My Groundstrokes- need help.

[Techniques]

I am having a bit of trouble with my groundstrokes at times, especially my backhand. I played a tournament during the weekend and it really opened my eyes how big my flaws were on my backhand. In training and practice my backhands were really solid and they were actually a "weapon". But in the tournament when I was put under pressure, my backhand collapsed. I am right handed and I use a 2 hbh. Since I use a semi-western grip for my forehand, I just use the semi-western grip for my 2 handed backhand. THe grip I use though, makes it hard for me to produce topspin. My backhand is really flat and I want to put way more topspin so I can control it more. At the tournament, my backhands were going over the baseline consistently. If I could produce some top spin on my backhand, a lot of the shots that went long would've been cold winners. Should I change to a different grip like the continental grip or eastern grip? Another option is I could change to a one handed backhand - I actually tried that in training once and I could actually hit some ok shots, but my arm got tired... I don't think I'm strong enough yet.


Ok. Now my forehand. I use the semi-western grip as I said above. I like to hit with a lot of top spin and I use my wrist a lot to whip the ball. At times, I don't hit through the ball enough and it produces way too much top spin. Are there any ways to allow me to hit through the ball easier? I want a good mix, not too much top spin but not too flat. I have to swing very very hard and fast just to get my forehand deep at times.

 

[JCo872]

Ok. Now my forehand. I use the semi-western grip as I said above. I like to hit with a lot of top spin and I use my wrist a lot to whip the ball. At times, I don't hit through the ball enough and it produces way too much top spin. Are there any ways to allow me to hit through the ball easier? I want a good mix, not too much top spin but not too flat. I have to swing very very hard and fast just to get my forehand deep at times.

Get that wrist out of your forehand so you transfer some body weight into the ball. Check out how the pros do it here:

http://www.hi-techtennis.com/forehand/topspin.php

Jeff

 

[Thomas Bird-Itch]

I had the same problem on my 2H at one time. A lot of people lock the wrists early and never allow the racket head to drop, thus no topspin. You can try either starting the racquet lower or try making a little dip as you begin to pull the racquet forward. I usually do the "dip," but it can cause timing issues if I don't follow cues, like HIT-BOUNCE-HIT, etc.

When I am rushed, I tend to leave the dip out, making the shot flatter. As long as I don't try to crush the ball that's ok; otherwise it would sail long. It may be better to start with the racquet low so you will always get upward racquet movement for spin. I think Hewitt does this?