcome. Let's continue getting better together.
Jeff.
This is the modern FH! Jeff gets it!
My forehand has won me many points over the years. It's my go to shot. I wouldn't change a thing. I have an eastern standard grip but can move my grip either way to create the desired spin and shot. This video emphasizes one grip for the forehand, its limitations, and no mention that you can adjust your grip and body to hit the best shot. That being said, I agree, tempo and timing are key!
Thanks SIR:)
You're welcome Abdullah ;)
Pretty nice!
Tennis Conditioning thank you!
Correct!
Pffffew... Watched this video and It’s good to see I’m doing the right stuff. 😂😂😂
That's great Derrick!
What about Serena Williams? Pretty sure she has a disjointed forehand.
prigg88 I don’t see it as disjointed
Wish you weren't a lefty, lol!
Bro stop wearing orange shoes with pink shirt
Too many digressions. Edit that stuff out and stay on point.
stockton350 thanks for your opinion
this guy is getting more handsome.
TheKnackySoftWare thank you :)
I liked it when he digressed
Ari Koenig ha ha:)
However good intended, I've stopped watching vids like these other than for entertainment because I never know what applies to me. If I am one of the "so many players" who does something wrong or not. I don't believe in video lessons.
Erik Martines Sanches to each their own:). Please share the channel with others