1 Pivot and Shoulder Turn (chamber)

The first thing that all pro players do when they hit a forehand is pivot with their outside foot and turn their shoulders sideways. This starts their racket takeback. Both hands stay on the racket during this step.

2 Take the Racket Back Completely (takeback)

Once the pivot and shoulder turn is complete, the second thing that pro players do is take their racket back using both their shoulders and their arms.

3 Swing to Contact (Swing / Contact)

The third thing that professional tennis players do when hitting a forehand is swing to contact. They do three things to get to contact — 1) push off their outside leg, 2) rotate their bodies back toward the net, and 3) drop their rackets down and swing forward.

4 Follow Through (extension / Windshield Wiper)

From contact, pros follow through to complete their forehands. They accomplish this by extending out in the direction they’re hitting and bringing the racket across their bodies in a smooth, relaxed motion.

5 Swing Path (release, Follow through)

The final fundamental thing about the forehand is the swing path — the path the racket travels along from the start of the motion to the completion of the follow through. Once you release the racket with your other hand, it shouldn’t stop moving until you complete your follow through.