How to Use Roger Federer Secrets to Hit Better Forehands and Backhands

Roger Federer is to tennis what Wayne Gretzky is to hockey and Michael Jordan is to basketball. He is perhaps the greatest player in tennis history and even those who dispute that claim have to admit he's near the top of the list, with 16 Grand Slam titles and a record 237 weeks ranked as number one in the world. Federer has very effective forehand and backhand swings and while it is unlikely that an amateur player could come close to matching him, you can incorporate some of his technique into your own game.

Instructions

    • 1

      Visualize yourself connecting with the forehand or backhand successfully. Federer credits mental focus as being a key to his success. He has stated that once he decided to calm down during games he was losing and to picture himself playing well and winning, his forehands and backhands were much more effective.

    • 2

      Practice by having two partners on the other side of the net returning balls to you. This limits your resting time between shots and improves your conditioning, which, in turn, can make your forehands and backhands more powerful. Federer often uses this technique when he trains.

    • 3

      Practice serving by hitting 50 balls to the deuce court and 50 to the ad court, alternating between the two, until you complete 100 serves. Federer does this regularly and it helps to strengthen the forearms and makes for more effective forehands as well as backhands.

    • 4

      Turn your entire body, shoulders and racket towards the ball in one motion as you begin a forehand shot. This generates more power than just using your arm and also gives you more control over the ball. Federer can be seen doing this in nearly every forehand shot he makes. Keep the racket perpendicular to the ground and connect with the ball when it is still in front of the body, completing with a full follow-through.

    • 5

      Step into the shot when delivering a backhand to generate more power as you bring the racket across and into the ball. Turn your shoulders away from the ball past your hips to get more torque into the back swing. Federer is very consistent in how he does this.

    • 6

      Drive the racket into the ball as you use your other arm to counterbalance, preventing you from falling from the force of your swing. Federer also keeps his eyes on the ball at all times without looking to where he wants the ball to go, so you should do the same.