The forehand is one of the most important shots in tennis. It is used to build attacks, put pressure on opponents, and finish points. But even experienced players often struggle with the same issues: late contact, poor footwork, and weak depth control.
In most cases, the problem is not the swing itself. More often, it comes from poor preparation and bad movement to the ball. That is why repetition is so important in training. A tennis ball machine gives a huge advantage here because it delivers consistent balls with the same speed, depth, and spin, allowing players to focus on one specific element at a time.
Below are five drills that can help make your forehand more stable and reliable.
1. Early Contact Drill
One of the most common mistakes is making contact too late. The ball ends up too close to the body, which reduces both power and control. Shots start landing in the net or too short inside the court.
For this drill, a coach, partner, or tennis ball machine feeds medium-paced balls to the forehand side. If you use a machine, it is best to set a moderate speed and consistent depth. This helps you focus entirely on the contact point.
The goal is to prepare the racket earlier and meet the ball slightly in front of the body. Players should avoid reaching at the last moment and instead move into position early.
A tennis ball machine is especially useful here because it allows dozens of identical repetitions in a row. That type of consistency is one of the fastest ways to fix late contact.
2. Footwork Recovery Drill
Many players hit the first forehand well but then stay still after the shot. As a result, the next ball becomes much harder to handle.
This drill focuses not only on hitting but also on movement after each shot. After every forehand, the player recovers to the ready position and performs a split step before the next ball.
With a tennis ball machine, the exercise becomes even more effective. The machine can feed balls to different areas of the court, for example alternating between crosscourt and down-the-line forehands.
This forces the player to keep moving and recover quickly between shots.
It is better to start at a slower pace. The main goal is to develop smooth movement and proper rhythm.
3. Depth Control Drill
Short balls are a major problem for many recreational players. They give opponents extra time and easy attacking opportunities.
To train depth control, divide the court into zones and aim to land balls closer to the baseline. The shots should be played at medium pace without trying to hit as hard as possible.
A tennis ball machine works perfectly for this type of practice. You can set the same feed depth and repeat the same shot 20 or 30 times in a row. Over time, players develop a better feel for trajectory, topspin, and net clearance.
Depth does not come only from power. Balance, footwork, and weight transfer are just as important.
4. Using the Body in the Forehand
Sometimes the forehand looks tight because the player swings mostly with the arm. This often leads to inconsistent shots and extra stress on the arm and shoulder.
This drill helps players feel how the body should work during the stroke. The forehand is hit from an open stance while focusing on shoulder rotation and transferring weight through the body into the shot.
A tennis ball machine is very helpful here because it allows slow, controlled repetition. Since the feeds are predictable, players can focus fully on movement mechanics instead of reacting to different balls.
Even a few minutes of this drill can improve the feel of the shot. The forehand becomes smoother, more relaxed, and more powerful.
5. Two-Ball Rhythm Drill
As rally speed increases, many players begin to rush. The backswing becomes shorter and shot quality quickly drops.
In this drill, the coach or machine feeds two balls in quick succession. The second ball should be slightly faster or deeper than the first. The player must recover quickly after the first shot while maintaining the same technique on the second one.
Modern tennis ball machines can program these sequences automatically. This makes them extremely useful for training rally rhythm and preparing for faster exchanges.
Why Tennis Ball Machine Training Works So Well
The biggest advantage of a tennis ball machine is repetition. Players receive a large number of consistent balls and can focus calmly on one technical element at a time.
A tennis ball machine also helps players:
- hit far more balls during practice;
- correct mistakes faster;
- train without needing a permanent partner;
- gradually increase speed and drill difficulty.
Most forehand problems are not caused by the arm itself. They usually come from poor preparation and weak footwork. When those elements improve, the forehand quickly becomes more stable, deeper, and more confident — often within just a few weeks of regular training.