Tennis, Forehand which leg?

I love this question because the open stance forehand has gotten so popular, yet it is harder to break down into parts than the traditional close stance. I agree with the answerer "tennisplayr" with a couple of points thrown in.

You really want to put your weight and tension on the right leg. Preferably it should be behind or even with the left, but occasionally if the player can't set up quickly, the left leg will be in front and that's when you see the left leg move because the balance isn't as good. But with optimal positioning the right leg finishes the shot by coming forward and slightly out to the side which puts the player back into position to push off and be ready for the next shot.

This is really the advantage of the open forehand(and now some backhands) in the modern game. A lot of people think the open forehand gives more power than the closed. Not true! It does supply plenty of power, but it allows the player to get power with a very fast setup and wide range of foot positions and just as importantly, the finish brings the player back into position more quickly. It's somewhat similar to pitching out of the stretch in baseball or shotgun formation for the quarterback in football. The pace of the tennis game has demanded that players find a way to get positioned faster than the closed stance forehand. If you have tons of time, hitting the closed forehand with the left foot stepping well out in front gives a little more power. For those who don't believe this, try a "dead" ball exercise. Drop the ball in front of you. Hit the open and closed forehands and see which one you can hit harder.

It is always a good idea to step into the shot when you're hitting, preferably with your left foot so that you can maintain balance through your shot. But the open stance (feet even or right foot slightly in front) forehand has become very popular over the last 10 years or so and the pros will use it very often. The open stance forehand allows for more upper body and hip rotation through the shot and therefore provides more power through the shot. The problem with this foot positioning is that its easy to lose balance and a lot of folks will start to lean back and actually lose a lot of power because they fall backwards through the shot instead of maintaining body weight through the shot.

So, here's my recommendation. Start off with your left leg in front and develop a consistent forehand. Then once you have that you can develop an open stance forehand. But really try to use this only when you are out of position and having to scramble to get to your forehand. (Federer does this well, I recommend you watch him to see when he uses which foot).

Traditional tennis dictates that you would step into your forehand with your left foot since you are right handed. If you are pushed back or off balance a falling back right foot forehand is fine but today we see kids and adults just standing open stance and whaling on the ball saying that since they are throwing their weight into the shot that it is acceptable or fine. Well to each his own. Lets just say what ever you feel comfortable with that allows you to drive the ball over the net and deep with control so that it makes for a difficult return so that you can eventually win the point either by rushing the net for a put a way volley or your opponent hitting the ball long, wide, into the net or missing it all together.

Well, in tennis, power comes from the legs. Get perfect form and bulk up your legs. Then you will be able to use more explosive power from your lower body. Get great core strength too (abs, back). Do some wrist and shoulder exercises. It's never bad to have muscle. "I want to learn how to hit the ball low and really hard." I'm guessing you want to hit what's called a flat shot. There's no real technique to hitting one of these, it's just a stroke without putting spin on the ball. The way that I do it is on my take back, I have the racket at a 45 degree angle to the ground (facing down) and do the stroke from there. To hit your serve harder, same idea. Power comes from your LEGS.

for you, a right hander you should be using your right foot/leg the most. your left foot should be in front of your right foot as you take the racket back ready for the forehand.

then as you do this push down on your right leg and then as you hit through rotate your hips and step forward with your right foot and bring your weight into the court(ur left foot should be balancing on your toes ready for the next shot.

hope it helps

You should step with the left foot and hit if possible. But you can also hit off the back foot as many players do.