Introducing the Forehand Drive

Alois Rosario Answered 3 months ago

Hi Bryan,

Working with older players who’ve used the same strokes for decades can be tricky. Their habits are deeply set, and changing the forearm position and bat angle can feel completely unnatural. A few things usually help.

Start with very small changes. Instead of trying to give them a full forehand drive straight away, get them to feel just one part of the stroke at a time. For example, begin by asking them to close the bat only five degrees and tap the ball forward. Once that feels normal, add a tiny amount of forearm movement. Build the stroke in layers rather than all at once.

Use slow, predictable feeds. A gentle, consistent ball gives them more time to think about the new shape without reverting to their old habits.

Hit one ball at a time with pauses in between. Players often learn better when the pace is calm and they can reset after each attempt.

Give them a clear purpose. Instead of “close the bat”, say “try to send the ball lower over the net”. Sometimes focusing on the outcome makes the technique adjust itself naturally.

At this stage, a small improvement in bat angle and a bit of forward contact is already a win. The goal is function, not perfection.

Hope this helps.