Single/Double the backhand riddle?

[^J-Rod^]

My tennis has really suffered recently, mainly due to the uncertainty on my left wing. I used a double for six years, then changed for the last year to my single. I'm eighteen so whilst my game should have been solidified a while ago, I'm still switching.

My lack of confidence on my single is due to the inability to hit balls on the rise and consistently excecute with margin in match situations. I feel that the contact point is just that bit further away which means I shank the ball.

I'm really unsure as to what will bring me out of the slump, persevering with my single, and hoping that it pops up in a match one day and clicks in for good, or switching back to a double. Whatever happens, I need to lose my slice fast
it nullifies any power my forehand produces.

[Rickson]

Try different grips and see which works best for you. I used to use an eastern backhand grip, but I found I was framing a lot of balls. I switched to a continental, but I started looping up too many balls. Now I use a grip that is slightly more than continental and it's been working well for my topspin backhand. Practice your backhand with slow balls and gradually have your partner increase the pace of the balls he sends your way. You'll get that backhand drive in no time.

[Scheiner]

Here is the breakdown for 1hBH:

Continental is great with slices but are horrible with low balls.
Eastern is great with topspin and flat, but are horrible on high balls and the return of serve.
Extreme Eastern is great with hitting topspin on balls above the shoulder, but like the continental its weakness is low ball and volleying.

[^J-Rod^]

thanks, I should try out those grips. I haven't really ever experimented with that. With regards to bite of the court I found my single has more grip and tends to rocket after bouncing and I don't seem able to get that on my double. Could mucking around with the grip on my double help that? cause on returns I generally feel more solid on my double.

[DoubleHanded&LovinIt]

The continental is not a bad grip for low balls. It's actually best for low balls. I think a solid grip for the one hander is the extreme eastern grip because it allows your wrist and arm to support the racquet better without being too extreme a grip.

On your one-handed backhand, focus on keeping your right arm (I'm assuming you're right-handed) against your chest. On the take back, get your right shoulder under your chin. The height of your right hand in your finished backswing position should be between mid-chest and shoulder height. With your footwork, try to line up so that your left foot, your backfoot, is inside the ball. Coming into contact, step into the shot with your right foot. Also focus on keeping your right arm pressed against your chest and use your left hand to anchor yourself. You don't want to over-rotate on the one-hander, so keeping the left hand down is key. Use your hips, shoulders, and chest to turn to the right (into the ball). The right arm's not really doing so much as going along for the ride while the body turns through. Remember to anchor yourself with your left arm so you don't overrotate. Keep your eye on the ball through contact, until long after the ball has left the strings. Look at the picture of Fed in my signature.