Myth of the Wrist - I can see it (and what it isn't)

[horsebakken]

With these slower (faster) movies, I can really see what seems to be happening - the resolution is so much better than other tennis video clips.
This addresses an important point for me, as I am currently trying to incorporate more speed and "snap" into my 3.0 female serve - visualizing is an important way to learn.

[johnyandell]

What it is...

Glad it helps. The move to the ball is from a full drop and then it's an elbow extension and a hand and arm rotation--with everything super loose and relaxed.
The word snap is usually associated with the wrist--that's what just kills people and even many knowledgable coaches. There just isn't significant forward wrist snap. If the motion is correct to the extent that it can and will snap, it can and will...it's an automatic consquence.

[ruymendes]

scott murphy

Dear John,
I think that this subject is the most important for a sucessfull forehand development.
Doesn't top players achieve the correct mechanics without knowing all these details?
And, for us, simple mortals, is difficult to associate a forearm rotation without a wrist snap.
Scott Murphy says that the key is to not allow the strings to lead the butt of the racquet, but the opposite.
I think a further explanation would be valious.

[johnyandell]

I'd tend to agree with you about the top players. For the rest of us--well maybe you have the same natural feel. If you don't then what you want to do is match physical positions with a player with your grip style--and create the mental images that go with that.

A lot of players are convinced the wrist "snaps" because they do feel it move--but that is well after the hit. By the time the message gets to your brain it's light years after the physical event. You have to distinguish release from snap. If the wrist actually "snapped" back to front at contact the ball would go into the left side fence. You can't keep the racket on the line of the shot if the tip is moving radically from right to left!!

would advise going back and giving the Myth of the Wrist article and the Forehand article series a closer read. All the answers are there. The key is to understand how the hand and arm rotate in my humble opinion. They move as a unit with the wrist still laid back til after the hit.