Find Your Forehand Contact Point Everytime (Science Explained)

Tennis Doctor
11 Mar 202404:35
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script addresses common misconceptions about the forehand contact point in tennis. It debunks the advice of a straight arm and instead promotes a bent elbow, emphasizing that the elbow should not touch the body and the swing path should be out and away for power. The speaker suggests using the non-hitting hand as a guide to find the optimal distance from the ball and advises against arming the ball or pushing it. The key is to hit with a relaxed wrist and allow for natural arm extension post-contact for a compact swing. The video encourages viewers to explore these concepts further through an online course for a comprehensive approach to tennis.

Takeaways
  • 🎾 The traditional advice on forehand contact point can be counterproductive in high-speed tennis situations.
  • 🤔 Hitting with a bent arm on the forehand is acceptable and common among top players, contrary to the straight-arm advice.
  • 💡 The key is to keep the elbow away from the body and maintain a proper swing path for power and control.
  • 🔄 Swinging out and away from the body, like a hula hoop, is crucial for generating power in the forehand.
  • 🙅‍♂️ Avoid 'arming' the ball; stay loose and relaxed, especially in the wrist.
  • 👐 Use the non-hitting hand to find the relative area for your contact point, which serves as an indicator for spacing.
  • 🌊 Imagine being a surfer to help maintain balance and find the right distance from the ball for contact.
  • ⛔ Beware of the 'danger zone' where the ball is too close, which can lead to getting jammed during the follow-through.
  • 🚫 Avoid pushing the ball by focusing on a compact swing and relaxing through the contact point.
  • 📍 The contact point should be slightly in front of the body to facilitate a smooth follow-through and wrist relaxation.
  • 📈 Most of the arm extension should occur after the ball has left the strings, not before hitting the ball.
Q & A

  • What is the main point of the video script regarding the forehand contact point in tennis?

    -The main point is that players should not be overly concerned with having a straight arm at contact point and instead focus on the swing path of the racket for power and a compact swing.

  • Why is hitting with a bent arm on the forehand considered acceptable?

    -Hitting with a bent arm is acceptable because the key is to keep the elbow out and away from the body, allowing for a proper swing path that generates power.

  • What is the recommended way to find the forehand contact point according to the script?

    -The script suggests using the non-hitting hand as an indicator to find the relative area for the contact point, ensuring the proper spacing from the ball.

  • What should a player's arm position be when letting go of the racket and following through?

    -The player's arm should fall parallel to the baseline, which indicates the relative distance away from the body for striking the ball.

  • Why is it not advisable to focus solely on extending the arm before making contact with the ball?

    -Focusing on arm extension before contact can lead to 'arming' the ball, which means the player is pushing the ball instead of hitting it with relaxed and built-up kinetic energy.

  • What is the 'danger zone' mentioned in the script and what does it imply for a player's forehand?

    -The 'danger zone' refers to when the ball is coming at a distance less than the arm's length from the body, which can lead to the player getting jammed and unable to follow through properly.

  • What is the recommended contact point position in relation to the player's body?

    -The contact point should be just slightly in front of the body, allowing the player to maintain a compact swing and relax the wrist to cover the top of the ball.

  • How should the arm extension occur during the forehand swing according to the script?

    -Most of the arm extension should happen after the ball has left the strings, rather than before making contact, to avoid pushing the ball.

  • What is the purpose of the online course mentioned in the script?

    -The online course aims to build on the concepts discussed in the script and provide a complete system for enjoying tennis for the rest of one's life.

  • How can viewers sign up for the online course mentioned in the script?

    -Viewers can sign up for the online course by clicking the link in the description and visiting the instructor's website.

Outlines
00:00
🎾 Optimal Forehand Contact Point in Tennis

This paragraph discusses the common misconceptions about the forehand contact point in tennis and offers advice on how to find the proper position. Contrary to traditional advice, it's acceptable to hit with a bent arm rather than a straight one, as long as the elbow is not touching the body and the swing path is correct. The focus should be on swinging out and away from the body to generate power, rather than pushing the ball forward. The non-hitting hand can be used as an indicator to find the right distance from the ball, and the contact point should be slightly in front of the body to maintain a compact swing. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of relaxing the wrist and extending the arm after the ball has made contact to avoid pushing with the arm and to maximize power and control.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Forehand
The forehand is a fundamental stroke in tennis played with one hand, typically the dominant one. It is used to strike the ball with a forward and upward motion. In the video, the forehand is the central focus, with the speaker discussing the proper technique for contact points and the importance of not 'arming the ball' for a more natural and powerful swing.
💡Contact Point
The contact point in tennis refers to the point in space where the player's racket meets the ball. It is crucial for control, power, and accuracy. The script emphasizes finding the optimal forehand contact point, suggesting it should be slightly in front of the body and using the non-hitting hand as an indicator for positioning.
💡Arm Extension
Arm extension is the act of fully extending one's arm, often associated with reaching for the ball in tennis. The video challenges the traditional advice of having a straight arm at contact point, arguing that a bent elbow is acceptable and more beneficial for power and fluidity in the forehand swing.
💡Swing Path
The swing path is the trajectory that the racket follows during a stroke. The video emphasizes the importance of having a proper swing path for the forehand, suggesting that players should aim for a 'loop' around the body to generate more power rather than just moving straight forward.
💡Circumference and Radius
In the context of the video, circumference and radius refer to the spatial relationship between the player and the ball during the swing. The speaker advises getting a good 'circumference and radius' away from the body to hit through the shot, indicating the need for a full, rounded swing motion.
💡Bent Elbow
A bent elbow during a forehand stroke means that the player's arm is not fully extended at the point of contact with the ball. The video suggests that having a bent elbow is not only acceptable but also preferable for many top players, as it allows for a more relaxed and powerful swing.
💡Non-Hitting Hand
The non-hitting hand is the hand that is not used to hold the racket during a stroke. In the video, it is used as a tool to help find the correct spacing from the ball, with the speaker recommending that players let their non-hitting arm fall parallel to the baseline to gauge the proper distance.
💡Compact Swing
A compact swing in tennis refers to a stroke that is efficient and controlled, with minimal wasted movement. The script advises against pushing the ball, which is a result of not relaxing through the contact point, and instead promotes a compact swing to maintain control and power.
💡Relaxing Through the Contact Point
This phrase means maintaining a relaxed wrist and arm during the contact with the ball, which is essential for generating natural power and preventing injury. The video emphasizes the importance of not 'arming the ball' and instead staying relaxed to maximize the swing's effectiveness.
💡Online Course
An online course mentioned in the video is a digital learning platform where viewers can further their understanding of the concepts discussed. The speaker encourages viewers to take the next step in their tennis journey by enrolling in the course for a comprehensive system to improve their game.
Highlights

The traditional advice on forehand contact point might be counterproductive in high-speed tennis situations.

Hitting with a bent arm on the forehand is acceptable and common among top players.

Elbow position is crucial; it should not touch the body and should be out in the way.

The swing path of the racket is more important than arm extension.

Aiming for a looped swing around the body generates more power.

It's unnecessary to extend the arm fully at contact point for a forehand.

Staying loose like a 'famous goose' is key to a good forehand.

Using the non-hitting hand can help find the optimal contact point.

The non-hitting arm falling parallel to the baseline indicates the proper distance from the ball.

Maintaining balance is important, akin to a surfer's stance.

The contact point should be slightly in front of the body for a compact swing.

Avoid pushing the ball by relaxing through the contact point.

Most of the arm extension should occur after the ball has left the strings.

Applying these principles helps in finding the optimal forehand contact point.

An online course is available for a complete system to improve tennis skills.

The course promises to enhance enjoyment of tennis for a lifetime.

Transcripts

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Tennis TipsForehand TechniqueContact PointSports TrainingWrist PositionSwing PathPower HittingTennis StrategyGame ImprovementOnline Course