Hitting on the Run And Fast Balls With A Western Forehand
Hi Tomaz,
I gone through all of your postings but I didn’t find what I was looking for.
Quick facts: Right handed, western grip, 2 handed backhand grip.
Here is my 2 questions/my problems:
1) What is the best way to hit a ball on the run? I am not talking about stretching to reach the ball and hit deep forehand slice like pro nadal do. I mean you reach the ball comfortable on the run but not enough time you would have normally to hit a forehand.
On the run, I try to go with all my usual swing but I am most often late. Some times I anticipate the ball in advance but I will end up too close to the ball (overran) and hit weak ball. In general what is the best to hit the ball on the ran? deep slice?
You mention being late or being too close to the ball. These mistakes happen becuase of lack of practice and not because something is wrong with your technique.
Both happen because you misjudge the flight of the ball. I cannot teach you how to judge the ball with English words. 
You have to go on court and EXPERIENCE many shots so that your brain can judge the ball flight better.
Imagine being run from corner to corner every day for 30 minutes and working on hitting the ball on the run WITHOUT any instruction. Would you improve after 1 month? YES, significantly.
Imagine how many times Nadal has had to hit the ball on the run during his training in the last 10 years… That’s why he makes the shots.
His technique on the run is definitely not perfect, but his timing and feel are. (because of massive repetition and his talent)
So that’s why you need to do. You can of course remind yourself here and there to “start early” – so that you won’t be late and to “keep space” between you and the ball so that you don’t get too close. But eventually these things have to become automatic so that you don’t have to coach yourself and can have a clear mind during play.
2) I observed that whenever my opponents hits a very hard ball, I always end up my return shot into the net. Sad part is I anticipate those ball speed very well in advance but I just don’t know how to approach my short.
I tried to hit back normally but I end up too late on the short as the ball comes pretty fast. Again whats the best approach when see a hard ball coming? slice? drop shot?
There are two reasons why you hit in the net:
- your western grip makes the racquet point down when behind you. Only when the racquet comes to the contact point, it starts to point towards the net.
- you hit the ball too late (misjudgment – lack of practice)
Once you combine both, you see that when you are too late, your racquet is still pointing down – so the ball goes into the net.
Again, this can be corrected by hitting lots of balls that come very fast. Eventually you get your timing right and know how to manage a fast ball.
You can remind yourself to “shorten your backswing” on a fast ball – so that you swing in less time, and to “meet the ball well in front” and use its speed to send it back instead of swinging hard – which takes time and is more difficult to time.
- Related posts:
