Myth of the Wrist: The Modern Pro Forehand: Page 2

So to review this pro hitting arm position has two elements. First the elbow is bent and tucked in toward the torso. Second, the wrist is laid back.

We refer to this position-elbow in and wrist laid back-the double bend or “power palm” position. It enables the player to use the palm of his hand to push the racket forward and upward generating power and spin.

The push forward and upward with the palm of the hand is in turn driven by the rotation of the player’s torso and hitting arm. This double rotation of the shoulders and hitting arm, driving the palm of the hand and the racket, are the keys to understanding the bio-mechanics of the modern pro forehand.

This first step on the forehand for any modern player is a full shoulder turn, with the left arm crossing the body and the shoulders turned square to the net or even further. This turn is followed by a looping or circular backswing that delivers the racket into position to move forward to the ball.

As the racket moves forward, the torso will now rotate 90 degrees or more back through the hit, continuing until the shoulders are parallel…