which is better in the long run? easy or hard game

[Momo]

My one-handed backhand is a weak point in my game. The problem with it is that it just takes me so long to prepare for the stroke that I can hardly ever get myself in position to give it a good whack. My footwork is a bit shabby, but I dont think my form on the stroke is the problem (i.e. if I get a slow sitter that I can get to and set up for, I can put it away).

The other day, a friend of mine told me to try his racquet, a blue Yonex RQ or something. The main difference was that it felt a lot lighter than my other racquets. I have two racquets, a POG OS and a ROK with lead in the throat. The biggest difference I noticed was that I was hitting my backhand a lot more consistently because getting the racquet back was a lot easier. Volleys were also easier due to improved maneuverability. (I never felt like my sticks were heavy and sluggish until I played a few hours with my friend's stick.)

My question is should I slug it out and stick with my heavier sticks (puns not intended), trying to get myself used to preparing such heft more quickly, or should I go to the lighter ones and get a feel for hitting on time before I move back to the heavies for comfort (on impact) and control. Which will help my game out more in the long run? (This is all mainly for my topspin backhand. My sticks still felt just fine for my other shots.)

Thanks.

[Kobble]

I would stay with the heavier racquets. They are much more stable than lighter racquets with an equivalent balance, and they usually help you groove more mechanically efficient strokes. If you feel weak off the backhand I would just start strength training. You might want to check your technique to see if you are sacrificing leverage.

[jun]

Some people are just a tad slow in reaction and don't generate good swing speed. I fall in this catagory. If this is the case, then using heavy sticks can backfire. Some people say swing speed will come with practice, but we don't have time to work on everything; tennis, speed, swing speed etc.

[cantaloupe]

one thing ive noticed on one handed backhands is that the crappier players always take a huge swing, and almost alway hit the ball late, while the good players take as much swing as necessary to ge the ball back, and if they have an easy ball then they crank it up.

its also amazing how little backswing it takes to block the ball back on the backhand. so if you're late then simply block the ball back with no swing, and wait for a better ball to swing at. this is especially true on the return, and will often produce great results!!! so next time someone hits a hard shot to you backhand just block it back with little or no swing.

oh yeah and prepare early.....

[sinoslav]

I'd say, the first thing to do is to practice your 1HBH against a backboard periodically for a couple of weeks. Don't slam the ball, just practice solid and consistent strokes. This can really help you with timing.

[brijoel]

you really dont need a huge swing to even crank a OH backhand imo.
if you learn to properly use your shoulders to turn into the shot rather than using your arm for the take back and follow through you will realize there is hardly any effort needed considering the backhand is actually a MORE natural stroke in terms of general human body mechanics than a forehand is.

quick tips:
1) DO NOT take a big backswing. in fact, your hand holding the racquet should line up with your hip facing the back, and no further. think of where you would line up for a two hander....good, its the same spot.<<<<this step alone will remedy the setup problem.

2) to create more pace if the shot is weak, you will want to get a deeper knee bend and step in further so that all of your weight is being transferred into the ball. then push forward into the shot

3) be absolutely sure you are letting your shoulders and torso accelerate the racquet, instead of trying to bring it around with your arm, by rotating into the shot.

4) the only thing your arm should be doing is rotating your wrist so the racquet is doing the windshield wiper motion, which wonderfully enough will also naturally bring the racquet from low to high.

all of these things will reduce whatever need you had to take a longer stroke to put pace on the ball, and essentially create a quicker shorter and much more efficient stroke that will allow you to take a good cut at the ball more often than ever.

[edge]

All good advice, however with 4) alot of the current players use this method but I prefer hitting through the ball without opening up the right shoulder into a windshield wiper motion but by staying down with the right shoulder a la Edberg, Lendl.

[brijoel]

ya, thats not quite as easy to do, and i also thought it wouldnt really remedy his late preparation problem because he would still feel the need to hit with his arm instead of good body mechanics coming together. also, the tips i gave are just basic ideas to go by, hardly words to die by. especially considering i personally use almost a semi western grip for my OHBH which translates into some huge mechanical changes in itself.

[Momo]

Thanks for the advice. I guess all this is means keep my heavier sticks and try a shorter stroke with them?

[brijoel]

^^^MOST DEFINITELY.......you will be much happier in the long run when you are still playing years from now ad your friend cant pick up his racquet because his arm hurts so badly.