How to Make My Forehand Stronger

The forehand technique is used in tennis as a way to add more power when hitting the ball back to the opponent. The forehand technique grew in popularity as tennis rackets transferred from wood to more durable materials. If you are interested in strengthening your forehand stroke, you should follow several techniques.

Things You'll Need

  • Tennis racket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Change your grip to the Eastern Grip method. To do this, hold the tennis racket by the shaft so it is in front of you, with your left hand if you're right-handed or your right hand if you're left-handed. Hold the racket so its strings are perpendicular with the ground and hold onto the stringed end of the racket with your free hand. Move the palm of your hand holding the shaft toward your body and stop when your hand is at the end of the shaft.

    • 2

      Wrap your fingers around the shaft, but make sure to place a little space between each finger. Make sure the base knuckle of your index finger is resting on the third bevel of the racket shaft and your thumb wraps around the other side of the shaft. If done correctly, the space between your index finger and thumb will create a V-shape pointing toward your right shoulder, or left shoulder. This grip will provide you with more topspin without losing any control or power.

    • 3

      Accelerate the racket toward the ball while keeping your wrist in a static position. Do not move your arm, keeping the stringed portion of the racket on the same plane as your hand. As you engage in the stroke, move your shoulders with your arm to enhance the strength of the forehand swing.

    • 4

      Follow through with the forehand stroke by wrapping your arm around your neck until the elbow of the hitting arm is in front of your nose. While this may not be possible during a game, while practicing your forehand you should focus on completely following through with the stroke. This will add power and control to the stroke, according to the United States Tennis Association.