My 1H BH, Changed from 2H BH

[zhukov97]

After struggle with 2H BH for 2 years, I change to 1H BH. I found 1H BH is more natural to me. Here is the video of my practice. Any comments will be welcome.

I found for me semi-west BH grip like Henin is better than eastern BH grip. I also found change grip earlier before back swing got better results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtULTTm1vnY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4Y1QE0vUIg

Thanks

[rbowser]

It's really good actually. Pretty decent and solid. Just you try and hit high balls, which will strenghten your backhand, but I wouldn't do it. I mean, ur not playing on clay....Anyways, looks nice, but the only thing you should do is don't open your shoulders and try to take the ball earlier.

[Mastermind]

I noticed that sometimes you brush up too extremely on the ball, resulting in lack of depth or the ball going into the net. Make sure you can really feel a solid contact with the ball while still brushing up on the ball. Also, on a fair few of the balls, you hit standing almost straight up. Sometimes you can get away with it, but using your legs and getting low to the shot will help, I know from experience, I use a one hander also.

The semi-western grip you use is actually called an extreme eastern grip. I use the same grip. Just a little bit of info for ya!

[zhukov97]

Originally Posted by rbowser

It's really good actually. Pretty decent and solid. Just you try and hit high balls, which will strenghten your backhand, but I wouldn't do it. I mean, ur not playing on clay....Anyways, looks nice, but the only thing you should do is don't open your shoulders and try to take the ball earlier.

Thanks, rbowser. Actually I am not really understand don't open shoulders stuff. I think I open the shoulders after hitting the ball, so it is more likely follow through. Do you mean I should keep the shoulders close?

[zhukov97]

Originally Posted by Mastermind

I noticed that sometimes you brush up too extremely on the ball, resulting in lack of depth or the ball going into the net. Make sure you can really feel a solid contact with the ball while still brushing up on the ball. Also, on a fair few of the balls, you hit standing almost straight up. Sometimes you can get away with it, but using your legs and getting low to the shot will help, I know from experience, I use a one hander also.

The semi-western grip you use is actually called an extreme eastern grip. I use the same grip. Just a little bit of info for ya!

Thanks Mastermind.

Yes, I do sometime feel I can not generate pace because I can not get clear contact. This happens more often when I can not get good timing for high balls.

Another question is for high ball at shoulder high, I can not image how bend knees, maybe I need more practice.

semi-western BH grip=extreme eastern grip
http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/gear/...al.aspx?id=649

[jasoncho92]

It doesnt look like youre taking it back all the way either

[zhukov97]

Originally Posted by jasoncho92

It doesnt look like youre taking it back all the way either

Can not understand

[aznspongehead]

Keep a closed stance on the follow through, do not rotate your trunk, keep your body facing sideways (or When I open up on my backhand I lose control of the ball.

[jasoncho92]

Originally Posted by zhukov97

Can not understand

Its ok not to but to get power you should take the racquet back a bit further

[zhukov97]

Originally Posted by aznspongehead

Keep a closed stance on the follow through, do not rotate your trunk, keep your body facing sideways (or When I open up on my backhand I lose control of the ball.

Sounds good tip, I will give it a try

[stormholloway]

One major point to make about your stroke is the way you "open" your chest up toward the court. Sometimes it can't be avoided, but I feel you're doing it a bit too early when you do it.

It's as if you're body is swinging open with the stroke. Trying extending your off arm back to balance you and try to keep balance centered. Simply uncoil. You don't need to rotate your trunk with the swing.

[BreakPoint]

Yeah, I agree. It looks like you're rotating your trunk too much and opening up too soon. Remember that with a 1HBH, the power comes from your arm and shoulder and not from trunk rotation like the 2HBH does. With a 1HBH, once you set up with your closed stand with your hitting arm shoulder pointed in the direction that you want to hit the ball, the only things that should move as you stroke through the ball are your arm and shoulder. Your upper body and trunk should stay still.

Watch some videos of Federer to see how he does it. Here are a couple in slo-mo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69WEgyk9v1g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9az5qWcLOTk

See how his shoulders and upper body stay still and remain perpendicular to the net until well after he's struck the ball?

[zhukov97]

Thanks stormholloway, BreakPoint

I am just wondering why I need close the shoulder? For gernerating more racquet head speed or get more control because it limit the direction of hitting arm?

I feel I can get more head speed by roating the trunk.

Another reason I rotate trunk maybe because I used play 2H BH for about two years.

[Queensryche]

Your trunks will rotate , however its an effect , not a cause. It occurs when u turn your shoulders to hit. (This occurs because the semi-western grip's contact is further out infront)

Your trunks however should never open to face the net , it will always remain relatively close with respect to the net. This will allow your hitting arm to stay with the line of the shot better. If you turn your torso too much u will hit across the ball rather than through it.

Its similar to hammering a nail on a wall in front of you with your backhand stroke. You use your shoulder as a pivot to drive your arm forward.
Rotate on a cylindrical base from the waist focus on hitting the ball , don't rotate your torso on purpose.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by zhukov97

Thanks stormholloway, BreakPoint

I am just wondering why I need close the shoulder? For gernerating more racquet head speed or get more control because it limit the direction of hitting arm?

I feel I can get more head speed by roating the trunk.

Another reason I rotate trunk maybe because I used play 2H BH for about two years.

You aim the direction of your 1HBH by pointing in that direction with the edge of your hitting shoulder as you take your racquet back, and to a lesser extent, your leading foot in that same direction.

The power in the 1HBH comes from the arm, shoulder, and the weight transfer from your back foot to your front foot.

Yes, the reason you rotate your trunk is probably because you are still used to hitting 2HBH's.

[The Gorilla]

rotate your trunk for more power, don't listen to these idiots.

just look at gasguet or kuerten or gaudio.

[pro_staff]

It's kind of redundant for me to say this but...yeah you're opening up your shoulders WAY too much. One thing that my coach told me (he uses 1 hander, I use 2) is that your leading foot (right foot) should point to the side fence. If you look at your foot, it's pointed diagonally towards the front. Pointing your foot to the side will restrict your body from opening up too much.
Just something that might help.

[circusmouse]

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said (except Gorilla's comment. Amateurs will struggle to imitate Guga and Gaudio). My only addition is this: you should close your stance a little earlier and close it a little more (i.e. step across your body further with your right foot). This will make it easier to pull the racquet and shoulder back further, which will improve power and consistency. It will also make it easier to make small adjustment steps as the ball approaches.

[zhukov97]

Originally Posted by The Gorilla

rotate your trunk for more power, don't listen to these idiots.

just look at gasguet or kuerten or gaudio.

Quote from Tennis Magazine
EXTREME EASTERN OR SEMI-WESTERN BACKHAND GRIP

The backhand’s answer to the Western forehand (a reason some refer to this as a semi-Western backhand), the base knuckle of your index finger moves one bevel counterclockwise from the Eastern backhand (clockwise for lefties). It’s an advanced grip that only stronger and more accomplished players tend to use.

PLUS:
Just as with the Western forehand grips, this is a very popular choice with clay-court players. It naturally closes the racquet face more than a regular Eastern backhand and moves the strike zone higher and farther out in front of you, making it more conducive to handling high balls and returning them with topspin. Some of the most powerful backhands in tennis are held with this grip.

MINUS:
Its limitations are similar to those of the Western forehand. It’s not well-suited for low balls, and because it’s a rather extreme grip it’s difficult to make quick changes for a transition to net. Players with this grip usually have long, elaborate swings and prefer the baseline.

PROS WHO USE IT:
Gustavo Kuerten, Justine Henin- Hardenne


So I am wondering why Kuerten rotate his trunck because he used extreme eastern grip, same as me. Here he rotate his trunck to generate more racquet head speed, which is he needed to keep ball deep, but sacrifice some control. For those guys use eastern BH Grip like Federer, they hit through ball more and keep trunck stable to get more control.

Is it make any sense?

Thanks your guys's good comments. Are there any pit and fuals except rotate trunck?

[widmerpool]

Originally Posted by circusmouse

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said (except Gorilla's comment. Amateurs will struggle to imitate Guga and Gaudio). My only addition is this: you should close your stance a little earlier and close it a little more (i.e. step across your body further with your right foot). This will make it easier to pull the racquet and shoulder back further, which will improve power and consistency. It will also make it easier to make small adjustment steps as the ball approaches.

agreed. btw, Guga doesn't rotate to generate ANY power. That's just his follow-through. He hits the same classic OHBH they did in the 1920s. He's sideways (and then some). He steps into the ball. His head is down. It has nothing to do with trunk rotation.

One thing I can add: rolling the wrist over is good but I don't understand that exaggerated roll in the follow through. you are going to hurt your arm doing that. maybe it helps you focus on the whole arc but it seems forced once the head has crossed your body.