Federer's forehand

[lukefreedom]

When I look at Federer's swing in slo mo, I notice that when he starts his forward swing to the ball, his racket arm is basically straight with the butt of the racket leading into the ball. Rarely, do you see Federer's elbow close to his side. His racket arm looks fully extended at contact. Does anyone notice this arm position?

John

[lukman41985]

Right on...

I notice that too. If you look in the Stroke Archive, Kafelnikov does the same thing on his forehand. I believe Flip (Mark P.) also did the same thing. This position is definitely a rarity in the pro game, not a commonality. I'm sure that because of Federer's incredible success and his obviously grea forehand, people will try to emulate this straight arm hitting position. But seeing as that few pros do it, I don't think it's a good idea.

[johnyandell]

Well you guys are anticipating the Federer article I'm working on for the May issue--one of the things I hope to show is when the hitting arm position changes to the straight (or sometimes just straighter) position and why. Paradorn is another example.

[yondan]

Many big forehander's do this as well, including two young Spaniards by the names Verdasco and Nadal.

[lukman41985]

Many big forehander's do this as well, including two young Spaniards by the names Verdasco and Nadal.

Really? I don't think so. A straight arm hitting position is almost impossible for players with western grips.

[lukman41985]

Many big forehander's do this as well, including two young Spaniards by the names Verdasco and Nadal.

Actually, you are right and I am wrong. Check out this picture:


And now that I think about it, this straight hitting arm position might not stress out the arm very much if it is used in combination with the rest of the body--if anything it promotes an impact that's further out front. This allows you to hit the ball harder wihout more effort but instead by taking the ball earlier and using your opponents pace against him/her.

[johnyandell]

Not sure I agree here. Very hard to tell about Nadal from one shot one angle--need to have some video on him and Verdasco as well.

BUT go look at Arm Action in the Stroke Archive at Roddick or Ferrero or Moya. You can find a few exceptions, but on almost all balls you will see the elbow in and the wrist laid back, as above at the contact point in the Moya QT. The problem is that the players move in and out of this position quite quickly at times--so still photos are really reliable. The less extreme players like Federer or Paradorn are more likely to hit straight. That could be evolving for all I know, but we need more evidence to really form an opinion there.

[TPro2006]

I have to agree with John here. I've looked at more forehands than I care to admit in the Archive...but what about Federer and Paradorn--what's the diff?
Why some bent some straight?

[ruymendes]

rally

When a rally gets really quick and intense, the opponents didn't even think about this question, if the hitting arm is straight or bent. This differences happen automatically, the adjustments are quite instantaneous. This is called feel.

[GimpyGrumpy]

It's a question of what you teach or learn. I think that you won't find players stepping too far outside their basic patterns no matter how fast it happens.