Myth #2 of the 7 Most Destructive Tennis Myths - EXPOSED...
Myth #2: You should always step forward into the ball with your left
foot on your forehand (closed stance) and stay down
Truth: Hit from an open stance, focus on lifting. Using an open stance on your
forehand (see photo) is a more natural way to stroke the tennis ball. The open
stance not only helps your stroke but allows you to recover quicker to your
desired position on the court, but it also makes it easier to produce topspin.
And since the net is your only obstacle to getting the ball to the other side of
the net, you must think vertical, lifting the ball with spin above the net to the
other side. Staying down throughout the stroke is unnatural; lifting using the
legs at the point of contact is natural.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark / The Mayor on
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I find that it is easier to hit a powerful down the line FH with a closed stance. The open stance for me seems better at crosscourt and topspin, but when I need to drive it I find that I have more of a closed stance. What do you think?
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Permalink Reply by Motez Robinson Jr on
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Hi Mark,
Thanks for reading my post. I appreciate it. You may find it easier to hit down the line with a neutral stance (left foot in front of the right foot, for a right hander) because in order to successfully change the direction of the shot (e.i., going down the line off of a crosscourt shot) you should be moving inside the court, not moving across the court—from east to west, for example. Although there are instances when the open stance or hitting off the outside foot (the right foot for right-handers) during an approach shot down line is going to give you an easier transition into the volley position while maintaining your balance.
I also think that if you are able to develop your down the line forehand using the open stance, it will become harder for your opponents to read what is coming. If you use the closed or neutral exclusively to go down the line, you are tipping off your opponents as what shot you are about to hit. As soon as they see that stance, they will start to move to cover the down the line shot.
I teach the neutral or closed stance for shots that are more centered in the court (no more than 3 steps from the center service mark). I know many top-rated, high performance coaches with the same philosophy. Anything outside of that should be open stance. Watch the footwork of the pros the next time you view a match on television or live. Most forehands and many backhands are hit using an open stance.
Great question, Mark. And if I can help again, don't hesitate to write.
To your tennis success,
Motez
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