Verdasco's Running Forehand
1. Hitting on the run is a particularly difficult part of tennis for many club players. You don’t have time to concentrate on your footwork or preparation, so you often end up off-balance and flailing at the ball. If you need help hitting on the run, Fernando Verdasco is a great model. In this picture, notice his compact, well-timed backswing, his full shoulder turn, and the position of his left foot. The left leg is going to help propel Verdasco into the shot.
2. Verdasco plants his left foot and begins to push off toward the net. Even if you’re stretched wide and running hard for the ball, try to get your weight moving into the court. That way, you don’t have to rely solely on your arm to generate power. Also, look closely and you can see that the butt cap of Verdasco’s racquet handle is aimed at the ball. This sort of rotation will allow him to use his shoulders and legs as much as possible.
3. Verdasco explodes off his back foot and into the ball. Normally, you don’t want to hit a forehand with a fully extended arm, but this on-the-run, crosscourt shot is an exception. The key is to make contact early. Verdasco hits the outside of the ball and strikes it well in front of his body. His balance is perfect: His shoulders remain level, his right arm begins to tuck in as his shoulders rotate, and his feet, though both are off the ground, are equidistant from the center of his body.
4. As he whips his follow-through over his right shoulder, Verdasco lands on his right foot. It’s tough to hit a flat, crosscourt winner on the run, so he wisely opts to add extra topspin to his shot. Even though he lands with great force on his right foot, Verdasco doesn’t hunch forward or fall over, another sign that he’s balanced and striking the ball cleanly. When club players are faced with a tough shot, they tend to rush or overhit. Verdasco shows why it’s important to remain calm and concentrate on making good contact.
5. A full shoulder rotation provides another benefit: It sends your body spinning back toward the middle of the court in preparation for the next shot. Verdasco pivots on his front foot and extends his left leg to stop his sideways momentum. His shoulders now face the net, and he can move in either direction, depending on his opponent’s reply.
6. Or, he can celebrate with a fist pump.There’s something to take away from this photo, too. In between points, whether you hit a winner or make an error, give your hitting hand a rest and hold the racquet with your off hand. It keeps the wrist loose and ready to whip more forehands on the run.
Verdasco's Running Forehand
By Paul Annacone |
Thursday, September 23, 2010
6
comment(s)
1. Hitting on the run is a particularly difficult part of tennis for many club players. You don’t have time to concentrate on your footwork or preparation, so you often end up off-balance and flailing at the ball. If you need help hitting on the run, Fernando Verdasco is a great model. In this picture, notice his compact, well-timed backswing, his full shoulder turn, and the position of his left foot. The left leg is going to help propel Verdasco into the shot.
2. Verdasco plants his left foot and begins to push off toward the net. Even if you’re stretched wide and running hard for the ball, try to get your weight moving into the court. That way, you don’t have to rely solely on your arm to generate power. Also, look closely and you can see that the butt cap of Verdasco’s racquet handle is aimed at the ball. This sort of rotation will allow him to use his shoulders and legs as much as possible.
3. Verdasco explodes off his back foot and into the ball. Normally, you don’t want to hit a forehand with a fully extended arm, but this on-the-run, crosscourt shot is an exception. The key is to make contact early. Verdasco hits the outside of the ball and strikes it well in front of his body. His balance is perfect: His shoulders remain level, his right arm begins to tuck in as his shoulders rotate, and his feet, though both are off the ground, are equidistant from the center of his body.
4. As he whips his follow-through over his right shoulder, Verdasco lands on his right foot. It’s tough to hit a flat, crosscourt winner on the run, so he wisely opts to add extra topspin to his shot. Even though he lands with great force on his right foot, Verdasco doesn’t hunch forward or fall over, another sign that he’s balanced and striking the ball cleanly. When club players are faced with a tough shot, they tend to rush or overhit. Verdasco shows why it’s important to remain calm and concentrate on making good contact.
5. A full shoulder rotation provides another benefit: It sends your body spinning back toward the middle of the court in preparation for the next shot. Verdasco pivots on his front foot and extends his left leg to stop his sideways momentum. His shoulders now face the net, and he can move in either direction, depending on his opponent’s reply.
6. Or, he can celebrate with a fist pump.There’s something to take away from this photo, too. In between points, whether you hit a winner or make an error, give your hitting hand a rest and hold the racquet with your off hand. It keeps the wrist loose and ready to whip more forehands on the run.