How to hit a 1HBH?

[tennisrocks5]

I am currently using a two-handed backhand, but I am thinking of switching to a one-hander. Any advice on how to hit one? I know mostly the basics, but need some help with it.

[xtrakewl]

is ur 2hander not working?

[tennisrocks5]

is ur 2hander not working?

no not really. I either need help with that or switch to one hand.

[Interceptor]

Well start by using the correct grip, choose between an eastern backhand, a semi-western backhand, or something in between both these grips, which is the one I use, and for me it works great. You may also want to check this article if you want to know more about grips:

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/gear/general/general.aspx?id=649

Watching videos is always really good too, watch these:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9az5qWcLOTk
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4CNiWdu4kLw&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lLL8C7cBIC4&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZncVNX4vIOM&feature=related

[Bungalo Bill]

I am currently using a two-handed backhand, but I am thinking of switching to a one-hander. Any advice on how to hit one? I know mostly the basics, but need some help with it.

The basic way to hit a onehanded backhand is not difficult to understand. What makes it difficult is our "additions" to the stroke.

If you are going to learn the stroke, many players who learn it on their own are surprised to learn how simple, managable, and easy the motion is to perform. However, if you engrain those "additional" things and then try to unlearn those additional things to improve, it can be more difficult to learn it the right way.

The best frame of mind you should have when learning any stroke is to dismiss the thinking that says "I guess if it feels natural, I must be doing it right." I can't tell you how many people do things "naturally" that end up having to rework their strokes. So the proper mentality is to say "I am going to learn a technically correct stroke, and through practice make it automatic and natural."

So, what is a technically correct backhand?

THE ONEHANDED BACKHAND TECHNIQUE

Without discounting the legs and how they work in the stroke, some of the most important concepts to remember about the onehanded backhand are these:

1. It is a front foot hitting stroke: This means that you need to transfer your weight as your racquet is coming forward and get over your front foot as you are making contact - all the time, everytime. This can be a challenge when the ball is coming quickly and directly at you. A lot of players transfer their weight sluggishly, too slow, or too late.

http://sp1.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/25/m1/2003929518

2. The dominant hand needs to make a ridiculously simple pattern: I call it a "smile" pattern or a shallow U shaped pattern. I can't tell you how many self-taught players are plagued with a hitting hand pattern that is too much, too long, too big, and takes a loopy pattern that adds complexity to their timing and ability to hit cleanly.

It is also seriously neglected by teaching professionals, even those that have been in the profession for years. This little hand pattern is evident in nearly every professional onehanded backhand and is dominated and works in conjunction with the shoulder/unit turn.

Watch Blake's backhands in the video below and notice how the hand simply "rocks" back with the unit turn, stays within the width of the body and then rocks back bringing the racquet back to contact. It completes one half of the "smile" going back and completes the rest of the "smile" going through contact and into the followthrough.

Like I said, it is ridiculously simple and many teaching professionals either do not regonize this hand pattern as important, aren't looking for it, or simply don't realize that without this pattern a players issues with the onehanded backhand can continue even while trying to intervene instruction in other areas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0RJNlQbGps

3. Your rotation and the non-dominant arm: Rotation is important for the onehander, however, the onehander uses rotation a bit different then the twohander. There are about five body segments involved in the onehanded backhand to about two for the twohanded backhand. So coordinating and timing the movement of each segment in the onehander is a bit more challenging. Therefore, learning to use the non-dominant arm to control your rotation back into the ball is paramount. The use of the non-dominant arm actually assists the hitting arm to accelerate though contact. Rotation also includes having a sufficient shoulder turn.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/36/122958692_be9536f811.jpg

[drakulie]

BB, great post. I love Blakes BH>> it is so simple looking, it almost doesn't look right.

Anwway, coudl you give me some tips. I'm currently working on keeping my head more centered over my front foot, staying closed a bit longer,and letting my left leg "collapse" more so that I am using my legs to bend down, rather than using my waist (amongst other countless things).

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN8oGBlfPA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0YiWqP_svE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKMGtFudFKY

[Ian Stewart]

I am currently using a two-handed backhand, but I am thinking of switching to a one-hander. Any advice on how to hit one? I know mostly the basics, but need some help with it.

I wish I could help more. All I can really offer is timing, timing and timing. :) Other than that, align the buttcap to the ball, keep the arm straight but not tense, swing from the shoulder and lift for topspin. Oh and don't have a wimpy grip. :)

I wish you all the best! :)

[Ian Stewart]

Bungalo Bill you are a treasure. I bow in your presence! http://www.iwvpa.net/pahlaw/images/oam_18.gif

[Ian Stewart]

In Frank Early's Tennis Strokes That Win he encapsulated the idea of curbing over-rotation using the non-racquet arm in a snappy phrase he called the back blast. It's a nice metaphor and helped me visualise my backhand better. So I pass it on for others.

[wyutani]

I am currently using a two-handed backhand, but I am thinking of switching to a one-hander. Any advice on how to hit one? I know mostly the basics, but need some help with it.

the thing is, if ur bad at ur one-hander, it is easily noticeable. Then ppl tend to attack ur backhand more often.

[Mr. Anderson]

Bungalo Bill you are a treasure. I bow in your presence! http://www.iwvpa.net/pahlaw/images/oam_18.gif

It's not good to idolize another human. Please remove that.

[Ian Stewart]

It's not good to idolize another human. Please remove that.

Dude you need a sense of humor transplant? :rolleyes:

[wyutani]

Dude you need a sense of humor transplant? :rolleyes:

its called a funny bone.:)

[Ian Stewart]

its called a funny bone.:)

Ah so that's what that is? :)

[wyutani]

Ah so that's what that is? :)

yeah, someone with no sense of humour is in need of a funny bone, not a transplant. hahaha.

[drakulie]

It's not good to idolize another human. Please remove that.

Get lost and don't forget to buy a sense of humor at the flea market.

[Bungalo Bill]

It's not good to idolize another human. Please remove that.

Well, I really think he was just showing appreciation for the post. I am sure he was just kidding with the "bowing".

[Mr. Anderson]

Hey guys relax! I was kidding! You can't put your tone in words. It was just a joke!

[Mr. Anderson]

Get lost and don't forget to buy a sense of humor at the flea market.

Why don't you and your silly backhand get lost instead? Lmao chump

[Ian Stewart]

Well, I really think he was just showing appreciation for the post. I am sure he was just kidding with the "bowing".

Indeed master. ;) :twisted:

[drakulie]

Why don't you and your silly backhand get lost instead? Lmao chump

I see the visit to the flea market paid off. Good. that is what we are here for>>> to help one-another, whether it is with the game of tennis, or game of life.

[wyutani]

Indeed master. ;) :twisted:

Is ur master darth sidious or something. i wondering how a one-handed bh thread became star wars. weird.:)

[Mr. Anderson]

I see the visit to the flea market paid off. Good. that is what we are here for>>> to help one-another, whether it is with the game of tennis, or game of life.

Right on dude, I just got out of there and also bought a fake racket, some socks, pirated movies (hancock, batman, wanted) and the cheapest strings money can buy. jk

[Mr. Anderson]

Is ur master darth sidious or something. i wondering how a one-handed bh thread became star wars. weird.:)

seem not, as they are, things, beware, dark force, here I feel

[Ian Stewart]

BB, great post. I love Blakes BH>> it is so simple looking, it almost doesn't look right.

Anwway, coudl you give me some tips. I'm currently working on keeping my head more centered over my front foot, staying closed a bit longer,and letting my left leg "collapse" more so that I am using my legs to bend down, rather than using my waist (amongst other countless things).

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN8oGBlfPA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0YiWqP_svE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKMGtFudFKY

Drak if I may make one suggestion...

Don't open your body so soon. This will help you keep down on the shot and keep your head still. Two birds with one stone as they say.

Worth a shot.

Good luck. :)

[drakulie]

Drak if I may make one suggestion...

Don't open your body so soon. This will help you keep down on the shot and keep your head still. Two birds with one stone as they say.

Worth a shot.

Good luck. :)

Thank you sir. All suggestions welcome.

[Caladbolg]

Thank you sir. All suggestions welcome.

So that's you on the video. Are you the username "Djokovicfanforlife" as well?

[drakulie]

Yes, that is me in the video (Drakulie).

Djokovicfan4life, wanted me to post a video of me hitting bh's, in his thread.

[1hand4ever]

www.fuzzyyellowballs.com is the best site ever for learning your strokes.

[Interceptor]

Yes, that is me in the video (Drakulie).

Djokovicfan4life, wanted me to post a video of me hitting bh's, in his thread.

O_o I see. Hey how old are you?

[drakulie]

^^54 years young.

[Interceptor]

Hey do you have to make a certain amount of posts before you can put an avatar in your profile here?

[Interceptor]

^^54 years young.

Man you really look a lot younger than that! Are you kidding?

[wyutani]

Hey do you have to make a certain amount of posts before you can put an avatar in your profile here?

50 posts i guess mate'...

[Interceptor]

50 posts i guess mate'...

Hmm that sucks, I thought they were 20 or so

[drakulie]

Man you really look a lot younger than that! Are you kidding?

Yeah, I'm kidding. In my 30's. By the way, you have to have 50 posts for an avatar. Only posts in the Tips, general pro player, racquet, string section etc count. Posts in odds and ends and rant and raves don't.

Welcome to the boards.

[wyutani]

Hmm that sucks, I thought they were 20 or so

yeah, ha a. and dun post junks just cos you wanna put an avatar. haha.

[Bungalo Bill]

BB, great post. I love Blakes BH>> it is so simple looking, it almost doesn't look right.

Anwway, coudl you give me some tips. I'm currently working on keeping my head more centered over my front foot, staying closed a bit longer,and letting my left leg "collapse" more so that I am using my legs to bend down, rather than using my waist (amongst other countless things).

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYN8oGBlfPA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0YiWqP_svE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKMGtFudFKY

thanks, remind me to comment later. I am a bit tired, watched Phelps make history, and now to bed.

[Interceptor]

Yeah, I'm kidding. In my 30's. By the way, you have to have 50 posts for an avatar. Only posts in the Tips, general pro player, racquet, string section etc count. Posts in odds and ends and rant and raves don't.

Welcome to the boards.

That's what I thought, 30 something lol. Ok then, thanks.

yeah, ha a. and dun post junks just cos you wanna put an avatar. haha.

Hehehe that was the idea. Lol jk

[adamsieminski]

www.fuzzyyellowballs.com is the best site ever for learning your strokes.

Thanks 1Hand =)~