❔ Question ❔

Basic groundstroke question

I'm comfortable hitting flat when the ball comes at me low. But when the ball comes higher like shoulder height, I struggle hitting my forehand flat (It tends to either float or hit the net). What should I be doing? Should I slice? Maybe approach the ball and hit it when it's still low on the way up? I notice this problem a lot during warmups when we do baseline to baseline.

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Comments (11)

u/theAGENT_MAN2d ago

If the ball floats it means you hit it with a lot of slice. Racket face is open compared to swing path (high to low). If you hit the net it means you either close the face (or too closed compared to swing path) or you have a swing path too steep. In general you should attack a shoulder high ball since you have net clearance and can, if needed, get the ball down towards the opponents feet or find an angle. If it’s too high, slice is hard (and it should be avoided on low or high balls). It’s better to make a longer flat stroke at the same path how you want the ball to go. Try to keep the racket neutral towards the path. In theory it’s super simple but if you struggle with a flat shot from a high ball it either means you must practice face control or swing path or a combination. Think of it as a flatter bajada without the back wall, maybe that helps.

u/butterflyl3OP2d ago

Yes, I struggle keeping the racket face at the right angle. When the ball floats, what seems to happen is the racket face opens just at the moment of impact (maybe my wrist is not locked enough). I'll try to think of it as a bajada...

u/theAGENT_MAN1d ago

The ball will have slice regardless (because of the hit and movement) but I suggest you aim for a flat shot. The best things is honestly a coach with a ball basket and that you film yourself. :)

u/Upper-Application5832d ago

High forehands from.the back I hit with slice hard

u/Creative_Election2882d ago

I’m not sure if I understood you correctly, but here are the steps you should follow IMO: 1- If the ball bounces on or near the baseline: Let it pass you and hit the back glass. After it hits the glass it will drop and you can easily play it as a chiquita or a lob. 2-If the ball bounces in the middle of the court and rises up to your shoulder: in this case, the ball will probably die on the back glass or become very hard to play, so try to step forward and hit it early as a half volley right after the bounce Also, I don't recommend using the slice from the back of the court

u/butterflyl3OP2d ago

Thanks for your reply. The situation is number 2. I'm standing behind the service line. If I stay where I am, I could receive the ball at shoulder height. But I have time to move forward and hit the ball at a lower point when it's on its way up because the ball isn't too fast. Seems like you suggest I step forward in that case...

u/Creative_Election2882d ago

In this way it’s perfect for transition from back to the net as you said it’s not fast, so you could play it Chiquita and you with your partner go to the net after. And you may have easy ball after you play the chiquita, or also you could play a lob and also take the net

u/HairyCallahan2d ago

So this is after the ball bounces? It bounces and then reaches you at shoulder height?

u/bachaterol2d ago

If you are behind the service line and the ball will not touch the glass or die at it, just hit a lob on its way down. If you step forward and hit a half volley on its way up, you risk a weak shot that either ends at the net or to be killed by the opponent at the net.