In Stage Orange, tennis technique becomes noticeably more important for the first time. Talented players can already reach Playing Level 3/4 in our 4-level system for groundstrokes.

Let’s take a look at the forehand of a very talented boy—to put it mildly; in fact, the 2025 U9 German champion.

It is completely normal for young players to need to refine some technical details appropriate to their age, while other components are already astonishingly close to the professional model.

 

Preparation (Ready Position)

  • Split step (small vertical jump) to prepare for the running movement
  • Take a stance with feet shoulder-width apart, weight slightly forward.
  • Toes neutral – pointing towards the net.
  • Hitting hand in forehand grip, racket presented in front of the body.
  • Left hand on the racket heart for stabilization and balance. (Tip: more variable for other one-handed strokes such as slice and drop shot)

Coaching Keys

  • Timing via mini split step, neutral toes, racket in front of the body – left hand on the heart for stabilization.

Fine tuning: Hands and racket 10–20 cm further away from the body (elbows slightly loose) to create more space for better loading over the torso.

Backswing

  • The upper body rotates backward, the left hand remains on the racket and stabilizes the shoulder axis.
  • The hips open toward the direction of movement; the knee and toe of the outside leg are already pointing in the direction

Coaching Keys

  • Kinetic chain: The stroke begins with the large muscles—the upper body/torso/hips lead, the arm/hand follows.
  • Keep the left hand on the racket → keeps the shoulder rotation active and prevents a “hand-only” start.
  • Anticipation & footwork: As soon as it is clear where the ball is going, the legs prepare for the direction of movement – depending on the quality of visual perception, this often happens during the flight phase before landing after the vertical jump (split step).

Backswing

  • The upper body turns backward.
  • The left hand has come off the racket and is pointing parallel to the baseline.
  • The hitting hand remains on the right side of the body.
  • The eyes focus on the ball.

Contact Point (Stroke phase)

  1. The upper body actively rotates forward in the direction of the swing.
  2. Contact point central in the string bed → control over the ball’s trajectory and little resistance
  3. The left arm is extended and acts as a counterbalance: stabilizes the axis of rotation and improves balance.

Coaching Keys

Central contact point + active torso rotation + left arm as a counter-movement for stability.

Follow-through

  • Finish across the left side of the body (across-the-body).
  • Forearm pronated; movement toward the thumb side → racket face closes in a controlled manner.
  • Racket head moves toward the left hand
  • The left hand remains behind the body and acts as a counterweight for stability.

Coaching Keys

Finish over the left side, pronate forearm, club head to left hand – keep left hand behind for balance.

  • The follow-through with the racket head toward the left hand is typical for relatively flat strokes.
  • Strokes with more topspin usually end higher above the shoulder.
  • With a higher contact point and a swing starting higher and ending lower, the racket head moves more toward the left thigh.

Take Home Message

  • In Stage Orange, technique begins to gain noticeable importance. Rhythm, timing, and body coordination come into focus.Important: The movement should originate out of the entire kinetic chain—legs and torso lead, the arm follows.
  • Pay attention to active rotation, a contact point in the middle of the racquet, and a balanced finish.
  • The left arm stabilizes the axis, the hips initiate the movement, and the racket follows.
  • More space between the body and the racket in the ready position has advantages for “loading” via the upper body and torso, and supports the “one-piece backswing” *).
* One-piece backswing: Backswing with your entire body (not just your arm).