windshield wiping on return

[ralph]

How much windshield wiping rotation should occur on the forehand return of serve? My own opinion would be to emphasize extension with anywhere from a "3" to a "5" follow through depending on the speed of the serve and not worry too much about the rotation. With the modern forehand being taught, I see many returners emphasizing the rotation rather than the extension.

[johnyandell]

Agreed! Second serves may be different. But in our spin studies we found that the total outgoing spin on returns was around 20% less than the equivalent groundstroke.

Federer's forehand returns frequently show this. In fact they are an excellent model for a classic grip semi-flat forehand drive! Looks like what Robert Lansdorp taught his great ball strikers for years.

Check this one out:

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/pro_men/rogerfederer/rogerfederer_forehand_return/rogerfederer_1st_serve_deuce/rogerfederer_1st_serve_deuce.html?FedererFHRet1stSDeuceRear1.mov