A prediction model on forward slip has been developed for presetting rolling speed of each finish mill stand in the continuous hot strip roduction. Those factors such as neutral point, friction coefficient, volume fractions undergoing width spread, shape of deformation zone at each side of entry and delivery of the rolls were taken into account. To reduce the speed unbalance between adjacent stands a refining method of adjusting friction coefficient has also been developed. On-line application of the model showed a good agreement in rolling speeds between the predictions and the actual measurements, and gave an outstanding improvement in the travelling stability of strip passing through the finishing mill train.