Quick Tip: Carlos Alcaraz’s off-arm helps power his formidable forehand
Maximum coiling of his shoulders is the secret ingredient to his incredible shot.
Watch almost any top-level tennis player hit a forehand, and you’ll notice something subtle but consistent—their off-hand isn’t just hanging around. It’s active, engaged and perfectly synchronized with the hitting arm. During the takeback, it helps position the racquet and rotate the upper body. This creates structure and stored energy to release into the shot.
Then there’s Carlos Alcaraz. The current men’s No. 1 has his own distinctive spin on the technique. Where most players let go of the racquet’s throat when the off-arm is just about parallel to the net, Alcaraz hangs on until his left hand is even with his hitting shoulder. This benefits his forehand in a few significant ways:
Creates even greater upper body tension. Mimic Alcaraz's turn and you can feel the stretch in the lats. The added shoulder rotation builds greater stored energy to release into the shot.
Faster swing speed without extra motion. Alcaraz’s shoulders turn more, but he keeps a nice bend in the hitting elbow and the racquet head even with his chest, just like players with more modest rotation. He uncoils with a loose arm to generate immense racquet head speed without an overly exaggerated swing path.
Yes, Alcaraz is something of a unicorn—not everyone can duplicate his range of motion, upper body flexibility or otherworldly timing. But even coming close to his shoulder turn will add extra mph to your forehand.
Give it a try the next time you play. After you blast a winner by your opponent, don’t forget to crack a big smile just like Carlos.