Hey has anyone else noticed the Ma Long's free arm is quite strange. When he play's his backhand he seems to hide his bat with it, and when he play's his forehand his arm comes right across him stretched out. I know you use you free arm for timing and balance but why is Ma Long's free arm so weird?
I have only noticed this in the last week. I am relatively new to the sport (2 years). I believe there are a number of benefits to what he is doing with his left hand/arm. These are my observations since trying it.
Backhand
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Holding your arm out keeps your shoulders rounded and stops you from coming up on the shot.
The arm gives you a visual guide for when to hit the ball, ie: just at or past the hand, which will stop you reaching for the ball early (so cool).
It also stop you hitting the ball outside your body (to the left) and makes you either lean or move your feet (also very cool) - an arm that helps with footwork ... who would have thought!
It also makes your hitting arm start at the right height for the ball, that is, if you lift your left arm to the height of the ball, your right arm naturally comes up with it, as do your shoulders and upper body, so your whole body position is better and more in control simply due to placing your hand/arm at the height the ball will be when you want to contact it. Both arm heights seem to naturally work together.
Forehand
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I believe his arm movement on the forehand is for similar reasons as the backhand.
He seems to use it for timing, that is, contact the ball near where his left hand is before his forward rotation starts. This way he is less likely to hit the ball to early or late as he has a visual reference for contact point rather than an "empty space:.
It also helps with his shoulder rotation. He gets same shoulder rotation with same arm placement which improves consistency. Ensure shoulders are side on.
It also helps with distance from the body contact the ball, that is, if he contacts the ball at where his left hand was (or there abouts) before the forward rotation begins, then he will be consistently at full (or near full) extension with the right arm, and again, not be reaching too far for the ball or be cramped.
I am so trying to implement this approach and it has made quite good improvements to consistency already.
Some slow motion to support my theories.
Good hitting!