I have been studying the FYB analysis of the WW forehand to try to get a better understanding. It makes a lot of sense but I am left with one big question.
Essentially the analysis says that the difference (from a 'conventional' forehand) is in the swing path of the racquet head to contact which is more vertical for the WW. This makes perfect sense but does not address the question of how that swingpath is made more vertical. To my mind there are 3 main possible sources of a steeper swing path the contact as follows:
1. Elbow lifted at steeper angle towards contact than on the conventional forehand. This lift comes from the shoulder joint raising the upper arm out in front.
2. Rotation of whole arm from the shoulder starting JUST BEFORE and through contact.
3. Rotation of lower arm only from the elbow (pronation) starting before and through contact.
Much of what I have read elsewhere seems to imply that (2) and (3) should not happen before contact. However I find it hard to see how a WW finish follows from (1) alone and think that (2) is also an essential component with the WW finish being a continuation of the shoulder rotation initiated just before contact.
Any views much appreciated.
Another smaller question I have concerns extension on the WW forehand. The FYB analysis seems to show hitting through the ball and then the racquet wiping across the front of the body with the racquet at a pretty vertical angle. However when I look at, say Nadal's, forehand (both his wrap around and reverse finish) he still gets great extension after contact with the racquet tip point down the court (with strings closed rather than open as in a conventional forehand) before the 'wipe' across the body happens. I think this is mainly caused by the wrist releasing from the laid back position and extending after contact. This seems natural to me.
Essentially the analysis says that the difference (from a 'conventional' forehand) is in the swing path of the racquet head to contact which is more vertical for the WW. This makes perfect sense but does not address the question of how that swingpath is made more vertical. To my mind there are 3 main possible sources of a steeper swing path the contact as follows:
1. Elbow lifted at steeper angle towards contact than on the conventional forehand. This lift comes from the shoulder joint raising the upper arm out in front.
2. Rotation of whole arm from the shoulder starting JUST BEFORE and through contact.
3. Rotation of lower arm only from the elbow (pronation) starting before and through contact.
Much of what I have read elsewhere seems to imply that (2) and (3) should not happen before contact. However I find it hard to see how a WW finish follows from (1) alone and think that (2) is also an essential component with the WW finish being a continuation of the shoulder rotation initiated just before contact.
Any views much appreciated.
Another smaller question I have concerns extension on the WW forehand. The FYB analysis seems to show hitting through the ball and then the racquet wiping across the front of the body with the racquet at a pretty vertical angle. However when I look at, say Nadal's, forehand (both his wrap around and reverse finish) he still gets great extension after contact with the racquet tip point down the court (with strings closed rather than open as in a conventional forehand) before the 'wipe' across the body happens. I think this is mainly caused by the wrist releasing from the laid back position and extending after contact. This seems natural to me.
