PUSH and PULL Strategies in the Tennis Forehand: A Short Review in Biomechanical Perspective

Daewon Kim; Minho Kim; Sukwon Kim

doi:10.55524/ijirem.2026.13.4.9

Abstract

The tennis forehand is a complex multisegment movement in which racket velocity and ball behavior emerge from coordinated contributions of the body and upper extremity. A recent approach has described forehand stroke organization using two broad strategies: PUSH and PULL. The PUSH strategy is characterized by a relatively direct and linear racket path, whereas the PULL strategy involves greater multiplanar movement and rotational contributions. However, these strategies should not be regarded as mutually exclusive techniques or interpreted in terms of a simple inferior–superior relationship. Rather, they may represent different positions along a biomechanical continuum of forehand organization. This short review examines the PUSH–PULL concept in relation to existing research on tennis forehand biomechanics, segmental coordination, racket-head velocity, spin production, and muscle activation. Previous biomechanical studies demonstrate that effective forehand performance can be achieved through different combinations of proximal and distal segment motion and that stroke organization varies according to skill level, stroke direction, stance, spin intention, and other task constraints. Electromyographic differences between strategies may indicate different neuromuscular organizations, but EMG amplitude alone cannot establish differences in muscle force, joint power, mechanical efficiency, or intersegmental energy transfer. Accordingly, PUSH and PULL are proposed as descriptive endpoints of a flexible movement continuum rather than fixed technical categories. Future research combining continuous kinematics, joint kinetics, racket and ball outcomes, and neuromuscular measures is required to establish the mechanical significance of this framework.

Keywords

Tennis, Forehand, Biomechanics, Push, Pull, Segmental Coordination, EMG

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Cites this article as

D. Kim, M. Kim, S. Kim, "PUSH and PULL Strategies in the Tennis Forehand: A Short Review in Biomechanical Perspective", International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering and Management (IJIREM), Vol-13, Issue-4, Page No-75-79, 2026. Available from: https://doi.org/10.55524/ijirem.2026.13.4.9