Conversation #14 Tennis coaches often talk about “the forehand” as though it were one fixed movement that players simply repeat. How many forehands do you have? It’s a question I regularly ask players and coaches. The usual answer is: “One.” But the forehand is simply the name we give to a family of shots played predominantly from the racket side of the body. A forehand struck when you are stretched is different from one struck when you are jammed. A defensive forehand is different from an attacking forehand. A high, heavy topspin forehand requires a different movement solution from a low, driven ball. Your movement changes depending on: * The ball’s speed, spin, height and trajectory * Your position and available time * Your opponent’s position * Whether you are attacking, defending or neutralising * The outcome you are trying to create These aren’t technical errors or imperfect versions of the same “correct” stroke. They can be functional adaptations to different proble...