The first topic in today’s show is a little move that adds “shazam” to your results! If you’re looking for more power and topspin on your forehand ground stroke then definitely check out what this move is and how you can go about making it a habit. I also talk about the correct time to use a drop shot during your singles points. Find out the 6 times that are terrible to use this sneaky little play, and what you should be looking for when deciding to use it or not.
Two comments: (1) I listened to the question several times. The questioner got “shazam” by pointing the butt end of the racquet at the target at the start of his FH groundstroke. Your answer concerned pointing the butt end of the racquet at the target at the end of the groundstroke. IMHO both could produce longer swing paths. Do you agree? (2) What about the BH side? I try to point the butt of my racquet toward the target at the start of my one-handed BH. Where should the butt be facing upon completion of the stroke?
Jim,
I actually received an e-mail from a different listener saying the exact same thing as your point #1. He was in fact referring to the follow through. I know this because his full question (I very typically omit parts of the questions I read “on air” for brevities sake) referred to a previous show that was also about releasing the racket head on the follow though. I do agre with you that taking the racket back far enough for the butt cap to also point towards the ball on the backswing also increases range of motion and swing length, but most rec players don’t have any problems do that, it’s the follow through that chokes people off much more frequently.
2) Same thing! The butt cap should face your target on the follow of both a one handed and two handed backhand (especially two handed). A bit short of this is OK for a one handed backhand, but on a two hander the racket should definitely turn over enough to reach that position.
Hopefully that helps!
You can comfortably download it using any external download software that allows resumption.
Thanks for the tip! We’ve also made some changes on this end that will hopefully help downloading from browsers….
Thanks, I figured that’s what you meant, but wanted to clarify. It is hard to know the difference between that and “breaking” the wrist. A coach once said it’s not breaking the wrist, but it sure seems close to it to me. Anyway, I think I know what you mean — it’s mostly being loose through contact, pronating, and following through loosely instead of forcing the shot “tightly”. It’s more fluid swinging and less rigid pushing it through, right?
Thanks again, Kevin
Kevin,
“Releasing” isn’t the same thing as “breaking the wrist”, as I said in the podcast that’s a huge misconception. Allowing the wrist to be very loose and relaxed is really important, but very rarely do you want it to actually “break” forward as you hit the ball, “releasing” is much more so forearm pronation. “It’s more fluid swinging and less rigid pushing it through, right?” Exactly.
Hi Ian,
What do you mean when you say “release” the forehand? Should I let go of the racket and throw it across the net as I swing?
Thx, Kevin.
Kevin,
As I said during the show a LOT of rec players tend to “hold on” to their swings, meaning that right around contact they get really tight and tense which inhibits the natural movement of the body and racket. Fully relaxing and allowing the racket to turn, extend, and rotate from contact to follow through is what I mean by “release”.
Hopefully that makes sense!
once again Will, you have good things to say when you get to them—-cut it short–
Will? Wrong website 😉
I Like those podcasts but it is always hard to only listen to tennis tips….a picture is worth a thousand words…..
That’s why there’s a video section of the site! 🙂 Most people definitely learn better via video, audio is great for when you’re working out, commuting to work, doing yard work, etc etc.
Ian your verbal explainations are helpful, because when i am watching a live tennis match on TV, i try to hear what you’ve said about technique, and then try to see how the players are following it.
Audio gives us ideas, that once we see something, it helps .
Greetings Ian,
Any chance you could post a clip of this?
Milad,
That’s definitely a great topic to do a video on, I’ll add it to my list!
Unable to view it on my browser. I do not know why
Mark,
It’s an audio podcast 🙂
Keith,
Looks like you’re having the same issue as Michael above, please check out the suggestions that I gave him. Let me know if I can help any further!
Podcast ended at about the 14 minute mark – right where you were going to read Ed’s question?
I downloaded podcast 188 – Forehand Shazam!, but only got 6 seconds of it. Any insight?
Michael,
Sorry to hear about that! I just tested it myself and got the whole file…..you might want to try using a different browser, or a different computer/internet connection if possible. Sometimes slower connections get cut off before the download is complete. You could also listen in iTunes as well!
Please let me know if you need any further help.