So I have been up and down this forum and all over the internet to get some better info to properly do the 'wrist snap'. From what I have gathered, it looks as thou you have to time this action prior to contact of the ball, which makes total sense. But I have also read that a proper follow through will automatically result in the snap. With that being said, wouldn't you have to hit the ball a couple inches in front of your feet to make contact. I am used to a baseball swing and the snapping doesn't really work well at all with that. Any suggestions would be so helpful. I saw someone doing a proper snap and serve, and I was so amazed by the power and speed generated. I want to be like that!! Thanks again

Lead with the shoulder, elbow, butt of racquet and follow through.

To practice this at first, you can over exaggerate the cocking of the wrist during ERP. This will cause the wrist to naturally "snap" as it uncoils during swing.

Also if you swing at the same speed the entire swing you won't generate much snap. You need to excelerate through the ball as you swing.

A good way to practice this is to hit the ball against the wall with about 50% power, then return it again with 90% power. Time your swing and acceleration so that you hit the ball at the fastest point of the swing. This will generate natural wrist snap and give you that "Pop" on the ball.

SIIK2NR

Lead with the shoulder, elbow, butt of racquet and follow through.

To practice this at first, you can over exaggerate the cocking of the wrist during ERP. This will cause the wrist to naturally "snap" as it uncoils during swing.

Also if you swing at the same speed the entire swing you won't generate much snap. You need to excelerate through the ball as you swing.

A good way to practice this is to hit the ball against the wall with about 50% power, then return it again with 90% power. Time your swing and acceleration so that you hit the ball at the fastest point of the swing. This will generate natural wrist snap and give you that "Pop" on the ball.

The ERP advice sounds interesting. I will have to practice this. I get some wrist power but I think it could always be improved. I have noticed though when I hold the racquet loose, I get a touch more wrist snap...

backpacker

I get some wrist power but I think it could always be improved. I have noticed though when I hold the racquet loose, I get a touch more wrist snap...

Your wrist needs to be limp, its motion totally generated at the end of your arm like cracking a whip -- but don't jerk it back, make a full natural follow through.

Thanks for the reply! So I tried for a good portion of an hour trying to time the ball with the POC, and didn' seem to work. Ball would slice down most of the time. And the power generated was not anymore noticeable than from before. This is leading with the elbow, with the butt of racquet facing the front wall prior to entering the swing. Any other suggestions? I saw a Fran Davis video on the RB warehouse website and she seems to imply that the wrist snap is automatic. But again it looks like the snap does not occur until the wrist is past the front knee. If anyone has some other suggestions or links to video, I would appreciate it.

Undytaker,

Go back to racquetball warehouse website and look at John Ellis's videos. He shows you exactly what to do on the forehand swing for pinches, dtl, cross court and many other things.

Also look up racquetballtim on the internet and watch his videos. He learned it from Fran Davis's camp.

To hit the ball straight and with power, you need to hit the ball flat and with the correct body and swing mechanics, like everyone has suggested. If your ball is going downwards, then the racquet is probably not flat but pointed/tilted downwards a few degrees.

Check your forehand grip, as it is important and many players having problems, grip the racquet wrong.

Good Luck....

Good suggestions already given. Let me add a few tips...

Ball would slice down most of the time...

Common problem, easy fix. Start your “snap” earlier in your swing. Your wrist snap is likely too slow for your swing, your swing is very fast, or possibly a combination of both. This results in a slice, hitting the ball to the side, upwards or a combination of all three.

Simple method of determining good wrist snap is watching the direction of the ball you hit. Aim down the middle of the court and practice your shots. Watch where the ball ends up.

IMPORTANT: RELAX and don't worry or expect instant results! THIS IS PRACTICE. The last thing you need is to practice worrying about the shot while you practice, which often results in unknowingly developing a bad habit of “worrying” while you practice- which translates into worrying when you play! Worrying can prevent you from mastering shots and gaining confidence.

If you are right handed hitting a forehand, a slow wrist snap results in the ball being sliced AND usually ending up towards the right side. A early, or too much wrist snap prior to hitting the ball before racquet contact usually results with the ball ending up towards the left side.

This is a new technique and you may encounter a slower learning curve process than you realize. You need to break your past bad habits before learning and mastering the correct swing, and it takes some practice for all skill levels to master. It may take a little or a lot of practice to achieve confidence and control, everyone is different when it comes to mastering new techniques and strategies.

BTW: The planned late or early wrist snap technique is an advanced method of aiming your shots from any position on the court, or to fool your opponent. Practice hitting the ball square on your racquet face for all shots.

The follow through is not always automatic, neither is the correct wrist snap.

You may be surprised how many players begin with proper wrist snap (cocked, coiled and ready) but then use their arm muscles to prematurely “brake” their wrist snap during the swing. Unfortunately most players have a fear of hitting another player and prematurely halt their wrist snap and swing. Some players start slowing their snap before ball contact, while many immediately slow or halt the snap after ball contact. Most players don't even know they do this and picked up this bad habit when they first began to play racquetball. Basically, once you swing, take the full swing, unless you are about to hit someone :)

Forehand - Batter Up!
The racquetball forehand ready position, when there is time, is very similar to a baseball bat swing. In baseball, a batter prepares the bat on the shoulder opposite to facing the ball, with the arms coiled up by the back shoulder ready to swing. The batter begins the swing with the butt of the bat handle leading the swing. The batter extends the arms and snaps the wist on contact while transferring the body weight into the ball.

Racquetball Forehand, Baseball Style
In racquetball, place the racquet quickly, but carefully above the back shoulder near your head and eyeguards. The wrist should be cocked with the butt of the racquet handle facing the front wall, or the direction of your return shot.

Begin the swing towards the ball by leading with your hitting arm elbow, followed by the butt end of the racquet. Your elbow should be coiled and bent until just before contacting the ball with racquet. You arm should only become extended during ball contact and then bending again on the follow through after ball contact. Your wrist should begin to snap just prior to ball contact.

Your weight begins on your back foot and then transfers to the front foot as you contact the ball. Your follow through should have your wrist relaxed and bent, hugging your body from the tip or the racquet to your hitting arm shoulder (if possible).

TIP: take some SLOW practice swings WITHOUT hitting the ball, away from the walls and other players. Practice touching the tip of your racquet to your back on the follow through, without hitting yourself in the back or head. You will need to snap and relax your wrist to do this! This forces the wrist snap, but doesn't mean you snapped your wrist at the correct time on ball contact. Practice several times without hitting a ball before practing hitting a ball.

Backhand - Like Throwing a Frisbee!
The backhand has major differences for ready position, swing and follow through, compared to the forehand. While the racquetball forehand is like swinging a baseball bat, the backhand is like throwing a Frisbee.

Backhand Racquet Ready Position
If you have time, carefully, but quickly, coil your backhand so the racquet is above your back shoulder near your face and eyeguards. Simply allow your swing to be like throwing a Frisbee, except make sure your racquet is square to the ball on contact.

Practice the Feel
Practice the Frisbee style by taking off your racquet and holding the top (string frame area) of the racquet (don't actually throw and release the racquet). Put back the racquet and hold it by the grip, with wrist-thong attached, and try a few Frisbee style backhand swings!

Your wrist should be “cocked” and ready prior to ball contact. During ball contact, your wrist will snap. You may be required to start your wrist snap early, just before ball contact, until you learn to develop a confident swing.

Several years ago I created a "Tip a Day" for a racquetball website. Here is one about wrist snap :)

Karate Technique - Kung Fu You Too!

Another example of the racquetball forehand is using a sideways Karate Chop style. If you never saw a kung-fu movie or Karate chop, you really need to get out more! This will really help your racquetball game while creating an unforgettable image.

Sideways Chop

The secret is using a sideways Karate Chop. Get your racquet back carefully above your back shoulder. You can even let the racquet rest on the shoulder. When you start your swing all you do is pretend you are in a kung-fu movie, using your racquet to chop an attacking ninja in half at the waist. Important: Instead of slicing the ninja in half with your racuet, square the racquet face like you were spanking the ninja's butt!

Start your motion by leading with the racquet arm elbow. Upon contact your arm should be extended with the body weight transferring into the ball. With a little practice you will have a better forehand and be ready to get your black-belt in racquetball.