Capture a clip you can actually compare
Ask a partner to film only when it is safe, or place the phone outside the playing area on a stable support. Do not hold it while rallying. Get permission before recording another player, especially a child. Keep the entire hitting action visible: preparation, footwork, contact and follow-through. A dramatic close-up can hide the part you need to inspect.
Choose a normal rally ball before selecting an unusually good or bad shot. Record the camera position, approximate distance and drill so the next clip is comparable. Poor lighting, an obscured contact point or a clip ending before follow-through make a confident conclusion less likely. Retake the clip rather than filling gaps with guesses.
Review one cue, not a whole technique score
First play the clip at normal speed and write what you actually see. Then pause near preparation and contact. The USTA teaches that a forehand starts with a coordinated body turn and that beginners should attend to contact position and racket-face control. These are useful things to observe; one angle may still conceal exact biomechanics.
| Frame or moment | Observation | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Before bounce | Shoulders still face the net | Try a unit-turn rehearsal |
| At contact | Ball appears too close to body | Try a spacing drill; verify from another angle |
| After contact | Clip cuts off the finish | Film longer next time; do not score it |
The rows are invented examples for teaching the method, not findings from an app or a player. Record uncertainty explicitly. For instance, “contact may be close, but the camera angle is poor” is more useful than an unsupported precise angle measurement.
Turn one observation into a small drill
If your cue is preparation, the USTA unit-turn progression begins by turning hips and upper body together, then rehearsing the movement before hitting. Do a short, controlled set with a partner or coach. Afterward, film from approximately the same position and compare the same moment. Note whether the cue changed, whether the ball remained in play and what to practice next. Stop adding cues when the drill becomes confusing.
If the issue is spacing, use the contact-position guidance in USTA’s forehand basics as a question to bring to a coach. A coach can account for grip, incoming ball, mobility and tactical goal in a way a single video cannot. The useful unit of progress here is a repeatable observation and next action, not a guaranteed numerical improvement.
Where TennisBlink fits
The current US listing for TennisBlink: AI Tennis Coach says you can record or import video, choose a 30-second section from longer footage and select about three seconds around a hit before analysis. It supports forehand, backhand, serve, volley and slice, and lets you replay the selected clip with feedback, adjust the crop and revisit reports. Five successful analyses are free per installation; Premium lists up to 50 successful analyses per week. Failed analyses do not use a credit according to the listing.
You choose whether to send the selected video to a third-party AI service. Review the app’s privacy details and consent screen before using personal footage. AI notes may be incomplete or wrong, so compare them with the visible clip and an in-person coach. Do not upload another person’s image without permission.
If the method fits your task, TennisBlink can keep the steps together on an iPhone. Check current features and plans before downloading.
See TennisBlink for iOSDownload the free worksheet
Use the CSV in Numbers, Excel or a spreadsheet editor. Its first row is an invented video observation, not a measurement of a player. Replace it with your own observations. The CSV is separate from the app and no email is required.
Questions answered
What camera angle is best for a forehand?
Use an angle that keeps the whole movement and contact visible while the phone stays out of the playing area. If the point you need to judge is hidden, film a second safe angle.
How much video do I need to review?
One representative stroke is enough to choose one cue. Keep enough time before and after contact to see preparation and follow-through.
Can AI tell me exactly how good my forehand is?
No. It can suggest what to inspect, but angle, lighting, clip selection and model error limit any single-clip estimate.
Continue with TennisBlink on iOS
Use the App Store listing to check compatibility, privacy information and current plan terms. A free download may offer paid features.
Download TennisBlink for iOSSources and product details
- USTA: improving the forehand with a unit turnSource for the preparation drill.
- USTA: tennis forehand basicsContact position and racket-face control for beginners.
- USTA: tips and instruction libraryFurther official drills and contact-point guidance.
- TennisBlink on the App StoreCurrent US App Store product description; checked October 8, 2026.
Editorial method: primary guidance, a current Apple listing, an original worked example and an independent critique. No search ranking, install or outcome result is claimed.