Straight arm forehand questions

DeepTopspinToBackhand

DeepTopspinToBackhand

New User
I used to hit with a double bend but switched to a straight arm and it was the best decision I made, however I feel like I'm locking out the elbow when I make contact

Are nadal's and federers elbows completely locked when they bake contact or is there a little bend every time
 
I don't think "locked" is a good concept. It isn't rigid or hyper-extended. They hit with a relatively straight arm but I don't think they are thinking "lock" my elbow. Just try to get good spacing between you body and contact and hit with a relax but relatively straight arm. A small amount of bend is not bad.
 
TennisCJC said:
I don't think "locked" is a good concept. It isn't rigid or hyper-extended. They hit with a relatively straight arm but I don't think they are thinking "lock" my elbow. Just try to get good spacing between you body and contact and hit with a relax but relatively straight arm. A small amount of bend is not bad.
Click to expand...
That's what I noticed because I am hyper extending sometimes which causes elbow pain, so federer and nadal's elbows are not locked out on contact right?
Thanks very much
 
DeepTopspinToBackhand said:
That's what I noticed because I am hyper extending sometimes which causes elbow pain, so federer and nadal's elbows are not locked out on contact right?
Thanks very much
Click to expand...
Sometimes. If it's causing you pain, go back to a traditional FH. The swing that allows you to hit straight-arm is not entirely similar. The average amateur FH is an atrocity to begin with. The handful I see trying to mimic Rog et al make even those look like works of art.
 
SinjinCooper said:
Sometimes. If it's causing you pain, go back to a traditional FH. The swing that allows you to hit straight-arm is not entirely similar. The average amateur FH is an atrocity to begin with. The handful I see trying to mimic Rog et al make even those look like works of art.
Click to expand...
It's not causing me pain just a few times I noticed it was locked out and then that's when I feel a little pull on the elbow, however when it is a minimal bend and straight it is a very fluid shot with no pain
 
SinjinCooper said:
Sometimes. If it's causing you pain, go back to a traditional FH. The swing that allows you to hit straight-arm is not entirely similar. The average amateur FH is an atrocity to begin with. The handful I see trying to mimic Rog et al make even those look like works of art.
Click to expand...
Also I don't need to go back to a traditional forehand because with the straight arm I am hitting it very well but I just have to not lock my elbow out
 
J011yroger said:
Straight but not locked. You should just relax your arm, and not force it straight.

J
Click to expand...
Right. No force, but full extension sometimes...even often, if space permits. Whether this means "locked" to the OP or readers-along is up for grabs.

Thing is, the swing on an SA forehand just isn't the same, and it really throws people. It doesn't use either the off arm or the core rotation in quite the same way as a more traditional FH (by which I include even the ATP/PTD stuff). The off arm and core are used to pull the lead SHOULDER almost violently forward in the textbook version, and the elbow becomes virtually another link in the "lag." All of which also necessitates a wrist so loose that it really flummoxes people. The result typically looks Frankensteinian.

That's by no means to say it's beyond amateur capability. But it's not as easy to grasp as more traditional strokes, and can go way further wrong.
 
It's interesting that I feel a lot more leverage or power when I keep my elbow closer to the body.

It's very much like arm wrestling. You'd feel more strength keeping the upper arm closer to the body. Probably from shoulder leaning in more?
 
user92626 said:
It's interesting that I feel a lot more leverage or power when I keep my elbow closer to the body.

It's very much like arm wrestling. You'd feel more strength keeping the upper arm closer to the body. Probably from shoulder leaning in more?
Click to expand...

I would think that’s wrong and also say that the closer your elbow is to your body the more work and effort you’re using with your arm and especially the wrists.
 
iChen said:
I would think that’s wrong and also say that the closer your elbow is to your body the more work and effort you’re using with your arm and especially the wrists.
Click to expand...

Maybe or maybe not, but you're not explaining how/why about your exertion.

I have explained above that if you do arm wrestling, you'd understand what I mean.
 
user92626 said:
Maybe or maybe not, but you're not explaining how/why about your exertion.

I have explained above that if you do arm wrestling, you'd understand what I mean.
Click to expand...

Simply, the range of motion. How much can your racquet move with energy with elbow closed to body and farther from body?

Think about let’s just say a backhand on the run. What do you get to do moving to your left with elbow closed to body? A flick of wrist to hit shot. Elbow farther from body? Actual swing.
 
user92626 said:
It's interesting that I feel a lot more leverage or power when I keep my elbow closer to the body.

It's very much like arm wrestling. You'd feel more strength keeping the upper arm closer to the body. Probably from shoulder leaning in more?
Click to expand...
Same here. You do a sidethrow with elbow close to your body, not like how Federer hits his forehand. More like Jack Sock and Kyrgios, like throwing a frisbee. I you were asked to throw (sideways) your racket as far as possible, how would you throw it? Like Federer or Kyrgios? I'm sure even Federer would throw it like Kyrgios!
 
I find using a straight arm forehand that: 1. the arm goes straight...2. the wrist is relaxed and lags...3. using almost totally relaxation at
contact point natural body kinetics is for the elbow to start to bend (not with the upper arm moving higher or the elbow popping up like you see some do) along with pronation of the forearm and wrist...4. this elbow bend and forearm wrist pronation accelerates the racquet head to brush up faster on the ball and finish the follow through of the stroke.

My comment is with total relaxation shadow swing paying attention to how the body operates and feels (slow motion) to function naturally and protect itself (don't force the motion). You will find the elbow will automatically bend as the hand can no longer move horizontal towards the net. Plus, when swinging from the shoulder the racquet path is \ shaped, low to high.

Like when serving if the proper amount of shoulder tilt for the trophy position the racquet path is vertical towards the sky and the forearm and wrist pronate naturally to protect the shoulder. Thus, the comment, "hit up", trying to keep you from swing towards the net with shoulders parallel to the court surface. Explained from a right-handed perspective, using a pinpoint motion as the back right foot steps forward towards the heel of the front left foot (don't step around the front foot, stay behind the front foot) really bend the right knee applying most of your weight to the right leg. (Almost like when you were a kid doing a cartwheel on the grass in the front yard.) Now from this position notice how much your shoulders are tilted, then swing up, pushing with the right leg aggressively. The arm will go Up not towards the net and the forearm and wrist at the top of the up swing will pronate to protect the shoulder. This is how you can keep from hitting serves long or in the net. Great trophy position (shoulder tilt) and swing racquet UP UP UP towards the sky.

Now use this same type of natural relaxed body kinetics for the forehand, quit arming the ball, the arm is useless for true power it's
weak in comparison to the legs and core. However, the arm and wrist control directional consistency, fine tuning your accurate return
of the ball where you want it to go.

So, RELAX, let it happen, feel what happens, make small adjustments, swing out, learn and have more fun. Also, quit trying to win so
much, winning happens naturally after developing consistent control of power.

Aloha
 
DeepTopspinToBackhand said:
I used to hit with a double bend but switched to a straight arm and it was the best decision I made, however I feel like I'm locking out the elbow when I make contact

Are nadal's and federers elbows completely locked when they bake contact or is there a little bend every time
Click to expand...

Straight? Bent? Locked?
I do not believe that these are concepts that we should try to achieve - they are a reflection of what we do, and shouldn't be regarded as instructions on how we do it.

A bit like 'scratching your back' during the serve motion
 
it seems that every player who uses a straight arm forehand has a very heavy, effective forehand. How come only a few players use it.

Is it something where natural talent is needed and practice can't get you there
 
DeepTopspinToBackhand said:
it seems that every player who uses a straight arm forehand has a very heavy, effective forehand.
Click to expand...

This is not my experience. Most people I see using them would be much better off learning a simpler FH and only trying to progress to a more difficult model after mastering the basics. Yes, every PRO who hits one crushes it. But so does every pro who hits every other kind of FH, too.

How come only a few players use it.
Click to expand...

Because most players who get good, get good at something simpler first, and practice it a lot. And by the time they're good, switching will only set them back.

Is it something where natural talent is needed and practice can't get you there
Click to expand...

No. But the practice you need for it to be anything but a trainwreck isn't the kind most players are willing to put in.
 
so lately I have been hitting the SA forehand really well,

However I noticed that when I take the racket back I have the racket head in front of the grip level and wrist and then when I start the forward phase it lags behind,

When I watch federer, nadal, Verdasco. They take the racket back and place it at about a 45 degree angle between back fence and when they start the forward phase it lags behind and then straightens out at contact,

Is it ok to have the racket head ahead or does it show a error.
I have been hitting the forehand fluidly and consistently but just wanted to know if that's normal

Thanks very much
 
DeepTopspinToBackhand said:
it seems that every player who uses a straight arm forehand has a very heavy, effective forehand. How come only a few players use it.

Is it something where natural talent is needed and practice can't get you there
Click to expand...

DTTB

I am 72 years old and have developed a straight arm forehand. Took about 2 months to learn to be consistent and controlled. As SinjinCooper
implied above, "Are you willing to put in the work?" Yes/No

Aloha

P.S. I will give you a free hint. Add some lead tape at top of racquet so that the head
accelerates because of being less head light. You'll get the feel for a straight arm
forehand quicker that way. As the head comes around faster in order to keep up with
the buttcap if your arm and wrist are relaxed. Pure physics.
 
Last edited:
SinjinCooper said:
This is not my experience. Most people I see using them would be much better off learning a simpler FH and only trying to progress to a more difficult model after mastering the basics. Yes, every PRO who hits one crushes it. But so does every pro who hits every other kind of FH, too.
Click to expand...

So are you saying that for rec players or more beginning players theres no difference in bent or straight arm forehand?
I would think based purely on logic and imagining it that it would be easier to generate more power with a straight arm forehand but harder to time it and control it imo.
 
Federer and nadal dont always place it exactly like that u know, it varies a bit.
So ur saying when u take ur racquet back it points more forward? Nothing wrong, in theory it adds a bit more potential racquet speed but a bit harder to time, in theory.
I would say do what deels right and if ur hits are good ur doing something right.
 
I dont even know what my fh is. Best guess is straight on some bend on some?

The 1hbh is straight though. I think my fh is mostly straight unless its in my body
 
FiReFTW said:
Federer and nadal dont always place it exactly like that u know, it varies a bit.
So ur saying when u take ur racquet back it points more forward? Nothing wrong, in theory it adds a bit more potential racquet speed but a bit harder to time, in theory.
I would say do what deels right and if ur hits are good ur doing something right.
Click to expand...
Alright thanks man,
 
Observation of top pros would indicate it is largely a matter of personal preference. I don't think there is evidence one technique is superior.

At contact most FHs are pretty straight, since the whole idea, whichever technique you use, is to make contact as far in front as possible. Even jack sock, the poster boy for the bent arm, has only a slight bend at impact.

People tend to say the straight arm requires more athleticism or timing. I don't necessarily agree. I think the difference is, with the bent arm, it is a bit easier to get the racquet lagged and it is intuitive how to generate spin. With the straight, you have to have a loose wrist and trust the momentum of the stroke a bit more. Maybe that is athleticism, I guess it depends on how you define it.
 
RetroSpin said:
Observation of top pros would indicate it is largely a matter of personal preference. I don't think there is evidence one technique is superior.

At contact most FHs are pretty straight, since the whole idea, whichever technique you use, is to make contact as far in front as possible. Even jack sock, the poster boy for the bent arm, has only a slight bend at impact.

People tend to say the straight arm requires more athleticism or timing. I don't necessarily agree. I think the difference is, with the bent arm, it is a bit easier to get the racquet lagged and it is intuitive how to generate spin. With the straight, you have to have a loose wrist and trust the momentum of the stroke a bit more. Maybe that is athleticism, I guess it depends on how you define it.
Click to expand...
article-2678365-1F56FB9C00000578-92_634x427.jpg

f3deabd635196f8d8eeede34ad673a7b_crop_north.jpg

jo-wilfried-tsonga1.jpg

lendlforehand.jpg


Just a helpful visual reminder: not all responses are created equal. The one quoted here, for example, is objectively wrong almost start to finish.
 
Is a straight arm forehand more ideal for a shorter person with shorter arms, because that way it's easier to extend out to contact compared to if your six foot 10 and have a long wingspan
 
SinjinCooper said:
Just a helpful visual reminder: not all responses are created equal. The one quoted here, for example, is objectively wrong almost start to finish.
Click to expand...

You seem to have an obsession with "correcting" people who know more than you do. A few screenshots of odd looking FHs, eg the first one you posted, prove nothing.

You need to brush up on your reading comprehension as well. I said "most" FHs are "pretty" straight at impact.

Sock's FHs in this video seem to meet that definition.


Whatever. I have more productive things to do than argue with you. If you want to teach people to hit FHs with their elbow welded to their side, be my guest.
 
To answer the original question. I think Nadal has his arm pretty much locked out, and he doesn't bend his elbow after contact. I don't think Federer is locked out and he starts to bend his elbow after impact well before Nadal. So, there's some flexibility on how to do it.

 
DeepTopspinToBackhand said:
Yeah so when I take my racket back its kind of like tiafoes forehand except it's a straight arm.

What do u think about tiafoes forehand and his take back
Click to expand...

It’s fine. He just takes it back differently than some others and really sort of swings more on back before foreword.

In the end, just do what’s comfortable and muscle memory to you. This is all just small details in the whole picture.
 
emp said:
Straight arm means far less likely to get "golfer's" elbow.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
hehe, old thread, but IMO, ok to hit "straight arm" if you're hitting "out in front"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
Forehand arm
Replies
12
Views
1K
SystemicAnomaly
SystemicAnomaly
T
straight arm/double bend on forehand/backhand
Replies
11
Views
7K
FH2FH
FH2FH
B
Straight arm forehand.
Replies
25
Views
4K
SpinToWin
SpinToWin
Relinquis
  • Poll Poll
Double bend or straight arm forehand?
Replies
45
Views
15K
jxs653
J
DeepTopspinToBackhand
Do you have to hit a straight arm forehand all the time
Replies
6
Views
1K
TennisCJC
T
Back
Top