How to hold my arm correctly?(pics)

[akybo]

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8765/imag0261dw9.jpgWhen my fist is in a straight line with my arm I have to work a little bit hard with my legs to get the ball over the net,but the ball line is straight like a lazer.





http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1605/imag0262gm1.jpgWhen my fist and my arm creates a little "L" the shot is a lot easier with much topspin into it.

I want to know what is the correct mode to hold my fist?I dont want to be a selfdidact as I almost ruined my backhand becouse of this.

[EricW]

Your wrist should be completely loose between the initiation of your swing and the follow through. If done correctly, all wrist involvement is taken care of by the rest of your swing. Problems arise when the mechanics of the rest of your swing are too weak to control wrist involvement effectively. In that case, simply follow the advice: "Point the butt-cap toward the ball" (closer to the second picture). You can tell if a player's mechanics are too weak to control wrist involvement if their swing itself looks "loose".

[Bungalo Bill]

Your wrist should be completely loose between the initiation of your swing and the follow through. If done correctly, all wrist involvement is taken care of by the rest of your swing. Problems arise when the mechanics of the rest of your swing are too weak to control wrist involvement effectively. In that case, simply follow the advice: "Point the butt-cap toward the ball" (closer to the second picture). You can tell if a player's mechanics are too weak to control wrist involvement if their swing itself looks "loose".


Although many can use a looser wrist, the wrist should not be so loose that the racquet sags or the racquet head shows a lack of control. There still should be some tension in the grip to control the racquet head.

Further, players do not have to have a loose wrist to get good results for the forehand. A firmer wrist can also be used. In fact, I use a firmer wrist with less elasticity and can smack the ball because I would rather use momentum and weight transfer instead of just a real loose hand/wrist.

Having too loose of a wrist can cause problems with timing.

[albino smurf]

Loose until the instant before contact is the way IMO.

[akybo]

Wow,thanks guys a lot.The thing with a straight arm I've learn as I start to play tennis,such a long time ago in the wood era and I strugled to keep it like this,knowing it is the right way.
The loose wrist,yet not too loose, came in naturally but I didnt do it so often thinking it is the wrong way.

[Nellie]

You seem to have a pretty laid back wrist/ western grip in picture 2. You will often see a laid back (i.e., bent wrist) in players with a western grip as part of the "double bend"in which the elbow is bent and locked to your side and the wrist is bent to keep the racquet face perpendicular to contact.

Per other's comments above, the wrist is not moving in these pro's.

[EricW]

Although many can use a looser wrist, the wrist should not be so loose that the racquet sags or the racquet head shows a lack of control. There still should be some tension in the grip to control the racquet head.

"You can tell if a player's mechanics are too weak to control wrist involvement if their swing itself looks 'loose'."

Further, players do not have to have a loose wrist to get good results for the forehand. A firmer wrist can also be used. In fact, I use a firmer wrist with less elasticity and can smack the ball because I would rather use momentum and weight transfer instead of just a real loose hand/wrist.

The WTA forehand is fine for many players.

Having too loose of a wrist can cause problems with timing.

Assuming a player's mechanics are solid, loosening their wrist will remove a variable (as opposed to adding a variable; many player's believe wrist movement will add a variable and lead to more difficult timing but they are mistaken). A firmer wrist has room for error because it relies on muscle contraction and a consistent wrist angle. However, when the wrist is loose the wrist variable is completely removed. Wrist involvement is regulated by the rest of your swing and can be forgotten. With a completely loose wrist, wrist involvement is regulated by swing-speed and acceleration/deceleration.

If the rest of a player's mechanics are too weak to effectively control wrist involvement, they're not ready to take this step.