In this discussion, we take a closer look at the Roddick forehand stages. Below left is the takeback stage, and to the right is an animation of the five stages, following our customary analysis format.

In the takeback, the arm is stretched out as far as possible to provide for the opportunity to gain some speed during the contraction stage. Below left is a rollover image showing the transition from the takeback position to the contraction position. As is typical in a professional forehand, the racquet is contracted forward by the butt, avoiding introducing any rotational motion that might destabilize the stroke. We reemphasize that the slightest unnecessary rotation at this point could result in a complete breakdown of the stroke, even before the strike stage is reached. Below right is a rollover image illustrating the transition from the contraction stage to the strike stage. It is at this point that the Roddick and Agassi forehands sometimes differ. Roddick usually prefers to rotate his shoulders to an open position whereas Agassi customarily keeps his shoulders more closed. However, these are not rules. Either player is capable of executing the other's preferred forehand, and this is not infrequent.

Below left is a rollover illustrating the transition from the rotation stage to the acceleration stage. Below right is a rollover illustrating the transition from the acceleration stage to the strike stage. The actual strike at the professional level may be as short as 4 to 6 inches and thus barely perceptible using high-speed photography of 500 frames per second. (Current high-speed video is shot at 180 frames per second, which is far too slow to catch these subtleties of movement.) We go into the exact movement required to get a solid "pop" on the ball in our next lesson.

In the last illustration above, the left shoulder is not rotated as far as Roddick typically rotates his since we are going through the movement slowly.