Forehand-Down-The-Line

The down-the-line forehand is a shot that is commonly seen in professional matches. Now you can learn to execute this shot, catching your opponents off guard and possibly hitting a winner.

Crisp and Precise

In order to pull off a winner with this shot, you should try to move your opponent further and further away from the middle of the court before you strike a down-the-line forehand. Striking one too soon could allow the opponent to reach and return your shot as they are still in a position to scramble for your shot. This is a challenging shot to pull off as it requires you to change the direction of the ball (from cross-court to down-the-line), which could result in a mishit or your shot going long.

Stepping In

Stepping into the ball is essential in changing the direction of the ball from cross-court to down-the-line. This motion allows you to generate sufficient power, hip rotation and follow-through to execute a good forehand. As you are stepping into the ball, you will need to time the shot well in order to hit the sweet-spot.

Topspin

As with most shots, generating topspin is key in getting the ball over the net. This is especially so when you are directing the ball down-the-line. As the net is curved (with the lowest point being in the center), attempting to clear the net closer to the edges would require greater net clearance. Brush the ball up with a quick wrist action to get that added topspin!

Detailed Lesson Plans