Wrist Extension on the Forehand Unit Turn/Take Back?

Robert F

Hall of Fame
My FH had been off for a while. I'm a semi-western right hander. FH became smoother when I added some wrist extension to my unit turn/take back. I think it helps me pull into a lag better.
But scouring the YouTube it seemed a lot pros have their wrist fairly neutral and then hit some wrist extension as they pull the racquet into the slot/pat the dog.

Am I losing some energy or make the stroke too stiff if I start with some wrist extension from the get go?
 
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I used to do that too, but i use a western, perhaps the idea at the time was to activate the wrist memory. With time my brain disconected completely from what i was doing and the lag became natural.
 
@Robert F
1. My racket takeback used to be too low, racket face already facing down. Once I fixed that, I started feeling racket lag on my shots. (Otherwise the ball will go sailing).
2. However, I still don't feel it when I try to apply heavy topspin. Only flat shots (I have eastern grip).
3. I think maybe I'm not loading properly or not strong enough to 'pull' it yet. Making a loop is easier. (And I still make a small loop it looks like).
4.. You can see my wrist extend automatically, but I feel it in my forearm/biceps.

Going frame by frame (tap ,/. on keyboard), you can see racket lag. It really feels like a 'pull/snap' live, fraction of a second.

 
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My FH had been off for a while. I'm a semi-western right hander. FH became smoother when I added some wrist extension to my unit turn/take back. I think it helps me pull into a lag better.
But scouring the YouTube it seemed a lot pros have their wrist fairly neutral and then hit some wrist extension as they pull the racquet into the slot/pat the dog.

Am I losing some energy or make the stroke too stiff if I start with some wrist extension from the get go?
You should seek out doctor FHs zill and Curious.

They have butched the FH to death. They know it inside out, outside in, plus 3 dozen different steps.
 
My FH had been off for a while. I'm a semi-western right hander. FH became smoother when I added some wrist extension to my unit turn/take back. I think it helps me pull into a lag better.
But scouring the YouTube it seemed a lot pros have their wrist fairly neutral and then hit some wrist extension as they pull the racquet into the slot/pat the dog.

Am I losing some energy or make the stroke too stiff if I start with some wrist extension from the get go?

Racquet lag is not something you try to consciously do; rather, it is the result of unloading correctly into the ball with body rotation initiating and the arm/racquet passive for a split second.
 
Racquet lag is not something you try to consciously do; rather, it is the result of unloading correctly into the ball with body rotation initiating and the arm/racquet passive for a split second.

Though what you point out is absolutely correct, until we develop feeling for "whip like" forehand powered by leg, core etc, it's not a bad idea to force the lag. The correct unloading requires proper footwork, body positioning and may takes months or years to develop. It'a a journey and conscious lag could be a stop along the way.
 
Agree that ideally lag should come naturally/subconsciously. But does having an extended wrist help set up lag or does it lock it too much?
 
Agree that ideally lag should come naturally/subconsciously. But does having an extended wrist help set up lag or does it lock it too much?

The answer belongs to "one size does not fit all" category - different players respond differently and also at different times. What works today may not work tomorrow - as long as you have the option to force the lag when you seem to have lost it at any hitting/playing session, you are good to go.
 
Racket lag and racket flip are not the same thing. Halep has a lag. Federer has both. Which one is being discussed here?
 
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