2HB too loopy

[StraightSets]

Hey all,

My problem is the two handed backhand. I realise that you need to come from low to high in order to generate the topspin on the ball. However, in doing this, the shot always seems very loopy, with a lot of net clearance. I'm finding it pretty hard to be aggressive with my 2HB. Topspin is not a problem, but its cracking the ball for winners that seems to be the problem.

I'm ranked pretty highly in my state and I've been playing for around 8 years. This is becoming a liability in my game, as opposing players can attack off both wings, yet i can only attack off my forehand.

So is it just me that needs more practise or is there something i should concentrate on?

Thanks in advance.

[munk3y]

can maybe try closing the racquet face more and driving it a bit more
lol, you've been playing way longer than i have so i guess you'll figure it out by yourself

[Rickson]

Flatten it out a bit by hitting through the ball. You're focusing too much on topspin so you're getting moonballs now instead of fast drives. Don't focus so much on low to high, especially if you want to hit winners.

[ReturnAce]

On my two-handed backhand, I start my swing at hip level and finish with a full follow-through over the opposite shoulder. Typically the swing is more of a forward motion than low-to-high, which gives me a lot more pop while still providing enough topspin to get three-four feet of net clearance and land a couple feet inside the baseline. Maybe that would cure your problem, more of a forward swing.

What grip do you use? I'm a little strange in the sense my dominant hand remains in my forehand grip (semi-western), and my non-dominant hand is also in a semi-western. It gives me a relatively closed racket face, which probably makes my shot flatter than most.

Just some thoughts from someone who prefers the backhand over the forehand.

[munk3y]

On my two-handed backhand, I start my swing at hip level and finish with a full follow-through over the opposite shoulder. Typically the swing is more of a forward motion than low-to-high, which gives me a lot more pop while still providing enough topspin to get three-four feet of net clearance and land a couple feet inside the baseline. Maybe that would cure your problem, more of a forward swing.

What grip do you use? I'm a little strange in the sense my dominant hand remains in my forehand grip (semi-western), and my non-dominant hand is also in a semi-western. It gives me a relatively closed racket face, which probably makes my shot flatter than most.

Just some thoughts from someone who prefers the backhand over the forehand.

...thats a really closed racquet face....i tried that...but i can only seem to get topspin and no drive haha
how do you do it

[safin_protege]

The left hand in a semi-western grip and the right hand in a continental grip is an accepted two-handed backhand grip. I think you should also concentrate on driving through with a closed face; this will generate topspin. You don't need all the topspin to come from a low-to-high swinging motion. When you hit the ball, the palm of your left hand should be pointed down, which creating a closed racquet face, allows for topspin. If you follow through with your left shoulder and hip, you should hit a solid topspin backhand drive.

[ReturnAce]

For the record, I'm left-handed, if it makes any difference.

Just did a few swings, and my index knuckle is actually on the back panel, so one panel up from a semi-western. But I noticed it didn't make that big of a difference in the racket face, so it's just an amendment to my earlier post.

But as has already been said, the biggest part of hitting 'flatter' shots is to drive through the ball. It'll take practice, trust me.

[StraightSets]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your responses.

I use the backhand grip that most use, I guess. My dominant hand being in continental and my non-dominant being in an eastern position.