Double bend, cant really do it

[aimr75]

My forehand is by and large a straight arm forehand.. I have used an eastern for a long time, but have lately been creeping around to a more extreme grip in an attempt to gain some more topspin. Its currently an extreme eastern (index knuckle on the corner of bevel 3 & 4). SW feels still very awkward

I thought that to add a bit more consistency, since timing is a little bit more crucial with the straight arm, i would try a double bend style forehand. Despite doing this air swinging, i find i end up hitting with a straight arm still while on the court.. i have been hitting straight arm before even knowing the difference between that and a double bend..

Does the double bend require a major technique change or just minor adjustments? does a more extreme grip such as a SW create this double bend due to the nature of the grip?

 

[ramseszerg]

I would say keep your straight arm and when you're on the run and late, alter your stroke to be more defensive. (like this, notice when Verdasco is late at 1:10 he does not hit the same forehand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0-PNDHaHhs ) You shouldn't have problems with rally balls. Don't focus on timing, timing is an abstract concept that you can't really work on unless it's horribly bad. Focus on footwork and timing will follow by itself. Having a natural straight armed forehand is a good thing, I have a natural double bend and want to switch to straight armed but I can't. Not sure why you wanna switch, unless you play 15 hours a week and want to go sky high with your game. (Not that you can't go sky high with a straight arm forehand, just that if that's the case there needs to be constant tweaking of the game and innovation.)

 

[aimr75]

Not sure why you wanna switch, unless you play 15 hours a week and want to go sky high with your game. (Not that you can't go sky high with a straight arm forehand, just that if that's the case there needs to be constant tweaking of the game and innovation.)

Just looking for potential to improve consistency.. i have heard/read that the double bend is a bit easier (i dont know if this is true or not). i have been trying a few different things lately to see how they suit.. this being one of them.

 

[oldhacker]

Hi Aimr75 - I am in the same situation. I hit my forehand with an extreme eastern grip (bit more SW on high balls) having moved from pure eastern and also tend to hit with a straight arm. I only know this because my coach tells me - I cannot tell when I am hitting. I agree it is very hard to change if that is what you naturally do and I am not sure it is worth trying as there are lots of other things I can work on to improve my forehand (which is already a good shot) which are easier to engrain.

My view is that the arm position is pretty much set by the takeback. That is to say if you straighten your arm at the back of the takeback you will most likely swing forward and hit with a straight arm. That is certainly the case for me as I start taking back with a bend but then straighten the elbow at the end of the takeback as I lower the racquet head to get it below the incoming ball. If I am correct then the key to changing to a 'double bend' is to modify the takeback so that the arm does not straighten but rather maintain a fixed angle of bend at the elbow throughout

My forehand is by and large a straight arm forehand.. I have used an eastern for a long time, but have lately been creeping around to a more extreme grip in an attempt to gain some more topspin. Its currently an extreme eastern (index knuckle on the corner of bevel 3 & 4). SW feels still very awkward

I thought that to add a bit more consistency, since timing is a little bit more crucial with the straight arm, i would try a double bend style forehand. Despite doing this air swinging, i find i end up hitting with a straight arm still while on the court.. i have been hitting straight arm before even knowing the difference between that and a double bend..

Does the double bend require a major technique change or just minor adjustments? does a more extreme grip such as a SW create this double bend due to the nature of the grip?

 

[ho]

Just looking for potential to improve consistency.. i have heard/read that the double bend is a bit easier (i dont know if this is true or not). i have been trying a few different things lately to see how they suit.. this being one of them.

straight arm send your arm far out, you will get more rotation force since the radius is longer. however, you have tendency to hit with just your arm. that not the case with double bend. since you bend your arm in, you will hit more with your body rotation. even with a shorter radius, you still have good, consistant power.
If you are a very talented player, stick with your straight arm. it definitely give more power.

 

[aimr75]

My view is that the arm position is pretty much set by the takeback. That is to say if you straighten your arm at the back of the takeback you will most likely swing forward and hit with a straight arm. That is certainly the case for me as I start taking back with a bend but then straighten the elbow at the end of the takeback as I lower the racquet head to get it below the incoming ball. If I am correct then the key to changing to a 'double bend' is to modify the takeback so that the arm does not straighten but rather maintain a fixed angle of bend at the elbow throughout

Thats something i hadnt really considered.. the takeback arm position.. this is an older vid still using an eastern: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKCaLBgJqDw but from this, i can see i straighten out my arm during the takeback

if youre correct, i may need to keep the arm bent for the entire duration

If you are a very talented player, stick with your straight arm. it definitely give more power.

well, a talented player is something i am not

 

[ho]

well, a talented player is something i am not

a talented player is the one who has god given ability to time, when to hit, where to hit, incorporate all element of his body produce a poowerfull and CONSISANT hit. WE all can hit the first part but the second part is the problem. However, we can improve CONSISTANCY by follow the principle of DISS (Do it simple stupid). The more moving elements of your body you have, the more inconsistant you get. Reduce your motion to just a simple body rotationwill probably get it done. Here there come the PUSH stroke principle.