Closed Stance Forehand - Improving Power and Accuracy
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

If you use a closed stance, you should be able to direct your shots more accurately than players who use an open stance forehand. That's because open stance players swing more across the body (and not towards the target) and so theoretically they sacrifice both depth and accuracy.

If adding power is your major priority, however, be sure not to stand completely sideways to the net. Your upper body needs to be at least slightly open - enough to allow your hips to turn through the shot. That way you'll generate power from the use of the big muscle groups in your trunk, shoulders and legs. This rotation of the trunk allows something known as "pre-stretching" of the shoulder muscles to occur. The muscles stretch and load up with tension ready to release energy into the swing. Hit the ball when it's in front of your body and coordinate the trunk rotation with a step in towards your target. Stepping in should also help with accuracy and you can improve this still further by "staying with" the shot right through the hitting zone and out towards your target.

Obviously, extra power is no good to you if the ball doesn't go where you want it to! So try these drills to develop a really steady forehand:

Rally in half the singles court, cooperating with each other and counting how many consecutive forehands you make before the rally breaks down. Then play first to 11 points, taking it in turns to feed the ball in (the ball must be in play for a minimum of 2 shots, otherwise the point must be replayed). When you're comfortable with that, progress to applying the same drill to a smaller court area - the tramlines (doubles alley)! That'll test you!

Regards.

Dave Winship