Ballinbob's New Backhand!! (vid)

[Mansewerz]

Holy crap, what's the temperature like in Colorado? You're wearing shorts in frickin January!

[mikeler]

Bob,

Glad you are going to be able to take some lessons. My parents were able to afford 1 private lesson a week for 4 years when I was in high school so I am very lucky that my technique is sound. I still did not think your take back was low enough in your new video, but your coach will get all that straightened out for you. Enjoy those hour lessons, the time really flies.

[Ambivalent]

You shouldnt put balls so close to you at the baseline. That's dangerous.

[Ballinbob]

Originally Posted by futuratennis

if you are truly playing like nadal, your wrist will be stuffed soon, i wont be suprised if nadal gets a wrist injury and has to take a year off, putting alot of topspin on every ball isnt good, its very "wristy" and can cause injury, its better to have a variety and hit top spin shots sometimes, but not always

I have a mild western forehand grip and I exaggerate the wind shield wiper motion. I try to not wrist my shots as much as possible, but I have to sometimes to flick it over the net. I didn't know this could cause wrist injuries though. My wrist does often hurt at the end of a match but it goes away by the next morning.

Originally Posted by Mansewerz

Holy crap, what's the temperature like in Colorado? You're wearing shorts in frickin January!

Temp was in the 60s all this week, but its snowing today. Was an unusual week, its not this warm ever at this time of year. Im not complaining though lol

Originally Posted by mikeler

Bob,

Glad you are going to be able to take some lessons. My parents were able to afford 1 private lesson a week for 4 years when I was in high school so I am very lucky that my technique is sound. I still did not think your take back was low enough in your new video, but your coach will get all that straightened out for you. Enjoy those hour lessons, the time really flies.

Yeah I know. It took alot of arguing on my part but it all payed off in the end. We plan on getting a lesson every 2-3 weeks or so, that was the best I could get. It's better than nothing though. I'm going with the same pro as last time, I really liked him.

Plus I got you guys you know, you all have helped alot. I'll keep posting vids here for advice, and hopefully with lessons+your guys' help I'll become a much better player.

Originally Posted by Ambivalent

You shouldnt put balls so close to you at the baseline. That's dangerous.

What can I say, I live a high risk life

[mikeler]

Lessons are expensive. Make sure you thank your parents for them. They will appreciate it

PS I almost never use the edit button, but this new laptop is kicking my ars with its crazy mouse!

[Jackie T. Stephens]

Make contact more early on your backhand..

[The_Steak]

Bob, Do not flick your wrist when you hit!!!!! No, I am not worried about injury. When you use your wrist, it creates unnecessary spin. Trust me, I use a full western. Keep your stroke long and fluid, never ever wrist a shot. When you keep the stroke long with no wrist flick, the ball stays down and you can hit the ball incredibly hard.

About 2-3 weeks ago, I always thought that using the wrist for added spin was good, but you cannot produce an aggressive shot. The ball spins a ton and will land in the service box, so your opponent can easily kill it for a winner.

I don't give a damn about injury, but do not use the wrist whatever you do.

Note* I am talking about when it is forced, not when there is a natural is the natural wrist snap when you hit hard.

[Jackie T. Stephens]

Originally Posted by The_Steak

Bob, Do not flick your wrist when you hit!!!!! No, I am not worried about injury. When you use your wrist, it creates unnecessary spin. Trust me, I use a full western. Keep your stroke long and fluid, never ever wrist a shot. When you keep the stroke long with no wrist flick, the ball stays down and you can hit the ball incredibly hard.

About 2-3 weeks ago, I always thought that using the wrist for added spin was good, but you cannot produce an aggressive shot. The ball spins a ton and will land in the service box, so your opponent can easily kill it for a winner.

I don't give a damn about injury, but do not use the wrist whatever you do.

Note* I am talking about when it is forced, not when there is a natural is the natural wrist snap when you hit hard.

I actually see wristy shots all the time, especially with a full western.

[The_Steak]

When it is forced? Or the natural wrist snap?

[Ballinbob]

Hey guys

I had a 1.5 hour lesson today at the price of one today from the pro who gave me one last time. We worked on my backhand the WHOLE time too. He saw I was really trying to learn it so he gave me an extra half hour.

He pretty much told me the exact same thing that was in the sticky, except he said I could have as big a takeback I wanted as long as I was hitting the ball correctly.

He told me:
-Stay low and keep the whole racket under the ball (he kept repeating this the whole lesson, apparently this was my biggest problem)
-He suggested to open my stance a little bit b/c I had too closed of a stance
-Keep my left foot down at all times
-Keep my left shoulder down and let my right shoulder do all the work

Mainly it was staying low that he emphasized. I don't know why I was having so much trouble with it. Every single ball I hit he said "stay low" so it got stuck in my head. It worked though. He was patient with me and after the lesson I got it. He also smoothed out my stroke so it doesn't look so forced anymore.

I played my pusher friend after and I used my topspin backhand and I was hitting it well when I set up for it. I still am having timing problems and footwork problems. I also tend to hit it incorrectly when I'm under pressure.However, when I have time to think about what I'm doing, I hit the ball correctly.

That's pretty much what I noticed. At the end of the lesson when he was feeding me easy balls, I was hitting every one correctly and he told me I was good to go. Under pressure though I revert to my old ways. My backhand is a great shot now when I have time to set it up. I got lucky today and hit a couple flat backhands that went in for winners too lol. I know the correct technique now and just need to work on be able to hit the ball correctly under pressure/match circumstance.

Anyway, thanks Behappy and others for your advice. My coach told me exactly what you were telling me, its just that I needed the 1on1 help.Karl, if you want to delete this thread go ahead, I got what I wanted out of it

[The_Steak]

Don't delete it.... Other people might want to read for advice on their backhands.

Admins, rename to advice to one hand back handers.

[Ballinbob]

steak's right. I acted too soon, don't delete it yet

I'm probably not the only one with this problem. Give me a day or two and I'll go through this whole thread and take out the good advice tips, then maybe we can sticky it. There's a ton of info in this thread that would really help everyone out.

I'll work on that ASAP

[am22fcw]

Originally Posted by Ambivalent

You shouldnt put balls so close to you at the baseline. That's dangerous.

yes that is very dangerous. last thursday i was playing with my neighbor who i normally play with 3-5 times per week wether its singles or doubles. anyway there was a ball on the outter doubles line on the side of the court. i hit a shot down the line and he went after it and he stepped right on top of the ball. he ended up severly spraigning his ankle and had to go to the E.R. I haven't played since then but i will assure you that every ball will be off the court when we hit!