Forehand in LiteBall

This is known as a looping motion to prepare the stroke, which is now preferred over the forward-backward movement for the following reasons:

• The racquet’s trajectory better disguises the upcoming shot and establishes a solid foundation for increasing spin on the ball.
• It creates a natural rhythm and acceleration as the racquet dips from high to low (up to 10 cm below the ball; the point of impact occurs just before the forward motion continues).
• The forward-backward preparation often causes the wrist to retract, leading to a loss of control over the racquet head.
• The backward-forward preparation is more suitable for beginners, while the looping motion (“C” motion) allows for better control. The controlled acceleration of the “C” motion is essential in the forehand, emphasizing the outward part of the stroke. The preparation motion requires little effort, as the racquet follows an elliptical path. When the forward acceleration begins, the racquet stays aligned with the ball for a follow-through that is as long and complete as possible. The wider the motion, the greater the acceleration. Finally, the higher the speed reached just before the point of contact, the more spin and control you will have over the ball.

Place your left hand on the heart of the racquet, with the string bed perpendicular to the ground, as if you were “shaking hands” with your racquet. This is the most common grip for the forehand because it allows the racquet to be perpendicular to the ball at the moment of impact, minimizing wrist movement. It is suitable for balls that bounce at hip height and can easily adapt to higher or lower balls. The point of contact is made in front of the body.

The heel of the hand is located on top of the handle, tilting the racquet head. This grip requires some wrist strength. It is ideal for hitting low balls with a sliced forehand but less suitable for high bounces. The point of contact for a topspin shot is closer to the body, requiring significant shoulder rotation.

This will partly depend on the player’s positioning style. The ready position is a moment of observation. Shift your weight slightly forward onto the balls of your feet, ready to spring in any direction. The knees should be bent for a comfortable posture. The forearm and racquet should already be aligned. With an Eastern grip, form an angle of about 120°, with the elbows close to the body, the racquet in front of you, and the racquet head at chin height.

Unless the ball is very fast, the forehand loop is broken down into two sub-movements. The first is the automatic rotation of the shoulders, initiating the first part of the loop. The second part is the loop itself, extending to the end of the stroke. From the shoulder rotation, adjust the rhythm of the loop motion according to the ball’s speed. As soon as you know the ball is coming to your forehand, rotate your shoulders, hips, and right foot to the right. The racquet should be between the body and the ball, with the right knee bent to support the body’s weight.

The wrist, forearm, and racquet head are always aligned, while the upper body pivots to the right. Even if the racquet points toward the outside line, the angle with the forearm remains at 120°. The elbow is close to the body, and the forearm is parallel to the ground.

As soon as you analyze the ball’s speed, synchronize and adjust your movement. Opportunities for a wide preparation motion are rare; a reduced loop will limit excessive wrist and body movements, allowing you to position yourself correctly for the shot. Except for a high ball, the racquet head should not rise above eye level. The elbow remains close to the body until the stroke is completed. Bring the racquet to about 10 cm below the ball at the end of the preparation to initiate the forward motion according to the desired angle and spin. The knees are bent to lower the center of gravity. At the end of the preparation, the racquet head is pointing toward the back of the court, parallel to the ground, with the forearm extended.

This final step allows your racquet to stay in position for as long as possible, adding weight to your shot and facilitating the pivot toward the point of contact on your supporting foot. As you step forward, bend your knees to transfer body weight and add power to the forehand. The hips and shoulders naturally turn toward the ball, giving more power and synchronization to the stroke. Before this step forward, pivot the back foot toward the sideline for better support. Then, step the left foot flat to ensure a good footing and balance during the stroke. The angle between the front foot and the line should be about 45° to keep the shoulders aligned and facilitate their pivot toward the point of impact. For open stances, the foot will be at 180° along the court line, with the feet apart and the shoulders and hips returning toward the center of the court.

The point of contact for a forehand with an Eastern grip is almost aligned with the front support foot, slightly ahead. For a hammer grip, the point of contact is slightly shifted backward. At the point of contact, the right elbow is slightly bent, between the ball and the body. The left arm and hand are directed toward the ball, determining the ideal moment to hit. The racquet is parallel to the net, always oriented vertically to maximize acceleration.

The motion is forward and upward. This is the moment of impact when the energy is focused on the ball. The racquet head is high at the end of the stroke, finishing the low-to-high motion to maintain control of the ball. It follows the ball as far as possible before leaving its path. Keep your weight on the front foot. The heel of the back foot lifts, leaving only the tip of the foot on the ground. Pivot the hips and shoulders toward the point of contact to face the net.