I love this technique. It's more simple and gives more power and reduces the errors of a larger swing. I've practiced it for last two years and it's really helped. And the phrases make it very easy to remember. Even though I first watched this two years ago, I still remember "elbow up, elbow extended", "tap the dog", and "turn the door knob" -- so easy to remember. When I'm practicing, I can recall these phrases and use them as "checkpoints" to make sure I'm doing things the right way. I've watched dozens and dozens of "how to" videos on forehands and I like this the best of all. I've read many of the comments. Everyone has an opinion and mine is that this is an excellent coaching technique.

"Now here's where you're getting into trouble" *ominous music plays*

The best lesson available to learn about forehand technique. This has transformed my forehand to the next level. Thanks to the coach and USPTA.

2:55 - o boy, here comes the SHOULDER turn again, even at THIS LEVEL?!?! Forget the shoulder guys, focus on the HIPS!!! Here's what took me 12 YEARS to figure out on MY OWN, after watching hundredths of coaching videos from at least a dozen different internet coaches and countless in person lessons, that I want to share with EVERYONE watching this video, as I think it will make the BIGGEST difference in your forehand: Forget about turning the SHOULDERS! That's a DISTRACTION, it's NOT the shoulder that's DOING the turning, it's the HIPS! When watching slow motion footage of PROs, STOP looking at their shoulders and focus instead on their HIPS (they are - via your legs - turning your WHOLE UPPER body, including the shoulders). In tennis you need to use your ENTIRE body, legs/hips are THE KEY here, without them you will NEVER get beyond pushing the ball back and forth and that's where these coaches want you trapped FOREVER, so that you keep coming back to them for more PAID lessons/courses ;) Once you understand that the unit turn needs to be INITIATED by the hips, EVERYHTING changes. You start to SUBCONSCIOUSLY, i.e. without thinking, use your LEGS, that turn your HIPS, which turn your shoulders, i.e. KINETIC CHAIN but on AUTO-PILOT. That way you stay perfectly balanced, you automatically (without any additional thinking) engage your core and your POWER and consistency will grow exponentially. That's the KEY to a PRO forehand that NO ONE is telling you. I wonder why?! Once you have this down, you will FINALLY have a solid FOUNDATION and you can then start adding all the peripheral bits that everyone is teaching you here on KZfaq. Be sure to drop a LIKE on this comment if it helped you out, so that MORE people get to see it!

It is simply incredible. I am exercising my forehand for the year without no improvement. After watching your film on the following day my forehand was 100% better. I hit without effort, I hit the balls in front and at last I had a joy from the training. Thanks a lot for this lesson. Robert from Poland

After years of struggling with my forehand this session fixed my problem. Now my forehand is stable so my weakness turns to a great weapon.Thank you soooo much!

I come back to this video every year. Always finding something I can improve.

cant believe your critisiziing his hair,its about what hes saying not his hair.he knows his stuff.respect the guy.

I have watched a ton of tennis lessons online and this guy is the best! Thanks Rick, keep the knowledge coming and I will keep shortening my swing! The combination of good sound, quality camera work and a good coach make it easy to watch this video multiple times.

Senior player here completely transitioned my forehand....awesome! Crushing it!

I love the constant reference to Federer, well done!

I absolutely love his attention to detail and his step by step approach in building the forehand (FH). This video has helped my FH tremendously.

One of the very best Forehand breakdown out there. I checked this video out a year ago and thought it made no sense, but after a year of playing, I came back to it, and now it seems soooo clear !!!

Heavy guitar rifts, and dramatic tense synth tones really helped add just the right touch of atmosphere and theatre this coaching session demanded. But jokes aside, this was an awesome lesson.

Excellent advice!!! My forehand has improved massively after applying the tips outlined here!!!

Thanks guys for uploading this piece of gold! Truly appreciate it.

Not only detailed technic explained, but also formula "elbow up - elbow extension" is practical. I repeat it silently when practice and feel that I lost proper forehand. Thank you, Rick!

Rick always super generous (and passionate...!) teacher - and pioneer of forehand 'lag' technique. In prior examples he's pointed something left out of this USPTA presentation - when executing the 'flip', relax the wrist so much so that you almost feel the racket head drop down to hit the back of the calf (right leg for righties, open stance). Get that done right then, as Rick as said, you'll get more - more speed, spin, power - more of everything. Thanks Rick, USPTA...!

Thank You!! Rick!! I admire USPTA!! I am self-learn tennis player without much help in 1967!! I wish that I am still young today!! THANK YOU!!

Just the missing piece I was missing on my forehand. Thank you Mac !!

Great lesson. It is when I think I am exaggerating lifting the elbow up and tapping the dog, my forehand is the best. Because it feels so natural swinging through the ball and I don't have to worry about the racquet doing its thing (snapping) at all. It is a bit weird at the beginning because lots of things need to align. I for ex. needed to change my body position a bit and to force myself to bring the left arm across (not just in front) etc...Also, my legs needed to start helping the process :). I still sometimes can't find the rhythm, but for the most part, I know now what I need to do and it all comes back after a few minutes of swinging. A few things. Don't bother with how your swings look on the court. They look different than you think. Don't overthink the forehand. For example, don't worry about snapping the racquet that much, (showing the badge etc). When you bring the elbow up, tap the dog and extend the arm through the swing, the racquet kind of does the snap on it own. I feel like it is automatic. But it is important for your arm to be loose to the point you don't feel a muscle. I tend to hold the grip too strong when searching for the right position of the racquet. Also, stick with this lesson. And keep the faith. I wished I had seen it when I was losing patience. I realized the elbow/tap the dog thing watching Andy Murray. Not my favourite player at all, nor is his forehand, Novak is, but Andy's was kind of easiest to break down and copy (I guess is the right word.) It made me stop concentrating on the wrong things. Like what I needed to do with the racquet instead of what I needed to do with my arms. BTW, I am no pro. I am just enjoying my tennis with my wife who was. She actually started to enjoy it too and her asking me to play so she could practise is the biggest reward. Good luck.

Preparation 3:05 Joint angles 4:05 Elbow extension 4:45 Tap the dog 5:51 The flip 7:00 Forward swing 12:18 The finish 15:17

Extending the elevated elbow to pat the dog to rotate the hips and pull the butt cap forward... now you're feeling the flip, you're in the dynamic slot... this is where Federer's sick power comes from... Macci conveys the feeling of the movements that result in tapping into that power source... the whole motion with unit turn, arm extended, etc. results in the creation of the powerful centriugal force for the racquet head while the hand is pulling in a short straight line. Cleaner contact... If you do all of this you almost instinctive extend outwards and "turn the doorknob" afterwards naturally... You know what complements this video really well in a weird way ... the one done by the guy who digitally removes the racquet from Federer's hand. This video is really a superb contribution. Thanks!

Absolutely love this!!! So details and fix every of my forehand swing problem

one of the best tennis videos on youtube! great job!!!

very clear explanation .. I completely clear up my mistakes.. now I will try to repeat and fix them once ever...thank you Rick

This is the first video I've seen that reminds me to lift my elbow before swinging forward. Thanks! 👍👍

Great video. I have recommended it to so many friends and even burned it to a DVD so that I can watch it on my big screen TV.

fantastic lesson. Thank you very much for posting!

Not sure whats with all the negative comments. This is spot on teaching - anyone above a 3.5 level will be facing higher pace and a lot of spin. The game has evolved requiring a shorter and more efficient stroke. There is always a trade-off, less power but more consistency. His coaching here is for a 5.0 type player. The Federer's and Nadals of the world have to learn and master many more techniques for all the various situations and in a much faster paced game than a 5.0 can even imagine. He is using Federer as an example of the elbow extension technique, he is not necessarily saying this is how Federer would be coached.

Love this video. It helps to clear up a lot of questions for me. Thank you.

That’s what I need a more economical stroke on my shots , great explanation of the mechanics!

Wow, this is one of the best step by step forehand topspin technique video. I just need to go out and repeat these steps.

Best Coaching Video you can and will ever see

This is a real coaching video. Keep it up! Thanks

love this video, I absolutely changed my whole forehandstyle because of it and now im really satisfied. Thanks alot

Thank You Coach. Your coaching points very helpful.

SUPREME video. Amazing. Efficiency in the forehand is what I’m working on right now and this has helped me so much. Thank you.

Great lesson! There is a lot of information for viewers to take note of, but should not all be given to the student during one lesson. A very positive attitude of the coach!

Thank you Mr. Macci for all that information. It helps a lot.

Another brilliant video. Thanks.

Great video Rick. Solid fundamentals simply explained & encouragement accelerate learning path & progression. Love it!

He is definitely the best coach I've ever seen! Thank you so much!

Excellent video! I feel like Im with a tennis coach just watching this. This is exactly where I need to work -forehand.

8yrs on and still effective Amazing

what great instructions and even better instructor!

Amazing, very detailed and informative. Can't believe this instruction is for free!

Really good drills. Just subscribed!

Excellent breakdown on technique!

Great video tutorial!

amazing video!! going to the court to try it out! thx for the tips

thank you for the great leasson..one of the best content on youtube.

Nicely done, Rick! Great stuff.

amazing video and instructions thank you!

"Tap the dog" ..that's what I needed to hear....helped me a lot. Thank you very much

excellent, précise, clear presentation.I do phantom swings at home. Can"t wait to hit on court

Excellent and very useful video. Thank you for this video.

wonderful info on the forehand. Great insight.

Used this video to make a few minor modifications on my forehand. It's still a work in progress but I must say that I am seeing improvements. Personally, it just makes sense to me. Thanks a million.

Thank a lot! This is the best Forehand tutorial.

I love the way he teaches

I think it is very good lesson all around: theory, detail explanation, correction and recommendation how to practice this forehand. Everything is very clear and easy to understand. Thank you Mr. Macci!

Thanks for the analysis of my idol forehand which I tried mimics over and over watching him live at the US Open and Indian Wells but unable to discover more then having a uspta master pro here to analyzed it for us. Hopefully tomorrow i will get better from this lesson.

Rick, best explanation of forehand improvement so far

I have practiced and practiced building from one step to the next and have tremendously improved my forehand. I really like the detail, especially the elbow positions and the "tap the dog."

Wow. Great video coach. Thanks you so much. Cheers !!

AWESOME TRAINING! THANKS!

Excellent video, right on the spot!

Very good instruction .... 👍👏👏

Very good instruction. Dump the constant background music. It only serves as a distraction. Thanks.

this video changed my forehand forever

thanks for the knowledge!

Wonderful video! Thanks

The best tennis technic i ever seen Thank you buddy

Such an impressive mentor!

Great forehand lesson. Thank you.

This is so far the best tennis video ever

Amazing! Helps my son a lot!

I was doing the exact mistake as I was not elevating my Right elbow which causes the wrong forehand motion which resulted not having much control over my forehand. I corrected my mistake and saw the difference and keep practicing for wiping out old swing pattern from my muscle memory . thanks for the invaluable tip.

THANKS RICK! YOU'RE THE BEST!

Had to revisit the video every once in a while to remind myself.

Great coach 👍👍. Fantastic stroke mechanics!!!

This was an amazing video. I can hit my forehand a lot better now.

Thank you soo much Coach Rick Macci thank you I am soo serious with tennis that i will watch this everyday!!

You're amazing, I've improved my forehand by watching your video once !

Excellent tips ! Thank you very much

Great explaination

Great practice and explanation.🙏🙏🙏

one of the best on court releases.

Thank you so much Rick. This video is very special and a real lesson of tennis.

This guys is so likeable to me, ha has great teaching approach and techniques and he seems like a really good man.

This is amazing technique and well conveyed

This is a great video ATTABOY!!

thanks for this video I have watched roggers forehand many times and these things where coming to my mind and even I was practicing it but your video boosted me up that I was right in that thinking process

Great instructions! Kyrgios is a very good example of high elbow when turning.

Thanx for the vid and improving my forehand

wow! great lesson. thank you!

Very useful technique Thanks a lot

Very helpful tips, thanks

wow, i like this. i've known something was wrong, felt weird, for a long time and that i was somehow fighting myself. you've helped a lot! (after many tennis lessons as a kid, i am actually only now even beginning to learn the game!)