Forehand and backhand drives

Ground strokes
Any ball hit after the bounce is a ground stroke. The forehand drive and the backhand drive are the most used tennis strokes. It is better to move towards the ball than to wait until it comes to you.
The forehand drive is a ground stroke hit on the side of your handedness. i.e.. If you are right handed, the ball is hit on the right. To see how to hold the racquet for this drive read about tennis grips


Forehand drive
The skill in using a forehand drive is to get ready for it. Take the racquet back early to about shoulder height and step on to your front foot. Hit the ball when it is between waist and shoulder and in front of your body. Hold your wrist firm and keep your weight on your front foot. Straighten the leg after you have struck the ball. Finish the swing to shoulder height. Most players only use one hand for the forehand but many use a two-handed fist. Monica Seles used two-fisted forehand and backhand drives. One-handed forehand drives like Steffi Graf had though were real weapons.

Today, the forehand is taught differently from how I just described. Instead of standing side on to the net, these days players like Lleyton Hewitt, use an open stance.
They are taught to use the power of their legs. The modern forehand drive has the player produce a low to high swing with a swooping follow through and the open stance. Players have a much stronger upper body and this rotates as they swing. Much more topspin is also used these days. To use top spin the racquet is placed under the flight of the ball.

To recap:

Use the semi-western forehand grip
Take the racquet back early and with a looping action
Turn hip and shoulders on take back
Use a full hip and shoulder turn for more power
Hit up and through the ball with a low to high action
Keep the racquet vertical and parallel to the ground on impact
Follow through.


Backhand drive
The backhand is a ground stroke hit on your non-handed side. i.e.. If you are right handed, on your left side. Most players use the same grip for forehand and backhand, but not always. Read about grips here Two-handed backhands were used by younger players to give them more strength and they do give you more power, but not as much reach. You'll see the best players who use the two-handed backhand take their left hand off the racquet for a wide ball. In my opinion, there is nothing sweater than a one-handed backhand as played by Federer, Graf, Mauresmo or Henin-Hardenne.

For the backhand, once again it is important to be ready. Take the racquet back early and keep the wrist steady. Turn your hips and shoulders so they are side on to the net. You can support the racquet with your non-playing hand. Step in towards the ball as it bounces and bring your weight onto the front foot. Once again hit the ball when it is in front of you. Follow through as with the forehand.

Let's look at how players are taught the modern backhand. Firstly there is a lot more spin. The advantage of using spin is that there is a lot more margin for error, the bounce is higher, you can hit the ball on the rise, and make shots down the line with more accuracy. Players use an eastern grip and also use the lob more as an attacking stroke rather than a defensive one. Lleyton Hewitt is very good at this. The slice is used less often except for when a serve volleyer might use it to rush the net. Patrick Rafter, an Australian used to use this tactic often. Clay courters use it less often. The slice allows the player time to get to the net and use their volley skills if they have them.

To recap:

Use the eastern grip
Take the racquet back with both hands
Make a good hit and shoulder turn before you hit the ball
Step towards the ball
Keep your head still
Keep the racquet vertical at impact and use release your upper body to make the shot
Follow through.