Junior Tennis: The Forehand
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Junior Tennis: The Forehand
Frances Ribeiro, Spanish tennis coach and world class player, demonstrates to VideoJug users the best way to teach children how to perfect the forehand in tennis. Follow these tips, and your child will be enjoying and playing tennis well in no time at all.
Step 1: Technique
For a child the most important thing is to have the correct technique. You can stand with them and show them the movement of the stroke.
For their first lesson simply help your child bring the racket back and turn their body side on to the ball. This way, the child is prepared.
Encourage him/her to watch the ball, and swing.
TIP: As children are likely to forget to stay side on to the ball, you can shout "Sideways".
And you can help your child keep the racket low as they wait for the ball to arrive, so the swing will naturally move UP through the ball.
Don't worry if your child doesn't hit the ball. Just give plenty of encouragement… and he'll get there.
To recap the important points of the technique: Your child should stand side-on to the ball. He should keep the racket low to begin with. He should watch the ball, and he should swing upwards.
Step 2: Practice
Stand with your child, and drop balls just in front of him, where he can hit them.
Encourage him to hit UP through the swing.
Then take a position near the net, with a basket of balls.
Gently throw balls for your child to hit. Reassure him if he makes mistakes.
TIP: Write your child's initial on the ball with a marker pen. Tell him to look at it when trying to hit the ball. This makes the ball his, and increases focus.
The forehand is a difficult shot for a child to master, so give them plenty of praise when they do well.
And there you have it! Now you're ready to help your child improve their tennis the VideoJug way!