How far out in front for the SW Forehand?

[KingBugsy]

I've have studying some of the Agassi videos here at the site.... It appears from the side shot videos that his horizontal contact point is at about an inch or two in front of his left foot. Would you say that the tip of the left foot (for righties) is a good amount to make contact out in front?

One of my weaknesses has been to allow the ball to get to much to my side... in other words late contact. Any ideas or drills to try to help ingrain a better contact point?

[Bungalow Bill]

Hey,

Good to see you here. I think that if you make contact in front it depends on the grip, it depends on your preference, it depends on how you practice (wanting to hit further in front), and your reference points within your skill level.

When late contact is made, the ball is hit around your belly button. I for one do not like to make contact too far in front. I get my power when it comes into the width of the feet a little. Why dont you tell me the video clip you are referring to and I can post it for all the members to see.

The strike zone for any grip is both vertical and horizontal. There is room for adjustment.

[KingBugsy]

Thanks for the welcome...

This is a good reference for Agassi:

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/pro_men/andreagassi/aa_forehand/aa_fh_center/aa_fh_center.html?AAFHCenterCourtLevelSide2.mov

It seems to me James Blake hits more out in front. Check this clip out:

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/pro_men/james_blake/jb_forehand/jb_fh_center/jb_fh_center.html?JBFHCenterOpenStanceCourtLevelSide2.mov

BB, would you say that "out in front" is good as long as as the ball stays in front of your torso? In other words, as long as the ball never reaches your side? I know I tend to not feel too comfortable when I really hit it well out in front... (out in front of my left foot) which I can do when I concentrate on it.

[Bungalow Bill]

Thanks for the welcome...

This is a good reference for Agassi:

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/pro_men/andreagassi/aa_forehand/aa_fh_center/aa_fh_center.html?AAFHCenterCourtLevelSide2.mov

It seems to me James Blake hits more out in front. Check this clip out:

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/pro_men/james_blake/jb_forehand/jb_fh_center/jb_fh_center.html?JBFHCenterOpenStanceCourtLevelSide2.mov

BB, would you say that "out in front" is good as long as as the ball stays in front of your torso? In other words, as long as the ball never reaches your side? I know I tend to not feel too comfortable when I really hit it well out in front... (out in front of my left foot) which I can do when I concentrate on it.

I think you need to do what is working for you right now. Hitting too far out in front can be deterimental. You also dont want to hit late. I usually go with the 45 degree angle. when the body plane is facing the 45 degree angle, hitting in front is when the ball is in front of your body on that angle. From a parallel view it is still in front that way as well.

I tend to use my front hip as my measure on hitting in front. I also am one that hits out in front but likes the ball a tad back.

Just film yourself and make sure that elbow is getting in front of the body plane. If you are dong that, you will have a strong chance of hitting in front.