Hit Huge & Heavy Forehands With These 4 Tips | Dominic Thiem Forehand Analysis

Achieving a powerful forehand in tennis, much like the ones Dominic Thiem is renowned for, is a skill sought after by many players. Often, we see recreational and club players struggle to find that sweet spot of power and precision. In this analysis, I’ll dissect what it takes to elevate your forehand to the next level, exploring the mechanics and nuances that make players like Thiem stand out. Let's jump into the first of four essential tips that will transform your forehand into a weapon on the court!

1. Mastering the Unit Turn with Both Hands

When you're gearing up for a forehand, your hands have a crucial role to play. The common error at the amateur level is letting the arm lead the swing, with the dominant hand taking the racket back solo, while the non-dominant hand remains static. It may remind you of children being taught the 'airplane arms' cue in tennis classes. But here's the key: your brain needs to be programmed from the get-go for optimal technique.

Dominic Thiem demonstrates this perfectly. Watch closely how long his left hand stays on the racket, aiding in a coordinated unit turn. By the time the ball has bounced on your side, aim to have the back edge of your racket facing the back fence, your hands to the side, parallel to the baseline.

Next time you're on the court, if you recognize yourself as a player with an independent arm swing, try this: use both hands to start the unit turn, particularly leaving the left hand on the throat of the racket. Not only does this guide your upper body into a full turn, but it also sets the stage for generating power—something we'll dive into next.

2. Grounding and Body Loading for Power

A quintessential aspect that separates pros from the rest is their connection to the ground. Taking inspiration from Thiem again, observe how he engages his legs, especially the bend in his back right leg. His shoulders rotate more than his hips, allowing him to use the body segments efficient along with ground reaction force to move the racket really fast.

When assessing your forehand, pay attention to the lower body's motion. Don't just bend your knees; lower your back right hip if you're in a semi-open stance or imagine sitting back in a chair for a neutral stance. But let's not forget the upper body: watch how the hands turning to the side contribute to that desired segmental separation. All this energy uncoils sequentially, from the ground up, enabling you to deliver that explosive forehand Thiem is famous for.

3. Creating Space for Contact

Regardless of your grip (which should range from an eastern to a semi-western), the distance between your body and the ball upon contact is paramount. Many players correctly load their body but still contact the ball too close to their torso. The forehand swing path should travel from inward to outward in relation to the body, optimizing racket speed at contact.

Steve Smith from GreatBase Tennis likens the racket to a lever in this process. The racket will move the fastest when swinging away from the body. We can see this when assessing Thiem. Look at where the ball is struck—at a distance of approximately a racket's length from the torso. Ensure that when filming your own shots, your swing arcs away from your body to truly unlock the power of your forehand.

4. The Two-One-Two Technique

The final tip revolves around the concept of 'two-one-two' in the swing pattern, referring to the hands' positioning on the racket during different phases of the forehand. Initially, both hands are on the racket during preparation. As the swing progresses and the body unwinds, the non-dominant hand releases, transitioning to a one-handed motion. To finish, the non-dominant hand rejoins on the racket. This technique fosters a prolonged hitting zone and guides the strings to face the target longer.

Additionally, aiming to catch the racket up high by your non-dominant eye helps maintain the vertical swing path that yields an accurate forehand. Thiem exemplifies this with high finishes that align with the narrow angles of the court, which is only 19.6 degrees from the center. This isn't just about hitting hard; it's about having the awareness of your racket's orientation throughout the shot.

Remember these two hands at the end, not just for power generation but also for racket awareness. It ensures you can reset to the ready position promptly and with control.

Conclusion

The forehand's important in tennis is undeniable, and emulating players like Dominic Thiem can give your game a transformative edge. By focusing on your unit turn, grounding your body, creating space at contact, and mastering the two-one-two technique, you'll be well on your way to hitting heavier, more formidable forehands. So get out there, remember to practice these tips, and watch as your forehand becomes a force to be reckoned with at any level of play.

But remember: information does not mean transformation. The process to changing your strokes is complicated and challenging because your strokes are motor programs! Simply watching YouTube videos or reading articles won’t help you to create lasting change to your strokes. Happy to explain more—simply book a Free 30-Min Discovery Lesson with me.

Thank you for reading!