Fixing the Forehand That Breaks Down in Matches

It’s one thing to hit a smooth, easy forehand in practice.  But sound technique doesn’t always carry over the same way in a real match. When you step on the court to compete, the mental side becomes huge. This is when doubt creeps in, timing gets off, and sometimes you even lose the feel altogether.

There are many ways your forehand can break down when nerves kick in:

Sloppy footwork
Poor spacing (getting too close or too far from the ball)
Tight grip
Slower acceleration, more hesitant swing
Too much spin or not enough spin
Shots landing short
Poor shot selection under pressure

All of these are common issues that surfaces in match play.  This is not something to be ashamed of — and it’s also happened to every single tennis player at least once.

Many believe the forehand breaks down more than the backhand. …