From: Jim McLennan [jimmclennan948@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 6:47 PM
To: jmargolies@tennisone.com
Subject: andy sugg complete I hope

Andy Sugg analysis by Tom March

Let’s break down the forehand stroke into four basic phases:

1) The take back or backswing
2) The lowest part of the swing
3) The contact point
4) The follow through

1) 	The first part of Andy’s swing is seems to be an attempt to emulate Andy 
Roddick, Pete Sampras or Marat Safin.  All three players lead the racquet 
take back with the end of the handle going back first and the racquet- head 
pointing forward.  All three have fantastic forehands but this type of 
backswing doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best way to prepare.  Their 
backswing is more an individual characteristic rather than something to be 
mimicked (see Jack Broudy and the 8 – board for the diametrically opposite 
point of view).  Far too many players get caught up with the personal 
touches of certain professionals, rather than noticing the similar 
components of the professional strokes.  Note how all the great players 
rotate their upper body and just let the racquet go back with the turn (see 
Agassi in the Pro Strokes Gallery).  When the handle rather than the head 
leads the racquet take-back this may complicate matters because the racquet 
will have to be corrected later to get it in to the proper position.  Is it 
possible yes, positive no.
Interestingly, when the players whip the racquet for power they more often 
prepare racquet handle first, when they are blocking or defending they 
prepare racquet head first.

My suggestion for Andy would be to let the racquet head lead back with the 
body turn rather than leading with the handle.  It is possible to take the 
racquet back handle first, but head first makes things less complicated in 
faster paced ball exchange (and a good example here is David Nalbandian 
whose strokes look simple and rhythmic rather than whippy).

2)	Although Andy is taking the ball on the rise and in this case it is not 
as necessary to get as low under the ball as usual, I still feel that he 
could be getting his racquet more under the ball and use more of a low to 
high motion as his basic swing format.

3) 	Andy has a good contact point out in front of the body and I like the 
way that he continues to lead the racquet to the target through a long 
hitting zone.

4) 	Andy’s follow through is very good.  He has a nice long extension to the 
target.

A final observation on stance and footwork.  I feel that his stance is 
somewhat narrow and the footwork is not dynamic enough for a player with his 
obvious talents and capabilities.  I call it “Graveyard Feet” because they 
look kind of dead.  I would much rather see “Disco Feet”, 70”s revival baby. 
  Go John Travolta.

Andy Sugg analysis by Jim McLennan

	As in many things, Andy, I see things from the other side of the street.  I 
was more aware of your balance, the use of your ankles knees and legs, and 
how they contributed to your stroke.  But before any further analysis, it is 
important to note how relaxed and somehow happy you look on court.  This is 
much more important than generally noted, for sometimes junior players 
building their games rely on effort, overwork and grimace rather than grace 
ease and style.  When you are happy on court you will have many years of 
continuous enjoyment and improvement.

	As to the legs, “push on the ground and the ground pushes back.”  Meaning 
one can generate more force swinging a bat, racquet, golf club, or throwing 
punches when pushing against a firm and stable surface than one would 
against a slippery, uneven or soft surface.  Further, when pushing against 
the ground, using both legs equally, a dual
leg drive, will generate more force than using one leg more than the other.  
For this note the balance of Barry Bonds or Andre Agassi as they settle down 
into their dual leg drive.  Finally, if pushing against the ground generates 
the force for a swing, then using the ankles the knees and the legs will be 
better than just the ankles or just the knees.  Note in the Pro Strokes 
Gallery how deep Agassi’s crouch is prior to his unleashing the forehand 
swing.

	So Andy, I suggest you widen your stance, lower yourself, remain centered 
between your two legs, and then initiate the swing from this position.

	Follow-through.  Andy I note a long and somewhat contrived follow-through 
where your racquet finishes well over the shoulder, as nearly all the 
coaches recommend.  However, it appears your arm generates this finish, 
rather than using the legs to create the force that naturally causes this 
type of follow-through.  Said another way, the follow-trough is simply 
evidence of the amount of leg drive, don’t make a follow-through but rather 
just allow it.

	Finally, a word about college.  Your semi-western grip is fine for baseline 
topspin, but may be limited in the approaching phase of the game, and this 
grip is a long way from the continental grips required at the net.  Consider 
building a more fluent forehand where you can change to a lower semi-western 
for the topspin whip, the regular semi western for routine baseline shots, 
but an eastern forehand for return of serve and approach, leading to a nifty 
continental at the net.

Best wishes for many years of great and growing tennis skills

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