Developing an ATP Forehand Part 2: The Forward Swing

[tennisplayer]

I should add that some posters on TW have been uncannily close to the mark regarding the role of the wrist - about how the wrist is released, that the chief function of the wrist is control, that the purpose of laying back the wrist is to create range of motion, etc. Perhaps John you should let them peek at this article, just to put years of contentious argumentation to rest. On the other hand, who knows, it could lead to more disagreements and mudslinging... you can never tell with TW!

[tennisplayer]

This is an excellent article! I had to read it twice to get all of it. It answers pretty much all the questions that have been raised regarding the role of the wrist, and provides lots of new insights. Many thanks to Brian and John for this brilliant piece!

[avazpinto]

I think these last two articles have been absolutely amazing!

As a player and coach I always thought that I had a good forehand and although I've been studying the strokes from the pros (and my students) in the past ten years I could not be sure where to improve it.

What these two articles have done is show me how I could improve my forehand. It is very easy for me to understand now that I had previously a Type 1 FH. I am now changing it to a type 3 FH and as soon as I record it on high speed video I'll posted here to show you how I changed it.

The second article is really difficult to read, but it is worth it.

I have notice as well that players with a type 1 and 2 FH seem to have a much more bended elbow at contact with a typical L shape at contact. That means that the contact point is much more closer to the body than on a type 3 FH.

[GeoffWilliams]

A hard to read piece but the effort is worth it. Does not flow off the page into the mind without a lot of work! I think that the tip on loading diagonally is good. Also the tip on the snap back and how that is common to the top men, and not to the women is good. The tip on wrist flexion is good, and the delay or lag of the shot after the hips open up although hidden in there, is good.

If we all just loaded right, on diagonal, it would give us something to snap back into. Pro men load whether open stance or neutral or closed, with the same angle of shoulder to opposing net posts on diagonal axis. More coil, more power, more time to react to incoming shot pace/rpm, is the reason.

[wmbauer]

Tremendous Work

I have been waiting a long time for these articles. The methods and analysis are extremeley precise and honest. Of course there are many levels involved in learning any task. If anyone immediately understood the subtleties Dr. Gordan demonstrates there would be no no need for that person to go further. Thank you and please keep up the good work.

[don_budge]

Bobby Jones on Jack Nicklaus...

When Bobby Jones saw Jack Nicklaus play golf for the first time he said..."He plays a game of which I am not familiar".

It's english alright. But of course it's an english that we are not used to reading everyday. Failure...no. Impossible task...yes, to a certain extent.

I read the first article three times trying to decipher the meaning...the lesson. It is technique-speak. To some...high minded mumbo jumbo. Let's face it...let's try to be honest with each other. It's a tough read. This is coming from someone who can do the math.

The question is...is it worth the effort? The answer to that is...only if you make the effort. Sometimes in life the things that you must work the hardest for...end up being the most redeeming.

That being said...I am not saying that this article is one of those things nor am I saying that it is not. But it certainly is an interesting question. Don't you think so?

[johnyandell]

Then I failed in my task...

[bman]

Needs to be translated into english.

[GeoffWilliams]

This site is getting more awesome. Wow is all I have to say.

[jryle1]

Wow, I'm genuinely in awe once more. Firstly, congratulations to Brian, Rick and John on another amazing article.

I was wondering if Brian or John or somebody could answer a question or two for someone with less of the jargon maybe.

Ok, my first question is, as the racket is moving from the dyanamic slot to the transition point should a player consciously try to keep the wrist laid back?

(And as you say in the article, I think, the longer you can last until you make it to the transition point the better?)

Also, when the player is moving from the transition point to contact and the rotation occurs, should the player consciously try to rotate the wrist forward the 45 degrees or whatever it ends up being or should this happen naturally?


Again, well done on a fantastic article, and I look forward to the next edition.

Jonathan.

[johnyandell]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Brian Gordon's new article, "Developing an ATP Forehand Part 2: The Forward Swing".