Andy Roddick: Forehand Closeup

Andy Roddick is the impersonation of the modern forehand. He gets tremendous shoulder rotation, creates a remarkable amount of topspin and uses an (extreme) semi-westerngrip. In this video I focus on his grip and how he creates topspin.

Picture credits: CBSsports

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• tennis
• andy
• roddick
• forehand
• analysis
• super
• slow
• motion
• semi
• western
• grip
• explanation
• topspin
• technique
• swing
• vision
• closeup
• tenis
• analyse
• zeitlupe
• instruction

[historian111z]

i still think its more effective if he switched to eastern.

[mytennis4you]

I think that would be problematic. In modern tennis most players hit with a tremendous amount of topspin, resulting in much higher contact points for the returners. Higher contact points though are easier to master with the Semi-Western grip, that's why the Semi-Western is so common these days.

[FairwayJack]

Andy is the personification of the modern forehand. Another great one!! 5/5

[slatz20]

This forehand almost F A I L E D

[cys12141]

26 dumb people thought this guy's commentary (?) was useful. Shame on them.

[fishysk8]

This was not a regular forehand shot imo. It looks more like a windscreen wiper from the look of the follow through. What do u reckon?

[coldplaywave]

Andy Roddick has improved a lot his tennis style since he's coached by Larry Stefanki.Hope he'll win once again a major this year!

[GueorguiJoukov]

Concerning the semi-western, it is very practical for the swing path it allows you to have; as you so well explains higher, Roddick drives his racker upward and he extends into the court. That grips forces you to brush the ball if you want to make contact well in front.

I've changed my grip from eastern to semi-western since my skin has been scratched in my hand. Could change back, but the top spin is so wicked. 4-6 feet above the net with a lot of pace and still lands well inside; too nice.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@mytennis4you

An eastern grip requires a very peculiar swing and will indeed result in more flat balls if it is not used properly. But, when as the ball rise higher, it is easier to keep it inside. The problem with very low shots is that you have to raise them from the ground before the spin pulls it down - flater shots played off high balls bounces really high and it is easy to rip an eastern gripped FH off your shoulders.

[GueorguiJoukov]

@sephkyle

My friend, you should never push a shot; a good shot is always laid down the court. Of course, it can get around the high 90's mph, but even such a shot is simply laid down. You should feel your arm going forward and accelerating through the air.

If you do this, you'll never get injured. Federer is injury free because he has the most fluent swing of all; copy this part of his play: having a smooth and graceful swing. Anyway, even an Eastern grip can swing your wrist in a similar way.

[kostyaspartak]

Roddick uses an extreme simi-western. He is very close to werstern!

[sephkyle]

If you are going to use this grip make sure to exercise your wrist and use a heatpack before you play... also ice it after. It puts enormous strain on your wrist. I've been injured for 1.5 weeks now due to that grip.. your body has to be aligned right or else you can really screw yourself up.

[kid43332]

Yeah come on I mean that is SOO obvious!

=/