Thanks Lock and roll! I found your website great! I think the "lock and roll" will help develop pull, as opposed to push strokes, with pull strokes being far greater.
Just asking, in real life, what is your style of play/which pro do you emulate?
Also, what is your point of view on the straight vs bent arm FH?
Thanks! In a nut shell, my style of play is about dictating the point from the baseline hitting lots of inside out/in. I like to hit big serves and return so that I can start yanking my opponent from the beginning. Ideally, I like to finish the point at the net after hitting big forehands.
Growing up I emulated Sampras and Agassi for their obvious strengths. Now I really like Federer’s game, the most effortless player out there. Nadal is awesome as well.
In the juniors I played with the bent FH. Now I’m experimenting on the straight arm FH. Overall, I like the straight arm but I find there are pros and cons to both. One recent finding is that when I went a grip size lower, I was able to hit the straight arm FH so much better! I went from a ¾ to a ¼ grip. FYI, Federer and Nadal both use a ¼ grip size and they both hit with straight arm.
Bent Arm
Pros: Easier to hit on the rise. Feels safer and more control because the contact point is closer to the body.
Cons: less reach for the forehand on the run. More difficult to hit high FH’s
Straight Arm
Pros: Fuller swing, notice my FH goes deeper with less effort. Shots feel heavier.
Cons: Challenging to hit on the rise because contact point is more out in front.
