Prepare Early - But not Too Early!
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

Beginners are invariably told to "prepare early!" It's good advice while you're developing your technique. However, performance players who are looking for a little extra racket speed must pay some attention to biomechanics.

The backswing stage of the action involves stretching the muscles to store elastic energy for the forward swing. If there is too much of a pause between the backswing and the forward swing, the benefit of the stored energy can be lost. Obviously it's not good if your elastic gives out on you!

For maximum efficiency, try to time it so that there's little or no pause between the completion of your backswing and the start of your forward swing.

If you're used to taking the racket back very early, you might find it a useful compromise to prepare early and then quickly take the racket back still further prior to swinging forwards.

Regards.

Dave Winship