In the videos below, we look at the next stage of the takeback. After being clear about the location of the face of the racquet, it is necessary to move the racquet into a position from which it can be advanced in a stable manner at high speeds. At low rally speeds, this is not critical.

Click image to see video	Click image to see video

The key frames to study from each video are seen below.

Key Frames from the Takeback Videos

While the players' exact maximum takeback positions differ due to subtle differences in their stroke, the racquet face is oriented so that it will undergo minimal change in orientation as it is advanced. The wrist is locked down in one dimension with the racquet face perpendicular to the court surface. This signals that the players are preparing to hit a high-speed ball. At this point, the racquet must not wobble if it is to remain stable as it is advanced at a high speed.

Also note that the player on the right has a more compact takeback than the player on the left and thus a more conservative stroke. This is indicated by the degree to which the elbow joint is expanded and how close the elbow is to the body.

The next lesson examines the final stage of the takeback.