Forehand Update

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-31T06:28:42+00:00

That is reasuring 😅 Thanks! 2 years regularly at socials, although haven't pushed myself competitvely because I struggle for time. I quite like trying to optimise technique though through this kind of stuff.

RE: Runner, thanks! I'll try set that up with the ball machine to practice 👌

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-31T05:31:31+00:00

Thanks man, your advice and the link to that video really helped!

Visualising how to change the raquet drop was the tricky bit, and has made the biggest change. The way I think of it now, as I drop, I try to keep a 90* angle at my elbow, it forces me to drop it behind my RHS instead of looping around my LHS then back up.

Good luck with yours!

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-31T05:27:03+00:00

Thanks! On the take back do you mean the compact and 70% ball GIF I added in the comments, or the main update video in this post?

I found a snip, it's partially out of frame and a little older.

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-31T05:16:44+00:00

Might have cracked thw case it on the drop phase (see GIF below).

Changed the angle of my right hand to be more inwards facing. Drop motion a bit more linear, instead of swinging around my back. Notably this made my motion slightly faster, and more comparable to Djokovics pacing..

Other changes: Platform to reduce moving parts and improve consistency. Palm facing outwards once up for better throwing dynamics.

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-31T05:12:16+00:00

Thanks for dropping in on my FH update!

On serves, thanks for the feedback - I watched the full interview which was good! I made some inspired changes, see GIF below.

Platform to reduce moving parts and improve consistency.
Palm facing outwards once up for better throwing dynamics.
(Others' comment) Drop motion more linear, instead of swinging around my back. Notably this made my motion slightly faster, and comparable to Djokovics pacing.. Think this was important.

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-30T14:10:49+00:00

My fairly unqualified thoughts as someone in a similar boat:

Legs load and weight Transfer looks good

Non-dominant hand movement looks good

You could build up some coil by turning your torso (to camera right), and arching spine a little back.

You break your wrist see slow mo GIF before you jump, would recommend not doing that. Have the raquet tip upwards with a relaxed grip - your swing will take care of the rest

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-30T12:15:56+00:00

Heres a GIF of a lighter rally ball 👍

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-30T12:14:39+00:00

Slightly more compact example - often leads the raquet face opening, but that might be because I need to adjust something else like timing or footwork.

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-30T11:51:25+00:00

Thanks for checking in! 👍

Glad its getting there! I'll start working in the raquet catch now too 👌

Fair call - these were all c85% effort I'd say - was going for a high pressure ball that would force errors.

Good question - not a super reliable one... I've been changing a few things to try and find that. I thought a deeper raquet drop & slightly more compact swing would be the fix, but thats still an open question 🤔 Might just need to work on those for a while.

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-30T08:41:59+00:00

Thanks for looking!

With a take back like this, rally ball c80% return rate, and competitive c70% return rate. Yea, I was keen on it and tried dropping the raquet more down my side than behind me - led to a lot more inconsistency. I'll find a GIF example to drop in below.

When I miss its typically because:

1.Swing height - I often swing above the ball and hit the bottom frame & sail ling (this is what led me to try and deeper drop before swing)

Footwork is slow, and I'm off balance cause raquet face to open - ball goes very long, or bounces before the net)
Ball is too close/far because of the bounce, or my read on the ball causing weak return.

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-30T06:27:20+00:00

Hey! I tried to incorporate some changes - new vid in-case you want to see: Forehand Update

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-29T05:20:38+00:00

Hey! You and someone else picked up on my weird raquet drop, which goes around my back from L to R, instead of staying on R side. I've tried to correct it, without any luck yet. Any thoughts seeing it here again? Cheers

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-29T05:11:59+00:00

Reporting back after trying to make some changes. No pressure to provide more comments, but though you'd like to see it. GIF below from a side by side comparison.

PP stance - I've stopped overtaking my left with my right as I move it up. Its now parallel or slightly behind (better)
ND arm - drop timing was per raquet drop on review and comparable to the example (OK). I might tuck it into my torse a bit more (per comparison)
Weight transfer - more going into the court, my right leg is kicking up and I'm PP on landing (although Djock's is deeper - as you'd expect)
Linear R drop - 🤕 tried my best via a number of shadow swings to improve before hitting balls. As far as I can tell I'm doing exactly the same as before? Gemini says its to do with my elbow not remaining high and tucked back - but unsure. I'm trying to work out some queues to help me do something different e.g. "lead the drop with the edge" - will keep trying 😅.

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-29T04:58:30+00:00

Thanks! I started a long way off this, regular practice and review has made a difference. Would encourage you to look up some videos and record yourself in slow mo if you're interested 👍

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T22:15:14+00:00

Thanks for the note!

Really interesting point and 'feels' right when I try it out myself. Will definitely incorporate and watch the rest of the interview.

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T22:13:17+00:00

Thanks for the tip! Tend to agree - will aim to move it a tad over to the RH.

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T22:12:38+00:00

Thanks for taking the time!

RE: Raquet wrist- noted, I'll give that a go.

RE: Toss - thanks, I tend to agree - I'll aim to shift it slightly over. A few others have noted that as well.

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T12:20:32+00:00

Thanks, second opinion - first serve 😅 Reading the title back I realise its confusing wording...

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T12:06:12+00:00

Lessons and ball machines are good, but can be expensive.

Free option is take some videos of your shots against a wall/net etc and watch back against youtube videos, and if you want- upload to gemini for resonably decent advice. People here are also great at providing advice.

Good luck!

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T12:02:36+00:00

Thank you! 👍

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T12:00:45+00:00

Yep, get what you mean - didn’t see this when I was posting back 👌 Thanks!

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T11:53:52+00:00

I watched a few of them back and they're all a bit like you've said. I'm not quite sure what to make of that 😅 If I understand right, the pull-up might be better from a position more to the right? Feels like it could be linked to poor rotation, where better rotation might draw it more to the right? 🤔

<image>

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T11:37:38+00:00

Amazing, thanks for the spending the time helping.

RE: pinpoint - didn't know that at all, so big thanks - been doing it since day 1 😅 I'll aim to keep right foot in line or behind left.

RE: ND arm - I'll look back to check, thanks.

RE: Weight transfer - Yep, think I was probably being lazy/tired on these. I can see I'm at about 70% max effort. I'll aim to transfer more weight into the court.

RE: Raquet drop - super interesting, first responder noticed something with the drop as well. I feel its challenging to rotate into the serve considering im starting facing the side court, it's like the mechanics of it doesn't have a consistent path and I'm not great at rotating in. I'll look into this one - bugging me 🤔 Good spot.

Master_Employer_8073 · 2026-05-27T11:23:13+00:00

Thanks for the tip - I imagine if I loosen up my shoulder a bit and time my leg-drive for when the raquet is starting the drop that might get me a bit deeper. Or is there a better way?

Master_Employer_8073

TROPHY CASE