The Federer Puff, more than hot air

One armed tennis players, let me mention an observation about the Federer backhand.  

He is getting about 20 MPH of momentum from his shoulder blade muscles.  He has his shoulder blades squeezed behind him, maximum squeeze at impact.  The guy does isometrics to strengthen that power.  Pete Sampras started the idea, but Roger took it to new heights.

Normally we think of the puff as a counterpose, designed to keep the spine rotationally stable thru the stroke.  But hidden in that function is the shoulder blade squeeze, coaches miss that, it is a power inducer.

There is an inverse, the forehand contraction, working just the opposite.  Seldom used, but the counterpose motion of the sub-dominant arm take the Federer puff in reverse.  I created a drill to test counterpose.  I put 1.5 lb on the wrists, and 2.5 lb on the ankles, then drill the wall or machine.   The idea tis to sufficiently do the counterpose motion so the dominant foot remains mostly planted, after set up while the spine is rotationally stable.  Notice the dominant arm can make subtle changes in the stroke, but the sub-dominant arm and leg re-balance quickly.