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Truth be told, that is really just modern movement theory. When a movement is more efficient it is safer and the mechanics are more effective.
Where you get into things that are interesting is, because we all REALLY have different bodies, something that might be efficient for me may not be for someone else. Forearm length, upper arm length, shape and range of motion in shoulder joint, legs, hips, length of spine, shape of vertebra.
This is part of why you see ML, ZJK, FZD or any other top player have such different strokes. ML's strokes may not work as well for ZJK's body. And these players developed their technique through years of practice.
One thing Schlager had besides his serves was an amazing BH. He was awkward in turning to FH. But, he is still doing a hell of a lot that is efficient in how he meets the ball or he would not get so much power.
One of the ways to see efficiency in technique is the effortless quality. The work might be hard. But the performance of that work still has an effortless quality. This is the case in great dancers, gymnasts, or any other physical endeavor. Say, with a great dancer, and comparing that dancer to a really good dancer, they will do a lot of the same things, the same movements. The great dancer will make those movements look more effortless. The really good dancer will still do the same movements and do them quite well. But you will see a little more of the effort in their movement quality.
But what technique will be right for a person, will be dependent on so many things including joints, muscles, fitness level, bone lengths.
What is consistent is that it will always be a complex chain of events, kinetic chains, synchronous movement patterns and muscle actions that create the movement. And the things that one should be paying attention to while performing those movements are often not the ones people would think they should be paying attention to. And certainly, paying attention to the biomechanics of the movement while attempting the movement will interfere with the process.
Completely agree Carl, I'm trying to make a similar point, but you put it more eloquently. Your writing technique is better than mine
@Lula, yes I think players playing closer to the table would use less of everything, as there's less time.