How to Improve Your Tennis Forehand: 7 Practical Fixes
For most players, the forehand is their main shot from the baseline, so learning how to improve your tennis forehand has a direct effect on how many points you win. The good news is that most forehand problems come from a handful of common faults, and each one has a clear fix.
This guide covers seven practical fixes, from preparation to follow-through, with simple drills you can use on court. They apply whether you are a beginner learning the basics or an experienced player trying to add consistency and power.
Fix 1: Prepare earlier
The most common forehand problem is late preparation. If you only start turning when the ball bounces on your side, you are rushed, your swing gets shorter and your contact point drifts behind you.
The fix: as soon as you recognise the ball is coming to your forehand, turn your shoulders and hips together, taking the racket back with your body rather than with your arm alone. This is often called the unit turn. Aim to have it completed around the time the ball bounces.
Cue: "Turn as soon as you know it's a forehand."
Fix 2: Check your grip
Your grip determines the angle of your racket face at contact and the kind of swing that feels natural. Many recreational players use a grip that makes it hard to hit with both safety and pace.
Eastern forehand grip: a natural, versatile grip that suits flatter hitting and is often easier for beginners.
Semi-western forehand grip: turns the hand slightly further under the handle, making it easier to brush up the back of the ball for topspin. It is widely used in the modern game.
There is no single correct grip for everyone. If your forehand regularly flies long or lands in the net, ask a coach to check your grip before changing anything else.
Fix 3: Move your feet to create space
A good forehand depends on the right distance between you and the ball. Too close and your arm gets cramped; too far and you reach and lose balance.
The fix: make a small split step as your opponent hits, then use several small adjusting steps as the ball approaches, rather than one big lunge. Good spacing lets you swing freely with your arm comfortably extended. Our guide to tennis footwork has drills to train this.
Fix 4: Hit the ball in front of you
Contact behind the body is one of the biggest causes of weak, erratic forehands. When the ball gets past your front hip, you lose control of the racket face and the leverage of your body.
The fix: aim to make contact in front of your body, slightly to the side. A simple drill is to swing slowly and freeze at contact: your racket should be ahead of your front hip, with the strings facing your target.
Drill: have a partner drop-feed balls to your forehand side while you focus only on catching the ball out in front.
Fix 5: Use your legs and body, not just your arm
Many players try to generate power with the arm alone. This tires the arm, limits pace and makes the shot inconsistent.
The fix: think of the forehand as a chain of movement from the ground up. Bend your knees, push from the legs, rotate the hips and then the shoulders, and let the arm and racket follow. When the sequence is right, the racket accelerates through the ball without you having to muscle it.
Cue: "Legs, hips, shoulders, then arm."
Fix 6: Swing from low to high
If your forehand often goes into the net or lands deep beyond the baseline, check your swing path. A flat swing leaves very little margin for error.
The fix: let the racket drop below the height of the ball before the forward swing, then swing up and through. This low-to-high path brushes the back of the ball and creates topspin, which helps the ball clear the net comfortably and dip back into the court. We explain the physics behind this in our article on why spin matters in tennis.
Fix 7: Finish the swing and stay relaxed
Stopping the racket at contact, or squeezing the grip too hard, kills racket speed and makes the shot tight and jerky.
The fix: keep a relaxed grip pressure and let the racket continue through the ball to a full finish, typically over or around the opposite shoulder. A smooth, complete follow-through is a sign the racket was still accelerating at contact.
Cue: "Swing through the ball, not at it."
Drills to groove a better forehand
Drop-feed and freeze: a partner drops balls beside you; hit and freeze at contact to check your position.
Crosscourt consistency: rally crosscourt forehands only, counting how many land past the service line.
Target practice: place cones deep in the court and aim for them at moderate pace before adding speed.
Shadow swings: practise the full movement slowly without a ball, in front of a mirror or on video.
Ball machine sets: repeat the same feed many times to groove a change your coach has made. See our guide to tennis ball machines in Singapore.
Two forehand myths to forget
"Just hit harder." Swinging harder with poor preparation and contact only adds errors. Power comes from timing, contact in front and using your body.
"A bigger backswing means more power." An oversized backswing often makes you late. A compact, early preparation usually produces more reliable pace.
When to ask a coach
Some faults are hard to spot yourself because what you feel is not always what you do. Film your forehand from the side and from behind, then compare it with the points above. If you are still unsure what to change, a coach can identify the one fix that will make the biggest difference, which is far quicker than trying to correct everything at once.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my forehand keep going into the net?
The most common causes are late contact, a flat swing path or a racket face that is closed at contact. Start by checking that you hit the ball in front and swing from low to high.
Why does my forehand go long?
Often it is an open racket face at contact, swinging too flat with too much pace, or tension in the arm. A low-to-high swing that creates topspin brings the ball back down into the court.
Which forehand grip should a beginner use?
Many beginners start with an eastern or a mild semi-western grip. The best choice depends on your natural swing and the height of the balls you usually hit, so it is worth checking with a coach.
How long does it take to improve a forehand?
It depends on how often you practise and how big the change is. Small changes such as earlier preparation can improve quickly with regular practice; a grip change usually takes longer to feel natural.
Work on your forehand with a coach
If you want a clear plan for your forehand, our certified coaches can analyse your stroke and give you drills that fit your level. Lessons take place at your condominium or on a court near you, in English or French. You can see our current rates on the lessons and fees page.
WhatsApp Vincent on +65 8615 7235 or send us a message through our contact form.
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