We do not typically provide lessons on footwork. However, in order to have high speed rallies and to make the most of your power forehand, we must say a few words on this subject. We have often noted that you must not use your legs as a crutch or as a substitute for good technique if you want to develop an efficient power forehand. This is a fact. However, as you increase the speed of your rallies, the forces that are developed from power hitting can cause the body to rotate and become unstable. If this happens, your power forehand will likely begin to go wild. What you must do to avoid this is to widen your stance as the speed of your forehand is increased until your body is stablized at the maximum speed of your rally.

In the figures below, we illustrate three unstable forehand shots in which the player likely lost the point if their opponent took advantage of their loss of balance. In this respect, tennis is akin to boxing. If you can force your opponent to fall

backwards, you have the opportunity to win the point. This is because once you fall backward, just as in boxing, it is very difficult to recover the time lost in getting yourself back into position.

Below are three examples of stability at high speeds. In all three cases the player's body is stabilized by their legs (which is their platform) allowing them to hit at maximum speed. In general, the faster the stroke, the wider the stance needed to resolve all the forces on the body that could cause you to become unstable.

In summary, high speed rallies require stability that can only be provided by the legs. In general the stance must be widened to off set the destabilizing forces developed by the speed of the stroke. Further, if you loose your balance due to a poor stance, then you are put at a significant disadvantage in the rally. Conversely, if you can knock your opponent off balance, you have a the opportunity to win the point. If possible, once your opponent is knocked backward, it is important to deliver another blow quickly if you are in position to do so.