Beautiful examples of Brian Gordon's technique

[seano]

Click on "Tennis Videos - Google Drive" for 6 short videos that beautifully demonstrates Brian Gordon's teaching method. Would love comments and thoughts.

[jeffreycounts]

I don't think I've ever seen a female player hit a backhand with two super straight straight arms like that in the takeback. It's quite interesting. Usually you see much more bend in the arms like here with Serena and Coco which gets you more speed from rotation. I actually don't think I've even seen a male players with a takeback quite like this. Any idea what the rationale is behind the locked straight arms here so far away from the body?

It does look like she's hitting it quite hard though with the straight arms on contact. And the extension and drive through the ball is wonderful.

twohander.jpg

[jeffreycounts]

I love the forehand. You see the "flip" with the external shoulder rotation and the pulling of the racket through the slot. She's also hitting the ball well in front of her body..

[seano]

Points of interest on BG's technique.
I) Serve - Notice the hesitation point and how the legs driving up and racquet drop are synchronized.
2) FH - Straight hitting arm in backswing as well as the contact point. Hand is far away from the body in the backswing, which allows for more "lag" from the shoulder/arm at the start of the forward swing (creates a greater "flip"). Racquet stays on hitting side of the body.
3) BH - very early preparation in the backswing with a straight right arm ( not sure if there's a slight bend of the left arm). Left arm straight at contact with the right arm bent. Racquet stays on hitting side of the body.