Racquet lag is primarily based on shoulder external rotation and supination, not on wrist extension. JMO, while having a greater ROM in external rotation is preferable the key is invoking the stretch reflex, both on the forehand and the serve. Older baseball pitchers tend to have minimal velocity loss despite significant reductions in ROM. The proven way to increase shoulder external rotation dynamic ROM is throwing overweight balls, although it is risky especially for older players.
This really hits home for me. I'm 64 now, and I can feel my physicality draining away. I have a classic "wood racuqet" style game, with a 1HBH (mostly sliced) and a continental grip FH. Just yesterday I had a conversation with a guy 20 years younger than me who said he's modernizing his game and asked why I don't. I told him the main reason is that I've never suffered from any kind of arm or shoulder trouble, and that at this point enjoying tennis and playing as often as my body will allow is a lot more important than hitting a Nadal FH. So, I'm old, my game is old school, and it's staying that way. (BTW, some young guys really hate my Rosewall-special backhand.)
I've seen it so many times when players work with coaches and get injured trying to modernize their technique. As much as I love "improving", being able to enjoy playing pain free is always the first priority.
Yes, it’s a quandary, for sure. Like you, I’m a tennis coach, - although 20years senior to you. I can hit, play and teach the modern game to juniors and young adults using modern equipment and techniques but when it comes to senior/veteran singles match play and tournaments I don’t use any of those modern strokes at all and none of the mod equip. either. (PS 85!). It’s kind of sad but … what I learnt as a kid just works best for me in matches.
Thank you for this video. This is the first time I have ever seen this subject addressed. I am over 70 snd I have been trying to learn the modern forehand without much success. I grew up in the 60’s with a wooden racket, stopped playing for over 30 years and the game and style has completely changed. After watching your video I think I’m just going to try to have fun and enjoy tennis. Thanks
Very helpful video. Like some other commenters, I’m of the age where I learned with a wood racquet, OHB, minimal top spin. I stopped playing for 35 years and started again two years ago. Of course almost everything about how to hit the ball had changed significantly. I’m not changing my OBH, just trying to get a bit more topspin by exaggerating my follow through. But trying to change my forehand grip and add topspin has proven to be really difficult. In fact, I recently developed a wrist tendinopathy for the first time ever and suspect that trying to emulate today’s pros is not a good idea. So I’m going to focus on footwork, hand eye coordination, the kinetic chain, consistency, and mental focus instead of trying to “modernize” my forehand. Thanks Richard.
At 67 I developed and use my own techniques !! No one knows my body more than I do . Don’t copy or imitate anyone …. no matter how many slams they’ve won.
Flexibility can be worked on and improved/maintained. A person can still model alot of what's being done if they are willing to put in the extra work on a consistent basis.
Yep flexibility can be improved. And if someone has the strength, flexibility and coordination, then that's great. If they don't it can be a huge injury risk.
Very good instruction and advice. I’m almost 70, and it is painful to watch many older tennis and golf players, because of their lack of flexibility. I’ve seen tennis pros cause injuries, trying to teach/modify older players strokes their bodies cannot handle. However, most older players don’t want to improve flexibility, they just want to play…until they get injured..
Sadly I've also seen a lot of this, which is what inspired me to make the video. We only get one body, it's important to look after it, so we cn enjoy playing long term :-)
Good video! I’ve been through all of this as I work on my game and you make a lot of good points. A couple things have helped me prevent pain. I spend time everyday doing rehab/prehab exercises. I also use racquets with an RA in the 55 to 62 range, strung with multifilament or gut.
Yes, depending on how much older and how physically able you’re talking about. It’s worth it. I started learning the modern forehand in my late 30s. I would never go back my old FH or backhand. The semi-open stance along with the hip and shoulder rotation provides so much more spin, depth control and easy power on the shots than the old school FH technique I learned as a teen in the 80s. It’s so much easier to rip it the modern way. Even my backhand went from a continental slice backhand to a topspin one-hander utilizing the proper grip change to get my knuckles in the right position so I can drop in the slot and flair the finish. More spin means I can hit bigger and the ball still drops in the court.
I appreciate your approach to improving your game. I’m 72 and constantly working on flexibility. Could you take us through a daily routine for flexibility? Thanks
Interesting video, perhaps you could expand on it in a future video, aimed at senior players and what they should be doing, if they’re not going to mimic modern moves, I’m now in that category and I’ve found mimicking the modern serve to be very helpful, tho I’m not sure at what cost to my body….. 🎾🎾🎾
I have various different videos that talk about modifications. It’s less about age and more about function. But as a generalization older players tend to have more issues.
That suggests you might not be driving the movement enough from your hip and torso. When you use the torso more it should naturally pull the non dominant arm around. Try thinking about hitting with your back hip and see if it helps.
Wrist extension is really a minor part of lag on the forehand. You don’t any more wrist extension than you showed to get good lag. Forearm supination and shoulder external rotation are the primary elements of lag.
disagree, those are parts of the lag but relaxed wrist is the primary factor. Watch the pros in slow mo, as the stroke goes forward the only thing that changes is the wrist 'lags' behind, then catches up about at contact.
Supination and shoulder external rotation are what allows the racked head to drop back, but the the wrist is in extension and the amount of extension is definitely a factor. You can see this looking at the angle's the top pro's achieve.
@@TennisHacker You can get the racquet fully lagged without wrist extension. It is awkward and the racquet face will be wide open so you certainly need some wrist extension to close the racquet face and to make it feel natural but you don’t need any more than normal extension even for older players. Normal wrist extension ROM is only 60 degrees. The wrist extension doesn’t often lead to more power. Djokovic often has his wrist still extended at contact. That’s why I say it is a minor effect. We all slap at the ball a bit now and then and get the wrist back to neutral at contact but that isn’t really a consistently powerful move.
@@TennisHacker BTW, JMO but the biggest impediment to learning the modern forehand for older players is the need to to load the leg and get a good hip and shoulder turn. Most just can’t do that for an entire match. I just watched Peter Smith (who is very flexible) and Bruce Man son Hing play father son dubs and although they were able to do it on some shots the sons loaded and turned on pretty much every forehand.
NextGen (rather than Modern) forehands and serves feel like being essential. Copy Nick Kyrgios & co for more effortless power. If you are 67 years old and overweight, you need power. I tell people that the whip effect is just a labour saving device, so that I can conserve energy.
No. Three fundamentals will ALWAYS improve your game regardless of age or level : proper footwork, hit the ball in the middle of the strings, and ball toss. Everything else will follow. Ignore them and it will cost you on the court. It does not take a degree in biomechanics to do these things. You do not win tennis matches with shots you've practiced and contorted yourself into playing a thousand times. You win tennis matches with being able to create the shot you need absolutely when you need it. You might not ever play that shot again in the match. It might not even be off your preferred wing. But THAT is the one you have to get right. Don't miss the middle of the strings then. Nice and solid, get it home, and get the break. Move on.
Racquet lag is primarily based on shoulder external rotation and supination, not on wrist extension. JMO, while having a greater ROM in external rotation is preferable the key is invoking the stretch reflex, both on the forehand and the serve. Older baseball pitchers tend to have minimal velocity loss despite significant reductions in ROM. The proven way to increase shoulder external rotation dynamic ROM is throwing overweight balls, although it is risky especially for older players.
This really hits home for me. I'm 64 now, and I can feel my physicality draining away. I have a classic "wood racuqet" style game, with a 1HBH (mostly sliced) and a continental grip FH. Just yesterday I had a conversation with a guy 20 years younger than me who said he's modernizing his game and asked why I don't. I told him the main reason is that I've never suffered from any kind of arm or shoulder trouble, and that at this point enjoying tennis and playing as often as my body will allow is a lot more important than hitting a Nadal FH. So, I'm old, my game is old school, and it's staying that way.
(BTW, some young guys really hate my Rosewall-special backhand.)
I've seen it so many times when players work with coaches and get injured trying to modernize their technique. As much as I love "improving", being able to enjoy playing pain free is always the first priority.
Yeah this is wise
Yes, it’s a quandary, for sure. Like you, I’m a tennis coach, - although 20years senior to you. I can hit, play and teach the modern game to juniors and young adults using modern equipment and techniques but when it comes to senior/veteran singles match play and tournaments I don’t use any of those modern strokes at all and none of the mod equip. either. (PS 85!). It’s kind of sad but … what I learnt as a kid just works best for me in matches.
Thank you for this video. This is the first time I have ever seen this subject addressed. I am over 70 snd I have been trying to learn the modern forehand without much success. I grew up in the 60’s with a wooden racket, stopped playing for over 30 years and the game and style has completely changed. After watching your video I think I’m just going to try to have fun and enjoy tennis. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed the video. It's fun trying to modernize strokes, but being healthy, injury free and enjoying the game is the most import thing.
Very helpful video. Like some other commenters, I’m of the age where I learned with a wood racquet, OHB, minimal top spin. I stopped playing for 35 years and started again two years ago. Of course almost everything about how to hit the ball had changed significantly. I’m not changing my OBH, just trying to get a bit more topspin by exaggerating my follow through. But trying to change my forehand grip and add topspin has proven to be really difficult. In fact, I recently developed a wrist tendinopathy for the first time ever and suspect that trying to emulate today’s pros is not a good idea. So I’m going to focus on footwork, hand eye coordination, the kinetic chain, consistency, and mental focus instead of trying to “modernize” my forehand. Thanks Richard.
Glad you found it helpful and thanks for taking the time to comment.
At 67 I developed and use my own techniques !! No one knows my body more than I do . Don’t copy or imitate anyone …. no matter how many slams they’ve won.
Flexibility can be worked on and improved/maintained. A person can still model alot of what's being done if they are willing to put in the extra work on a consistent basis.
Yep flexibility can be improved. And if someone has the strength, flexibility and coordination, then that's great. If they don't it can be a huge injury risk.
Very good instruction and advice. I’m almost 70, and it is painful to watch many older tennis and golf players, because of their lack of flexibility. I’ve seen tennis pros cause injuries, trying to teach/modify older players strokes their bodies cannot handle. However, most older players don’t want to improve flexibility, they just want to play…until they get injured..
Sadly I've also seen a lot of this, which is what inspired me to make the video. We only get one body, it's important to look after it, so we cn enjoy playing long term :-)
Good video! I’ve been through all of this as I work on my game and you make a lot of good points. A couple things have helped me prevent pain. I spend time everyday doing rehab/prehab exercises. I also use racquets with an RA in the 55 to 62 range, strung with multifilament or gut.
Prehab/rehab is such an important piece of the puzzle :-)
Yes, depending on how much older and how physically able you’re talking about. It’s worth it. I started learning the modern forehand in my late 30s. I would never go back my old FH or backhand. The semi-open stance along with the hip and shoulder rotation provides so much more spin, depth control and easy power on the shots than the old school FH technique I learned as a teen in the 80s. It’s so much easier to rip it the modern way.
Even my backhand went from a continental slice backhand to a topspin one-hander utilizing the proper grip change to get my knuckles in the right position so I can drop in the slot and flair the finish.
More spin means I can hit bigger and the ball still drops in the court.
I appreciate your approach to improving your game. I’m 72 and constantly working on flexibility. Could you take us through a daily routine for flexibility? Thanks
Very well said. Thanks!
great vid ... wise advice.
Interesting video, perhaps you could expand on it in a future video, aimed at senior players and what they should be doing, if they’re not going to mimic modern moves,
I’m now in that category and I’ve found mimicking the modern serve to be very helpful, tho I’m not sure at what cost to my body…..
🎾🎾🎾
I have various different videos that talk about modifications. It’s less about age and more about function. But as a generalization older players tend to have more issues.
Kinda like when you watch the NBA and decide whether it’s a good idea to work on dunking from the free throw line or not when age 45 and 5 ft 10
My issue is my spare arm still goes down to my side while hitting my forehand especially in competition matches
That suggests you might not be driving the movement enough from your hip and torso. When you use the torso more it should naturally pull the non dominant arm around. Try thinking about hitting with your back hip and see if it helps.
Are you trying to modernize your strokes?
Yep!
No. I am 65 and I can't afford any injuries if I want to play for a long time.
Wrist extension is really a minor part of lag on the forehand. You don’t any more wrist extension than you showed to get good lag. Forearm supination and shoulder external rotation are the primary elements of lag.
disagree, those are parts of the lag but relaxed wrist is the primary factor. Watch the pros in slow mo, as the stroke goes forward the only thing that changes is the wrist 'lags' behind, then catches up about at contact.
Supination and shoulder external rotation are what allows the racked head to drop back, but the the wrist is in extension and the amount of extension is definitely a factor. You can see this looking at the angle's the top pro's achieve.
@@TennisHacker You can get the racquet fully lagged without wrist extension. It is awkward and the racquet face will be wide open so you certainly need some wrist extension to close the racquet face and to make it feel natural but you don’t need any more than normal extension even for older players. Normal wrist extension ROM is only 60 degrees. The wrist extension doesn’t often lead to more power. Djokovic often has his wrist still extended at contact. That’s why I say it is a minor effect. We all slap at the ball a bit now and then and get the wrist back to neutral at contact but that isn’t really a consistently powerful move.
@@TennisHacker BTW, JMO but the biggest impediment to learning the modern forehand for older players is the need to to load the leg and get a good hip and shoulder turn. Most just can’t do that for an entire match. I just watched Peter Smith (who is very flexible) and Bruce Man son Hing play father son dubs and although they were able to do it on some shots the sons loaded and turned on pretty much every forehand.
NextGen (rather than Modern) forehands and serves feel like being essential. Copy Nick Kyrgios & co for more effortless power. If you are 67 years old and overweight, you need power. I tell people that the whip effect is just a labour saving device, so that I can conserve energy.
No. Three fundamentals will ALWAYS improve your game regardless of age or level : proper footwork, hit the ball in the middle of the strings, and ball toss. Everything else will follow. Ignore them and it will cost you on the court. It does not take a degree in biomechanics to do these things. You do not win tennis matches with shots you've practiced and contorted yourself into playing a thousand times. You win tennis matches with being able to create the shot you need absolutely when you need it. You might not ever play that shot again in the match. It might not even be off your preferred wing. But THAT is the one you have to get right. Don't miss the middle of the strings then. Nice and solid, get it home, and get the break. Move on.