Changing backhand form

Geoff Mr. Asked 10 years ago

 Hello Alois & Jeff,

I have taken my game back to the basics in efforts to improve my fundamentals.  Most of my work has been on my forehand which is feeling stronger now.  My question to you is about my backhand stroke.  Compared to the rest of my game, I currently have a fairly strong backhand counter-hit as well as backhand top-spin.  However I leave my elbow lower than a good coach would suggest – maybe 6” from my stomach.  When I raise my elbow to “text-book” position, my back-hand feels really awkward.  I am in great health but in my late 50’s and as you know it takes a bit longer for a man my age to “re-learn” muscle memory than it does a younger person.  So my question is “How important do you feel it is that I take the time to re-learn my back-hand stroke to get the elbow position “correct?”