The eastern
fore hand starts with the index finger knuckle on the middle
bevel of the grip. This grip gives you the advantage of topspin
and the ability to handle low balls.
This is
probably the most important element of the eastern forehand.
From the ready position, turn your shoulders (which automatically
takes your racket back for you) and keep your balance. Be sure
to keep your back-swing short and compact. Common Mistake: 1.
To lose your balance and fall back on your heels. 2. Too big
of a back-swing (usually coming from your tennis swing).
'Loading
Up' is a term used to refer to placing all your weight on your
back foot while staying balanced before transferring your weight
forward. This allows you to get power from your legs and forces
you not to muscle the ball with your arms.
After you
have loaded up, transfer your weight from the bock foot to the
front foot while making contact. Common Mistake: Transferring
weight too early (before contact). This tokes all the power
off the boll and can couse the boll to go into the net.
Contact
point should be out in front while transferring your weight.
Keep the ball in front of you and try to get the ball in your
strike zone. The strike zone can be anywhere between your waist
and shoulders depending on the height of the ball. When making
contact it is imperative to brush up the back of the ball. Simple
Drill: Hold the ball still between the tape of the net and your
racket without letting the ball drop. From this position, make
the ball go over the net. This will give you an understanding
of brushing the ball.
This is
another key point to the eastern forehand. Follow through over
the shoulder without breaking the wrist. Let the momentum of
the racket speed continue over the shoulder without hesitation.
It is important to let the racket flow throughout the swing.
Common Mistake: Stopping follow through too soon can cause the
ball to fly long.
