The double bend forehand

[NamRanger]

Again, it depends on how you teach it and which form you are using and considering as the "Straight-arm"

A traditional straight arm does not take the racquet up in common with the double-bend. It just goes out and away from the body extending the elbow away. Usually it is also performed with an Eastern grip so the contact point is later rather than sooner. With a later contact point, you are right, it would put more stress on the elbow area than one would want.

However, in the straight arm forehand that Federer uses his elbow goes in front of the body plane and angular momentum is also used to help get the back shoulder behind and into the stroke thorugh contact.

With a relatively flexible arm (not locked down at the elbow), the extention of the arm is less of a concern because the arm remains relatively relaxed.

Now, I guess the key question is should someone teach it? Well, I would have to say it depends.

Ah I see. Well, I don't know how one would go about teaching it. It seems like the argument between the 1HBH and 2HBH. Whatever comes natural to the player I guess?


From what I know of Federer's development, (I spoke to a coach named Beeyong Sison, who helped develop Federer's game when he was around 9), it seems like he just simply always hit that kind of forehand. The guy said that it just came naturally to him.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Ah I see. Well, I don't know how one would go about teaching it. It seems like the argument between the 1HBH and 2HBH. Whatever comes natural to the player I guess?

You would have to teach it carefully.

From what I know of Federer's development, (I spoke to a coach named Beeyong Sison, who helped develop Federer's game when he was around 9), it seems like he just simply always hit that kind of forehand. The guy said that it just came naturally to him.

It isn't that much different than the double bend with the exception of the forward part of the swing.

Also, the other thing compared to the gate like swing, is the use of the wrist release. If the hand is coming forward in that stroke, it will relieve the elbow area of a lot of stress. The acceleration of the wrist release will help a lot.

So from a technical standpoint and trying to put some instruction behind it, that could be challenging because the challenge is not in the development of the instruction but the transfer of knowledge through Bloom's Taxonomy while reducing the risk of misinterpretation and misunderstanding.

 

[ericwong]

BB, what an analysis. I have a question in regard to this technique. We are taught to plough through the ball when come into contact and the FH should , 'visionly' go through 6 balls or so to ensure a full follow through for a clean hit. My question is it is possible to incorporate this technique with your analysis?


Thanks