Finishing over the same shoulder?
Hi all,
In the latest of Oscar's DVDs, he mentions that there are basically 3 finishes to a typical forehand stroke: 1) over the opposite shoulder 2) "windshield-wiper" across the body and also 3) over the SAME shoulder.
I have found as I have played more tennis and developed more forceful strokes, there was a progression from mainly over the opposite (left) shoulder finishes to a lower "windshield-wiper" finish (ending around my left hip).
Now, I have found myself hitting more and more forehands which finish over the same (right) shoulder. I believe this is sometimes called the "reverse forehand" or the "over-the-head" finish. Today, I made a conscious effort to count what finish I was using on my forehand and over 80% were of this "over-the-head" type.
The results I am producing are a tremendous amount of topspin and good power but I am wondering if there is anything wrong with such a strong preference for this type of forehand finish? I note that Oscar/MTM typically teach the standard "over the opposite shoulder finish", followed by the WW finish. Some people I play with have remarked that my forehand looks "strange", "uncomfortable", "surely not good for your arm" etc.
Should I consciously try to scale this back and revert back to the standard finish?
Ed
Reverse Forehand Addiction
I know what you mean about using the reverse forehand often - it just feels really great to use that stroke, and it looks pretty cool. However, at Oscar's suggestion I have broken the habit of using it too much. He told me it's OK to use it as long as you are doing so deliberately and with control. The windshield wiper and over-the-shoulder finishes are such effective weapons, however, that getting fixated on the one forehand stroke would seem to limit your arsenal. I do use it as an "emergency" shot if I get jammed deep by the fence on high balls, but this is because I can control my shot better in that instance, precicely what Oscar recommended.