The Windshield Wiper Forehand

The windshield wiper forehand is an important shot to learn once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of the forehand. It’s a “must have” shot if you want to advance past intermediate levels of play. The windshield wiper allows you to hit both with power and spin. Thus, this type of forehand allows you to be aggressive — it lets you pressure your opponent — while still being consistent.

The Windshield Wiper Forehand
This video answers the question: what exactly is a windshield wiper forehand and how do I hit it?

Introduction to the Windshield Wiper Forehand Progressions
The windshield wiper forehand progressions is a series we put together to help you learn how to hit the shot. It’s built off of the lessons in the forehand fundamentals and progressions sections of the website, so if you haven’t watched those videos yet make sure to check them out!

PROGRESSIONS

1 Swing and Follow Through
The first step of the windshield wiper forehand progressions is to learn how to swing up to the ball correctly.

2 Move Back
The second step of the progressions is to move back into no-man’s land and practice to motion while swinging a little bit harder.

3 The Full WW Motion
The third step of the progressions is to hit from the baseline using an entire windshield wiper motion.

<< Return to the Forehand Section <<

Come inside and play like you have an unfair advantage.
  • dwang
    Hey, I just want to thank you for all these videos. They have definitely helped me get better at tennis. I have a question though. Obviously, the windshield wiper forehand should be hit with an eastern grip correct?(federer's grip). Also, some guy taught me how to hit it before I watched this video and I realized that he had only taught me the basics which was just hitting it up and not completing the actual wiper action. What's the difference. And lastly, I've gotten really good at the windshield wiper, but now it's like I've totally forgotten how to hit a regular flat forehand. Please advice. Thanks.
  • Tommy
    Hi Will, i have watched many of your videos here on fuzzyyellowballs, especially on the ww forehand. I noticed that you said that you can't use classic mechanics and then tack on the ww motion, but i don't see much difference in your classic forehand takeback in comparison to your ww forehand. I watch videos of federer roddick, nadal, and many more. Only difference i see is that you swing more vertically to allow more topspin, and allows you to hit harder, and your racket would end up naturally across your body, unless reverse-finish. Basically what i want to ask is that, i don't really see a difference in the classic and ww mechanics other then the reasons i stated above? Please explain? thx in advance( long post>< sorry)
  • Hi Tommy. My preparation isn't going to be affected by the type of forehand I'm hitting. The main thing that changes how I swing up and through the tennis ball. Your observations are correct.
  • TOLGA
    I am radiation oncology doctor but know a little bit about orthopedics.....I think your problem depends on your shot's last position,may be you stop your racket by using your muscles instantly...........you must have relax arm swing and than the racket stops,you dont stop the racket...............if this doesn't works you must control your grip size and type.....................good luck
  • Cuerry Yang
    Hello,

    I guess I should start my question by first saying thank you. Before visiting FYB(this year's US open semi final, and final game got me into tennis LOL), i didnt have single idea about Tennis. FYB's lessons helped me to pick up some fundimentals and techniques of tennis.

    So, i have three questions. First, when hitting WWF, what grip do you suggest? I've habit of using eastern grip, and never ended up hitting good WWF. (although my basic tennis skills are very big problem too.,,)

    Second, when hitting WWF, does the string face the net, from the beggining untill i get to my contact point?(by beggining, i mean when i start to swing)

    Last, since im begginer of WWF, would you say htting the ball too high(like, really high so that the ball ends up hitting fence, which is about 8ft away from baseline, before it hits the ground) is normal(?) or would you rather have me hit the net, as a step into making correct WWHs?

    i have habit of writing things extra long when it could be shortened. Sorry that i might have taken your time because of this extra long question.

    Again, thank you for your help.
  • i only know the awnser to the first question which basically is you can use any grip you wan't with the wwf for example: eastern,western and semi-western. although i don't recommend the continental grip on the wwf. For the awnsers to the other questions i recommend that you watch all the wwf videos on this site
  • Chris
    Hello,

    First, thanks for your videos, F.Y.B. They have really helped improve my game.

    I have one question (or, should I say, problem) with the windshield wiper forehand. Since I have begun using it, my forehand has turned into my weapon and my tennis has really improved. However, it gives me quite bad tennis elbow, from which takes me over a week to recover.

    Obviously, it is difficult for you to explain over the internet, but I was wondering are there any things that I could be doing wrong, that perhaps other novice or intermediate players do as well and which cause the same problem.

    Regards,

    Chris
  • Hey Chris -- I'm sorry to say that it's basically impossible for me to answer this question. I'm not sure exactly how you hit the shot and, more importantly, I'm not a doctor. My suggestion is to speak with one if the problem persists. Sorry I can't be more helpful!
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