Fall is for Forehands

[From the desk of Blish Mize Connor, Club & Court's PR guru & resident tennis enthusiast]

Let’s be honest, I have the forehand yips. My backhand says Wimbledon-bound. My forehand says, maybe you should stick with Pickle. 

Scott Schibig, pro at Carriage Club in Kansas City, is known for showing up at 5:30 am for our ladies group, fixing forehands and identifying what really is happening in your tennis game—is it my mind or is it my footwork? Perhaps a touch of both? I sat down with him to discuss my fall focus. 

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BC: I feel like this forehand situation has maybe gone past the point of repair. What is the first thing you think I can fix my atrocious forehand?

SS: Get your dominant foot behind the ball and swing with your whole body.  Hip/Shoulder/Racquet should all be moving together.

 

BC: That sounds so easy. Is the contact point really that much ahead of me? That feels odd because I like to obsess about the ball until it’s almost too late to hit it. 

SS: Your contact point should be just in front of you as you turn into the ball.

 

BC: Okay. I hear you say that constantly—Like, CONSTANTLY—but okay.  Something I’m also thinking about:  What is the biggest difference between a 3.5 level forehand and a 5.0+ forehand (asking for a friend)?

SS: The pace/spin/placement of the ball are the biggest differences.

BC: That sounds like everything about their game is different! Interesting.  Lastly, what percentage of my game is mental, and what percentage is my footwork?

SS: 70% Footwork, 30% mental.

BC: Well, there you have it! Looks like I need new shoes for footwork and some time with the ball machine. In the meantime, you’ll catch me on the court in The Buffy Dress. These stripes work their magic!