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Within an acceptable range, there are a number of arm configurations that may be used in the preparatory phase of the backswing. Many contemporary players, intelligently moving to swings that more efficiently utilize the stretch shortening cycle of the kinetic chain, carry the racquet during the unit turn with the right elbow high and the racquet head tipped forward (nearly or even actually pointing toward the opponent). In such a configuration, the racquet face is already in a "face down" orientation (patting a very tall dog, indeed). If that configuration is maintained well into the backswing (the windup phase), it will almost invariably result in a good degree of a "pat the dog" look. But such a configuration is incidental (or, better, consequential), and really has little to no bearing on the important mechanical and biomechanical features of a sound forward swing and contact. In short, it doesn't matter, whatever the height of the ball may be, or even any other aspect of the swing or circumstance of the shot.
Try two swings: (1) configure the right arm going into the unit turn with the elbow at the height of the hand, the arm internally rotated, and the racquet laid flat (in the plane of the arm), and keep it that way (even after hand separation) until the forward rotation begins -- the likely result, lot's of pat the dog. (2) configure the right arm going into the unit turn with the right elbow down and well below the level of the right hand, and keep it that way, even after separation until racquet head drop, and you'll likely see very little pat the dog. But even with this second approach and second arm configuration, there will still be available all the important muscular (and biomechanical) consequences of the SSC. That's why (IMNSHO) pat the dog does not matter.
Try two swings: (1) configure the right arm going into the unit turn with the elbow at the height of the hand, the arm internally rotated, and the racquet laid flat (in the plane of the arm), and keep it that way (even after hand separation) until the forward rotation begins -- the likely result, lot's of pat the dog. (2) configure the right arm going into the unit turn with the right elbow down and well below the level of the right hand, and keep it that way, even after separation until racquet head drop, and you'll likely see very little pat the dog. But even with this second approach and second arm configuration, there will still be available all the important muscular (and biomechanical) consequences of the SSC. That's why (IMNSHO) pat the dog does not matter.
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