Tennis Challenge Day 5 & Day 6: Why Do I Need to Rotate My Right Foot?

🎾 Tennis Practice Log - Day 5 & Day 6 🎾
Another two days of tennis practice have passed! While I don’t feel like I’ve made a huge leap in progress, I’m slowly starting to notice the small details that make a big difference.

During this session, my coach kept pointing out one thing: "Rotate your right foot! You’re turning too late!"

At first, I didn’t even realize my foot wasn’t rotating properly. It made me wonder — why is rotating the right foot so important in tennis? And why does my coach think I’m doing it too late?

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https://youtube.com/shorts/c0czhHmMcuk?si=bBH0pft8odSnH7Ax

 

Why Rotate the Right Foot in Tennis?

For a right-handed player, the right foot plays a crucial role in forehand shots. Here’s what I found out after some reflection and research:

✅ 1. Rotation = Power

Rotating the right foot (and by extension, the hip and shoulder) helps generate torque and power in your swing.
Without the proper foot rotation, the upper body doesn’t turn efficiently, and most of the power ends up coming only from the arm.

✅ 2. Smooth Body Movement

Foot rotation isn’t just about power—it’s also about fluid motion.
If your foot stays planted or turns too late, your body ends up stiff, which can throw off your balance and make your swing look awkward.

✅ 3. Faster Recovery

When you rotate your foot properly during the shot, it helps with quicker recovery and footwork for the next ball.
A late rotation slows down the whole movement, and that delay can cost you valuable time between shots.

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Am I Rotating Too Late?

Apparently, yes. 😅
I reviewed the video from Day 5 and Day 6, and I could see what my coach was talking about. My right foot often stays planted even after the ball is hit, and my upper body turns too late.

That delay makes my swing look off-balance, and I’m not able to transfer my weight properly through the shot.

So now, one of my key focuses will be:

✔️ Rotating my right foot at the right timing — during the swing, not after!
✔️ Paying attention to my lower body, not just the racket and arm.

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If you're also struggling with timing or foot rotation in your shots, you’re not alone.
Do you have any tips or drills that helped you improve your foot rotation? I’d love to hear them in the comments! 🎾✨