Lost Your Feel on Court? Here's How to Get It Back!

It's a common lament on the tennis court: "I can't feel my forehand today!" or "My backhand just isn't there." This frustrating experience isn't limited to pros; club players feel it just as much. What often follows is the thought, "I'm having a bad day," leading us down a rabbit hole of overthinking, technical analysis, and before we know it, we're tangled in an impossible situation.

I believe in keeping things simple and finding the most effective way to dig ourselves out of that "hole." The key lies in understanding the word FEEL.

What Does "Feel" Really Mean in Tennis?

When we play tennis, we feel with our fingers and hand. Think about how a blind person uses their fingertips to "see" the world around them. In tennis, you make contact with the ball through your racket and strings. So, the specific answer to "what to feel?" is the interaction between your strings and the ball.

How to Reconnect with Your Shots

Here are some practical steps to regain that crucial feel on your shots:

• Check Your Grip Tension: We often grip the racket too tightly, which immediately takes away feel. Your tennis racket is a precision tool, not a power tool. Hold it softly, as if you were cradling a small bird in your hand. This lighter grip allows for more sensitivity.

• Focus on String-Ball Contact: At the moment of contact, concentrate on feeling (through your fingers) your strings "biting" into the ball. After a few repetitions, you'll start to feel how the ball sinks into your strings.

• Shape and Guide, Don't Just Hit: Once you're feeling that connection, shift your focus to shaping and guiding the ball away. It's less about a forceful "hit" and more about directing the ball with precision.

• Slow Down to Speed Up: When you're trying to regain feel, it's crucial to slow things down. Start everything at around 40% intensity. As your shots begin to feel more normal, gradually increase to 60%, then 80%, and so on.

• Try the "Eyes Closed" Drill: A fantastic drill to emphasize feel is to close your eyes just after making contact with the ball and complete your shot with your eyes closed. You might be surprised by how accurately you still hit the ball! This forces you to rely on your tactile sense.

This is just a brief overview, but if you're interested in more personalized guidance, I'd be happy to help you online. And if you're ever in Denia, Spain, I'd love to meet you in person!