No ball machine + no hitting partner = How you find the right approach to a stroke?

DeShaun · 03-25-2011, 09:15 PM

I have trouble getting my spacing and approach down to the one handed backhand. I haven't been able to locate where and how my body should be be moving, when going into the ball, or where in front of me to make contact with it. Any suggestions on what to try?

My forehand is actually becoming somewhat versatile after grooving it all winter long. My serve, the first stroke I learned after taking six months to study and practice it, I have basically neglected all winter, but I should be able get it back on track in of the next two months. So, I've got a basic working forehand and, soon probably, will have a serve that I will be able to apply some pressure with, and so, I really need some help figuring out the backhand.

Fuji · 03-25-2011, 09:30 PM

Find a pro that will teach you the proper mechanics OR some good videos online, then find a wall. The wall is great for grooving strokes.

-Fuji

DeShaun · 03-25-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuji

Find a pro that will teach you the proper mechanics OR some good videos online, then find a wall. The wall is great for grooving strokes.

-Fuji

Thank you for the thoughts.

KenC · 03-26-2011, 05:51 AM

+1 on getting a good hitting coach to help construct a reliable 1HBH. Bad technique on the 1HBH can lead to Tennis Elbow. A few lessons spent with a good teacher is well worth it.

I would also suggest getting a video camera that also does slo mo and periodically film yourself hitting. Since you really don't see your footwork and what most of your body is doing during a stroke, looking back at video really helps a lot to see where your feet are, where your weight is balanced and transferred, how your posture is, are you getting enough knee bend, how much low to high you have in your swing, etc.

You will eventually have to find a good hitting partner that will be willing to do drills. Drills are what I always resort to when something, especially the 1HBH, goes out of whack. A half hour hitting backhands DTL followed by a half hour hitting them CC usually is enough to put everything back to normal.

charliefedererer · 03-26-2011, 05:13 PM

As you yourself alluded to, it will only be with practice that you will have the "muscle memory" to own a good backhand so you can then use it to help construct points. Practicing against the backboard help you to groove a swiing, as the ball comes back slower from a non-swinging wall than from an opponent. Adding hitting against a hitting partner, coach or opponent will force you ro learn how to hit balls that come at different speeds and spins, and force you to learn how to hit with the correct depth and side to side. But the wall will at least get you off to a good start.

Here are a few videos that may help you - even if you take lessons with a coach, a prepared mind will absorb the instruction more quickly.

Coach Kyril reveals two tips that show you how tennis players like Roger Federer hit those wicked one-handed backhands; and of course, how YOU can do it, too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpLApIuLGV4

A breakdown of Roger Federer's topspin backhand. A video analysis from four different angles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNdZt...eature=related

Roger Federer: Another Backhand Analysis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaM08...eature=related

Tennis One-Handed Backhand Progressions: Step 4: Add Loop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RZ5ttcb7j0

Tennis One-Handed Backhand Progressions: Step 5: Full Motion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nfQp...feature=relmfu

5263 · 03-26-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeShaun

I have trouble getting my spacing and approach down to the one handed backhand. I haven't been able to locate where and how my body should be be moving, when going into the ball, or where in front of me to make contact with it. Any suggestions on what to try?
.

A couple of quick notes. if you want more, let me know,

but to what you asked:
when you rec the Bh, you should be stable and balanced, not really moving much if you can help it.
contact should be more in front for the 1 hander than any other shot. six inches to a foot further out than for the Fh.
cheers

03-25-2011, 09:15 PM	#1
DeShaun Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,652	No ball machine + no hitting partner = How you find the right approach to a stroke? I have trouble getting my spacing and approach down to the one handed backhand. I haven't been able to locate where and how my body should be be moving, when going into the ball, or where in front of me to make contact with it. Any suggestions on what to try? My forehand is actually becoming somewhat versatile after grooving it all winter long. My serve, the first stroke I learned after taking six months to study and practice it, I have basically neglected all winter, but I should be able get it back on track in of the next two months. So, I've got a basic working forehand and, soon probably, will have a serve that I will be able to apply some pressure with, and so, I really need some help figuring out the backhand. __________________ wilson graphite matrix (red/black) : 58# forten nylon : bare leather grip Last edited by DeShaun : 03-25-2011 at 09:22 PM.

03-25-2011, 09:30 PM	#2
Fuji Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Canada, Eh? Posts: 4,546	Find a pro that will teach you the proper mechanics OR some good videos online, then find a wall. The wall is great for grooving strokes. -Fuji __________________ I believe what he says are nuggets of truth. And I collect them. And I store them in the lock-box of my soul. -JD

03-26-2011, 05:51 AM	#4
KenC Professional Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Cliffs of Insanity Posts: 1,351	+1 on getting a good hitting coach to help construct a reliable 1HBH. Bad technique on the 1HBH can lead to Tennis Elbow. A few lessons spent with a good teacher is well worth it. I would also suggest getting a video camera that also does slo mo and periodically film yourself hitting. Since you really don't see your footwork and what most of your body is doing during a stroke, looking back at video really helps a lot to see where your feet are, where your weight is balanced and transferred, how your posture is, are you getting enough knee bend, how much low to high you have in your swing, etc. You will eventually have to find a good hitting partner that will be willing to do drills. Drills are what I always resort to when something, especially the 1HBH, goes out of whack. A half hour hitting backhands DTL followed by a half hour hitting them CC usually is enough to put everything back to normal. __________________ 3X PK Ki5 315 ::: 4X PSLGT and 1X PSL ::: 2X PSTGT and 1X PST MCS mains and PPA crosses

03-26-2011, 05:13 PM	#5
charliefedererer Legend Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 5,587	As you yourself alluded to, it will only be with practice that you will have the "muscle memory" to own a good backhand so you can then use it to help construct points. Practicing against the backboard help you to groove a swiing, as the ball comes back slower from a non-swinging wall than from an opponent. Adding hitting against a hitting partner, coach or opponent will force you ro learn how to hit balls that come at different speeds and spins, and force you to learn how to hit with the correct depth and side to side. But the wall will at least get you off to a good start. Here are a few videos that may help you - even if you take lessons with a coach, a prepared mind will absorb the instruction more quickly. Coach Kyril reveals two tips that show you how tennis players like Roger Federer hit those wicked one-handed backhands; and of course, how YOU can do it, too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpLApIuLGV4 A breakdown of Roger Federer's topspin backhand. A video analysis from four different angles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNdZt...eature=related Roger Federer: Another Backhand Analysis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaM08...eature=related Tennis One-Handed Backhand Progressions: Step 4: Add Loop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RZ5ttcb7j0 Tennis One-Handed Backhand Progressions: Step 5: Full Motion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nfQp...feature=relmfu Last edited by charliefedererer : 03-26-2011 at 05:18 PM.

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