By Mark Chaloner, PSA No. 8
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Ever wanted to play a shot that leaves your opponent no chance of getting it back, and the crowd gasping in awe? Like to feel the satisfaction of playing a shot that encapsulates everything that this fast-paced, powerful, and exciting game of ours is about? You know the shot I’m talking about (the giveaway is in the title!)—the Forehand Kill. Okay, so you’ve probably tried to play it to end a rally in the most spectacular way possible, and made a complete mess of it. Well, read on and get a few pointers on how to improve your chances of making it work for you and finish those rallies off with a flourish.
The most important point to make about this shot is that you should never play it out of desperation. You must always recognize the right stage of a rally where it becomes a realistic chance to attempt. Make sure you’ve got your opponent struggling in the back court where she/he has only been able to scrape out a weak shot in the middle of the court. A defensive boast or a back–wall boast would be ideal. If you’re like me, you’ve had plenty of experience in having to play both of those two shots, so the circumstances shouldn’t be too difficult for you to recognize. You need to make sure that your length game and rails are working well to inflict that back–court punishment on your opponent. Now, here comes the fun bit. Not only are you now enjoying the fact that your opponent is dripping with sweat and looking as if they’re going to throw up in the corner, but you are going to play the shot that mere mortals dream about. Ooh, yes baby! THE FOREHAND KILL!
Okay, so how do we play it? Well, the ball has got to be bouncing significantly higher than the tin so that you hit down powerfully on it. This creates the angle necessary to aggressively attack the shot downwards. Balance is very important—if you’ve done your rear court job well, you should have plenty of time to get into position, but the quicker you are, the higher you can take the ball (preferably at the top of the bounce).
Position
What is the right position? Plenty of space between each foot, front foot across, and knees just slightly bent to provide the balance. The racquet has to start with a high uplift above and behind your head and shoulder. With plenty of space between you and the ball, bring the racquet down at great speed with a slightly open face to put a little cut on the ball. Not too much cut or you take away a lot of the power from the shot. The follow-through is like a punch. As soon as you hit the ball, the racquet starts to stop, finishing about waist height rather than up by the opposite shoulder for a drive. The power comes from driving your shoulders through in the same direction as you’re aiming the ball. It’s almost like throwing a ball hard.
What to aim for?
All of us who have played this shot have made the same mistake—too close to the top of the tin, and going for the nick. Not enough room for that all-important margin for error. Eight times out of 10, the tin will be hit, or the nick will be missed for the ball to sit up nicely for your opponent, who is now making his last desperate lunge, and who will bounce you out of the way and slam a winner wherever he/she wants, leaving you stranded and fuming for wasting a golden opportunity. My coach, John Milton, gave me some great advice that has made this a simple shot for me to play. He said that if I’m aiming for just above the tin, that is too low, so I wouldn’t get the correct angle to hit the nick. Aim at least six inches above the tin and, instead of aiming for the nick, aim for the bottom of the side–wall. Seven times out of 10, it’ll hit the nick, two more times it’ll be so close to it that it’s just as good, and just one time you’ll screw up!
Angle
Important: This shot will not work if you don’t have an angle to work with. The ball has to be in open court, away from the side and front walls, and in front of the T.
To summarize:
• Pressure your opponent in the backcourt to provoke a weak shot into the center of the court.
• Get into position quickly in order to take the ball at the top of the bounce.
• With feet wide apart for optimum balance, use a high back lift and a short, stubby follow–through.
• Create the power through racquet speed and shoulder drive.
• Aim well above the tin and for the bottom of the side–wall.
• Sit back as you enjoy the satisfaction of playing a shot your opponent can’t retrieve, and bask in the glory of applause from the crowd!
You’d think this is my favorite shot—well, close. Even better and even more spectacular is the forehand volley kill. Slam–dunk! Want to know how to play that? Now, that’s another story…
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