A very common mistake on the forehand is to turn sideways and then swing only with the arm, keeping your body sideways. Ideally you need to use the whole body to swing. Rotate the hips and torso during your backswing and then uncoil into your swing.
Coaching Keys
- Initiate the forehand with a unit turn, allowing hips and torso to rotate together rather than isolating the arm.
- Maintain dynamic body alignment: the shoulders may turn sideways in the preparation, but the body must not remain “locked” during the swing.
- Use a clear kinetic chain sequence—legs, hips, torso, shoulder, arm—to transfer energy efficiently into the ball.
- Focus on uncoiling the hips and trunk toward the target during the forward swing to support racket acceleration.
- Encourage fluid rotation rather than forced movement, ensuring balance and control are maintained throughout the stroke.