Fed Forehand Part 2

[johnyandell]

Thoughts?

[doctorhl]

Great analysis! The intriguing thought for me is the amount of muscle tension control it must take to have that many single stroke swing variations under match pressure. Do any other players through the years come to mind who have a similar ability to appear this "loose" in changing swing variations? Rafa , however, appears to me as one who changes his swing variations with excessive tension. In addition to the Galway discussions, I would be interested if you can find others to speak to the mind/ body connection in regards to muscle tension levels in the motor learning process as it might relate to tennis. I recall as a beginner years ago trying to wrestle with off -center mishits on ground strokes and volleys by increasing hand/arm tension. In hindsight, I realized that this increased muscle tension seemed to translate over the years into excessive muscle tension, particularly under match play pressure. I suspect there was also increased deceleration at contact. Swing variations were achievable in practice, but largely abandoned in a match. The risk/reward conundrum seems to make some youngsters gravitate to the security of consistency in single stroke swing mechanics while others can "loosen" to execute swing variations under pressure. Federer was the gold standard to me. Perhaps that is why I was so fascinated with his warm up style at tournaments which was almost comatose.

[a2bruno]

Federer obviously has many ways to produce the result he wants and uses whichever he requires at any particular moment. When he finishes with that full 180 turn to the left he seems to be using the technique tought by Oscar Wegner where a relaxed grip is pulled hard left causing the racquet head to whip up much like snapping a towel. This produces a lot of head speed and topspin with minimal effort as well as that full turn finish.

[johnyandell]

Sure Oscar had nothing to do with it...

[stroke]

Sure Oscar had nothing to do with it...

Oscar to me goes down as the worst somewhat well known coach of all time, not that it matters.

[johnyandell]

Stroke more tahn agreed