|
TennisOne Lessons
The Kick Back and Out to Hit Forehand
By Monty Basynat, TennisONE Staff
Written by Jim McLennan, Senior Editor, TennisONE
Photographs by Steve Margheim
Visiting recently with a former national junior champion and Stanford
standout, Jake Warde, he very clearly described the changes in the modern
game. Jake's play in the old days (1980's) was to carve the opponent out
of court with a wide serve, and then volley into the open court (a la McEnroe).
That sort of angular play is in clear contrast with today's power game where
most shots are hit with outlandish power. Angles are played less often,
and midcourt shots are punished. I am not sure what has happened to the
approach shot, but that is entirely another story.
Envision Michael Chang or Monica Seles, and you will see the "Kick
Back Drive" forehand so superbly demonstrated here by TennisONE staffer
Monty Basynat. Interestingly, this leg position is often featured in many
instructional magazines, but rarely discussed.
In the midcourt, when the ball bounces above the level of the net, there
are two distinct options, both attacking plays but with different intentions.
One choice is to drive the ball low and to the corner, moving quickly behind
this shot into good volleying position, readying to angle the volley or
crush the overhead. The second choice is to go for the outright winner.
This shot will give you less time to get into volleying position, but when
used on the tour this shot is rarely answered.
The Kick Back Drive forehand, as shown here, is played from above the level
of the net. In order to create that extra power and racquet acceleration,
the ball is hit even more in front, the body leans quickly into the shot,
and the leg kicks quickly back in a scissoring action to increase the racquet
acceleration through the ball. Certainly every action has an equal and opposite
reaction. In this instance, the momentum and weight that moves backward
with the kicking leg, places equal weight and momentum into the shot.
This technique is for more advanced players, but for those who want to try
it, I say, "Kick Back Jack!"
 
|
|
|