Build a Reliable Forehand Before Adding Power

A tennis forehand groundstroke is the shot you hit after the bounce on your racket-hand side: right for a right-hander, left for a left-hander. To learn it, start with a repeatable grip, turn early, move into position and meet the ball slightly in front of you. Practise with gentle balls and a large target before adding power.

Choose what happens on your forehand; the tool gives you the next practice step.

Start With a Repeatable Eastern Grip

For this practice, start with an Eastern forehand grip. It is a useful beginner option, not the only correct forehand grip.

The racket handle has eight flat sides, called bevels. To find the Eastern grip:

1. Hold the racket with the string bed vertical, like a wall rather than a tabletop.
2. Look at the butt end of the handle. Call the top flat bevel 1, then number clockwise.
3. For a right-hander, place the base knuckle of your index finger and the heel pad of your palm on bevel 3. Sikana’s Eastern grip lesson demonstrates these two landmarks.
4. Mirror both landmarks onto bevel 7 if you are left-handed, keeping the same clockwise numbering. This coach-led grip guide confirms the left-handed index-knuckle position.

Keep the handle secure without squeezing continuously. The USTA’s beginner forehand guidance emphasizes a relaxed grip and a swing speed that lets you keep the ball in play.

If you already use a comfortable Semi-Western forehand grip, you do not need to change it just to follow this drill. For a closer hand-position check, use the Eastern grip guide.

Turn Early Without Stopping Your Feet

Begin facing the net with your knees slightly bent and your racket in front. Support the racket with your non-hitting hand.

As soon as you recognize a forehand, turn your shoulders and racket together toward that side. This is a unit turn: you prepare with your body rather than pulling the racket back with your arm alone.

Keep both hands on the racket during the initial turn, then release your non-hitting hand as the swing preparation continues. This sequence appears in Sikana’s forehand demonstration.

For slow practice balls, aim to have the turn underway before the bounce. You can still adjust your feet afterward; “prepare early” does not mean stand still and wait. The LTA’s beginner forehand lesson emphasizes getting into position before the bounce.

Make Space for Contact Beside You and in Front

Move toward the likely contact area, then use small adjustment steps to find the distance you need.

For an easy feed, turn side-on and let your non-racket foot step a little forward. Avoid crossing it so far across your body that it blocks the swing. You do not have to force this stance when the ball sends you wide; the first goal is enough space to swing in balance.

Meet the ball slightly in front of your body and to your racket side, not directly in front of your stomach. This is the USTA’s beginner contact cue. For this drill, choose feeds that let you make contact around waist height. The LTA recommends beginner contact roughly between knee and waist height, in front of the body.

Use the feel of the swing to check your spacing:

Contact Problem	What You Feel	Next Adjustment
Too close	Elbow squeezed against your ribs	Move farther from the ball
Too far	Reaching and tipping sideways	Move closer before swinging

Make the adjustment with your feet before contact rather than trying to rescue the shot with your arm.

Swing Forward and Up, Then Recover

From your prepared position, let the racket move below the intended contact height. Swing forward and upward through the ball while your body turns back toward the net. This low-to-high path introduces the brushing action used for topspin—forward rotation of the ball—as described in the USTA’s forehand guidance.

Keep the motion compact at first. Let the strings face generally toward your target at contact, then allow the racket to continue into a comfortable finish. Do not stop abruptly at the ball or force a wrist flick.

As control improves, the swing can become longer and finish over your non-hitting shoulder. The LTA teaches this short-to-long swing progression rather than requiring a large follow-through immediately.

After the finish, bring the racket back in front and move into position for the next ball. Include that reset in practice so the repetition does not end with your racket still behind you.

Practise Ten Gentle Forehands From the Service Line

This is a short-court version of Sikana’s self-feeding drill, with a large target and gentle swing.

Stand just behind the service line with several balls. Use the opposite service box as your target, aiming well inside its edges. Keep loose balls away from your feet.

1. Set your grip and turn side-on.
2. Drop a ball slightly in front and to your racket side.
3. Let it bounce, adjust your spacing and hit a gentle forehand.
4. Finish comfortably, then return to your ready position.
5. Repeat for ten balls at an easy pace.

If your drops stay too low, gently toss the ball upward instead. Keep the feed easy enough that you can organize the stroke without rushing.

As a practice target—not a formal skill test—try to land seven of ten balls in the opposite service box while making contact in front and finishing balanced. Repeat that in a second set before adding difficulty. Getting the ball into the box does not replace the contact and balance checks.

Add Adjustment Steps Before Pace

Once you meet that practice target twice, ask a partner to send gentle feeds that require one or two adjustment steps. Begin each feed facing the net in your ready position. You now practise recognizing the forehand and turning as well as swinging.

Keep the same target. If contact becomes cramped or late, simplify the feed rather than swing harder. For more work on clean contact, continue with the forehand contact drills.