Forehand Footwork Progressions: Beginner to Advanced

Key Points

• Young kids just starting between 6 and 8 should first learn to run and then hit a closed stance forehand
• Split step and then “unit turn” pointing the toes and feet to the direction you’re running
• Turn the toes, knees, shoulders, hips and head into 1 line
• As kids progress, you can start teaching the “open stance”, “semi open stance”, “closed to open stance” and “open to open stance”
• If the ball is coming fast to the forehand, use the open stance - the right step is the balance step for the open stance forehand
• If the ball is fast and wide, use the open to open stance
• For short balls, use the closed stance and then release the back foot as you hit
• Teach each stance in a step by step progression, only moving on once the player has learned each stance