stevep - we have had previous discussions about the swing, footwork and movement particularly when going into the back corners.  The backhand seems to give the biggest problem when first starting out.  This thread I hoped would draw out a few important things about the racket preparation and movement, especially for those who do not have a regular coach and are fairly new to the game too.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I was trying to impress on players the need to have their racket ready, controlled, feet balanced, keep out of the corners, lunge, open the racket face, etc. and I thought these pics did demonstrate those things.

Our players seem to follow the top video matches and from those actions it is hard to see the important points to look for.....and it all looks so easy too.

The bit about the elbow is more to emphasise that it should not lift up like a wing, not so much tucked in, as it does need plenty of air between the arm and the body in the swing.

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Rippa

I didn't intend to attach the image to the post, only the link.

This thread seemed to be about demostrating good technique/best practice. So I was interested in this pic because I recall a previous thread discussing keeping the elbow tucked in and the racket face open on the forehand. Absolutely nothing like this guys swing. Who I am to judge though, I probably wouldn't get a point off him unless he served it out.

Cheers
Steve

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stevep - just be patient with these pics Raystrach is looking at why they did not come through as I intended in the article.
That forehand you put up is like Rhonda Thorne amended hers to after coming back from overseas in the 1980's and with some influence from the late Aub Amos.  The swing  became a circular swing as opposed to a verticle swing, and it probably works ok with a high bounce and enough time to wait for the ball.  Notice the action will be more like a "canecutters" knife as it comes down to retrieve a low ball.
The question is to my mind:

• there is really no deception possible, except a boast or drive I guess off a high ball.
• volley would be a nightmare unless backswing adapted quickly enough
• therefore to play an all round game with that style would not be an advantage at all.
• the swing probably will give a winding up action creating more power.

Rhonda had already won an Australian Championship before amended her swing.
Definitely not recommended for learners.

Observation, the opponent is focussing on the ball, where as at that point I would have thought looking at the swing, with the ball in the peripherical vision, would have been more advantageous at this stage of the hit. 

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So what do you make of this forehand prep then?

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Here is Alister Walker showing how the back wall preparation is done.

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