How to Whip your forehand for more speed by One Minute Tennis Coach

This video by Stephen Bourne ("One Minute Tennis Coach") offers a way to increase the whip of the forehand. As usual, Bourne provides a different take on tennis technique and with a clear explanation. In this video he shows that the professionals hit their forehands with more power than us amateurs because they're rotating around the left shoulder (if they're right-handed), not their right shoulder. He shows how they tuck their left (non-racket) hand in a way that causes their body to pivot around the left shoulder, not the right, thus increasing the length of the swing. (I don't know if this is the same reason mechanically but I've noticed that many professional football quarterbacks make the same motion with their non-throwing hand when they throw the ball.)

I recommend Bourne's YouTube channel. Many of his tips provide a unique -- and useful -- perspective.

Doubles Strategy: On Which Side Should the Stronger Player Play?

One of the topics that comes up on tennis forums and in coaching videos is this: where should the stronger doubles partner play? One theory recommends putting the stronger player on the ad side because four of the six game ending scores occurs on the ad side: 40-0, 0-40, 40-30 and 30-40. Only two occur on the deuce side: 40-15 and 15-40. So the idea is that the stronger player can either close out the game if his or her team have a lead or can prevent losing the game if they're behind in the game. Having the stronger player on the ad side also puts their overhead and forehand in the middle (if they're right-handed).

Recently I've experimented with playing on the deuce side if I'm the stronger player. I've noticed that one advantage means my team has a better chance of being ahead in the score (15-0, 30-15, 40-0 or 40-30) because I'm more likely to control the point. I have a better backhand return of serve than some of my partners and therefore can handle the opposing server if they consistently serve up the center on the deuce side.

I know this puts the weaker player on the ad side but it also puts their forehand in the center; most players have a stronger forehand than backhand. Having them on the ad side put their backhand on the outer quarter of the court rather than in the middle.

I'm not saying this is a hard-and-fast rule. Sometimes I play the ad court depending on the strengths of my partner and how we match up with the opposing team. For instance, I'll play the ad side when faced with a left-handed player who is able to hit a severe slice serve that breaks to the returner's left and pulls them off the court. Because I've worked hard on having a solid backhand I can handle this serve.

Change in Scope - Again

When I started this blog way back in 2007 it focused on soccer because I was coaching it at the time. In 2014 I changed and expanded the scope to cover other sports. I did this because there are lessons we can learn things like mental toughness and how to overcome challenges by studying how champions in other sports perform.

The main focus moving forward will be on tennis, primarily because I'm currently playing every day (sometimes twice). I also coached a local boys high school varsity team for six years. When I'm not reading related to my other blog, Thinking Objectively, I'm reading about tennis and watch the Tennis Channel almost all of the time. My goal is to continuously improve my game.

My goal with this blog is to share ideas that I come across in YouTube or books. Occasionally I'll share an insight that is all my own!