Do Hitting Arm Positions Really Matter?

[don_budge]

This may sound odd, but the straight arm forehand cured my tennis elbow. About ten years ago, I was suffering from tennis elbow or to be more precise golfer’s elbow. I have never played golf. Anyway, I went to the physical therapist for some treatment, and the therapist recommended hitting the ball with a straight arm. I did not believe this would be helpful, however I was desperate, and I was willing to try anything. Incredibly it worked, and I have not had any elbow problems. I may have mentioned this before, but I thought it might be worth repeating.

How did things go in Turkey? Did you go?

[ten1050]

This may sound odd, but the straight arm forehand cured my tennis elbow. About ten years ago, I was suffering from tennis elbow or to be more precise golfer’s elbow. I have never played golf. Anyway, I went to the physical therapist for some treatment, and the therapist recommended hitting the ball with a straight arm. I did not believe this would be helpful, however I was desperate, and I was willing to try anything. Incredibly it worked, and I have not had any elbow problems. I may have mentioned this before, but I thought it might be worth repeating.

[johnyandell]

Good point.

[bobbyswift]

I totally understand that most are bent/ bent but I don’t like what that does to extension.

[johnyandell]

bobby,
What about the women?

[bobbyswift]

I think it matters more on the backhand. definitely prefer straight/bent.

[johnyandell]

Yeah I am with you let the player find the arm configuration...

[stotty]

I tend to let players do what comes natural to them and don't coach straight arm or double bend. It's an avenue I never go down. I guess the straight arm has been shown to be the better of the two by Rafa and Roger, probably the two best forehands ever.

By the way I have a straight arm forehand and it's the worst shot in my entire game. So doesn't work for everyone...

[johnyandell]

Not sure. Not a reason to go one way or the other though.

[doctorhl]

John, do you think the straight arm is harder to adjust for unpredictable bounces on clay or grass versus the double bend or irrelevant?

[johnyandell]

Would love to get your thoughts on my latest article, "Do Hitting Arm Positions Really Matter?"