Bollettieri Q&A: Footwork and Follow Through

I have an eager and enthusiastic 7-year-old who wants to play tennis every day. What are some good footwork drills to help his development?—Ralf George

My suggestion is to introduce him to soccer and other quick-movement sports. You can also just throw a soft ball back and forth in all different directions, varying the height of your throws.

How tightly should I grip the racquet handle on my one-handed backhand? I have significantly tighter grip tension on my backhand than I do on my forehand because I feel I have to have more behind that shot. What do you suggest?—Djordje Damnjanovic, Serbia

The tighter you hold the racquet, the less flexibility and energy you’ll have on your swing. You must also keep in mind that today’s backhand grips are more behind the handle. [For more on grips, visit our grip guide.]
*
I’ve been struggling with my forehand for 20 years. This year, I finally found what I thought was a way to make it work, but it’s only a temporary fix. When it works, it’s nice, but it only lasts for about a week and then goes away. I know what to do but I can’t make my body do it. How can I solve this?—Wyatt Sutton, Honduras*

It’s difficult for me to tell you what to do without knowing your grips, swing pattern, hitting foundation and balance. But here’s one tip: Exaggerate your follow through. This will prevent you from slowing down your swing as your racquet moves through the contact area.

Have a question for Nick? Write to him at asknick@TENNIS.com.

Nick Bollettieri of the Bollettieri Tennis Academy has trained many collegiate and professional players, including 10 who reached the world No. 1 ranking.