1-Handed BH Service Return Tips Anyone?

[Fumoffu]

Originally Posted by BullDogTennis

my problem is hard shots seem to shoot up on slices.

make sure you're in your starting grip as continental, and try not to "chop" like federer seems to do. making solid contact is equally important on a slice as it is on a drive. sitting up a bit is fine, but popping straight up is generally just a poor mechanics.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

Be careful how yor feet are working. If you step across with your right foot to hit the shot, you will most likely be late. Learn to step out with the foot closest to the ball, show the butt cap at the ball, then pull the butt cap across you body.

All you need to do is get the butt cap behind the ball then hit. Nothing else. Your shoulders will turn naturally and be sure to step first with the foot cloest to the ball, set it, then transfer the weight forward with the racquet.

If you take a backswing and step across, the butt of your racquet will face the side fence. Big no-no for the onehander. Especially on the return of serve.

Wouldn't you be hitting an open stance one-hander then?

[mark rodgers]

I was also having some problems with my one handed backhand returns. At that time my role on our team was to play the forehand side during doubles. So I was wanting to strengthen it on that side. My local pro started me out slowly and what he wanted me to do was to let the ball come into my body more than try to hit the ball so far out in front. That took a little getting used to. I had to keep my arm and wrist bend firm and let my should point the way. When I think about hitting my backhand I think of two shots: One that is angular (or circular) for power groundies and linear for when I get shots into the body and sometimes for going down the line. The return of serve for me is a linear shot. What I also do now is to pivot a little on the back foot which allows me to go crosscourt or down the line. Let your shoulder determine the direction of the return.

By the letting the ball come into the body more, you give yourself more time which is exactly what one needs in that situation. Don't forget to have a short backswing too.

[sandy28]

Anyone out there can give me any tip on how to return serves that are kicking high up on the backhand? with my single handed bh grip i find it a limiting factor to the extent i could lift my racket and, even if i manage to do that it puts the racket face at an awkward angle at contact and i landed up driving the ball over the baseline.

Originally Posted by jayserinos99

Lately I've been toying with the idea of switching to a 1-handed backhand in practice sessions. I can drive it consistently off the ground, but having a hard time hitting it on the return of serve. It feels like I'm hitting really late and having to end up arming the ball over. I really don't want to be limited to a slice return on my backhand wing. FYI, I have been hitting my 1-handed backhands with an Eastern bh grip.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by sandy28

Anyone out there can give me any tip on how to return serves that are kicking high up on the backhand? with my single handed bh grip i find it a limiting factor to the extent i could lift my racket and, even if i manage to do that it puts the racket face at an awkward angle at contact and i landed up driving the ball over the baseline.

You'll have to hit it with some sidespin along with topspin.

[boramiNYC]

either take it early and slice CC or step back and hit heavy topspin CC. if you are very confident placing these shots dtl is okay but that must put the opponent in defensive position.

[mightyrick]

Originally Posted by sandy28

Anyone out there can give me any tip on how to return serves that are kicking high up on the backhand? with my single handed bh grip i find it a limiting factor to the extent i could lift my racket and, even if i manage to do that it puts the racket face at an awkward angle at contact and i landed up driving the ball over the baseline.

This is the reason I return purely with a two-handed backhand. It seems so much easier to maneuver the racquet and punch the ball back with a 2HBH than 1HBH.

Even though the rest of my game uses a 1HBH.

[LeeD]

Undoubtedly, it's easier to use 2hbh for topspin returns of serves.
BungalowBill is correct here. Open stance is fine, since time is of essense. Little shoulder turn is needed, since the pace of the fast serve provides your power...you're really redirecting it back higher than it came, with, as said, a combination of top and sidespin.
If you have time to slice it back, you have time to attempt a top/side spin return. It IS harder to hit clean, some balls might go long if the serve is big, and of course, the MAIN problem is if the serve is hit really wide, you've committed to a topspin swing, so your reach, the controlled one, is lessenned.

[LeeD]

Oh, I find it easier to be confident (forget your previous mistakes) and take the ball well in front of you, since you can't turn sideways in time.

[BabolatTennis9]

just remember don't swing at the ball but meet it to get a good return

[sureshs]

Isner mentioned the return of serve as one of the important advantages of his 2 hander. It is a miracle Fed has survived Roddick, Karlovic, Isner and Raonic with his 1 hander.

[Tafmatch]

I also hit a 2hbh against really fast serves. 1hbh for everything else.

[martini1]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Isner mentioned the return of serve as one of the important advantages of his 2 hander. It is a miracle Fed has survived Roddick, Karlovic, Isner and Raonic with his 1 hander.

I think it is his read that is superior, and alone with the great first step Fed actually did a lot of I/O return, immediately putting these guys on defense. If the serve is well placed Fed can also do a great slice return. No body serve can really hurt someone if there is a great slice return.

[boramiNYC]

there is rhythm for normal strokes. but there are times when you have to significantly speed up that rhythm not just by moving faster but also know how to shorten the stroke from the contact point. too often 1hbh is taught in a way that makes shortening the stroke very difficult. it's due to inefficient use of elbow of locking it up. so the shoulder always lead the stroke. when correctly shortened elbow should be able to lead the stroke but locked elbow prevent this. Fed is one example who can shorten his 1hbh and with great footwork he can return any serve.

[LeeD]

means you're late to the ball, so practice against that serve more and get earlier, moving forwards, you wanting to hit the ball.

[boramiNYC]

an explanation about Feds footwork on return. landing from the split step, recognize it's gonna b bh and push off with right foot and make the all important left step. this step should be well placed for the incoming ball and must be a solid step meaning firm heel contact on the ground and solid enough you should able to stand on the left foot alone at this point. also while all weight is on this foot the racquet should b ready to swing forward. do heel to toe weight transfer (lift heel) for timing and push off on the toe for the right step and at the same time swing forward and at the same time push the left leg back. it's kinda like a criss cross step but one leg each. this footwork counter balances the upper body rotation and stabilize the swing making it controllable.