Two-handed backhand and high balls

[Double Fault]

I seem to have a problem with balls that bounce high to my left. If I don't hit the ball on the rise, it goes way too high for my two-handed backhand and end up doing an awkward swing.

What should I do when the ball is coming to my left and has bounced too high?

[tbini87]

i think everyone has some sort of problem with that kind of ball. there is no real way to hit a great shot with a ball in that position. so i think the key is to not get into that position. use your feet to quickly get into position to either: 1. take the ball on the rise, or 2. get behind it and hit it once it starts to fall. taking it on the rise is the better option of course, but cant always be done. that is when i move back and wait for the ball to fall a little, while trying to get my weight moving forward before i swing (to get a little punch on the ball). when all else fails you can always lob or hit a moonball...

[Double Fault]

I have a natural tendency to wait until the ball hits the neutral point in the parabola and then hit it. Perhaps I should work on hitting it on the rise. That would definitely solve a lot of problems.

[jjrl2004]

Well if it's a moonball there's not much you can do.
If you are really good then hit a shot on the rise.

But another good thing to do is to move back, wait till it starts to go down, then swing from low to high. (Make sure your racket is low)
That hits with lots of topspin which is good for defensive shots.

[Double Fault]

So there's no way to hit these better without moving forward or back?

Every time a ball like this comes, I feel like I'm swinging at a piñata. =P

Thanks for the help!

[mista-k]

slice it...2 handed or 1 handed doesnt matter...just dont let it come up too high...you should have seen it going up which should give you enough time to run where its landing and catch it before it goes over the shoulder

[1337Kira]

I guess you could try a jumping "jack knife" backhand. I read it in a magazine but I'm not sure if it's the most effective shot.

[RiosTheGenius]

try watching guys like Coria or Hewitt.... because of their height they always seem to be hitting high balls.

[CAM178]

2 ways I can think of:
1. slice it, or 2. make it a weapon. My preference is #2. I used to practice that shot, and would slice shots back until they gave me the high backhand. I would wait for that, and then crush it down the line. If you practice it enough, it can be just as much fun as crushing a high forehand.

[jmverdugo]

I dont know if waiting until it "comes down" is a good idea because sometimes it never comes down, what i do is hit it up with topspin and not to much thru the ball movement, you have to be sure to make a deep shot, this is and excellent pasive/agressive shot. This is of course if you are not in position to hit it on the raise. Slice it is also a good option.

[Double Fault]

Originally Posted by jmverdugo

I dont know if waiting until it "comes down" is a good idea because sometimes it never comes down, what i do is hit it up with topspin and not to much thru the ball movement, you have to be sure to make a deep shot, this is and excellent pasive/agressive shot. This is of course if you are not in position to hit it on the raise. Slice it is also a good option.

I was thinking that if I can't catch it on the rise, I'm doomed. Waiting for it to come down would push me way back outside of the court. My backhand is not powerful enough, especially at that height, to make a ball like that a real threat.

So far, the slice seems to be the best option.

[LeftySpin]

I had the problem too but i found out that there are 4 ways to go about it:

1. Volley it, I know it may seem difficult to react to it, but its easy to tell when someone is going to lob so it just takes practice

2. Wait for it to fall, backup and wait for the ball to fall into your comfortable zone, the only limitations this has is where the wall behind you is, i rememeber running back and the ball never got close to a 2nd bounce instead it hit the wall

3. Catch is on the rise, i know you mentioned that you dont like this way but i find it very effective becauseit let you return the ball with more speed then waiting for it to fall

4. As its rising or falling lob it back, this is a nice way to return the ball comfortably and get back into position, it will stop the other player from rushing the net or at least stop them from advancing

People who start out tend to use 2 and 4 the most because they the most simple and require less. 1 and 3 are the ones that the slightly more advanced people use because they have the experience and practice

[Double Fault]

Well, I was practicing this earlier today, before I twisted my ankle and called it a day.

My backhand was rockin' and I decided to practice these high balls. The problem with letting it fall is that it is just too much time for the opponent. The 1 second it takes to get to the comfortable zone is enough time for the opponent to gain 2 meters on the baseline or, worse, towards the net.

[boobik2371]

A nice good shoulder turn can do the trick, never realized how much it hindered me not to turn that much...but people have different techniques

[Kevo]

You really need to learn to hit high bouncers on the rise. It's quite easy to moonball someone to the fence where they simply can't reach the ball at all. I actually had a little fun with the high school kids earlier and I ran one of kids all the way to the fence a few times. One of those super loopers hit the top post of the fence off the bounce.

If someone hits me one of those moonballs I hug the baseline and rip it right after it comes off the ground. You really can't afford to give up 6-8 feet or more of court behind the baseline.

[Tempest344]

slice it

the rotation of the ball will make it easier to slice
the same can be applied to slices as well........just hit with lots of topspin

[BURN-E]

need to work on your timing. try to start the movement of your backhand as late as possible, also make a bigger movement on high, long balls.

with this balls you have to think there's a double net ( two times one net/ double height than normal net)

ps. when you get shorter balls: one net, shorter en faster movement