Great improvements ahead on my play after watching this lesson. As soon as i put this in practice I will let you know. Following you from Brazil. Thanks Meike !
Earlier, I spent an hour on court practising the high midcourt tennis forehand as you showed in your video. Previously I was having trouble with this shot but your guidance has helped me make a great improvement. Specific improvements for me are to use a semi-open stance instead of closed and to use top spin instead of hitting down on the ball. Thank you.
Awesome! I made the mistake of hitting above my shoulder, and I had so many errors; and, I also hit down. I tried your method from this video, and I had great success - I still need more practice with your method, but I’m way better doing your method. I especially found your footwork method really important for this type of shot as well as my other ground stroke shots. Thank you! /s/ Alfonso Faustino
This helped me with high midcourt balls last night. A shot that happens quite alot in tennis. Many videos don't emphasize the load and open stance as true source of power. Thank you
@@MeikeBabelTennis question about the backhand slice...if I want more power do I get my raquet turn back more? and squeeze down on contact? OR do you suggest Ash bartys takeback?
@@user-be5qg7mr1s the best way to create power is to load properly with your legs. On the slice, I wouldn't recommend doing anything with how hard you grip your racket. It's all about turning and coiling properly and then transferring your body weight into the shot. Yes, Ash Barty's take-back is perfect (what isn't perfect that she's doing???) Of course, you also need the proper grip. A slice tutorial is actually next on my list of videos to make.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Thanks Meike! I heard different viewpoints on the grip. I find my slices are better when I don't squeeze the handle. Having a good turn/Coil sounds like the answer here. look forward to your slice tutorial!
@@user-be5qg7mr1s Yes, different coaches teach differently. I find that if I start messing around with peoples' grips (or mine for that matter) and grip pressure I'm restricting fluid movement and, for me, the slice especially is a really smooth, flowy shot.
This is a difficult shot to aggressively hit at 4.0 or lower levels, particularly for the people who don't have an extreme grip. It is easy to float these high mid-court balls long. I have an eastern grip (similar to yours). The weakness of an eastern grip is ability to hit the ball at high contact points. I don't have a confidence putting these short balls away. I usually just slice it deep to the corner (BH or FH slice) and come to the net for a volley (old school ;) I searched YT trying to find old clips of Sampras & Graf hitting this shot. Maybe aiming lower than I think might help. You mentioned adding more top spin, but I noticed that, on really high shots, you actually hit it more across your body (imparting some side spin on the ball). Any suggestion will be appreciated. I just found your channel and just subscribed. Your backhand slice is so smooth!
Great videos Meike. You teach all the right things but to implement on the court you need to remember all these steps. Hopefully some day. Will start at least a few steps. Especially in the thick of things of a point, remembering all these is not automatic. You have to be totally focus
I have trouble with this particular shot on the forehand. From the backhand midcourt I can crush it by leaning in and over the ball naturally like breaking down a door. Oddly enough when I was a beginner hitting flat was much more successful at this from the forehand at midcourt, but now with a top spin style I’m unable to generate much power from the forehand on these higher mid court balls. My solve for now is to put it away with a forehand slice type motion, but will continue to work on it. Sometimes the top spin style hits too thin and weak for higher mid court balls for me
Whenever I can successfully hit one of these shots I feel like I'm unloading everything I have onto the ball, its an amazing feeling once you get the timing down.
Totally agree! Even doing the video I felt pretty good hitting those. That's why I like working with the ball machine, you can get a ton of repetitions in.
just found your channel ! thank you Meike for sharing your knowledge and great coaching tips. absolutely one of the best in the YT universe ! have subscribed and doing my part to get you over 1000 quickly. hope you will continue sharing your great insights and instructional videos.
Fantastic!!! I haven’t tried it on the court, but I can see how it would work. My problem has been the approach to the ball, but I can visualize how this solves that. How about a video from the two handed side. I’m guess you would have to take the ball earlier. I have the same issue from that side with the approach. Thanks.
This is a great video. My question is what you do with a similar ball to the backhand side, especially when you have a one-handed backhand? Struggling with the footwork and defaulting to slice (which I'm not angry about), but would love to have another option.
Hi Meike. Great video. Thank you so much. Doesn’t the follow through change on this shot? Follow through will be around the biceps right? Also do we use semi-open stance for high balls for the double handed backhand as well?
Yes, it's probably around biceps more. However, there still is a lot if individuality in finishes. Medvedev for instance still finishes around his neck! You can use the semi open for backhands as well but you can also close it. Thats why most players try to use their forehand because it's so much more powerful.
Hello Meike, 3 questions: (1) what grip are you using?, (2) on these chest high balls, is the spin you make a combination of top and side spin? (3) can you say where your contact point is in relation to your left foot? Is it even with the left foot, or in front and, if in front, by about how much?
Does the pro you showed drop his racquet in the prep because he knows he’ll be elevated at contact? He jumps into the air so if he didn’t drop the racquet he’s be hitting the ball in an upswing vs a lateral stroke.
From the cover of this video, it seems Thiem is using full western grip? Is that right? And if I see my opponent uses a western grip, I should try to hit more flat than top spin as that grip is more shoulder high friendly, correct?
He's probably not quite all the way under the grip with index finger inside and heel pad. Look at Karen Khachanov, that's a full Western. However, it's an extreme enough grip that low balls (especially short slices) will not be easy to hit for this type of forehand.
That’s y nadal has problems with roger because Rogers flat fore hand maybe a little topspin was a counter to nadals extreme topspin forehand. That’s why he mostly aims Rogers bh
It looks like we should strike this type of balls in the no men’s land. When should we move from baseline to no men’s land? Is it after we move the opponent to the side or after we see the ball is short? In Thiem’s example he’s already inside the no man’s land. I was told there’s a reason it’s called no men’s land and hence my question above. Thanks 🙏 in advance. 👍👏
Yes, those will be the balls that are short and in no-man's land (don't stay there after you hit the ball though, either come in behind the ball or recover behind the baseline). Yes, Thiem is already there because it's just a fed ball drill. Ideally, you would see that you pulled your opponent off the court and you can expect a shorter, weaker ball. That's when you move up to really be aggressive.
Learn how to attack high forehands in mid court that we all "should" put away (but often times don't!).
So much powerful shot with such smile on face never seen before with anyone. Big Salute.
Great improvements ahead on my play after watching this lesson. As soon as i put this in practice I will let you know. Following you from Brazil. Thanks Meike !
Can’t wait to try this with my Slinger. Looks like it could be my new fave shot.
Meike, thanks!! I'm watching all your videos. Simply The Best.
Max from Argentina
Gracias!
Hi coach Meiki I am from south Korea your lesson is super huge helpful ! I couldn't have been done without you😂
Thank you! 😃
Earlier, I spent an hour on court practising the high midcourt tennis forehand as you showed in your video. Previously I was having trouble with this shot but your guidance has helped me make a great improvement. Specific improvements for me are to use a semi-open stance instead of closed and to use top spin instead of hitting down on the ball. Thank you.
Awesome! I made the mistake of hitting above my shoulder, and I had so many errors; and, I also hit down.
I tried your method from this video, and I had great success - I still need more practice with your method, but I’m way better doing your method.
I especially found your footwork method really important for this type of shot as well as my other ground stroke shots.
Thank you!
/s/ Alfonso Faustino
Thank you!
I wish I could take lessons from you in person. Glad you’re here on video.
Very good! this video was just what I needed. I have struggled with this kind stroke
Glad it helped
This helped me with high midcourt balls last night. A shot that happens quite alot in tennis. Many videos don't emphasize the load and open stance as true source of power. Thank you
Fantastic! That’s why I’m making these videos! To help players get better and win more matches :)
@@MeikeBabelTennis question about the backhand slice...if I want more power do I get my raquet turn back more? and squeeze down on contact? OR do you suggest Ash bartys takeback?
@@user-be5qg7mr1s the best way to create power is to load properly with your legs. On the slice, I wouldn't recommend doing anything with how hard you grip your racket. It's all about turning and coiling properly and then transferring your body weight into the shot. Yes, Ash Barty's take-back is perfect (what isn't perfect that she's doing???) Of course, you also need the proper grip. A slice tutorial is actually next on my list of videos to make.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Thanks Meike! I heard different viewpoints on the grip. I find my slices are better when I don't squeeze the handle. Having a good turn/Coil sounds like the answer here. look forward to your slice tutorial!
@@user-be5qg7mr1s Yes, different coaches teach differently. I find that if I start messing around with peoples' grips (or mine for that matter) and grip pressure I'm restricting fluid movement and, for me, the slice especially is a really smooth, flowy shot.
Very helpful. Will do the drill today. Thanks.
Let me know how it goes!
Great technical and descriptive video. Thanks!
Fantastic tips,very clear explanations.thank you
This is a difficult shot to aggressively hit at 4.0 or lower levels, particularly for the people who don't have an extreme grip. It is easy to float these high mid-court balls long. I have an eastern grip (similar to yours). The weakness of an eastern grip is ability to hit the ball at high contact points. I don't have a confidence putting these short balls away. I usually just slice it deep to the corner (BH or FH slice) and come to the net for a volley (old school ;) I searched YT trying to find old clips of Sampras & Graf hitting this shot. Maybe aiming lower than I think might help. You mentioned adding more top spin, but I noticed that, on really high shots, you actually hit it more across your body (imparting some side spin on the ball). Any suggestion will be appreciated. I just found your channel and just subscribed. Your backhand slice is so smooth!
Beautiful courts! Where are these Meike!
In Lakewood, CO
Great video!
Thank you
Great videos Meike. You teach all the right things but to implement on the court you need to remember all these steps. Hopefully some day. Will start at least a few steps. Especially in the thick of things of a point, remembering all these is not automatic. You have to be totally focus
I have trouble with this particular shot on the forehand. From the backhand midcourt I can crush it by leaning in and over the ball naturally like breaking down a door. Oddly enough when I was a beginner hitting flat was much more successful at this from the forehand at midcourt, but now with a top spin style I’m unable to generate much power from the forehand on these higher mid court balls. My solve for now is to put it away with a forehand slice type motion, but will continue to work on it. Sometimes the top spin style hits too thin and weak for higher mid court balls for me
A complete training video on this so important shot. Thank you.
Very informative
Glad you think so! Feel free to subscribe to. my channel and recommend it to your tennis friends :-)
Great stuff!
Thanks 🙏👍 appreciate 🎾
You’re welcome 😊
Thank you
Very good advice - just found this video
Glad it was helpful!
Whenever I can successfully hit one of these shots I feel like I'm unloading everything I have onto the ball, its an amazing feeling once you get the timing down.
Totally agree! Even doing the video I felt pretty good hitting those. That's why I like working with the ball machine, you can get a ton of repetitions in.
just found your channel ! thank you Meike for sharing your knowledge and great coaching tips. absolutely one of the best in the YT universe ! have subscribed and doing my part to get you over 1000 quickly. hope you will continue sharing your great insights and instructional videos.
Thank you so much! And yes, I'm only getting started so stay tuned!
Fantastic!!! I haven’t tried it on the court, but I can see how it would work. My problem has been the approach to the ball, but I can visualize how this solves that. How about a video from the two handed side. I’m guess you would have to take the ball earlier. I have the same issue from that side with the approach. Thanks.
I'll have to find a really good two-hander to demonstrate. If I do it, I fear I would not call it teaching material since I'm a one hander.
@@MeikeBabelTennis ok. Thanks.
Amazing Meike!!! A question: How do we run to the ball? front? by side?
Good video! Mind if I what machine you are using and the settings for this drill?
Hey Meike. Great Video. Can you tell me the settings for the spinshot which gets me those midcourt balls? Best, Marian
This is a great video. My question is what you do with a similar ball to the backhand side, especially when you have a one-handed backhand? Struggling with the footwork and defaulting to slice (which I'm not angry about), but would love to have another option.
thanks for the great tips!
Sure thing!
Hi Meike. Great video. Thank you so much. Doesn’t the follow through change on this shot? Follow through will be around the biceps right? Also do we use semi-open stance for high balls for the double handed backhand as well?
Yes, it's probably around biceps more. However, there still is a lot if individuality in finishes. Medvedev for instance still finishes around his neck! You can use the semi open for backhands as well but you can also close it. Thats why most players try to use their forehand because it's so much more powerful.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Thank you so much
Best video for mid court balls.
Thank you so much!
Hello Meike, 3 questions: (1) what grip are you using?, (2) on these chest high balls, is the spin you make a combination of top and side spin? (3) can you say where your contact point is in relation to your left foot? Is it even with the left foot, or in front and, if in front, by about how much?
Does the pro you showed drop his racquet in the prep because he knows he’ll be elevated at contact? He jumps into the air so if he didn’t drop the racquet he’s be hitting the ball in an upswing vs a lateral stroke.
Don’t go punching people. Also good advice.
This is my best shot. I am average player but this is something I can do better than people I play against.
Can’t be done with closed stance?
From the cover of this video, it seems Thiem is using full western grip? Is that right? And if I see my opponent uses a western grip, I should try to hit more flat than top spin as that grip is more shoulder high friendly, correct?
He's probably not quite all the way under the grip with index finger inside and heel pad. Look at Karen Khachanov, that's a full Western. However, it's an extreme enough grip that low balls (especially short slices) will not be easy to hit for this type of forehand.
That’s y nadal has problems with roger because Rogers flat fore hand maybe a little topspin was a counter to nadals extreme topspin forehand. That’s why he mostly aims Rogers bh
Yes, it's tough to get under a flat ball if you have extreme grips!
I will try and give feedback
Great drill for my under 12 players, for whom every ball is a high ball! 😂 (and for me too)
Punching ball perhaps instead of people in your analogy? 😎🙃🤣
YEah maybe :-)
Jump into the shot
It looks like we should strike this type of balls in the no men’s land. When should we move from baseline to no men’s land? Is it after we move the opponent to the side or after we see the ball is short? In Thiem’s example he’s already inside the no man’s land. I was told there’s a reason it’s called no men’s land and hence my question above. Thanks 🙏 in advance. 👍👏
Yes, those will be the balls that are short and in no-man's land (don't stay there after you hit the ball though, either come in behind the ball or recover behind the baseline). Yes, Thiem is already there because it's just a fed ball drill. Ideally, you would see that you pulled your opponent off the court and you can expect a shorter, weaker ball. That's when you move up to really be aggressive.
@@MeikeBabelTennis thanks for the explanation. I guess it’s part of the shot selection and points construction.
@@bournejason66 Yes, absolutely.
Don't like when they draw pickleball lines in tennis court.
Neither do i
Looks like your courts have been invaded by pickle ballers.
Yes :(
Very useful video. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!