How to Find the Perfect Forehand Contact Point

TPA tennis
26 Sept 202304:07
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this instructional video, Tom Allsop explains the fundamentals of finding the perfect contact point for a forehand in tennis. He emphasizes the importance of body alignment, with the elbow in front of the shoulder and the hand ahead of the elbow for stability and strength. Tom also discusses the necessity of shoulder rotation for a powerful shot, advising players to face their shoulders to the target and avoid hitting from a sideways position. He highlights the common mistakes players make and provides insights into how to rotate the arm and body effectively for a strong and controlled forehand.

Takeaways
  • 🎾 The perfect contact point for a forehand in tennis is crucial for strength and stability.
  • 🔄 To achieve a strong forehand, the elbow should be in front of the shoulder and the hand should be in front of the elbow.
  • ❌ Common errors include being late in the swing and having a jammed position which hinders strength and stability.
  • 🧍‍♂️ Proper alignment is essential; the hand should be in front of the elbow, and the elbow should be outside the shoulder line.
  • 🤚 For a strong grip, the hand should not be in line with the elbow but slightly laid back and ahead of it.
  • 🤔 Players with a strong semi-western or western grip may struggle with arm rotation if the elbow is inside the shoulder line.
  • 📐 To find the perfect contact point, the shoulders should be square to the target, not sideways.
  • 💪 Facing the shoulders to the target allows for a strong and stable contact point, facilitating arm rotation through the shot.
  • 🏆 Professional players often have their dominant shoulder in front during the strike, though it's important not to overdo it.
  • 🔄 Tennis is a rotational sport; the key to hitting a straight ball is through body and arm rotation.
  • 🕺 Both closed and open stances can be used effectively for rotation, making it easier to achieve the desired contact point.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video by Tom Allsop?

    -The main topic of the video is finding the perfect contact point for your forehand in tennis and addressing common errors that prevent players from achieving it.

  • Why is having the elbow in front of the shoulder important for a forehand swing?

    -Having the elbow in front of the shoulder is important because it provides strength and stability, allowing for a more powerful and controlled swing.

  • What is the recommended alignment for the hand, elbow, and shoulder during a forehand swing?

    -The recommended alignment is for the hand to be in front of the elbow and the elbow to be in front of the shoulder, which promotes stability and control.

  • Why should the elbow be outside the line of the shoulder during forehand contact?

    -The elbow being outside the line of the shoulder helps maintain a strong and stable position, facilitating easier rotation of the arm through the shot.

  • What is the ideal shoulder position when hitting a forehand according to the video?

    -The ideal shoulder position is to have your shoulders square to the target, which allows for better control and a stronger contact point.

  • Why should players avoid hitting the ball with their shoulders staying sideways?

    -Staying sideways prevents players from getting the ball in front of them and limits the ability to rotate the arm and body for a strong and stable shot.

  • What does Tom Allsop suggest about the position of the dominant shoulder during a forehand strike?

    -Tom Allsop suggests that the dominant shoulder should be slightly behind the other one for better control, but it should not be too far back to avoid opening up too much.

  • How does Tom Allsop describe tennis as a sport in terms of body movement?

    -Tom Allsop describes tennis as a rotational sport where players rotate their bodies and arms around themselves to hit the ball in a straight line.

  • What is the significance of rotation in both forehand and backhand shots according to the video?

    -Rotation is significant as it allows for power and control in both forehand and backhand shots, with the body and arm rotating around the body for a more effective swing.

  • What advice does Tom Allsop give for players who play with a close or open stance?

    -For players with a close stance, Tom advises to rotate the body, and for those with an open stance, it can be easier to rotate the body, especially when the ball is wide or deep.

  • What should be the focus when setting up for a forehand shot according to Tom Allsop?

    -The focus should be on feeling the ability to rotate around oneself during the setup for the shot, which will make it easier to achieve the desired contact point.

Outlines
00:00
🎾 Perfect Forehand Contact Point Basics

Tom Allsop introduces the topic of finding the perfect contact point for the forehand in tennis. He emphasizes the importance of proper alignment, where the elbow should be in front of the shoulder and the hand in front of the elbow, to achieve strength and stability. He points out common mistakes that can hinder players from finding the optimal contact point and stresses the need for the racket head to be correctly positioned at the point of contact. The video also discusses the importance of shoulder positioning, with the elbow ideally outside the line of the shoulder and the hand outside the line of both, for better control and power in the shot.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Contact Point
The 'contact point' in tennis refers to the optimal position where a player makes contact with the ball during a stroke. In the video, Tom Allsop emphasizes the importance of finding the perfect contact point for a forehand shot to ensure strength and stability. He explains that if the elbow is in front of the shoulder and the hand is in front of the elbow, a player can achieve a strong and stable contact point, which is crucial for effective play.
💡Forehand
The 'forehand' is a fundamental stroke in tennis, typically executed with the dominant hand and is one of the most common shots played. In the script, the focus is on the perfect contact point for a forehand, which is essential for maximizing power and control. Tom Allsop discusses common errors that players make that prevent them from finding this optimal contact point, making it a central concept in the video.
💡Elbow Position
The 'elbow position' is critical in tennis for achieving a strong and stable contact point. Tom Allsop points out that if the elbow is behind the shoulder, the player is late and jammed, resulting in a lack of strength and stability. Conversely, having the elbow in front of the shoulder provides a solid base for the shot. This concept is integral to the video's theme of improving forehand technique.
💡Hand Position
The 'hand position' is another key aspect of the forehand stroke discussed in the video. Tom Allsop explains that the hand should be in front of the elbow to ensure strength in the shot. He also mentions that having the hand in line with the elbow does not provide the necessary strength, illustrating the importance of proper hand placement for an effective forehand.
💡Alignment
In the context of the video, 'alignment' refers to the correct positioning of the body parts during a forehand stroke. Tom Allsop stresses the importance of having the hand in front of the elbow and the elbow in front of the shoulder for optimal stability and control. Proper alignment is essential for achieving the perfect contact point and is a recurring theme throughout the video.
💡Shoulder Position
The 'shoulder position' is highlighted as a crucial factor in achieving a strong contact point. Tom Allsop explains that the shoulders should be square to the target to facilitate a proper contact point. He also mentions that if the shoulders are not facing the target, it can lead to a weaker position with the elbow under the shoulder, which is detrimental to the shot's effectiveness.
💡Rotational Sport
Tennis is described as a 'rotational sport' in the video, emphasizing the importance of body rotation in generating power and control in strokes. Tom Allsop explains that even though the goal is to hit the ball in a straight line, players achieve this by rotating their bodies and arms around themselves. This concept is central to understanding how to generate power in a forehand stroke.
💡Semi-Western Grip
The 'semi-western grip' is a type of grip used in tennis that is mentioned in the context of the elbow's position during a forehand stroke. Tom Allsop notes that with a strong semi-western or western grip, the elbow may come inside the shoulder line, but advises players to be slightly further to the outside for easier arm rotation. This grip is relevant to the discussion on achieving the perfect contact point.
💡Dominant Shoulder
The 'dominant shoulder' is the shoulder on the side of the player's dominant hand. In the video, Tom Allsop discusses how the dominant shoulder should be in front of the other during a forehand strike to achieve a strong contact point. He also warns against overdoing this shoulder turn, which could lead to a loss of control, illustrating the need for balance in shoulder positioning.
💡Rotation
The concept of 'rotation' is a key theme in the video, as it relates to the body mechanics involved in hitting a forehand. Tom Allsop explains that rotation around the body is essential for power and control in the forehand shot. He provides examples of how to rotate the body and arm for an effective shot, whether playing with a closed or open stance, and emphasizes the importance of this rotational movement in achieving the desired contact point.
Highlights

Tom Allsop discusses finding the perfect contact point for a forehand in tennis.

Identifies common errors that prevent players from finding the ideal contact point.

Describes the correct alignment where the elbow should be in front of the shoulder and the hand in front of the elbow for strength and stability.

Mentions that being late or jammed can result in a lack of strength and stability.

Advises against hitting with the hand in line with the elbow due to the lack of strength in that position.

Explains that proper alignment allows for better control and stability in tennis strokes.

Recommends the elbow to be outside the line of the shoulder and the hand outside of both for optimal contact.

Notes that a strong semi-western or western grip may alter the elbow's position but emphasizes the importance of rotation.

Suggests being slightly further to the outside for easier arm rotation through the shot.

Details the importance of shoulder positioning for finding the perfect contact point.

Advises facing shoulders square to the target for a strong and stable contact point.

Criticizes the common advice to stay sideways while hitting the ball, advocating for shoulder turn instead.

Observes that top players often have their dominant shoulder in front during the strike.

Warns against over-rotation and the need to control the shoulder turn.

Stresses that tennis is a rotational sport, emphasizing the importance of body and arm rotation for straight ball trajectory.

Provides tips on how to rotate the body and arm effectively during forehand strokes.

Encourages viewers to watch the next video and subscribe for more tennis tips.

Transcripts

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Tennis TipsForehand TechniqueContact PointSports TrainingElbow AlignmentHand PositionShoulder RotationTennis CoachingPlayer ErrorsPerformance Improvement