Quick read. Grip is only one part of a forehand. To find what needs work, check racket-face control, preparation, contact, then swing path.
Choose a grip you can control
Eastern, Semi-Western, and Western describe different hand positions around the racket handle. The useful question is whether you can control where the strings point. USTA's beginner forehand guidance puts face control ahead of a particular grip and suggests light pressure, about 3 on a scale of 1 to 10.
There isn't one best forehand grip for every beginner. When trying a grip, start with a gentle ball and watch its direction before adding speed.
Set the face and find the contact point
Meet the ball a little in front of you and to your forehand side. That's to the right for a right-handed player and to the left for a left-handed player. USTA explains contact and racket-face control together: the direction your strings face at impact affects where the ball goes.
Watch where contact happens, as well as where the shot lands. A ball in the net or beyond the baseline tells you the outcome. It doesn't, by itself, tell you which part of the stroke caused it.
Prepare with a unit turn
Turn your hips and upper body together as you prepare. This is the unit turn. Moving only the racket back leaves out that body turn. The USTA forehand preparation lesson teaches it first with a catch, then with a forehand.
If you're still moving into position when you need to swing, read about tennis footwork and court movement.
Brush from low to high for topspin
The racket travels upward across the ball to create forward rotation. The USTA topspin drill teaches this brushing path and describes topspin as adding margin for error. Start below the ball and brush upward through contact. Watch for forward rotation, not just a higher flight.
What forehand research tells us
Body rotation contributes to racket speed. In their 2013 review of forehand biomechanics, Reid, Elliott, and Crespo identify pelvis and trunk rotation, the upper arm moving across the body, and rotation at the shoulder as key contributors. Their affiliations include Tennis Australia, the University of Western Australia, and the International Tennis Federation.
The review also finds a relationship between grip style and racket velocity. It doesn't establish one grip or teaching order for every player. The authors call for more research that follows players over time to assess teaching methods.
Practice one part at a time
These checks combine the USTA drills with a way to compare shots. They aren't a tested program or a timetable for improvement.
1. Face control
With a gentle feed, aim toward a broad target. Check the string angle at impact and the ball's starting direction.
2. Preparation
Catch an easy feed in your non-dominant hand as shown in the linked USTA preparation lesson. Then replace the catch with a swing.
3. Contact
Ask a partner to watch from the side during a gentle feed. Can they see space between your body and the ball at impact, or are you crowded?
4. Swing path
Try the USTA net-cord drill linked above. Hold a ball between the strings and net cord, then brush it upward over the net. Look for forward rotation.
5. Target rally
Rally gently toward an agreed area. When control changes, return to the earlier check you couldn't observe clearly.
For sessions without a partner, see ways to practice tennis alone. For the other side of your groundstrokes, see one-handed and two-handed backhand technique.
Ask a coach about your forehand
If you can't tell whether preparation, contact, or the swing path is changing, ask a coach to watch. Flow State offers private tennis lessons and adult tennis lessons across Northern Virginia.