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# Forehand: Absorb first, then accelerate
- URL: https://www.thestrongbaseline.com/forehand-in-brief/
- Published: 2026-09-19T08:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-24T13:14:02.000Z
- Description: A good forehand starts by taking in your opponent's pace.
- Author: Martin Baroch
- Tags: Forehand, Free, #en

Before you accelerate, you have to "receive" the ball: absorb its pace while staying balanced. According to Martin Baroch, this step is often skipped when the forehand is taught.

*Summary by The Strong Baseline. Original article:* [*The most misleading coaching advice towards stroke production (2) – Forehand construction*](https://cpta-tennis.org/the-most-misleading-coaching-advice-towards-stroke-production-2-forehand-construction/?ref=thestrongbaseline.com) *by Dr. Martin G. Baroch on cpta-tennis.org.*

He is just as critical of teaching the forehand through bending the elbow. The power should come from the body and travel into the ball through the rotation of the forearm – with an elbow that moves away from the body during the follow-through.

> **Key point:** Balance before pace: if you receive the ball cleanly, you can accelerate with control.