He demonstrated both styles beautifully and with a wooden racquet. Love it! And unlike many other instructors that tend to talk too much, he really demonstrated the strokes clearly. Very nice. I've just subscribed.
Very relieved to see this classic forehand video. I used to have a great classic forehand, then with all the new players, technology in rackets, I changed to sort of a modern forehand and totally ruined my stroke. Watching this, I am trying to go back to the basics.. Thanks again.
Hi Nick, so many channels go into teaching people the “modern” forehand that I was surprised to see you teaching and referencing the “classic” forehand. The beauty and grace of the classic forehand cannot be denied. Too many people strive for power, nowadays, yet lack the basics of ball striking a clean, effortless and smooth swing. Learning the classic forehand is a wise idea to complement the racket speed of the modern forehand. I can do both so I can see the benefits of your video and channel. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Happy holidays! May you prosper greatly in all of your endeavors in 2019. Don
Pure gold. The mere debunking of the urban legend "classic forehand=closed stance/sideways" is worth the watch alone. My natural body movement brings me closer to the classic forehand instead of the modern one. I just feel natural straightening my arm a.s.a.p. in the stroke preparation instead of bending my arm and looping it. Somehow straightening my arm in the stroke preparation just helps me with the timing of the stroke while the above mentioned bending/looping of the arm makes me lose it. I strongly believe that when it comes to club/recreational players since we're talking of more than grown men it's the most suitable Tennis technique that must adapt to their natural body movement instead of the other way around. Body movement is the most natural and spontaneous thing we have, once we have 50 in sight there's pretty much no way to change it. That's why I believe the task of a Tennis Coach with these guys must not be trying to force them into some un-natural movements they will never be able to master while he must add to their "movement picture" the most suitable Tennis technique instead. Bottomline: I'd rather have a working classic forehand instead of a not working modern one. Ciao!
Andras, beautifully worded comment. And I agree with you 100%. A coach must find a solution for each player, there is no one size fits all in tennis coaching. Ciao!
I moved back from a modern forehand to a classic one. More relaxed stroke, heavier ball, more comfort. Recreational players should just forget about the modern stroke unless you are aged below 14 yrs of age.
I also have reverted back to the classic stroke after 5 years of the MTM..modern tennis method. Just more natural for me. It is a more powerful driving stroke with less topspin. You take the ball later and don’t have to swing hard and fast. Much less exertion which definitely helps as I am now in my 60’s and playing USTA against guys half my age.
Just a couple of corrections. Not all the players used the continental grip. Jack Kramer, back in the day, used an eastern forehand and eastern backhand grip, as he explains in his instrucional video. Also, both Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert used the eastern forehand grip. In fact, to me Chrissie has the best textbook classical strokes. Her topspin backhand even looks "modern", es you can see in her instructional video. Thank goodness you mentioned Borg and Vilas, who both used the eastern grip, with lots of topspin. And Rod Laver, who like all of the Aussies of that era, playing on grass courts, used the continental, but he hit with lots of topspin on both the forehand and the backhand. In fact, according to himself, he loved to use the topspin offensive lob over the guy at the net. Topspin, with a continental grip on a heavy wooden racquet. Well, he was Laver. The hard courts of California were where the Western grip got its name, because of the high bounces on cement. "Little" Bill Johnston was famous for his extreme western forehand grip back in the 20s. Even "Big" Bill Tilden back in the 20s recomended the use of the eastern forehand grip in his instructional films. So not all of the great players used the continental, but many did.
I developed my game during the 1970’s with the help of a top teaching professional. I use the eastern FH and BH grips. I developed the habit of always using my off hand to hold the throat of the racquet so adjusting grips is automatic. I also had ability to use continental grip to adjust for certain types of bounce. I would add that footwork and taking lots of little steps to adjust to the bounce. Don’t wait for the ball to come to you and try to hit it out of your comfort zone. Move to the ball. Don’t let the incoming ball play you. Connors and Agassi are two examples for players with outstanding footwork. Just some advice from a very old high school coach.
Fantastic subject. Extraordinary explanation and once again superb demonstration. Thank you very much! The wooden racquet was a must and I think the crack heard might have been the other online coaches who use their broken intentions towards teaching tennis for the sake of themselves and end up with rather circus performances
In 1961, I read a book by Rod Laver. It combined autobiography and instruction. Then I bought a $2 racket. The flat forehand Nik shows is exactly what I still do: continental grip, flat stroke, open face at contact, ball barely clears the net. I can also hit continental grip topspin as Nik describes. All based on Rocket Rod's 1950's instruction. When metal and fiber glass rackets were introduced, I thought they were for sissies. I eventually came around to the new frames, even oversize, but still strike forehands as Nik describes. I can hit forehands with a western grip but don't want to. When I encountered more and more opponents with heavy topspin drives, I did not retreat behind the baseline to let balls drop. Instead I often move forward to hit those drives on the rise. I may even continue to the net, even as my opponent comes in, too.
I have changed my grip an started to play with the classic forehand (continental) and now and it gives me a lot more confidence. The timing is more easy for me.
It's funny how all these forehands are lumped in as "classic" forehands. When I was playing a lot of tennis in the 1980's Laver and McEnroe were considered to have continental forehands, though they executed the shot very differently. Laver brushed up on the ball a lot more for topspin. Tom Okker was another player who hit with a lot of topspin, but used a continental grip. Chris Evert had an eastern forehand, and Lendl had a semi-western forehand. You could tell by their hand placements and from still shots of their forearm angle relative to the racquet head. Borg's forehand was often called a western forehand, but today, people would often call it an eastern or semi-western.
Borg,who was of that era, introduced the modern style; he had a semi or western grip , had a big loop , an open stance and followed through as high as Nadal.
Saw him live at Wimbledon early seventies (after sleeping outside on the pavement for tickets). He could really rip his forehand with that Wilson steel racquet!
@@mikehardwicke23 This is funny because I saw a young guy use the T-2000 with a modern grip and a modern stroke. It looked strange. It was the present fighting against the past, forgetting the in-between, LOL, xD
Well done Nick! Nice one...i sometimes try the "Lendl Forehand" and man what a power that gives me...now I mix it somewhere in between modern and classic...works for me well...🙏🎾
The eastern grip has been popular for a long long time. Search tennis instruction from the black and white eea and they will almost always tell you to use an eastern grip. Borg definitely had an eastern grip, so did Chrissy Evert
So happy to see this video. I learned in the 80s and I have a strong classic forehand and I refuse to change it. I have been looking for videos about classic forehand but they are all about modern forehand. Could you make a video on how to deal with high balls if you have a classic forehand or what strategies to use when you play against someone with a modern forehand. I just play doubles.
Attack before the ball bounces to its apex… thats about all you can do if you dont want to use high backhand slice that is usable only in backhand… thats how I see it
I am currently faced with that question, stay with my classic Continental grip and swing or make changes. I had been a good to very good college player in the early seventies, with a classic serve and volley game (6'3") playing with the Slazenger #1. I quit the game all together around 2000, feeling the game had passed me by. Last month on vacation good friend wanted to hit a few balls, and it was beyond awful except it reminded me that I missed the game. Decided to get an hour with a ball machine to see if there was any hope, and it was still awful but I was getting a little of the old me back. But afterwards I realized, that I had never really adapted to modern racquets and with my old swing 2 decades behind me, it might be possible to change things. I discovered that I could keep my Continental grip but generate noticeably more power and top spin, by creating a bigger arc on the back swing, drop the racquet head as it started moving forward and finishing higher. It still allows me to use my old down the line approach slice though the baseline needs to become my friend. My serve and volley days are definitely over.
Nice video! And a good explanation. There are not so many "fixed"positions in a dynamic game like tennis. Still, I see Lendl belonging more to the modern forehand group. His shot is an evolution from Borg's.
Jorge, Lendl is in between both groups. His FH was an evolution from Connors, McEnroe, Laver. However his flat trajectory and very abrupt finish is not seen on the tour today. Borg is the father of the modern FH. ruclips.net/video/DnphtxmN4bE/видео.html
@@IntuitiveTennis Hi, I already saw the modern fh video. Still I think that Lenldl fh has more similarities with Borg's than Connor's (Jimbo hits way more flat and sometimes looks like sidespin). But for sure Lendl fh sometimes had a lower trajectory than a regular Borg fh. Less noticeable in fast hard courts)
Borgs forehand is really not on a progression at all, it was so atypical. He did with wood what it took others a decade to be able to do. Of course that is also why he retired, new racquet technologies helped his game far less than others.
The modern forehand is simply not a good stroke for most amateur and recreational club players. It takes a lot of practice and energy to hit that shot properly. It’s a lot of stress on the body that most amateurs don’t need. I like Lendl’s forehand which is bit of hybrid between classic and modern.
Dear Nick, believe it or not, at the moment of impact, the tennis racquet is slightly open, not perpendicular. This helps the ball go over the net. When I freeze frame your shot, (at the moment the strings meet the ball) your racquet face was slightly open too. But most coaches teach students to keep the racquet face perpendicular, which is wrong
I have that kind of fh bit between Lendl or Chris Evert, eastern grip for me, comfortable to play deep balls high balls low balls everything , but struggling sometimes to play against short slice to my fh , would like to improve that
very, very cool video! The funny thing is, if you look at the best table tennis player in the world like for example Ma Long aka "the Topspin Machine", they are actually playing with the continental grip (now I know it's Table Tennis, not Tennis). Interestingly, their footwork and body position resembles more the way how big Tennis is being played today. So no sideways position like in the old school Tennis, but open front like in modern Tennis. The difference is in the swing: The table tennis swing starts at the knee and then goes semi-circle like up to the head like as if you would want to salute. There's almost no forward motion. The ball contact is above the right knee, half way between starting point and endpoint (head) of the swing. And like in modern big Tennis, the body balance shifts from the right foot to the left foot during the swing, with hips and shoulders rotating accordingly. I cannot stress enough how important that balance shift, that rotation is for control and spin generation. Players like Ma Long achieve a top rotation speed of up to 9000rpm, compared to big Tennis players like Nadal with up to 2700rpm (sure, I know, Tennis balls are bigger and heavier). But still, quite impressive I think. When I started to play Tennis in the early 80s, I learned initially the exact technique you demonstrated here. By the mid 80s I changed grip to Eastern hitting the ball with more topspin and of course changed foot/bodywork accordingly, resembling more a modern forehand. I am also playing table tennis competitively and I thought to myself that I will just try and test if the continental grip could be used again in big Tennis if adopting some of what I learned in Table Tennis. I soon will have an opportunity to test that :-) And yes, with the Continental grip you hit the ball late, except for high balls where you hit earlier (actually the exact opposite to Western grips). But in the fast paced table tennis that is often an advantage as you get slightly more preparation time. I found this video because I am searching youtube if anyone already tested what I have in mind. But the Continental grip seems to be gone forever :-) Ma Long forehand study: ruclips.net/video/IiARkUO6aEE/видео.html
This is a great analysis of the classic forehand stroke. Definitely has major drawbacks compared to today’s modern forehand. Besides the relative inability to hit topspin with the continental grip, I would add that 1) higher bouncing balls are very awkward to strike unless it is with a slice, and 2) it is a lot less efficient than a modern forehand because of the inability to make a loop on the backswing. A loop helps to generate effortless power.
Great explanation! I played a lot of tennis in my youth in the 70’s - early 80’s and was a decent player but I could never generate the kind of power I saw in good college players, and of course, pros. (All relative here. The Jack Kramer was a good racket, but….) As kids, we were taught the swing in a mechanical way. Turn sideways….set the wrist and take the racket back….bend the knees….step into the shot….and swing low to high to create topspin. Facing the ball and a loose wrist were taboo. It seems clear to me now that such a swing limits power to the arm and forward momentum of the body. As I’ve picked up playing again, trying to learn elements of the modern swing, I realize how real power is generated through body rotation, which I now know good players were achieving even in the old days by NOT turning sideways. The new grip has taken some time to get used to, but I love how it naturally forces me to take the ball early.
What a great video. Almost everyone is teaching the semi western grip, so this is very refreshing. I use the semi western but recently came to realise that it would be great if i could use the continental grip forehand once in a while. When i go halfcourt to pre empt a volley with a continental grip, there are times when the ball falls short and i couldnt get the volley, and when the ball bounces up to me, i am caught in a continental grip and i couldnt change to my usual semi western forehand grip for a good return. I would end up doing a weak underhand slice. Would it be a good idea to learn the continental grip forehand for a stronger return? or would it screw up my usual semi western forehand?
Barring the take back the follow through looking at laver is pretty much modern but then again we got to look at situational factors ,also looking laver he does raise his elbow for his take back not a complete straight back like Connors and McEnroe but all of them make a great shoulder turn which is lacking with lower grade players
When you stated that you were getting used to hitting a classic forehand it looked like you had regressed to incorporating a loop in your backswing, perhaps that is why it felt more familiar? Loved to see the analysis of the old style, pity I did not have the benefit 40 years ago.
Evert by 85 was going even past traditional Eastern when she wanted to add extra topspin. Saw her live a few times and a thousand times on TV. She had three distinct forehands.
@@jpeyton62 That is true. She mentioned in an article that she sometimes switched to a semi-western to deal with high bouncing topspin from Sabatini and Vicario when she played them.
you know I may experiment w/ this. The reason why is I play mainly doubles which for me is s&v and chip/charge returns. Excluding return of serve, I probably hit maybe 2-3 FHs a set. This type of FH looks like it has easier timing and is servicable; sometimes I feel like I waste too much time hitting groundstrokes when really 90% of what I want to do is volleys. Anyway, being recreational lets me experiment and have fun...
Rudd, there’s nothing wrong with this type of forehand and many players find more comfort with a simple take back and a old school grip. As long as you make proper contact it can be a valuable stroke.
@@IntuitiveTennis Thank you for the replies. I enjoy the "modern FH" but realistically I know am not executing the kinetic chain consistently. I think it requires more timing though benefits are greater. For singles players it is worth. I'll let you know in a month or so how this classic FH is working. update: Couldn't last a week even:( Very impressed you can adjust and hit w/ this classic style. I spend so much time w/ continental grip, but it's very hard and puts strain on wrist to control the racquet face. I even tried switching to Eastern grip and it still feels weird. Oh well, I'll stick w/ SW for those few times I hit groundstrokes in doubles.
I'm just getting back into tennis after using the classic forehand in my youth. Will all of the most popular new rackets (e.g., Pure Drive) work well with a classic swing or are other rackets better suited to that type of swing? And thanks for the great content!
You are right, Nick, that the decision to use classic vs modern forehand techniques is up to the player. But, apart from the player's ability to learn new techniques, the significant question that needs to be asked is: what tools do you want for your tennis game? With a continental grip, you are sacrificing topspin. When you sacrifice topspin I think you lose two important assets: the ability to hit high bouncing balls with forward kick which are challenging for club players to return and the ability to rally more safely because you can hit higher over the net with topspin without the ball landing back of the baseline. The modern forehand is also more flexible than the classic forehand because, with an Eastern or Semi-Western grip you can both drive the ball (hit flatter) or produce heavy topspin. Laver actually hit a heavy topspin forehand (you can plainly see this on videos, e.g., his match against Borg in the 70's) but he had to use a hard upward wrist flick that required great timing and strength (one reason his left forearm looked like Popeye's). I grew up with a classic forehand but switched to the modern stroke when I was in my 60's. Changing to a Semi-Western grip wasn't that difficult for me, but changing to a loop take back and a more vertical forward swing was a lot harder. I would fall back on the flat take back and forward swing under match pressure as well as tend to hit the ball later (closer to my body) than was optimal for the Semi-Western grip). I am glad that I went through the trouble to make the switch, however, because I feel that I have a lot more flexibility on my forehand wing now.
George, obviously the modern forehand is the better stroke in all aspects. Glad you were able to make the switch to a modern grip. Thanks for your comment.
Great video... At 10:20 you demo the classic fh, but it looks like there is a pretty big loop with racquet head tip poniting up. Was expecting instead more of a straight takeback.
No one explains the topspin continental of Laver. I even Googled it. The technique is lost to history. The same for Perry, who had a closed stance, racket facing the net, UNIT TURN before Federer was born. Too bad. But Tennis is a history of players, champions and hackers, improving technique. It's part of the fun. And explains why some don't want to be told HOW to play.
Lendl classic? Isn’t the Sampras FH a copy of Lendl’s? And both had the most powerful FH’s with a loop it looks like and the high elbow take back. I don’t think they could have gotten that much power if truly classic FHs . Also your classic FH looks like a great FH looks kind of like Agassi haha. Still had a loop
Question: how would you classify I Lendl forehand ? It s not modern like Djoko or Federer or Nadal ...... But it s not like mc enroe Connors evert either ? Eastern grip. No straight arm but not the use of the non dominant hand and the same rotation as today
@@IntuitiveTennis thank you I actually modeled mine watching a video of him ( no leading with the elbow though) and a video of Chris Evert , very reliable I Don t use my non dominant hand to prepare it, I hear so much about modern fh that I tried but doesn t work for me, my level is around 5.0 at 45 so I guess I should not bother.
At the end demo you’re hitting a modern FH with a loop, not the actual straight back classic FH takeback. Viewers should therefore appreciate that for even an accomplished player and coach like Nic you can see how difficult it is to demonstrate let alone make technical changes to strokes. It’s important to note that prior to the modern era, 3 of the 4 slams were played on grass with a serve and volley style and managing low bouncing balls with a much shorter stroke requiring a continental grip. The FH technique and tactical use was much different and much more limited than in the modern, current era of 4 different Slam surfaces and corresponding seasons where serve and volley as a game style is by necessity all but extinct. There were however many great players who used western and semi western grips even in the 1920s and earlier. Finally, it’s critical to appreciate that the playing equipment was very different during the era of the classic forehand including a heavy wooden small head racquet with fragile gut string and faster playing white balls. Not to mention primitive shoe technology that made movement much more difficult and foot injuries more common and more serious.
@@IntuitiveTennis Exactly and it’s therefore very important and worth noting to viewers trying to learn and improve. I’ve seen so many players leave tennis for this reason. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport now.
One guy on a tennis forum suggested crouching down and taking them as overheads... I tried this, but getting into position for an overhead when the incoming shot is not a lob is almost impossible to do on time. Back in the day, based on the old videos I watched, people would come forward and volley the ball, even in no man's land, for an approach anyway.
ball- zauberer As a certified old guy, my FH grip is from the late ‘70’s, wood racquet era. My grip is continental, slightly leaning toward eastern. I learned how to take balls at high chest level and above and hit an aggressive slice FH. If I’m on the baseline I usually go deep down the middle. If the opponent’s shot is short, I’ll even attack the net with the aggressive slice. You’d be surprised how effective it is.
@@gomezaddams4347 I am with you on your advice. Back in 1970’s my coach trained me to use my footwork to get in position so ball bounce was in my “Wheel House “. I played lots of clay and never let an opportunity to take a short FH and hit that low bouncing inside out approach. It was very effective. I got to watch Connors play live quite a few times which helped me develop this attack strategy.
Not all classic tennis players had tennis mechanics like what is in this video. Look at Bjorn Borg back then in this video ruclips.net/video/kPDAh_LLqOQ/видео.html. Borg is the pioneer and father of the modern tennis. He paved the way on the modern tennis strokes that is used today.
He demonstrated both styles beautifully and with a wooden racquet. Love it!
And unlike many other instructors that tend to talk too much, he really demonstrated the strokes clearly. Very nice. I've just subscribed.
Very relieved to see this classic forehand video. I used to have a great classic forehand, then with all the new players, technology in rackets, I changed to sort of a modern forehand and totally ruined my stroke. Watching this, I am trying to go back to the basics.. Thanks again.
Hi Nick, so many channels go into teaching people the “modern” forehand that I was surprised to see you teaching and referencing the “classic” forehand. The beauty and grace of the classic forehand cannot be denied. Too many people strive for power, nowadays, yet lack the basics of ball striking a clean, effortless and smooth swing. Learning the classic forehand is a wise idea to complement the racket speed of the modern forehand. I can do both so I can see the benefits of your video and channel. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Happy holidays! May you prosper greatly in all of your endeavors in 2019. Don
Pure gold. The mere debunking of the urban legend "classic forehand=closed stance/sideways" is worth the watch alone. My natural body movement brings me closer to the classic forehand instead of the modern one. I just feel natural straightening my arm a.s.a.p. in the stroke preparation instead of bending my arm and looping it. Somehow straightening my arm in the stroke preparation just helps me with the timing of the stroke while the above mentioned bending/looping of the arm makes me lose it. I strongly believe that when it comes to club/recreational players since we're talking of more than grown men it's the most suitable Tennis technique that must adapt to their natural body movement instead of the other way around. Body movement is the most natural and spontaneous thing we have, once we have 50 in sight there's pretty much no way to change it. That's why I believe the task of a Tennis Coach with these guys must not be trying to force them into some un-natural movements they will never be able to master while he must add to their "movement picture" the most suitable Tennis technique instead. Bottomline: I'd rather have a working classic forehand instead of a not working modern one. Ciao!
Andras, beautifully worded comment. And I agree with you 100%. A coach must find a solution for each player, there is no one size fits all in tennis coaching. Ciao!
I moved back from a modern forehand to a classic one. More relaxed stroke, heavier ball, more comfort. Recreational players should just forget about the modern stroke unless you are aged below 14 yrs of age.
I also have reverted back to the classic stroke after 5 years of the MTM..modern tennis method. Just more natural for me. It is a more powerful driving stroke with less topspin. You take the ball later and don’t have to swing hard and fast. Much less exertion which definitely helps as I am now in my 60’s and playing USTA against guys half my age.
Just a couple of corrections. Not all the players used the continental grip. Jack Kramer, back in the day, used an eastern forehand and eastern backhand grip, as he explains in his instrucional video.
Also, both Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert used the eastern forehand grip. In fact, to me Chrissie has the best textbook classical strokes. Her topspin backhand even looks "modern", es you can see in her instructional video.
Thank goodness you mentioned Borg and Vilas, who both used the eastern grip, with lots of topspin.
And Rod Laver, who like all of the Aussies of that era, playing on grass courts, used the continental, but he hit with lots of topspin on both the forehand and the backhand. In fact, according to himself, he loved to use the topspin offensive lob over the guy at the net. Topspin, with a continental grip on a heavy wooden racquet. Well, he was Laver.
The hard courts of California were where the Western grip got its name, because of the high bounces on cement. "Little" Bill Johnston was famous for his extreme western forehand grip back in the 20s. Even "Big" Bill Tilden back in the 20s recomended
the use of the eastern forehand grip in his instructional films.
So not all of the great players used the continental, but many did.
I developed my game during the 1970’s with the help of a top teaching professional. I use the eastern FH and BH grips. I developed the habit of always using my off hand to hold the throat of the racquet so adjusting grips is automatic. I also had ability to use continental grip to adjust for certain types of bounce. I would add that footwork and taking lots of little steps to adjust to the bounce. Don’t wait for the ball to come to you and try to hit it out of your comfort zone. Move to the ball. Don’t let the incoming ball play you. Connors and Agassi are two examples for players with outstanding footwork. Just some advice from a very old high school coach.
Fantastic subject. Extraordinary explanation and once again superb demonstration. Thank you very much! The wooden racquet was a must and I think the crack heard might have been the other online coaches who use their broken intentions towards teaching tennis for the sake of themselves and end up with rather circus performances
In 1961, I read a book by Rod Laver. It combined autobiography and instruction. Then I bought a $2 racket. The flat forehand Nik shows is exactly what I still do: continental grip, flat stroke, open face at contact, ball barely clears the net. I can also hit continental grip topspin as Nik describes. All based on Rocket Rod's 1950's instruction.
When metal and fiber glass rackets were introduced, I thought they were for sissies. I eventually came around to the new frames, even oversize, but still strike forehands as Nik describes. I can hit forehands with a western grip but don't want to.
When I encountered more and more opponents with heavy topspin drives, I did not retreat behind the baseline to let balls drop. Instead I often move forward to hit those drives on the rise. I may even continue to the net, even as my opponent comes in, too.
I have changed my grip an started to play with the classic forehand (continental) and now and it gives me a lot more confidence. The timing is more easy for me.
It's funny how all these forehands are lumped in as "classic" forehands. When I was playing a lot of tennis in the 1980's Laver and McEnroe were considered to have continental forehands, though they executed the shot very differently. Laver brushed up on the ball a lot more for topspin. Tom Okker was another player who hit with a lot of topspin, but used a continental grip. Chris Evert had an eastern forehand, and Lendl had a semi-western forehand. You could tell by their hand placements and from still shots of their forearm angle relative to the racquet head. Borg's forehand was often called a western forehand, but today, people would often call it an eastern or semi-western.
Borg,who was of that era, introduced the modern style; he had a semi or western grip , had a big loop , an open stance and followed through as high as Nadal.
Excellent video on the stroke that would suit many players well. I personally love the way Jimmy conners hits the forehand.
Saw him live at Wimbledon early seventies (after sleeping outside on the pavement for tickets). He could really rip his forehand with that Wilson steel racquet!
@@mikehardwicke23 This is funny because I saw a young guy use the T-2000 with a modern grip and a modern stroke. It looked strange. It was the present fighting against the past, forgetting the in-between, LOL, xD
Well done Nick! Nice one...i sometimes try the "Lendl Forehand" and man what a power that gives me...now I mix it somewhere in between modern and classic...works for me well...🙏🎾
Why does do you have all the videos i want to watch? Very great content. So much love ❤❤❤ for this channel . Good luck!!!
The eastern grip has been popular for a long long time. Search tennis instruction from the black and white eea and they will almost always tell you to use an eastern grip. Borg definitely had an eastern grip, so did Chrissy Evert
So happy to see this video. I learned in the 80s and I have a strong classic forehand and I refuse to change it. I have been looking for videos about classic forehand but they are all about modern forehand. Could you make a video on how to deal with high balls if you have a classic forehand or what strategies to use when you play against someone with a modern forehand. I just play doubles.
That’s one disadvantage of the classic forehand with the continental grip. Not much u can do up high
Attack before the ball bounces to its apex… thats about all you can do if you dont want to use high backhand slice that is usable only in backhand… thats how I see it
nice clip celebrating the roots of tennis... love the wood racket as well!
Haha thank you
I am currently faced with that question, stay with my classic Continental grip and swing or make changes. I had been a good to very good college player in the early seventies, with a classic serve and volley game (6'3") playing with the Slazenger #1. I quit the game all together around 2000, feeling the game had passed me by. Last month on vacation good friend wanted to hit a few balls, and it was beyond awful except it reminded me that I missed the game. Decided to get an hour with a ball machine to see if there was any hope, and it was still awful but I was getting a little of the old me back. But afterwards I realized, that I had never really adapted to modern racquets and with my old swing 2 decades behind me, it might be possible to change things.
I discovered that I could keep my Continental grip but generate noticeably more power and top spin, by creating a bigger arc on the back swing, drop the racquet head as it started moving forward and finishing higher. It still allows me to use my old down the line approach slice though the baseline needs to become my friend. My serve and volley days are definitely over.
Nice video! And a good explanation. There are not so many "fixed"positions in a dynamic game like tennis. Still, I see Lendl belonging more to the modern forehand group. His shot is an evolution from Borg's.
Jorge, Lendl is in between both groups. His FH was an evolution from Connors, McEnroe, Laver. However his flat trajectory and very abrupt finish is not seen on the tour today.
Borg is the father of the modern FH.
ruclips.net/video/DnphtxmN4bE/видео.html
@@IntuitiveTennis Hi, I already saw the modern fh video. Still I think that Lenldl fh has more similarities with Borg's than Connor's (Jimbo hits way more flat and sometimes looks like sidespin). But for sure Lendl fh sometimes had a lower trajectory than a regular Borg fh. Less noticeable in fast hard courts)
Jorge, I agree with you.Lendl definitely more modern compared to Connors etc
Borgs forehand is really not on a progression at all, it was so atypical. He did with wood what it took others a decade to be able to do. Of course that is also why he retired, new racquet technologies helped his game far less than others.
The modern forehand is simply not a good stroke for most amateur and recreational club players. It takes a lot of practice and energy to hit that shot properly. It’s a lot of stress on the body that most amateurs don’t need. I like Lendl’s forehand which is bit of hybrid between classic and modern.
Dear Nick, believe it or not, at the moment of impact, the tennis racquet is slightly open, not perpendicular. This helps the ball go over the net. When I freeze frame your shot, (at the moment the strings meet the ball) your racquet face was slightly open too. But most coaches teach students to keep the racquet face perpendicular, which is wrong
I have that kind of fh bit between Lendl or Chris Evert, eastern grip for me, comfortable to play deep balls high balls low balls everything , but struggling sometimes to play against short slice to my fh , would like to improve that
Hello! I have an straight back forehand with a almost western grip ! Is that wrong? It works for me
very, very cool video!
The funny thing is, if you look at the best table tennis player in the world like for example Ma Long aka "the Topspin Machine", they are actually playing with the continental grip (now I know it's Table Tennis, not Tennis).
Interestingly, their footwork and body position resembles more the way how big Tennis is being played today. So no sideways position like in the old school Tennis, but open front like in modern Tennis.
The difference is in the swing: The table tennis swing starts at the knee and then goes semi-circle like up to the head like as if you would want to salute. There's almost no forward motion. The ball contact is above the right knee, half way between starting point and endpoint (head) of the swing. And like in modern big Tennis, the body balance shifts from the right foot to the left foot during the swing, with hips and shoulders rotating accordingly. I cannot stress enough how important that balance shift, that rotation is for control and spin generation.
Players like Ma Long achieve a top rotation speed of up to 9000rpm, compared to big Tennis players like Nadal with up to 2700rpm (sure, I know, Tennis balls are bigger and heavier). But still, quite impressive I think.
When I started to play Tennis in the early 80s, I learned initially the exact technique you demonstrated here. By the mid 80s I changed grip to Eastern hitting the ball with more topspin and of course changed foot/bodywork accordingly, resembling more a modern forehand.
I am also playing table tennis competitively and I thought to myself that I will just try and test if the continental grip could be used again in big Tennis if adopting some of what I learned in Table Tennis. I soon will have an opportunity to test that :-)
And yes, with the Continental grip you hit the ball late, except for high balls where you hit earlier (actually the exact opposite to Western grips). But in the fast paced table tennis that is often an advantage as you get slightly more preparation time.
I found this video because I am searching youtube if anyone already tested what I have in mind. But the Continental grip seems to be gone forever :-)
Ma Long forehand study: ruclips.net/video/IiARkUO6aEE/видео.html
This is a great analysis of the classic forehand stroke. Definitely has major drawbacks compared to today’s modern forehand. Besides the relative inability to hit topspin with the continental grip, I would add that 1) higher bouncing balls are very awkward to strike unless it is with a slice, and 2) it is a lot less efficient than a modern forehand because of the inability to make a loop on the backswing. A loop helps to generate effortless power.
Great explanation! I played a lot of tennis in my youth in the 70’s - early 80’s and was a decent player but I could never generate the kind of power I saw in good college players, and of course, pros. (All relative here. The Jack Kramer was a good racket, but….) As kids, we were taught the swing in a mechanical way. Turn sideways….set the wrist and take the racket back….bend the knees….step into the shot….and swing low to high to create topspin. Facing the ball and a loose wrist were taboo. It seems clear to me now that such a swing limits power to the arm and forward momentum of the body. As I’ve picked up playing again, trying to learn elements of the modern swing, I realize how real power is generated through body rotation, which I now know good players were achieving even in the old days by NOT turning sideways. The new grip has taken some time to get used to, but I love how it naturally forces me to take the ball early.
In the days of continental grips, 3 of 4 slams were played on grass. Lower bouncing faster courts.
Another solid intruction 👍
RacquetFlex, thanks brother 🙏
What a great video. Almost everyone is teaching the semi western grip, so this is very refreshing. I use the semi western but recently came to realise that it would be great if i could use the continental grip forehand once in a while. When i go halfcourt to pre empt a volley with a continental grip, there are times when the ball falls short and i couldnt get the volley, and when the ball bounces up to me, i am caught in a continental grip and i couldnt change to my usual semi western forehand grip for a good return. I would end up doing a weak underhand slice. Would it be a good idea to learn the continental grip forehand for a stronger return? or would it screw up my usual semi western forehand?
I played Junior Wimbledon in 1968; had to switch in my late forties. Almost killed me working it all out without coaching😩! (Okay now though🤣).
🙌🙌
Thanks for this! Every accomplished modern player should have competence in the continental forehand...
Barring the take back the follow through looking at laver is pretty much modern but then again we got to look at situational factors ,also looking laver he does raise his elbow for his take back not a complete straight back like Connors and McEnroe but all of them make a great shoulder turn which is lacking with lower grade players
Superb. Very informative. Thank. Diego will watch this. Thank you 🙏
7:01 was important for me the way you do the rotation and make the contact!
When you stated that you were getting used to hitting a classic forehand it looked like you had regressed to incorporating a loop in your backswing, perhaps that is why it felt more familiar? Loved to see the analysis of the old style, pity I did not have the benefit 40 years ago.
Stewart, yes getting the racquet straight back was very difficult for me
That is right. Back then they said to keep your body perpendicular to the net.
cool video thanks for making it!
Evert, Sampras, Austin, etc. used the eastern grip. Navratilova used continental.
Evert by 85 was going even past traditional Eastern when she wanted to add extra topspin. Saw her live a few times and a thousand times on TV. She had three distinct forehands.
@@jpeyton62 That is true. She mentioned in an article that she sometimes switched to a semi-western to deal with high bouncing topspin from Sabatini and Vicario when she played them.
I think continental grip forehand is easy for defensive and sent back strokes for club players,esp.senior members.
you know I may experiment w/ this. The reason why is I play mainly doubles which for me is s&v and chip/charge returns. Excluding return of serve, I probably hit maybe 2-3 FHs a set. This type of FH looks like it has easier timing and is servicable; sometimes I feel like I waste too much time hitting groundstrokes when really 90% of what I want to do is volleys. Anyway, being recreational lets me experiment and have fun...
Rudd, there’s nothing wrong with this type of forehand and many players find more comfort with a simple take back and a old school grip. As long as you make proper contact it can be a valuable stroke.
@@IntuitiveTennis Thank you for the replies. I enjoy the "modern FH" but realistically I know am not executing the kinetic chain consistently. I think it requires more timing though benefits are greater. For singles players it is worth. I'll let you know in a month or so how this classic FH is working.
update: Couldn't last a week even:( Very impressed you can adjust and hit w/ this classic style. I spend so much time w/ continental grip, but it's very hard and puts strain on wrist to control the racquet face. I even tried switching to Eastern grip and it still feels weird. Oh well, I'll stick w/ SW for those few times I hit groundstrokes in doubles.
Rudd, 👍
As you demonstrate the classic forehand (10min), your take back is not like a classic forehand, Nick. You are definitely play with a loop!
I'm just getting back into tennis after using the classic forehand in my youth. Will all of the most popular new rackets (e.g., Pure Drive) work well with a classic swing or are other rackets better suited to that type of swing? And thanks for the great content!
Rackets? Try and choose one you like .
You are right, Nick, that the decision to use classic vs modern forehand techniques is up to the player. But, apart from the player's ability to learn new techniques, the significant question that needs to be asked is: what tools do you want for your tennis game? With a continental grip, you are sacrificing topspin. When you sacrifice topspin I think you lose two important assets: the ability to hit high bouncing balls with forward kick which are challenging for club players to return and the ability to rally more safely because you can hit higher over the net with topspin without the ball landing back of the baseline. The modern forehand is also more flexible than the classic forehand because, with an Eastern or Semi-Western grip you can both drive the ball (hit flatter) or produce heavy topspin. Laver actually hit a heavy topspin forehand (you can plainly see this on videos, e.g., his match against Borg in the 70's) but he had to use a hard upward wrist flick that required great timing and strength (one reason his left forearm looked like Popeye's).
I grew up with a classic forehand but switched to the modern stroke when I was in my 60's. Changing to a Semi-Western grip wasn't that difficult for me, but changing to a loop take back and a more vertical forward swing was a lot harder. I would fall back on the flat take back and forward swing under match pressure as well as tend to hit the ball later (closer to my body) than was optimal for the Semi-Western grip). I am glad that I went through the trouble to make the switch, however, because I feel that I have a lot more flexibility on my forehand wing now.
George, obviously the modern forehand is the better stroke in all aspects. Glad you were able to make the switch to a modern grip. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks very much.
🙏
Great video... At 10:20 you demo the classic fh, but it looks like there is a pretty big loop with racquet head tip poniting up. Was expecting instead more of a straight takeback.
Lot of muscle memory Raul, I try my best to imitate different styles
watch jimmy connors . he has the best technique for the straight take back
I love classic forehand🎾😉
Vic Braden teaches the best forehand Tennis for the future
That is my method of teaching
where did you hit the ball against? is it a rebound net?
Bonjour, beau travail. Comment caractérisiez-vous le coup droit de Pete Sampras ?
In between classic and modern
@@IntuitiveTennis
Effectivement, ce qui est curieux pour un joueur de cette génération.
This is funny because I saw a young guy use the T-2000 with a modern grip and a modern stroke. It looked strange.
What about the opposite, should a player with modern forehand try switching to a classic forehand? Would there be any benefit?
Not necessary, modern FH is better
So all 6 of the old pros you mention at the beginning, how would you categorise their forehand grips?
Play Loose Coming from me (An idiot) would say they all fall to the continental side, but that’s just my opinion.
They don’t teach the classic style anymore. Does that have to do something with having modern racquets?
No one explains the topspin continental of Laver. I even Googled it. The technique is lost to history. The same for Perry, who had a closed stance, racket facing the net, UNIT TURN before Federer was born. Too bad. But Tennis is a history of players, champions and hackers, improving technique. It's part of the fun. And explains why some don't want to be told HOW to play.
sir , i want to learn hitting continental forehand grip . where is your academy ? are you in Florida ? i need to get some lessons
Is Graf and Edbert also?
Lendl classic? Isn’t the Sampras FH a copy of Lendl’s? And both had the most powerful FH’s with a loop it looks like and the high elbow take back. I don’t think they could have gotten that much power if truly classic FHs . Also your classic FH looks like a great FH looks kind of like Agassi haha. Still had a loop
I would not categorize Lendl forehand like Connors or Mc Enroe. Lendl is much more modern.
1:04 ... Tracy Austin not Chris Evert
Question: how would you classify I Lendl forehand ? It s not modern like Djoko or Federer or Nadal ...... But it s not like mc enroe Connors evert either ? Eastern grip. No straight arm but not the use of the non dominant hand and the same rotation as today
I would not put it in the modern ATP category due to rotation and swing path. The prep phase has modern elements so I’d say it’s hybrid
@@IntuitiveTennis thank you I actually modeled mine watching a video of him ( no leading with the elbow though) and a video of Chris Evert , very reliable I Don t use my non dominant hand to prepare it, I hear so much about modern fh that I tried but doesn t work for me, my level is around 5.0 at 45 so I guess I should not bother.
If it works and you’re happy with it
Stick with it
@@IntuitiveTennis thank you for your reply
At the end demo you’re hitting a modern FH with a loop, not the actual straight back classic FH takeback. Viewers should therefore appreciate that for even an accomplished player and coach like Nic you can see how difficult it is to demonstrate let alone make technical changes to strokes.
It’s important to note that prior to the modern era, 3 of the 4 slams were played on grass with a serve and volley style and managing low bouncing balls with a much shorter stroke requiring a continental grip. The FH technique and tactical use was much different and much more limited than in the modern, current era of 4 different Slam surfaces and corresponding seasons where serve and volley as a game style is by necessity all but extinct. There were however many great players who used western and semi western grips even in the 1920s and earlier.
Finally, it’s critical to appreciate that the playing equipment was very different during the era of the classic forehand including a heavy wooden small head racquet with fragile gut string and faster playing white balls. Not to mention primitive shoe technology that made movement much more difficult and foot injuries more common and more serious.
It’s very difficult to break muscle memory. Requires a tremendous amount of work
@@IntuitiveTennis Exactly and it’s therefore very important and worth noting to viewers trying to learn and improve. I’ve seen so many players leave tennis for this reason. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport now.
I say it very often Poida. You won’t find any quick fixes on my channel
👉 ruclips.net/video/dLV4XmSChZc/видео.html
you said a straight take back but you had a circular motion?
Yes, but I tried hard to get rid of it. Muscle memory too strong
@@IntuitiveTennis how to hit the classic forehand when the ball is coming at you at shoulder and head level?
It’s more difficult due to the grip
Slice
jimmy connors forhend semiwestern grip
Jimmy did not have a semi western grip 💯
@@IntuitiveTennis Jimmy Connor forhend Is semiwestern grip o also western grip,no Continental,e no estern
How can i handle high balls with classic grip?
It’s possible but you are at a disadvantage due to your wrist positioning at contact ruclips.net/video/WEMbmDurvNk/видео.html
One guy on a tennis forum suggested crouching down and taking them as overheads... I tried this, but getting into position for an overhead when the incoming shot is not a lob is almost impossible to do on time. Back in the day, based on the old videos I watched, people would come forward and volley the ball, even in no man's land, for an approach anyway.
ball- zauberer As a certified old guy, my FH grip is from the late ‘70’s, wood racquet era. My grip is continental, slightly leaning toward eastern. I learned how to take balls at high chest level and above and hit an aggressive slice FH. If I’m on the baseline I usually go deep down the middle. If the opponent’s shot is short, I’ll even attack the net with the aggressive slice. You’d be surprised how effective it is.
@@gomezaddams4347 I am with you on your advice. Back in 1970’s my coach trained me to use my footwork to get in position so ball bounce was in my “Wheel House “. I played lots of clay and never let an opportunity to take a short FH and hit that low bouncing inside out approach. It was very effective. I got to watch Connors play live quite a few times which helped me develop this attack strategy.
Hit it flat on the rise. Puts a lot of pressure on your opponent, however is risky, small margin of error.
Great for the history channel
Very 👍👍👍👏🎾🎾🎾
Thank you John
Can a classic forehand be used to compete against someone hitting modern in today’s game?
And would you say Sampras had a classic or modern stroke?
I don’t think so Jon. Sampras was hybrid kinda like Lendl
Roberto bautista agut...of course it's possible. Radek stepanek as well...
Hi i didnt recibe an answer to my last message
I don't think Jimmy Conners hit with a Continental grip. At the very least it was an Eastern grip or even a semi-Western!
in your demo you’re still looping your take back…
😊
Not all classic tennis players had tennis mechanics like what is in this video. Look at Bjorn Borg back then in this video ruclips.net/video/kPDAh_LLqOQ/видео.html. Borg is the pioneer and father of the modern tennis. He paved the way on the modern tennis strokes that is used today.