The open stance forehand has become one the games biggest changes in the past 4 years. Most tennis pros now hit most of their forehands with the legs in an open stance (legs parallel to the baseline).
There are several reasons for this. The first reason is that the open stance allows for more power. Lets look at the power aspect of the swing.
The hips and the shoulders rotate back with the racquet, the legs must bend and flex. This flexing of the body creates a dynamic loading of the muscles of the legs and body. This loading is like a rubber band that is stretched and when let go creates a quick, powerful action. When these loaded muscles begin to contract in sequence they create a kinetic chain that when unleashed offers a potent power source. Unlike the closed or neutral stance (feet turn sideways with the body), there is very little loading or stretching of the muscles. This neutral stance should have some leg flex but the main power comes from shifting the weight from the back leg to the front leg during the swing. Although this is good, it is become archaic or old. Todays game demands more strength and power.
The second benefit comes from a quicker recover from the open stance. Even before the swing is completed the body weight is shifting from the right leg to the left leg (for right handers). But now this shifting is lateral or sideways and has the body moving back towards the center of the court even before the finish of the swing. Once the swing is completed, the body is already moving back into position because the legs are still parallel to the baseline. Todays players must react and recover more quickly because of the power involved in the game.
To hit the open stance forehand you must place your outside leg almost directly in the path of the oncoming ball. The weight of the body is placed on this leg while the legs bend and the torso turns sideways. During the swing, the legs begin the motion by straightening as the hips rotate forward followed by the shoulder rotation. The arm and the racquet are the last components to be brought into the sequence of the swing. This sequencing is what we call the kinetic chain and it very important that the timing of each of the body segments are happening one right after the other.
Watch todays pros and advanced players to see if they are hitting their forehands without the feet turning sideways. Even now the open stance backhand is picking up more and more converts to this power potential and recovery quickness, but thats another story.
Doug Hofer, USPTA January 16, 2004
