Balls heading straight to you

[Nellie]

You are in a pretty defensive situation, so I would be looking to return deep and cross court to continue the point. I would hit this shot like a half-volley. Essentially, I rotate at the shoulders (keeping the feet still) to line up the head of the racquet with the height of the ball but with no take back of the racquet. I am often leaning sideways to create some space from the ball. The ball has a lot of momentum, so I just I try to punch through (or even with add a slight upward motion for some type spin/lift). If this happens when I am coming forward, I may slice.

[LeeD]

Guess you're talking NML or baseline shots, NOT volleys, since in volleying position, you have no time to move feet if the opponent hits one hard at you.
WHY try to hit topspin or flat? Opponent has the upper hand, so why don't you just try to nuetralized the point with a wide slow slice?
If the ball has bounced, you HAVE plenty of time to move your feet and pivot your body sideways, making the backswing for you.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Nellie

You are in a pretty defensive situation, so I would be looking to return deep and cross court to continue the point. I would hit this shot like a half-volley. Essentially, I rotate at the shoulders (keeping the feet still) to line up the head of the racquet with the height of the ball but with no take back of the racquet. I am often leaning sideways to create some space from the ball. The ball has a lot of momentum, so I just I try to punch through (or even with add a slight upward motion for some type spin/lift). If this happens when I am coming forward, I may slice.

Do you do the backhand "punch" with a conti or Eastern BH grip? The latter (my usual BH grip) causes errors in this situation as the block needs to be quite precise as it is hit with little swing.

[LeeD]

Use your volley grip to shorthop or block from NML back to the baseline.
On forehand, you can use your normal forehand grip with a high swingpath to impart some topspin.
Ebackhand is sometimes hard, as you need to take the ball out in front, and most shorthop balls are hard to judge.

[boramiNYC]

Originally Posted by sureshs

My basic problem (for a non-slice approach) is: where is the room for the swing? It seems as if the racket has to swing back and forth through my body to hit this shot. At least for now, such technology does not exist.

as your 1hbh improve, you'll find that you can hit without backswing from the ready position by simply changing grip and turning the whole body for the closed stance. a little shortened but plenty useful for defensive or looping shot.

[LeeD]

This "blocking" shot is not hit with authority or heavy topspin.
It's a BLOCK, like a half volley only shorter swung.
To reset the point, not force the point in your favor.

[boramiNYC]

I'd say it's way more than block. about 75% of full stroke. using the wrist well in 1hbh will help in this regard.

[LeeD]

You can stoke it you can get out of the way.
Even at the Aussie, there are plenty of situations where all the players could not get out of the way, and purely blocked the ball back....or attempted to.

[LeeD]

You can stroke it if you can...
Using a anatomical keyboard, so can't type accurately.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by boramiNYC

I'd say it's way more than block. about 75% of full stroke. using the wrist well in 1hbh will help in this regard.

Correct. Blocking does not cut it, even at the 4.0 level.

[LeeD]

Blocking cuts it, as seen at the Aussie.
Anything is better than losing the point on that stroke.

[Relinquis]

low slice is a good shot. if you have time to worry about grip changes than you should have had enough time to rotate your shoulders and adjust your weight balance/pivot to hit a solid block or flat ball (single handed backhand).

[THE FIGHTER]

Originally Posted by sureshs

And slightly to the backhand.

Give me some tips on those.

I have tried quick sideways turn, backing up, and running around the BH. Tried blocking and slicing.

I would like more analysis.

both ohbh and thbh, if you aren't quick enough to properly set up, or you are just too jammed up, use the jumping backhand. it puts space between your upper body and the ball. unless of course the ball is too low, like below the upper thigh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mbAU81fWac
-the Marat

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by THE FIGHTER

both ohbh and thbh, if you aren't quick enough to properly set up, or you are just too jammed up, use the jumping backhand. it puts space between your upper body and the ball. unless of course the ball is too low, like below the upper thigh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mbAU81fWac
-the Marat

I do have a "jumping" one hander with the left (back) foot up but sometimes these balls jump high on me too fast

[LeeD]

Now we're talking high balls?
OlivierRochus, Bagdatis, Ferrer, Cibulkova, all hit 2hbh high returns of serve.

[Vertiz]

Originally Posted by sureshs

On the 1 handed backhand, the block from that jammed position is not very reliable. That is the problem. How to make it reliable?

Ah okay I kind of see what you guys mean now. I play with a onehander myself and what I'm picturing is a fast/penetrating shot is coming right at you, catching you out of position. It lands very close to the baseline and you don't have time to setup for a driving shot. It doesn't happen too often to me personally and I think you can minimize the amount this happens by having good court position always, a well timed split step, fast footwork, and good balance. The only time I ever get jammed is when I'm on or inside the baseline a little bit. When this happens I do that same hop step into my striking position, get very low (important), make sure my weight is neutral (not leaning back or into the ball like you normally should), and "guide" the ball back. Emphasize the brushing, I look at it as scooping the ball off the rise. It will be a loopy shot usually with decent spin but not much pace. If you can get this reply back deep (takes practice and good timing), your opponent will still have to come up with a big finishing shot to take you out of the point. On the other hand, you could always try to block it but as you say it's unreliable. Hope I make sense haha

[LeeD]

"make it reliable"....
Block it 3' above the net, to the backand side of your opponent. Go for some depth, but don't aim for the baseline. Just into NML is the best you can replicate over and over.

[wanda]

Same thing I had problems with a while ago.
I was told I was quick but not using my speed effectively.
The thing I did was first make sure I always split step and be decisive in whether I would take a backhand or forehand. Then the unit turn and make sure I moved my body away from the ball. For some reason moving my body away seemed harder than running towards the ball. Also I found that stepping back positioning myself further behind the baseline even just a few feet gave me vital more time to react.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by wanda

Also I found that stepping back positioning myself further behind the baseline even just a few feet gave me vital more time to react.

Did you do this as a response to the shot or in general?

[Rui]

Yeah, I don't really understand standing on or just behind the baseline as a base position. If the ball is hit deep, you must move back or hit a backcourt half-volley. It offers nothing that can't be obtained by simply moving forward to intercept the ball.

For the shots directed at your left shoulder (for righties): if they're slow, hit 'em as FHs. Otherwise, stand back (above) and move. Some players don't move to balls hit right to them. I would suggest 3-4 small adjustment steps before the last one.