Inconsistent 1HBH driving me crazy

[limitup]

My inconsistent 1HBH is starting to drive me crazy. I've actually thought about learning a 2HBH but after trying it for a few hours it just feels waaaay too awkward and I think I need to tough it out with the 1 hander.

Anyway, I think my main problem has to do with the wrist.

On forehands the wrist is usually laid back all the way, so the wrist position is not really a variable. It's the same every time. Sure you can get fancy and "snap" your wrist before or at contact, but for the most part this doesn't have that big of an impact on whether the ball lands in or out.

With the 1HBH it's a completely different story, because the position of your wrist affects how open or closed the racquet face is at contact.

So basically my 1HBH is just totally inconsistent. When I hit it right I can rip winners, but I hit way too many balls into the net and way too many balls long. For some reason my wrist is all over the place on the 1HBH.

During the backswing and loop my wrist is pretty much laid back, and then on the forward part of the swing I basically "loosen" my wrist and aim for a pretty straight wrist at contact. Of course I try to hold my wrist in a fixed position at contact, I just mean it's not fully laid back like during the loop.

Anyway I don't know what the heck I'm doing wrong. I've been practicing this shot for awhile now. If I hit with a ball machine I can hit 100s of backhands in a row over the net, but as soon as I start moving around in a real match my wrist seems to have a mind of its own.

Anyone have any tips for me? I don't even know where to go from here ...

[Rickson]

Stick with the one hander and it'll pay off in the long run.

[autumn_leaf]

My inconsistent 1HBH is starting to drive me crazy. I've actually thought about learning a 2HBH but after trying it for a few hours it just feels waaaay too awkward and I think I need to tough it out with the 1 hander.

Anyway, I think my main problem has to do with the wrist.

On forehands the wrist is usually laid back all the way, so the wrist position is not really a variable. It's the same every time. Sure you can get fancy and "snap" your wrist before or at contact, but for the most part this doesn't have that big of an impact on whether the ball lands in or out.

With the 1HBH it's a completely different story, because the position of your wrist affects how open or closed the racquet face is at contact.

So basically my 1HBH is just totally inconsistent. When I hit it right I can rip winners, but I hit way too many balls into the net and way too many balls long. For some reason my wrist is all over the place on the 1HBH.

During the backswing and loop my wrist is pretty much laid back, and then on the forward part of the swing I basically "loosen" my wrist and aim for a pretty straight wrist at contact. Of course I try to hold my wrist in a fixed position at contact, I just mean it's not fully laid back like during the loop.

Anyway I don't know what the heck I'm doing wrong. I've been practicing this shot for awhile now. If I hit with a ball machine I can hit 100s of backhands in a row over the net, but as soon as I start moving around in a real match my wrist seems to have a mind of its own.

Anyone have any tips for me? I don't even know where to go from here ...

i went through most of this myself and still am. i did switch to a 2hbh for a few months but it didn't work out for me.

also it just sounds like you're over thinking it. i did this with my serve too, i thought about stuff i never would concentrate on when i was practice like where my feet are placed and the way i hold my racquet (like if my thumb can touch my index finger or not). i think this is quite common when you're doing a shot you're not confident in to over think the mechanics.

try playing against some friends in matches or turn your ball machine to ocsillate if it can and feed it fast so you get to hit shots when you're being rushed.

[aimr75]

have you tried taking a video of yourself during the match situations? could be doing something you have no idea youre doing..

I usually stuff up my 1hbh due to my movement or lack there of.. when im not in position, i dont do too well.. since its occuring during matches where you have to move, maybe footwork is your issue

[kelz]

Learn the slice?

[Hoders]

I found the biggest single things that made a difference to mine was:

1) The correct grip
2) Hitting the ball in front of me
3) Keeping my head down
4) Hitting the ball with a consistent contact point

It was amazing that until a coach was watching and watching for these things I was getting between 1 and 4 correct on each shot. 1 correct - bad shot, 2/3 correct - OK shot but inconsistent, 4 correct = better shot.

At the end of the day the only bit that matters is what the racket is doing when it is in contact with the ball. All we are doing by moving our feet, taking the racket back, following through is improving the probability that the mechanics surrounding the point of impact are as they should be.

If you haven't got a good coach - find one - they can make such a difference combined with some practise.

[nevergiveup]

I found the biggest single things that made a difference to mine was:

3) Keeping my head down


Can you explain that a little bit more? Is that a common problem or something that was bothering just you. I mean, if you watch the ball, your head is ok, no?

[stormholloway]

My inconsistent 1HBH is starting to drive me crazy. I've actually thought about learning a 2HBH but after trying it for a few hours it just feels waaaay too awkward and I think I need to tough it out with the 1 hander.

Anyway, I think my main problem has to do with the wrist.

On forehands the wrist is usually laid back all the way, so the wrist position is not really a variable. It's the same every time. Sure you can get fancy and "snap" your wrist before or at contact, but for the most part this doesn't have that big of an impact on whether the ball lands in or out.

With the 1HBH it's a completely different story, because the position of your wrist affects how open or closed the racquet face is at contact.

First, I can almost promise you that your biggest problems with this shot have nothing to do with the wrist. Keep the wrist firm in a neutral position throughout this shot. Just keep the wrist out of it. I bet you have bigger problems.

So basically my 1HBH is just totally inconsistent. When I hit it right I can rip winners, but I hit way too many balls into the net and way too many balls long. For some reason my wrist is all over the place on the 1HBH.

During the backswing and loop my wrist is pretty much laid back, and then on the forward part of the swing I basically "loosen" my wrist and aim for a pretty straight wrist at contact. Of course I try to hold my wrist in a fixed position at contact, I just mean it's not fully laid back like during the loop.

Anyway I don't know what the heck I'm doing wrong. I've been practicing this shot for awhile now. If I hit with a ball machine I can hit 100s of backhands in a row over the net, but as soon as I start moving around in a real match my wrist seems to have a mind of its own.

Anyone have any tips for me? I don't even know where to go from here ...

First tip is to forget the wrist. My one hander has gone from zero to hero. All I did was focus on the first step out in front after turning my shoulder. Then as your hips slide forward, let that momentum carry the racquet forward. If your balls are going into the net then you need to rotate the shoulder less when compared to how much you're driving through. Let the racquet do the work. That's a start, but it'd be nice to see a video.

Also don't forget that to hit a topspin shot the racquet face must at some point be lower than the ball at contact.

[Charlzz]

One mistake I see with some people is that they flick their wrist on impact to try to get spin. Pay attention to your hand. It should end near shoulder height. What you sometimes see is once a person has contacted the ball, the hand stops moving and the momentum of the racquet head causes the racquet to lift up creating that wristy shot.

To practice, hold the racquet as you would when you hit the ball. This would be around waist height. Lift your arm up, but have the racquet oriented the same direction (as if racquet were going up an escalator). The racquet should continue to move up and forward until the ball is significantly away. Once the hand is getting close to shoulder height

Roger Federer backhand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyjp1_xEAfU)

Notice the angle of the wrist and racquet at impact. For a fraction of a second after that the angle is mostly maintained as Federer's arm continues to rise. Then there is a bit of a wrist rotation as he eventually has the racquet pointing up. The more you can maintain that angle through impact, the better your consistency should be.

Also notice that the racquet face points to the net, through impact and a significant part of the follow through, and only points to the side after his arm is quite well into the follow through. Thus, he doesn't have the racquet pointed to the ground or to the sky.

I would also suggest practicing hitting the shot at half-pace and not try to hit the ball as hard as you can. Although you would like to hit winners now, getting the motion right and the consistency right is more important at this stage, otherwise there will be a tendency to flick the wrist leading to a more uncontrolled shot.

[Garvy]

Notice the angle of the wrist and racquet at impact. For a fraction of a second after that the angle is mostly maintained as Federer's arm continues to rise. Then there is a bit of a wrist rotation as he eventually has the racquet pointing up. The more you can maintain that angle through impact, the better your consistency should be.

Also notice that the racquet face points to the net, through impact and a significant part of the follow through, and only points to the side after his arm is quite well into the follow through. Thus, he doesn't have the racquet pointed to the ground or to the sky.


I would not call it "wrist rotation" after contact. In general the arm rotates from the shoulder and the wrist doesn't break down at all, it just "relaxes" in the later part of the follow through.

[darkvard]

Try hitting more infront of you and giving it an upward flick this should stop all net balls make sure your hand is above your shoulder after you swing

[mikeler]

Also make sure you are getting a full body turn. Hitting an open stance 1 hander is not an easy task.

[wyutani]

Stick with the one hander and it'll pay off in the long run.

who says?:confused:

[Charlzz]

I would not call it "wrist rotation" after contact. In general the arm rotates from the shoulder and the wrist doesn't break down at all, it just "relaxes" in the later part of the follow through.

I stand corrected.

[In D Zone]

As most of the comments mentioned above - don't focus on the wrist.

Work on your backhand preparation - shoulder turn and footwork need to work as a unit. This is definitely a timing issue.

Try swing the 1bh with a bit more topspin (low to high).
Hitting to the net - means you are hitting it way too flat, ball is travelling low to the net.
Hitting over the baseline - means you are moving your head up (too early) to see your shot causing your following thru to go long (out of control). You must hold your head still as you complete your follow thru.

[FuriousYellow]

Hang in there limitup. It wasn't too long ago I felt the same way about my BH.

Aside from other tips already offerred have you looked at your feet as the problem? You say your BH is fine when you take feeds from the ball-machine, so I take it you do know the mechanics of the stroke.

How many small adjustment steps are you making before start your swing? Are you reaching for the ball or getting jammed? Those are usually good indications of footwork issues. I had similar issues until a teaching pro pointed out I was making 4-5 small adjustment steps on my FH but only 1-2 on my BH. It's really helped my ability to hit the 1HBH on the move.

It sounds like you're on the right track.

[stormholloway]

As most of the comments mentioned above - don't focus on the wrist.

Work on your backhand preparation - shoulder turn and footwork need to work as a unit. This is definitely a timing issue.

Try swing the 1bh with a bit more topspin (low to high).
Hitting to the net - means you are hitting it way too flat, ball is travelling low to the net.
Hitting over the baseline - means you are moving your head up (too early) to see your shot causing your following thru to go long (out of control). You must hold your head still as you complete your follow thru.

Hitting the net doesn't necessarily mean he's hitting too flat. You can hit the ball into the court with zero topspin. There are essentially three variables: force against the ball, lift, and the angle of the racquet face. You simply have to feel these things out.

He needs to take the wrist out of the equation. The power comes predominantly from the shoulder and tricep, but if you prepare properly your legs and hips can help build a lot of energy before the arm ever gets involved in the uncoiling.

[Djokovicfan4life]

who says?:confused:

I do! :)

To the OP, I would advise against making a loop during your back-swing. You should be making a simple "smile" pattern instead. This video should demonstrate this pattern, although it's not at the best camera angle. Watch how the hand traces out an imaginary smile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTyyITw-fyo&feature=related

[limitup]

Yeah I was going to say the same thing. My problem is definitely the angle of the racquet face.

When I hit into the net it's simply because the racquet face is too closed, either caused by 1) my wrist pointing "down" too much or 2) hitting the ball too early in my forward swing. And vice versa when the balls sail long. Either 1) my wrist is laid back too much which opens the face or 2) hitting the ball too late in the swing and thus the face is too open.

I'm going to try to video myself to see what's going on. Maybe my contact point just isn't consistent enough. I just keep thinking it's my wrist, because it feels like the angle of my wrist is not always consistent at contact (but hard to verify without video)

[stormholloway]

Again, put the wrist out of your mind. Just keep it firm and focus on generating effortless power. The wrist is only involved to the extent that it helps keep the racquet in your hand.

If the ball goes into the net, tilt your raquet face up more. If it goes long, tilt it down, or add topspin with the shoulder. Every ball you hit, notice what is happening to the ball and adjust appropriately.

[limitup]

If the ball goes into the net, tilt your raquet face up more. If it goes long, tilt it down

I hear ya. But that involves moving the wrist, so it's hard not to think about. :)

[andrew_fernando2]

I hear ya. But that involves moving the wrist, so it's hard not to think about. :)

racquet plane can be determined by your grip and swing plane in relation to contact point.

your wrist can snap (or release), but only after conact. review clips of federer and blake; and compare. that snap is a result of a relaxed wrist not a foreceful one. but this is to say that no one way is correct.

maybe try hitting a wall for footwork.

or feed yourself off of a drop from the intersection of the service boxes. i have done this to practice getting the ball up and down quickly and as a result i have begun to develop very much feel for the my proper technique.

[mikeler]

The wrist should really only be used on a 1 handed backhand on a half volley type shot. If the ball is out in front of you, you should keep your wrist locked. While it may appear that the topspin the pros are generating is coming from a wrist snap, it is mostly due to the classic low to high motion of their racket head.

[downdaline]

Everyone's been talking about the wrist movement so I'll offer something a little different.

FOOTWORK.

Improve your footwork and you will be able to get in a better position faster to hit your one-hander. That way, you will rarely be out of position or caught off-balance, and thus forced to hit awkward backhands which may lead to instinctive wrist movement.

My onehander improved significantly when i focused on my footwork and footspeed. I was less rushed and had more time to setup for the backhand, and over time, i even learned to hit effective running backhands, which are a joyous shot to make.

[shintan17]

I have the same issue. For one day, my 1HBH feels like I can't miss, then the next week, it's gone and hit it like a complete beginner. It's tough...

[Rickson]

Time to run around and hit forehands.

[drakulie]

see post below :

[drakulie]

To the OP: after all the advice you are given, you keep talking about the wrist. The wrist is stable and does not move during this stroke. Period.

I suggest you take lessons, or go learn golf.

[Fedace]

If your grip is too big, can this cause inconsistant 1 handed backhand ?? and last month's issue of Tennis Magazine had a great picture sequence of Gasquet hitting his backhand. It saids something about having a V form on impact with the ball.

[Djokovicfan4life]

The wrist should really only be used on a 1 handed backhand on a half volley type shot. If the ball is out in front of you, you should keep your wrist locked. While it may appear that the topspin the pros are generating is coming from a wrist snap, it is mostly due to the classic low to high motion of their racket head.

The wrist should NOT be used for a half volley. This shot is no different from a low volley in terms of technique, the only difference is you're taking it off of the bounce, obviously. Would you use your wrist for low volleys? Of course not.

[Rickson]

Gasquet has a very pronounced extended wrist on his takeback.

[Djokovicfan4life]

To the OP: after all the advice you are given, you keep talking about the wrist. The wrist is stable and does not move during this stroke. Period.

I suggest you take lessons, or go learn golf.

I don't know, Drak. The wrist definitely supinates during the follow through: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUQxb4ZtR-4

[Rickson]

Gasquet definitely goes from an extended wrist to a neutral wrist, but if you think about it, one never needs to be in the extended wrist position.

[Fedace]

Gasquet has a very pronounced extended wrist on his takeback.

I agree with you, something i would not teach to the Juniors. but his swing becomes Picture Perfect once his swing starts the forward motion....:)

[Rickson]

You teach tennis?

[Fedace]

You teach tennis?

I teach disadvantaged kids who can't afford private club's ridiculous fees. If the kid is real talented then i refer them to the local USTA junior coordinator and they find a program for them. and they work something out with the parents... Call me a Saint ,,,if you will...:)

[Rickson]

Does it pay well?

[Fedace]

Does it pay well?

No, of course not. I am donating my time for the good of the children. I do it with 2 other guys and it is very rewarding to see the happy and joyful expressions on these kid's faces. these kids have very little and wasn't born with silver spoon in their mouth and need something like this. we also donate used rackets to the program as well. :)

[drakulie]

I don't know, Drak. The wrist definitely supinates during the follow through: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUQxb4ZtR-4


The entire arm supinates (not just the wrist), and it is well after contact.

[Rickson]

Then you are a good guy, ace.

[Chauvalito]

I switched at the age of 15 or so, which is a bit late in my opinion and suffered for about 2 years with an inconsistent backhand. My saving grace was a ridiculously consistent slice that I learned to place anywhere.

After all that time my one-hander has developed quite well and I am happy with it. Angles and placement are consistent and are hit with ease.

Of course I still have issues if my feet get lazy or if I am not in position, but I would not trade my one hander for a two-hander at this point, as a result of playing with a one hander I have developed a consistent slice as well as great feel on my backhand volleys.

Give it time and consistent practice and I am sure your backhand will become consistent and possibly a weapon.

[Fedace]

^^^How do you develop this ridiculously consistant slice 1-hander backhand ??? i am finding that if the slice backhand lands short, it gets punished. it needs to be both consistant and DEEP. and if your grip is too big then can that hurt the 1-hander backhand ??

[Chauvalito]

^^^How do you develop this ridiculously consistant slice 1-hander backhand ??? i am finding that if the slice backhand lands short, it gets punished. it needs to be both consistant and DEEP. and if your grip is too big then can that hurt the 1-hander backhand ??

In the beginning my topspin one hander was nearly useless, I would use it in practice in order to improve, but once I got into a match I would invariably choose too slice.

Multiply that over hundreds of matches and hours of practice, and the result is a consistent deep backhand, and a great feel for drop shots and volleys.

I have even hit slice passing shots, that's how much more confidence I had in my slice than my one handed topspin backhand.

My point is that nothing will happen overnight, it takes many hours, a lot of headache and dedication, that is the only way to improve any stroke. It also is imperative that you have proper instruction. I was coached by a former D1 player who trained at Newcombe, where I also trained, so that helped immensely.

I usually do not offer instructional advice because I think there are others who are better equipped to teach, on this board, and out in the real world.

As far as grip size is concerned, it really comes down to a personal feel. I use a 3/8 grip, on Wilson/Dunlop rackets I use a leather grip with one overgrip.

For my Volkl's which I am using currently, I don't use a main grip, instead I use 2 overgrips, sometimes 3 depending on thickness.

[drakulie]

^^^How do you develop this ridiculously consistant slice 1-hander backhand ???

Uhmmmmm>>>>>>> Practicing.

and if your grip is too big then can that hurt the 1-hander backhand ??

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[Fedace]

I am finding that if the grip is too big then you lose strength on your 1-handed backhand.

[drakulie]

^^^OK. So, in other words you have small hands.

Solution: use a smaller grip.

[Fedace]

^^but small grip doesn't feel comfortable to me. it feels like it is twisting in my hands.

[drakulie]

^^Hmmm. So a small one "twists in your hands", and large one you "lose strength".

Solution: take up another sport. :)

[orangettecoleman]

I prefer a larger grip for my backhand. It's more stable and helps you keep your wrist firm. If you need a small grip to hit with power then you are probably snapping your wrist around too much and that's bad for consistency. anyway I use a 4 1/2 grip with a HiTec, which is pretty big compared to some others, and a Supreme overgrip, so it's more like a 4 5/8 or maybe a 4 3/4. I have really small hands for a dude as well.

edit; I just measured my grip and it's about a size 5 with the overgrip on.

[Rickson]

Or get a grip that fits.

[superlobber]

"...If I hit with a ball machine I can hit 100s of backhands in a row over the net, but as soon as I start moving around in a real match my wrist seems to have a mind of its own."

Because during a match, you opponent is not just feed you the ball so you hit a winner. He/she will give a unpredictable ball(s) and make you work for it, while the ball machine will give you a predictable ball most of the time.
I have a similar problem with my 1HBH, but I decided to stay with the slice instead. Just once in a while (especially when ahead or forced to) I will use the topspin 1HBH just to let my opponent know I that I do have a 1HBH if I hit a winner.

[mikeler]

Back to the wrist issue real quick. On half volleys right at my feet or slightly behind me, I need that extra little pop from my wrist to get the ball over. In general, using your wrist is great in ping pong, not tennis.

[limitup]

To the OP: after all the advice you are given, you keep talking about the wrist. The wrist is stable and does not move during this stroke. Period.

drakulie, this is clearly not true. Many pros have a very laid back wrist as they take the racquet back, and by the time contact is made with the ball the wrist is almost straight. Obviously their wrist moved to get from one to the other.

This is where my problem lies. For whatever reason I got in the habit of having my wrist laid back during my takeback. As I start the forward part of the swing I loosen the wrist and it moves to a more neutral position. The problem is that it's just not in the same position at contact all the time, as it should be.

Perhaps I need to experiment by not laying my wrist back so much during the take back, so I don't need to move it as much during the forward swing, but to say the wrist doesn't move "period" is clearly not true.

[TTAce]

drakulie, this is clearly not true. Many pros have a very laid back wrist as they take the racquet back, and by the time contact is made with the ball the wrist is almost straight. Obviously their wrist moved to get from one to the other.

This is where my problem lies. For whatever reason I got in the habit of having my wrist laid back during my takeback. As I start the forward part of the swing I loosen the wrist and it moves to a more neutral position. The problem is that it's just not in the same position at contact all the time, as it should be.

Perhaps I need to experiment by not laying my wrist back so much during the take back, so I don't need to move it as much during the forward swing, but to say the wrist doesn't move "period" is clearly not true.


Like many players, you need "something" to connect your mind with your wrist so that your mind and wrist can perform properly together for different ball conditions.
This is what I was told and had learned a while back.

[Rickson]

That's what I said before, but in drak's defense, the wrist never needed to be in the extended position.

[TTAce]

That's what I said before, but in drak's defense, the wrist never needed to be in the extended position.

Here is another one for you.

where should we put wrist?

[drakulie]

Like many players, you need "something" to connect your mind with your wrist so that your mind and wrist can perform properly together for different ball conditions.
This is what I was told and had learned a while back.

you obviously have no clue. The wrist stays laid back and "fixed" before, during, and after contact, and one of the reasons you are having so many problems is because you don't want to comprehend this.

[RafaBrain]

you obviously have no clue. The wrist stays laid back and "fixed" before, during, and after contact, and one of the reasons you are having so many problems is because you don't want to comprehend this.

who said i have problem?

You are one has no clue.

You play tennis with 'fixed' wrist?

how, tie you wirst with a steel plate? or use Gilbert's toy?

[RafaBrain]

who said i have problem?

You are one has no clue.

You play tennis with 'fixed' wrist?

how, tie you wirst with a steel plate? or use Gilbert's toy?

sorry, drak, i thought you are talking to me on the other thread!

[TTAce]

you obviously have no clue. The wrist stays laid back and "fixed" before, during, and after contact, and one of the reasons you are having so many problems is because you don't want to comprehend this.

who said i have problem?

You are one has no clue.

You play tennis with 'fixed' wrist?

how, tie you wirst with a steel plate? or use Gilbert's toy?

someone has the answer for me already!
tkx rafabrain.

Ya, drakulie, how do you "fix" your wrist?

[limitup]

The wrist stays laid back and "fixed" before, during, and after contact

Say what? Watch the slow mo videos of Federer or Gasquet or anyone else with a 1HBH. The angle between the top of the hand and the forearm is NOT the same or "fixed" before, during and after contact. That angle changes.

How can you say it's fixed? Just look at a picture of Gasquets hand during his takeback, and another picture of his hand at contact. You will see the wrist is not in the same position, nor is it fully laid back at contact. No pro recommends having a fully laid back wrist at contact on the 1HBH. Are we even talking about the same thing?

Here ya go. Some pics. You telling me his wrist didn't move?? His wrist is clearly laid back early on, and almost neutral/straight at contact...

http://www.tennis.com/uploadedImages/Your_Game/Instruction_Articles/Backhand/2006_08_08_federer_backhand_1.jpg

http://www.tennis.com/uploadedImages/Your_Game/Instruction_Articles/Backhand/2006_08_08_federer_backhand_2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2698941460_7428c906d4.jpg?v=0

[stormholloway]

What a waste of time. Instead of learning about the important aspects of the shot, people are arguing about the wrist. Forget about it.

Just know that the wrist is firm at contact. What happens with the wrist after that is up to you.

[Mick]

when i hit my backhand slice and drive, everything is fixed except for the shoulder :)

[Djokovicfan4life]

Back to the wrist issue real quick. On half volleys right at my feet or slightly behind me, I need that extra little pop from my wrist to get the ball over. In general, using your wrist is great in ping pong, not tennis.

If the ball is RIGHT at your feet then you might have no choice but to use your wrist. But ideally the half volley should be hit it front of your body with a fixed wrist.

[Fedace]

Say what? Watch the slow mo videos of Federer or Gasquet or anyone else with a 1HBH. The angle between the top of the hand and the forearm is NOT the same or "fixed" before, during and after contact. That angle changes.

How can you say it's fixed? Just look at a picture of Gasquets hand during his takeback, and another picture of his hand at contact. You will see the wrist is not in the same position, nor is it fully laid back at contact. No pro recommends having a fully laid back wrist at contact on the 1HBH. Are we even talking about the same thing?

Here ya go. Some pics. You telling me his wrist didn't move?? His wrist is clearly laid back early on, and almost neutral/straight at contact...

http://www.tennis.com/uploadedImages/Your_Game/Instruction_Articles/Backhand/2006_08_08_federer_backhand_1.jpg

http://www.tennis.com/uploadedImages/Your_Game/Instruction_Articles/Backhand/2006_08_08_federer_backhand_2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2698941460_7428c906d4.jpg?v=0

that is it,, that is the V, i was talking about.

[drakulie]

How can you say it's fixed? Just look at a picture of Gasquets hand during his takeback, and another picture of his hand at contact. You will see the wrist is not in the same position, nor is it fully laid back at contact.

Really??? Here are the photos **YOU** provided. As you could see, by the way of the yellow line I added to your photos, there is a "V" shape. This is what happens when you lay back your wrist and keep it in this "fixed" position:

Federer:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/2006_08_08_federer_backhand_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/2698941460_7428c906d4.jpg

[drakulie]

Now, you say Gasquet doesn't keep his wrist laid back before during and after contact???

Here is Gasquet, before contact, with his wrist **LAID BACK**. Note the "V":

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/2006_04_16_gasquet_backhand.jpg

Here he is at contact (same picture sequence). Again, not the "V" at contact:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/2006_04_16_gasquet_backhand_2.jpg

Here is a larger photo, since you seem to need glasses. Again, the "V" shape is present *after contact*.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/610x.jpg


Like I said before, the reason you are having problems with your backhand, is because you keep moving your wrist around.

[drakulie]

You play tennis with 'fixed' wrist?

yes, I do, and have a very solid one-hander.

how, tie you wirst with a steel plate? or use Gilbert's toy?

For people like the OP, either one of these suggestions would definitely help him.

[Rickson]

This time, I disagree. Gasquet's wrist is clearly less extended (laid back) at contact than on his takeback.

[drakulie]

This time, I disagree. Gasquet's wrist is clearly less extended (laid back) at contact than on his takeback.

you need glasses

[Rickson]

Maybe you need them if you can't see the difference. Everyone else can see it.

[drakulie]

^^^ What I see is what is clearly there>>>> A wrist laid back at contact.

If you play with a wrist that is not laid back at contact, then you are either hitting with a continental, and have a completely straight arm, or you have a really, REALLY crappy BH.

[Rickson]

Well then all the pros have crappy backhands because they don't use an extended wrist at contact. On the takeback, Federer and Gasquet do, at contact, they don't.

[wyutani]

when i try hitting a one hander, i never notice the V....lolz. am i suppose to see a V?

[drakulie]

Well then all the pros have crappy backhands because they don't use an extended wrist at contact. On the takeback, Federer and Gasquet do, at contact, they don't.

No, they have a laid back wrist at contact. The photo I provided of Gasquet clearly shows his wrist is laid back and in a "V" position.

If you hit with an eastern BH grip, put a frame in your hand, and put the racquet head out in front as if you are hiting a BH. Now, keep your wrist perfectly straight, making a straight line from your arm to your knuckles. The racquet head will be facing down. The more extreme you go on the BH (ie extreme eastern , western), the more the racquet face will be closed in this position.

However, if you lay back your wrist, the racquet face will now be parallel to the net.

Lesson over.

[Bungalo Bill]

My inconsistent 1HBH is starting to drive me crazy. I've actually thought about learning a 2HBH but after trying it for a few hours it just feels waaaay too awkward and I think I need to tough it out with the 1 hander.

Anyway, I think my main problem has to do with the wrist.

On forehands the wrist is usually laid back all the way, so the wrist position is not really a variable. It's the same every time. Sure you can get fancy and "snap" your wrist before or at contact, but for the most part this doesn't have that big of an impact on whether the ball lands in or out.

With the 1HBH it's a completely different story, because the position of your wrist affects how open or closed the racquet face is at contact.

So basically my 1HBH is just totally inconsistent. When I hit it right I can rip winners, but I hit way too many balls into the net and way too many balls long. For some reason my wrist is all over the place on the 1HBH.

During the backswing and loop my wrist is pretty much laid back, and then on the forward part of the swing I basically "loosen" my wrist and aim for a pretty straight wrist at contact. Of course I try to hold my wrist in a fixed position at contact, I just mean it's not fully laid back like during the loop.

Anyway I don't know what the heck I'm doing wrong. I've been practicing this shot for awhile now. If I hit with a ball machine I can hit 100s of backhands in a row over the net, but as soon as I start moving around in a real match my wrist seems to have a mind of its own.

Anyone have any tips for me? I don't even know where to go from here ...

It definetly sounds like you have an inconsistent contact point.

You might also be making it inconsistent due to being inconsistent with your weight transfer, knee bend, rising too soon or too late, popping up, focus, ball judgement, preparation, and movement/recovery.

A poorly executed backswing can hurt your timing on certain balls as well. Also, as mentioned above about weight transfer, hitting off your front foot is very important for a onehanded backhand. Not everyone really gets this and if so, a twohander might be an option because it is a bit more flexible on weight transfer and your contact point.

Here is what I mean about weight transfer and hitting off the front foot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTyyITw-fyo&mode=related&search=

Watch how Blake rises from below the ball with his swing. He doesnt "pop" up too soon. His simple backswing, very efficent footwork, allows his body to rise at the same time he swings forward and up. They are in unison.

If you want to develop your rise with your swing, one of the best ways to do this is to sit in a chair, have your racquet in the "bring forward" position, and when the ball is fed to you, rise from the chair using your leg muscles at the same time you raise your racquet to the ball from the shoulder. Both your racquet and body should be in sync. You will learn to feel your legs in the shot and will be able to shorten your backswing as you can see with Blakes backhand and still hit with power. Learning to feel your legs more in the onehanded backhand is what Vic Braden called the Million Dollar lesson.

[BullDogTennis]

when a shot isnt working the FIRST thing you should look for is footwork. its that almost EVERYTIME!

[ericwong]

when a shot isnt working the FIRST thing you should look for is footwork. its that almost EVERYTIME!



Not only footwork is important, the conscious thought of HITTING THROUGH should follow after a good movement to the contact point.

[Fedace]

Glad you agree, Drak. Another great example of V in a classic 1-hander is Alex Corretja. he had one of the best 1-handed backhands in Spain ever.

[Rickson]

Alex had the classic angled followthrough. He never did make the statue of liberty at the end like Justine or Roger.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Fedace,

All good one handed backhands use this "V" that you speak of. How else would one hit it? With their racquet parallel to their arm? That would be one funky backhand.

[Rickson]

Not a pronounced "V". A pronounced V would be a funky backhand too.

[drakulie]

Alex had the classic angled followthrough. He never did make the statue of liberty at the end like Justine or Roger.

Really???

Hmmmmm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB-5ltGkSac


You seriously have no idea what you are talking about.

[Rickson]

For every SOL backhand followthroughs, he does 7 or 8 angled followthroughs. You seriously haven't seen him play.

[drakulie]

Fedace,

All good one handed backhands use this "V" that you speak of. How else would one hit it? With their racquet parallel to their arm? That would be one funky backhand.

It seems like Rickson, and some others on this thread disagree with you. And yes, it seems like they are hitting with the frame parallel to their arm.

[Djokovicfan4life]

It seems like Rickson, and some others on this thread disagree with you. And yes, it seems like they are hitting with the frame parallel to their arm.

What? I never heard Rickson say anything about that. I just thought it was funny that Fedace kept bringing up this imaginary "V" concept when it always seemed pretty obvious to me that that is the right way to hit the one hander.

[Rickson]

D4, I won't disagree with you, but Drak is another story. Do players have a slight extension or the laid back wrist? Sure, slight enough to consider neutral. Drak seems to believe that the extension (laid back wrist) stays the same throughout the entire motion, but it clearly doesn't as you can see here.

Gasquet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUQxb4ZtR-4)

[drakulie]

^^^His wrist in that video is clearly laid back (V position), through-
out the motion.

[Rickson]

He did not keep it the same way throughout the motion. This is clear as day.

[drakulie]

What? I never heard Rickson say anything about that. I just thought it was funny that Fedace kept bringing up this imaginary "V" concept when it always seemed pretty obvious to me that that is the right way to hit the one hander.

unfortunately, as usual he is being very dense, and has no clue.

I already explained to him the following:

If you hit a one hander with a completely straight arm (and wrist), where there is a straight line from the arm all the way to the knuckles the following will occur:

with an eastern grip>>> the racquet face will be facing down at contact.
with a extreme eastern>> the racquet face will be facing even further down at contact.
with a western grip>> the racquet face will be parallel to the ground at contact.

Now, if you lay back the wrist, like I'm saying, and have shown photos of the pros doing, and every pro does>>>>>>>>>>>>>the racquet will be parallel to the net.

How on earth he (rickson) hits a one-hander is beyond me.

[Rickson]

I'll start a poll to end this debate.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Ah, now I think I understand what Rickson is talking about. You're saying that the wrist is laid back throughout the stroke, but the degree of laidbackness (for lack of a better word) varies from the takeback to the contact point, right Rickson?

[Fedace]

Really???

Hmmmmm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB-5ltGkSac


You seriously have no idea what you are talking about.

This is just Classic. Alex's arm is straight after the takeback with racket making a V as the arm comes forward to make contact. and notice the pronounced shoulder turn, mark of ALL great 1-handed backhands. Edberg was a classic example as well. You could see his back shoulders when he takes the racket back..

[drakulie]

I'll start a poll to end this debate.

Here is an article on the Backhand by John Yandell:

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/instructionarticles/visuals/visuals.aspx?id=117722

Note how he says the arm is straight when the forward swing begin for all pros.

Now for a pro to hit a square backhand, the wrist **HAS TO BE LAID BACK**. Period. If it is not, the ball will either go straight down, or in the case of a western backhand, you would be hitting the ball with the side of the racquet face.

[Rickson]

That's absolutely correct, D4.

[Fedace]

Perfect example of V and pronounced shoulder turn, BEST EVER 1-hander...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTK3uOngTYM

[drakulie]

Perfect example of V and pronounced shoulder turn, BEST EVER 1-hander...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTK3uOngTYM

Yes, edberg also had a picture perfect backhand. (with a laid back wrist)

[Rickson]

You're obviously being facetious.

[Fedace]

Yes, edberg also had a picture perfect backhand. (with a laid back wrist)

Gasquet is not as sound on technique as Edberg's backhand. Most, if not all USTA teaching program Pros will agree with me on this.

[drakulie]

^^ I disagree. gasquets bh **IS** picture perfect. However, what makes it seem inpractical, is his **MAGNIFIED** take back. He brings his arm so far back (and very high over his head), it seems like it is not texbook. However, Guga di this as well, but not as pronounced.

But, on the forward swing, they all do the same thing. Straight arm, laid back wrist, hit out in front, bend knees, etc, etc, etc, etc.

[Fedace]

^^Yes but Gasquet's backhand is very Wristy. he uses too much wrist and if an amateur tried to copy this, he would have very hard time trying it. on the other hand, Edberg or Corretja's shots are much more stable and simpler shots that a junior or amateur can learn from.

[Rickson]

Gasquet has a lot of flare, but he's definitely not textbook.

[drakulie]

^^Yes but Gasquet's backhand is very Wristy. he uses too much wrist and if an amateur tried to copy this, he would have very hard time trying it. on the other hand, Edberg or Corretja's shots are much more stable and simpler shots that a junior or amateur can learn from.

Uhmmmm ok. :roll:

Yet another clueless post.

Here is Gasquet, before contact, with his wrist **LAID BACK**. Note the "V":

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/2006_04_16_gasquet_backhand.jpg

Again, the "V" shape is present *after contact*.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/610x.jpg


So please explain how he went from a laid back wrist, to neutral, back to laid back after contact????

[Rickson]

I see a lot of grasping there.

[drakulie]

Gasquet has a lot of flare, but he's definitely not textbook.

I agree. You and your BH are "textbook". Please provide photos of you with a flat wrist at contact. Or is your wrist bent down at contact????>> I need a good laugh.

[Bungalo Bill]

when a shot isnt working the FIRST thing you should look for is footwork. its that almost EVERYTIME!

Good point, even moving the wrong foot first can cause problems even though it doesnt feel like it did.

[limitup]

Well this made for an interesting post. Aside from Drakulie, does anyone else agree that the wrist should remain laid back before, during and after contact on the 1HBH? I've yet to find anyone else who agrees with this, and I've yet to find pictures or videos of ANY pro where the degree of "laidbackness" is the same throughout the entire stroke.

Drakulie, you keep saying we all have no clue ... but the videos and pics prove you wrong as far as I can tell. All the pics and videos show that the angle between the back of the hand and the forearm does change throughout the stroke, despite what you claim. In most cases that angle decreases during the forward part of the stroke as the player "loosens" their wrist and moves toward contact with a much more neutral wrist vs. a more laid back wrist during the back swing.

Once and for all, are you claiming that at contact on the 1HBH your wrist should be fully laid back, the same as it is on a forehand? If so, I don't think you could find 1 teaching pro that agrees with you.

Quite frankly, I don't know how you can claim this. The pics I posted earlier clearly shows that at contact Federer's wrist is less laid back at contact than it is during his back swing and prior to contact. Are you freakin' blind?

What I'm really waiting for is Bungalo Bill to chime in on this ...

[Rickson]

Not one other person, limit. Not one.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Limitup,

I agree with Drakulie 100%. Except he didn't say that the wrist remains laid back after contact. We already explained that the wrist supinates during the followthrough, but this occurs long after contact. It's more of a natural way of decelerating the racquet than anything else. You want to develop a consistent one hander? Keep your wrist laid back for the majority of the stroke. Or you can argue about it here for another 100+ posts. Your call.

Fedace,

Gasquet's backhand is not "wristy". Once again, his wrist is supinating well after contact, which probably is giving you the idea the his wrist plays a big part in his backhand, but it doesn't. Drakulie has already explained this a few times and provided video evidence to boot. His backhand is as technically sound as they come.

Drakulie may have rubbed a few of you the wrong way in this thread, but he's a very solid player and he posted some videos on my backhand thread that were excellent. Limitup, you can argue with the guy all you want, but in the end, he has a consistent backhand and you don't. I suggest you listen to his advice.

[drakulie]

^^^Thanks, Djokovicfan4life.

Seems people sometimes want to see what they want to see.

Here are some photos, of what I was explaining earlier. If one does not lay back their wrist at contact, this is what the BH (using a semi-western) would look like during the stroke:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/1bh.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/2bh.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/3bh.jpg

as anyone could see, if your wrist is flat at contact, you would be hitting the ball with the side of the frame.

[drakulie]

Now here is what the contact point woudl look like with a laid back wrist:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/4bh.jpg

I'll stick to hitting my BH this way.

Rickson, fedace, limitup, and the rest of these clown could go on hitting the side of the frame.

Oh, and one more thing, BB is right on the money as far as the foowtork/preparation goes, which is extremely important for all strokes, especially as he said>>> for one-handers.

[Fedace]

^^^That maybe impossible with grip size i have which is 4 7/8 grip. with hand size of 4 3/8 grip.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Impossible with your grip size? WTF??!!!!!!

Honestly, Fedace, where do you come up with this stuff?

[Topaz]

Now here is what the contact point woudl look like with a laid back wrist:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/4bh.jpg



Wrist? Who cares about the wrist...nice *legs* (or, leg, in this case)!

;)

I like how Bailey wanted to get in on the action there!

[drakulie]

^^^^LOL. Only you would notice that. I almost took her head off. :)

[Topaz]

^^^^LOL. Only you would notice that. I almost took her head off. :)

You almost took her head off because your wrist wasn't laid back!!!! ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/3bh.jpg

Happy Thanksgiving Yoda.

[drakulie]

Impossible with your grip size? WTF??!!!!!!

Honestly, Fedace, where do you come up with this stuff?

LOL. I agree. he posts some really weird stuff. However, I enjoy reading most of it. :)

You almost took her head off because your wrist wasn't laid back!!!! ;)

Happy Thanksgiving Yoda.

LMAO! Yup>>> as I was swinging, and the racquet head got closer to her head, Bailey was yelliing>>>> "LAY BACK THE WRIST, LAY BACK THE WRIST!!!! :)

happy thanksgiving to you too!!!

[Sup2Dresq]

LMAO! Yup>>> as I was swinging, and the racquet head got closer to her head, Bailey was yelliing>>>> "LAY BACK THE WRIST, LAY BACK THE WRIST!!!! :)

happy thanksgiving to you too!!!

I'm calling doggie social services.

[bhupaes]

I used to have a 1HBH many years ago, and switched to a 2HBH due to forearm problems (automobile accident)... so view my comments in the proper light, i.e. non-expert.

I didn't exactly use the wrist, but used to do the reverse of pronation - supination, I suppose. The wrist is laid back, but not extremely so, and the grip is relaxed (not tight). The racquet head starts below the ball level, of course, and along with forward motion, the forearm supinates, causing the racquet head to shoot up in a circular motion. This gave me a lot of racquet head speed, and I had a pretty good 1HBH. I hit it this way once in a while for fun, but my timing is wildly off these days... :(

[oneguy21]

When I went to a tennis camp at UVA over the summer, one of the UVA players, Dom Inglot, who has a fine one-hander himself, kept telling me that I should pronate my wrist as fast as I can during my swing. This was a little difficult for me because I have an eastern backhand grip. But what bothers me is that when I saw him practice I swear that on all his backhands he would have his wrist laid back the whole time. Why does he not practice what he preaches? Is he giving bad instruction?

[Fedace]

Impossible with your grip size? WTF??!!!!!!

Honestly, Fedace, where do you come up with this stuff?

you obviously do not have a clue. it is harder to lock your wrist in laid back position with too big of grip size.

[Pusher]

Again, put the wrist out of your mind. Just keep it firm and focus on generating effortless power. The wrist is only involved to the extent that it helps keep the racquet in your hand.

If the ball goes into the net, tilt your raquet face up more. If it goes long, tilt it down, or add topspin with the shoulder. Every ball you hit, notice what is happening to the ball and adjust appropriately.

That's right.

Worrying about the wrist is just part of the learning progression with the 1hbh. After obsessing about it for awhile you then move on to actually just hitting the ball-the wrist will work itself out and it is not an important part of the technique.

Footwork, staying down and follow thru are the keys. Of course hitting a few thousand 1hbh's is the answer.

[Djokovicfan4life]

you obviously do not have a clue. it is harder to lock your wrist in laid back position with too big of grip size.

Well, obviously you should use the appropiate grip size. There's no need to say that I don't have a clue when you took an argument about the use of the wrist in the one hander and brought grip size into it.

[limitup]

drakulie, I think your pics are a little misleading. Your legs are straight, you're bending over at the waist and your imaginary contact point is at your knees. Is that how you normally like to hit a BH?

Obviously if you're hitting the ball at your knees with your more extreme SW grip you're going to HAVE to lay back your wrist quite a bit, as you've shown. But that's not normal.

I'm not saying the wrist is perfect flat/neutral at contact, but all the pictures and video I'm looking at show that the angle between the back of the hand and the forearm gets much smaller during the forward swing and most pros have a more neutral wrist than you're advising at contact.

Here's a few more pics for ya. Do you think Gasquet's, Blake's and Federer's wrists in these pics are anywhere NEAR as laid back as in your last pic?

Theirs look to be laid back about 10-20 degrees and yours looks to be laid back about 70-80 degrees. That's a pretty big difference.

I'm not trying to argue here, and maybe what you do works great for you. I'm just pointing out that your claims that "The wrist stays laid back and "fixed" before, during, and after contact" and "The wrist is stable and does not move during this stroke. Period." don't seem to hold up when you look at pics and videos of pros.

I've also asked several teaching pros about this and while they had somewhat different advice, all agreed that you don't simply lay back your wrist as far as you can and lock it there throughout the entire stroke, including at contact.

(And to all you guys talking about pronation and supination, I think you guys are having a different discussion altogether. What we're talking about has nothing to do with pronation or supination, we are talking about the angle between the back of the hand and forearm, not whether or not the wrist/forearm/arm rotates or not.)

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fCi3SbfP888L/610x.jpg

http://z.about.com/d/tennis/1/0/q/F/james-blake-08.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04KWeu536a2Y8/610x.jpg

[Rickson]

That's considered neutral.

[Djokovicfan4life]

In all of the above pictures the wrist is NOT in a neutral position, Riskson. They're all laid back.

[Rickson]

Barely extended or in other words, neutral.

[drakulie]

drakulie, I think your pics are a little misleading. Your legs are straight, you're bending over at the waist and your imaginary contact point is at your knees. Is that how you normally like to hit a BH?

Let me explain something since you seem to not understand/comprhend what you read.

Free lesson for you.

1. The more extreme your grip, the more out in front of your body, your contact point will be.

a) Eastern backhand, the contact will be closer than if you hit with a western, or semi western.

2. I put those photos up for reference only, to show you that if your wrist is not laid back, what the racquet path will be like.

3. In the photos I provided, I picked a semi-western grip. (I hit with an eastern)

4. Why are you focusing on my waist or legs, if we are clearly talking about he wrist position????? But since you asked, I'll answer. No, I don't bend at the waist, and don't keep my legs straight.


Obviously if you're hitting the ball at your knees with your more extreme SW grip you're going to HAVE to lay back your wrist quite a bit, as you've shown. But that's not normal.

5. Once again, you are wrong. Regardless of the height of the ball, your wrist is laid back.

6. All the photos you provided clearly show each player laying their wrist back,.

7. UNLIKE YOU>>>> I HAVE A VERY SOLID BACKHAND, AM A CERTIFIED TEACHING PRO, AND HIT WITH D1 PLAYERS, FOREMER PROS, COLLEGE, SATELLITE PLAYERS.

8. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT. ***YOU**** ARE THE ONE ASKING FOR ADVICE. I'M GIVING IT TO YOU FOR FREE. IF YOU FEEL YOU KNOW MORE THAN ME ON THE SUBJECT MATTER, AND CLEARLY YOU FEEL YOU ARE AN EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT, THEN I SUGGEST YOU NOT COME ON TO A TENNIS FORUM ASKING FOR ADVICE, AND THEN REJECTING IT>>>> AS IF YOU ALREADY KNOW BETTER.

[drakulie]

Here is video shot at 4000 frames per second.

http://www.look-learn.de/e_index.htm

click on the "trailer", link.

When the guy in the blue shirt hits his backhand, you could clearly see the wrist laid back throughout the stroke.


Roger federer slow motion backhand (wrist laid back throughout the stroke)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLL8C7cBIC4&feature=related

[limitup]

All the photos you provided clearly show each player laying their wrist back

No, what my pictures clearly show is that your statement "The wrist is stable and does not move during this stroke. Period." is not a true statement. The pictures clearly show that for the majority of pros the angle of the wrist DOES indeed move between the take back and contact. I don't know why you keep arguing the obvious.

No need to toot your own horn. I know who you are, I know you're better than me, and I never said I'm an expert on any subject. Yes I asked for advice, but some of what you're saying is simply not true and I pointed that out. Even though I'm the one asking for help, am I not allowed to point out that some of what you're saying is not true? Sheesh ...

2 more pics to prove my point once and for all. If you're telling me that the angle of Gasquet's wrist is the same in both pictures below, you need to put down the crack pipe.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/2334618877_50a85f7815.jpg?v=0

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fCi3SbfP888L/610x.jpg

[orangettecoleman]

When I went to a tennis camp at UVA over the summer, one of the UVA players, Dom Inglot, who has a fine one-hander himself, kept telling me that I should pronate my wrist as fast as I can during my swing. This was a little difficult for me because I have an eastern backhand grip. But what bothers me is that when I saw him practice I swear that on all his backhands he would have his wrist laid back the whole time. Why does he not practice what he preaches? Is he giving bad instruction?
no he doesn't, yes he is.

[orangettecoleman]

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04KWeu536a2Y8/610x.jpg
all you need to know is that when you contact the ball your wrist should be firm and your arm should be straight. as long as you look like this when you make contact, that's what matters. EOD

[soyizgood]

With all the arguing over the wrist, I'm glad I stuck with my grip choice. ;)

Granted I'm no expert, but aren't you supposed to keep your wrist steady throughout the stroke? Isn't wristing it a recipe for disaster? The few times I ever hit a 1HBH I keep my wrist steady and I don't bend the wrist back. I'm more concerned about my footwork, applying weight on the front foot, being in a closed stance, slight knee bend, holding the racket with the weak arm and then swinging from low to high while using my weak arm to maintain balance. Ending the swing in an almost L-shape with racquet head up and my elbow at shoulder height. K.I.S.S. people. Or take up a 2HBH...J/K

[orangettecoleman]

With all the arguing over the wrist, I'm glad I stuck with my grip choice. ;)

Granted I'm no expert, but aren't you supposed to keep your wrist steady throughout the stroke? Isn't wristing it a recipe for disaster? The few times I ever hit a 1HBH I keep my wrist steady and I don't bend the wrist back. I'm more concerned about my footwork, applying weight on the front foot, being in a closed stance, slight knee bend, holding the racket with the weak arm and then swinging from low to high while using my weak arm to maintain balance. Ending the swing in an almost L-shape with racquet head up and my elbow at shoulder height. K.I.S.S. people. Or take up a 2HBH...J/K

Yes, correct. Tell me something people, why does soy know more about hitting a 1hbh correctly than anyone else in this thread? Black president, Cardinals winning games, soyizgood instructing people in the 1hbh. Everything has gone topsy turvy in this world.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Well, Soy did get one thing wrong in his analysis. The wrist has to be laid back or the strings will be facing the ground at contact, as Drakulie has already said many times and provided visual evidence of it as well.

[Rickson]

Not that laid back.

[soyizgood]

Well, Soy did get one thing wrong in his analysis. The wrist has to be laid back or the strings will be facing the ground at contact, as Drakulie has already said many times and provided visual evidence of it as well.

You could just simply close the racquet face a bit during the takeback. The only time there's any wrist movement (at least for non-wrist fanatics like me) is when the racquet butt cap is facing the ground during the stroke finish. That's just a natural reaction. I don't see why the need to make such a fuss over wrist movement.

Pros do things you wouldn't realize even if you took frame-by-frame shots of their motion. Heck, that's even true of us amateurs. IMO there's no real beneficial reason to wrist any groundstroke, excluding the Hawaiian forehand (and we all know how kind that shot is to the wrist...ewww). Keeping wrist movement to a minimum is good for control, placement, and your wrist.

[Djokovicfan4life]

I not trying to encourage wrist movement, Soy. I'm actually trying to discourage it and support Drakulie's idea that the wrist remains fixed for most of the stroke. Fedace and limitup had to come in here with BS like "Gasquet's backhand is very wristy", and then accused me of not knowing what I'm talking about. Pretty funny stuff, actually.

[drakulie]

Yes I asked for advice,


My inconsistent 1HBH is starting to drive me crazy....

I think my main problem has to do with the wrist.

...my 1HBH is just totally inconsistent. ....

I hit way too many balls into the net and way too many balls long. For some reason my wrist is all over the place on the 1HBH.

...I basically "loosen" my wrist and aim for a pretty straight wrist at contact.

... I don't know what the heck I'm doing wrong.

......Anyone have any tips for me? I don't even know where to go from here ...



My problem is definitely the angle of the racquet face.

When I hit into the net it's simply because the racquet face is too closed, either caused by 1) my wrist pointing "down" too much or

...I just keep thinking it's my wrist, because it feels like the angle of my wrist is not always consistent at contact (but hard to verify without video)

Interesting. Even though I have already pointed out your problem, and shown you a photo of what you are doing wrong, *AND* you, yourself know what you are doing worng as evidenced by your own posts YOU continue to be argumentative:


Here it is again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/1bh.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/2bh.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/drakulie/3bh.jpg

as anyone could see, if your wrist is flat at contact, you would be hitting the ball with the side of the frame.


However, you seem to want to believe you know what you are talking about so best of luck to you.

[drakulie]

With all the arguing over the wrist, I'm glad I stuck with my grip choice. ;)


for the pyurposes of this discussion, unless you are hitting with a continental>> grip choice has nothing to do with it.

Granted I'm no expert, but aren't you supposed to keep your wrist steady throughout the stroke?

Yes.

Isn't wristing it a recipe for disaster?

Yes. Just look at the op. On some shots, his wrist is flat, and as a result>> he is netting it. And then on others>> his wrist is laid back, and he is hitting it long. The latter is cause by possibly not changing his racquet path, and having an unstable wrist.


The few times I ever hit a 1HBH I keep my wrist steady and I don't bend the wrist back.

Then you ar hitting with a continental grip.

[Djokovicfan4life]

It's funny, I'm actually not too bad at hitting a backhand with the continental grip, Drak. Sure, it's not half as good as the eastern, but it's definitely a decent grip for certain players.

[drakulie]

^^^^^totally agree. Very decent grip. However, it doesn't provide as much leverage as the others for the topspin drive.