Always Striking with bent elbow?

Question

My coach keeps saying to not hit the ball with a bent elbow, but for some reason, all my good shots come from bending my elbow while fully extending my arm makes me lose accuracy and consistency in my shots.

Is there any advantage to a bent elbow? What are the advantages to a fully extended army during a swing?

Answer 1

If you uncoil and release upon impact, your bent elbow can make your shots all rocket-launcher like, so it'll be good, and powerful. Fully extending your arm is the same thing, but it takes time to get used to, and you can do this to help guide your ball better, or aim or hit shots in certain directions better. Whatever you're best at, just do it! It's not like you'll be the best if someone else tells you to do something you're not good at, right?

Answer 2

all your good shots now come from your "bent" elbow, but it won't help you if you want to improve.

the advantage of a bent elbow is more control.

disadvantage is that you won't have your potential power. yea, it feels a bit loose now, but you'll get used to it after a while.

don't fully extend your arm complete though. it can be slightly bent. just keep it loose and relaxed.