Developing Skills - Forehand Forearm Snap

Philip Samuel Asked 2 days ago

Hi Alois and Jeff

Various videos I have been watching recommend doing the backswing slowly and then accelerating into the forehand shot with a forearm snap (keeping the elbow low and making a v, just as you do).  What is the best way to develop this.? I am working on having more power with my forehand in preparation for next season. Please note that I am unable to use my legs to generate power, as I have two bad knees. Thank you.

Alois Rosario Answered 2 days ago

Hi Philip,

I think the best way is to focus on these particular elements firstly with a very controlled situation, perhaps one ball being fed at a time.

The thing to do then is to find ways to progress this to make the challenge level higher for you. Here are some ideas:

• Move to continuous hitting at a slow pace still focusing on the action
• Speed up the feed slightly
• Try to play at normal speed and then work on accuracy of the stroke
• Add doing this from different positions on the table with some movement between each shot
• Vary the pace of the incoming ball
• Vary the placement of your shots
• Start to do this in a rally situation starting with a serve and opening ball and then when the situations presents itself see if you can execute the stroke that you are working on
• Work on executing the stroke in a practice game situation
• Work on executing the stroke in a match play situation

As you can see developing something new can be a time consuming exercise but it is worth the effort.