A stretch blow molding machine and method are provided for forming a container. A preform is expanded to a first configuration in a blow mold of a stretch blow molding machine. A stretching rod element is introduced to the blow mold to expand the preform from the first configuration to a second configuration. The stretching rod element moves axially in the blow mold in a stretching direction. The plastic perform is temporarily coupled to the stretching rod element during at least a period of time of the expansion of the preform from the first configuration to the second configuration for influencing a behavior of the perform during the expansion.