Is my forehand stroke okay?

**jut703** · 03-21-2010, 04:55 AM

Hey guys, a while ago I decided to video myself hitting forehand strokes in our backyard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otW36KUq9_I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZvn8nzh0qY

Question is, how are my strokes? Is it okay, or is there something fundamentally wrong with it?

Sorry for the crappy video quality, I don't have a full-fledged video camera, and sorry for the crappy back yard

TIA

***Cheung*** · 03-21-2010, 05:06 AM

Very difficult to say. What you show us in the video may be different on court when actually hitting the shuttle. It 'looks' OK though we cannot see either the pronation nor racquet head very clearly

**jut703** · 03-21-2010, 05:25 AM

Thanks. I'll try to upload a better video of an on-court performance soon.

I do try the pronation and supination of the forearm when I hit, though sometimes it causes me to mishit. I guess I need a lot more practice

**saifiii** · 03-21-2010, 06:41 AM

a stiff elbow is wat i see as a fault in the strock

**jut703** · 03-21-2010, 07:01 AM

I noticed that too. Thing is, since I started being more particular about my pronation and supination and the steepness of my shot, my elbow seems to not follow through too much

**Gollum** · 03-21-2010, 01:27 PM

It's hard to say for sure, but it seems to me that you're over-extending your elbow during the stroke.

Certainly this is true when you practise it in slow-motion: you've got a completely straight arm, "locked out" at the elbow. Instead, you should maintain a slight bend at the elbow even when you hit the shuttle.

**s0nnay** · 03-21-2010, 03:05 PM

I think you dip your shoulder/arm too much but maybe its the angle on the second video. Also i get the feeling you are gripping the racket too tight.
As stated, maybe a video on court would be more effective and easier to analyse.

**Caarl** · 03-21-2010, 06:06 PM

Yeah swinging your arm too far down and you look like youre holding your racket really tight... the best game is the one with a loose grip

**jut703** · 03-21-2010, 09:17 PM

What does it mean when I'm dipping my arm too far down? I'm sorry I'm pretty slow at visualizing right now.

I do understand the holding the racquet too tightly. I'll try to relax more. But when exactly do I start holding it tight? When the supination starts?

**ixoye** · 03-21-2010, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by jut703

Question is, how are my strokes? Is it okay, or is there something fundamentally wrong with it?

"Is my forehand stroke okay?"

In a word, no. You're not actually pronating, you're letting your arm do all the work. You're "reaching" for the shuttle, meaning your elbow is straight during the stroke. Elbow should always be bent around 120 degrees, more or less.

On the plus side, I don't see wrist flexion. And your feet movement look okay.

**s0nnay** · 03-22-2010, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by jut703

What does it mean when I'm dipping my arm too far down? I'm sorry I'm pretty slow at visualizing right now.

I do understand the holding the racquet too tightly. I'll try to relax more. But when exactly do I start holding it tight? When the supination starts?

It mean's that your arm should be more of a 'L shape' rather than a 'V shape'. Hope you can visualize what i'm trying to say. The technique you're using now seems like you would be hitting the shuttle late and not at your highest point: It can make all the difference.

I generally leave a gap between my palm and handle, it tends to tighten just after 12 o'clock, but very minimal literally cuffing the racket so it won't fly out my hand lol.

Hope that helps.

**jut703** · 03-22-2010, 09:36 AM

Hmm, the way I understand it, I should relax my arm a bit more so my elbow doesn't lock out. Also, I should maintain its natural bend.

However, I'm quite lost. The way I'm getting it, my elbow should be an L-shape during the stroke, yet at the point of impact, I should reach for it as high as possible. I find it contradictory, how can I reach for it as high as I can without straightening my elbow and arm excessively?

**s0nnay** · 03-22-2010, 09:38 AM

L shape not during your stroke, but your stance.

**Gollum** · 03-22-2010, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by jut703

I find it contradictory, how can I reach for it as high as I can without straightening my elbow and arm excessively?

Because you should not be reaching as high as you can. Instead, you should be hitting at full relaxed reach (which is less than your maximum reach).

**jut703** · 03-22-2010, 09:54 AM

Oh I get it. So I'm holding my racket too close to me before hitting, is that right? Thanks. I'll take note of that

About the stretching, I understand that I have to keep my arm relaxed while reaching. But what about the follow through? How can I avoid the stiff elbow?