Forehand
A stroke played with the palm of the hand moving in the direction of the shot, on the racquet-arm side of the body.
Definition
The forehand is one of the two basic groundstrokes in racquet sports like tennis, table tennis, badminton and squash. It is played on the same side as the racquet hand, with the palm facing forward through the swing, which for many players is the more natural and powerful of the two sides.
Players use the forehand to drive the ball with pace and spin, and it is frequently the shot they build their attacking play around. Good footwork to get into position for a forehand is a core skill for beginners learning these sports.
Where you’ll hear “forehand”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Table Tennis
A fast, low-impact indoor racquet sport that sharpens reflexes and is easy to start.
Badminton
A fast indoor racquet sport played with a shuttlecock that rewards agility and touch.
Squash
A fast, high-intensity indoor racquet sport played inside an enclosed court where the walls stay in play.
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Equipment
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Table tennis batA small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- Badminton racketA lightweight strung racket used to hit the shuttlecock in badminton.
Skills
- Returning serveThe skill of reading and playing back an opponent’s serve to stay in the rally.
- RallyingThe skill of exchanging shots back and forth to build and win a point.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- BalanceThe skill of keeping the body stable and controlled while still or moving.
- FootworkThe skill of moving efficiently around the playing area to be in position for each shot or action.
Techniques
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- Table Tennis Forehand DriveA controlled attacking stroke in table tennis, played on the forehand side with a compact swing and light topspin.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Freestyle StrokeThe fastest swimming stroke, using alternating overhead arm pulls, a flutter kick and rhythmic side breathing.
- BreaststrokeA swimming stroke with a simultaneous arm sweep, a whip-like frog kick and a glide, performed on the front.
Tactics
- Baseline playA patient tennis style built around rallying from the back of the court and constructing points with groundstrokes.
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
Practice & sessions
- Mobility sessionA session built around moving well through a range of motion — gentle, controlled work to help the body move freely.
- Technical sessionA session built around technique — grooving and refining the mechanics of how a movement or shot is executed.
- Tactical sessionA session built around tactics — how you use space, position and patterns of play, rather than the mechanics of a shot.
- Conditioning sessionA session built around physical conditioning — developing the fitness qualities a sport draws on, rather than its skills or tactics.
- Recovery sessionA deliberately easy session — gentle movement to help the body feel better and adapt, rather than to push hard.