A big takeback or more unit turn?

[Rickson]

I was comparing Roddick's forehand with Federer's and I found that Federer uses less of a unit turn than Roddick while he has a bigger takeback. They both have big forehands, but I'm wondering which would be better for creating a monster forehand. Does Roddick's big unit turn have an advantage over Federer's big takeback or does Federer's takeback give him the power over Roddick's torso twist?

 

[Murray_Maniac]

Both are important, but a bigger takeback is what aids more power. One perfect example is James Blake, who has one of the biggest takebacks and one of the most powerful fh's ever. The turn aids in the control and part of the power.

 

[tennisfreak15347]

IMO, both are important. Whenever I get a failed attempt of a lob sitting at the service line waiting to be punished, I really dig my knees deep with a big takeback.

 

[Rickson]

I like the big takeback myself because sometimes you can't get a big unit turn fast enough.

 

[JRstriker12]

I think I get more juice on the ball on shots where I get a full-unit turn, rather than just a big take back. when this goes down right, its nearly effortless when you come thorugh the ball. If you have good footwork, you can still get a lot of pop on the ball with a smaller take-back and a full turn, such as on a service return.

Anyway, in most of the advice that I've seen for the average player, they discurage a big take-back, as it can be harder to time the ball.

Also - RE Blake - they broke down his stroke in slow-mo at Indy. He gets a full unit turn in and basically finishes with the opposite shoulder facing the baseline. His big shots probably owe more to this full turn, explosion off the ground and rotation rather than just the big take-back.

 

[Rickson]

I think I get more juice on the ball on shots where I get a full-unit turn, rather than just a big take back. when this goes down right, its nearly effortless when you come thorugh the ball. If you have good footwork, you can still get a lot of pop on the ball with a smaller take-back and a full turn, such as on a service return.

Anyway, in most of the advice that I've seen for the average player, they discurage a big take-back, as it can be harder to time the ball.

Also - RE Blake - they broke down his stroke in slow-mo at Indy. He gets a full unit turn in and basically finishes with the opposite shoulder facing the baseline. His big shots probably owe more to this full turn, explosion off the ground and rotation rather than just the big take-back.

I'm not talking about a big takeback in place of a unit turn, I'm talking about more emphasis on the takeback than on the UT and vice versa. Roddick has a big unit turn, but not a very big takeback while someone like Gonzalez has a big takeback and not as big a unit turn.

 

[JCo872]

I think I get more juice on the ball on shots where I get a full-unit turn, rather than just a big take back. when this goes down right, its nearly effortless when you come thorugh the ball. If you have good footwork, you can still get a lot of pop on the ball with a smaller take-back and a full turn, such as on a service return.

Anyway, in most of the advice that I've seen for the average player, they discurage a big take-back, as it can be harder to time the ball.

Also - RE Blake - they broke down his stroke in slow-mo at Indy. He gets a full unit turn in and basically finishes with the opposite shoulder facing the baseline. His big shots probably owe more to this full turn, explosion off the ground and rotation rather than just the big take-back.

Great post! I would love to see the break down of Blake's forehand, but that analysis seems right on.

I think that every top player has a big unit turn. One poster said that Gonzalez had a big backswing but not a full unit turn, but that's not right. He has an enormous unit turn:

Look how much farther his upper body is rotated than his waist. His body is like a wound up slinky.

 

[Rickson]

I didn't say he has no unit turn, I said he puts more emphasis on his takeback. You have to get your info straight.

 

[JCo872]

I didn't say he has no unit turn, I said he puts more emphasis on his takeback. You have to get your info straight.

Here is what you said:

"while someone like Gonzalez has a big takeback and not as big a unit turn."

What I said was that Gonzalez has as big a unit turn as any player I've ever seen on the tour. I agree that he has a dramatic backswing, but that doesn't mean his unit turn is not maximized.

I'd say that Gonzalez is an example of someone who has BOTH.

Just my opinion though.

 

[JCo872]

Repeat Post

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

Of course, a players takeback should only be as big as he or she is able to control. Players like Gonzalez or Soderling can control their ridiculous backswings, but that doesn't mean that we should all swing our racquets behind our heads like they do. There are plenty of players with big forehands who use a much smaller takeback.

I think that leg drive is actually one of the biggest factors to a big forehand. Whenever my forehand is off I usually find that my legs are too stiff and I begin to arm the ball as a result.

JMO.

 

[Rickson]

Roddick serve and forehand

Federer forehand

While both Roddick and Federer have a unit turn, I believe Roddick emphasizes it more by pushing his racquet back with his left hand.