Proper stance for fh's and bh's

[Mr. Anderson]

To properly hit and have a very effective fh and bh your stance on court has to be completely sideways right? Backhand maybe a little bit more turned than the fh right? Because I think this is the reason why my fh has been really bad lately, I unconciously hit fh's almost like me facing the net, which is really bad right? only when you fully execute one should you be facing the net with your front?

I also wanted to ask about the feet positioning, I'm right handed, for a fh should my right foot be in front of the left? is this what they call an "open stance"? can I hit with my left foot in front (closed stance?)? sometimes the latter feels more confortable. Thanks anyone!

[SystemicAnomaly]

For groundstrokes, the upper body (torso/shoulders) should normally turn at least 90 degrees away from the net, sometimes more, to prepare for either FH or BH strokes. For both FH & BH strokes, the back of the front shoulder will often be presented to the net -- this is an indication that the shoulders have turned a bit more than 90 degrees. When setting up for run-around shots (inside-out shots), the body will rotate noticeably more than 90 degrees to set up for the shot.

The orientation of the lower body (feet/legs/hips) will depend on the type of stroke and the type of stance employed. For FH g'strokes, the stance will usually be neutral (even/square), semi-open, or (fully) open.

Closed stances, especially extreme closed stances, should normally be avoided on the FH side. This stance will not allow the hips to rotate freely back toward the net unless the back leg kicks around to open up the hips on the forward swing of the racket -- this often requires 2 extra steps to recover to prepare for the next stroke.

Make sure that you master the neutral stance, not a closed one, for the FH so that you become accustomed to turning your body completely to the side. After that, then work on the semi-open and then the fully open stances -- make sure that your upper body rotates sufficiently away from the net on your unit turn.

Which BH stroke are you using, the 1-hander or the 2-hander?

Originally Posted by Mr. Anderson

...

I also wanted to ask about the feet positioning, I'm right handed, for a fh should my right foot be in front of the left? is this what they call an "open stance"? can I hit with my left foot in front (closed stance?)? sometimes the latter feels more confortable. Thanks anyone!

For sake of clarity, let's use a sideline and the baseline as references. For the FH, place your right foot where a sideline intersects with the the baseline. If you take a step forward, toward the net, so that your left foot is pretty much on the same side line, you have a neutral (square) stance.

If the left foot steps significantly across that sideline, you have a closed stance. In the case where the left foot does not step in and stays near the baseline, an fully open stance is the result. When the left foot is closer to the net than the right. but is positioned somewhere between the baseline & the sideline, you have a semi-open stance.
.

[Caladbolg]

Originally Posted by SystemicAnomaly

For groundstrokes, the upper body (torso/shoulders) should normally turn at least 90 degrees away from the net, sometimes more, to prepare for either FH or BH strokes. For both FH & BH strokes, the back of the front shoulder will often be presented to the net -- this is an indication that the shoulders have turned a bit more than 90 degrees. When setting up for run-around shots (inside-out shots), the body will rotate noticeably more than 90 degrees to set up for the shot.

The orientation of the lower body (feet/legs/hips) will depend on the type of stroke and the type of stance employed. For FH g'strokes, the stance will usually be neutral (even/square), semi-open, or (fully) open.

Closed stances, especially extreme closed stances, should normally be avoided on the FH side. This stance will not allow the hips to rotate freely back toward the net unless the back leg kicks around to open up the hips on the forward swing of the racket -- this often requires 2 extra steps to recover to prepare for the stroke.

Make sure that you master the neutral stance, not a closed one, for the FH so that you become accustomed to turning your body completely to the side. After that, then work on the semi-open and then the fully open stances -- make sure that your upper body rotates sufficiently away from the net on your unit turn.

Which BH stroke are you using, the 1-hander or the 2-hander?




For sake of clarity, let's use a sideline and the baseline as references. For the FH, place your right foot where a sideline intersects with the the baseline. If you take a step forward, toward the net, so that your left foot is pretty much on the same side line, you have a neutral (square) stance.

If the left foot steps significantly across that sideline, you have a closed stance. In the case where the left foot does not step in and stays near the baseline, an fully open stance is the result. When the left foot is closer to the net than the right. but is positioned somewhere between the baseline & the sideline, you have a semi-open stance.

I use one-handed backhand, but I didn't undestand your stance explanation that much! Everything else was good advice, thanks a lot

[SystemicAnomaly]

Originally Posted by Caladbolg

I use one-handed backhand, but I didn't undestand your stance explanation that much! Everything else was good advice, thanks a lot

With the 1-handed BH, either the neutral or closed stances are ok. Since much less hip (& torso) rotation is used for the 1-hander than the other types of groundstrokes, the closed stance is suitable -- in fact, the close stance can be instrumental in preventing the hips from opening up for this type of stroke.

Try to coil up more than 90 degrees for the 1-hander. This will allow some hip and shoulder rotation (uncoiling) to initiate the forward swing. However, before the racket head comes forward to meet the ball, the hips & torso should stop rotating. The power from the legs and the hip/torso rotation is completely transferred to the racket arm -- this means that pretty much only the front shoulder, the racket arm and the racket are moving for the contact phase and the follow-thru phase of the 1-hander (the back shoulder and the body stops moving for the most part during these phases).

What part of my previous stance explanation was not clear? Is rather ironic that my attempt to make it crystal clear did not succeed. Note that the placement of the right foot for the FH on the intersection of the baseline and a sideline is supposed to be a reference for all 4 stance variations that I mentioned. It is the placement of the left foot with respect to the the reference (right) foot that distinguishes one stance from the next. Which stance variation was not clear.

[Caladbolg]

Well, let's say I'm standing at the baseline facing the net, the net would be let's say 12 o'clock, and then I rotate to hit a forehand to let's say my feet pointing at 3 o'clock, so let's say both my feet are pointing at 3 o'clock, if my left foot is in front of my right foot in that direction (going straight from 3 o'clock) is that a closed stance? and if it is my right foot in front of my left, that's an open stance? so the second is more recommended?

[Mr. Anderson]

Originally Posted by SystemicAnomaly

Which BH stroke are you using, the 1-hander or the 2-hander?

For sake of clarity, let's use a sideline and the baseline as references.

I also use a one-handed backhand, but I just don't know that well about the stances and all that, which is which and so on, but your other advice was good.

[Mountain Ghost]

Tennis Stance Diagrams:





MG

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ Thanks MG. Those pix are worth thousands of my words. Is it now crystal clear guys?

[Storm_Kyori]

So would you guys say that do what feels comfortable? To me depending on the shot or how I want to hit it, I go neutral I guess when I want to go towards the net. Usually I think my stance is Open to Semi-Open on my FH. I have problems with my BH I don't think it's my stance too much more of my timing. Although I use Semi-Open to Neutral stance, is that good for a 1HBH?

[fuzz nation]

I like a closed stance for my 1hbh (topspin or slice) so that I can get a good swing through the hitting zone, but I like a squared or semi open stance when I employ a 2hbh. For that forehand wing, you can certainly experiment, but you may find that the more your grip goes toward western, the more of an open stance you'll want to accommodate it. If you use an eastern fh grip, you might be most consistent with a squared stance or even a slightly closed one, but it's smart to try them to find what fits your swing.

[Mr. Anderson]

Originally Posted by Mountain Ghost

Tennis Stance Diagrams:





MG

Excellent MG, this cleared it all up.

Originally Posted by SystemicAnomaly

^ Thanks MG. Those pix are worth thousands of my words. Is it now crystal clear guys?

Yep, it's crystal clear now, so which would you recommend to use?

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ ^ ^

The top graphic is for the FH g'stroke. I would recommend all stances except for the 4th one, the closed stance. For a 1-handed BH (refer to the lower graphic), the first 2 stances are normally preferred, either the closed stance or the neutral stance. When I get jammed (a ball directly at me), I will sometimes use a semi-open stance for the 1h BH. You also see it sometimes on serve receive. Other than those situations, I'd avoid the open stance for the 1h BH.

For the 2-handed BH, the neutral stance, or something close to a neutral stance (slightly closed or slightly open) is preferred. A real closed stance should usually be avoided for the 2h BH if at all possible. Some pros, like the Williams sisters, also use open stances for the 2-hander. Many of us do not.

[Caladbolg]

Originally Posted by SystemicAnomaly

^ ^ ^

The top graphic is for the FH g'stroke. I would recommend all stances except for the 4th one, the closed stance. For a 1-handed BH (refer to the lower graphic), the first 2 stances are normally preferred, either the closed stance or the neutral stance. When I get jammed (a ball directly at me), I will sometimes use a semi-open stance for the 1h BH. You also see it sometimes on serve receive. Other than those situations, I'd avoid the open stance for the 1h BH.

For the 2-handed BH, the neutral stance, or something close to a neutral stance (slightly closed or slightly open) is preferred. A real closed stance should usually be avoided for the 2h BH if at all possible. Some pros, like the Williams sisters, also use open stances for the 2-hander. Many of us do not.

Hey I just noticed after watching many videos of Federer hitting his forehands, that on most, not all of course, but on many forehands he actually hits them with his left foot in front or above of his right foot, that stance doesn't appear on the chart MG supplied.

I myself have the bad habit to hit like this on most of my forehands, is it bad? I think it's a question of laziness with me, because I feel it easier or quicker to hit it like this. It's like a closed stance with your right foot farther back. All this for a right hander of course.

[River Hill]

Great Chart. I learn something here everyday.

[[ GTR ]]

Originally Posted by Caladbolg

Hey I just noticed after watching many videos of Federer hitting his forehands, that on most, not all of course, but on many forehands he actually hits them with his left foot in front or above of his right foot, that stance doesn't appear on the chart MG supplied.

I myself have the bad habit to hit like this on most of my forehands, is it bad? I think it's a question of laziness with me, because I feel it easier or quicker to hit it like this. It's like a closed stance with your right foot farther back. All this for a right hander of course.

I think this part from SystemicAnomaly describes what Federer does on his closed stance forehands where he kicks his right leg out to open up..

Closed stances, especially extreme closed stances, should normally be avoided on the FH side. This stance will not allow the hips to rotate freely back toward the net unless the back leg kicks around to open up the hips on the forward swing of the racket -- this often requires 2 extra steps to recover to prepare for the stroke.

[schwuller]

i think gtr is right. he hits some forehand where he WHIPS around alot more than normal, and and his right foot releases.

but let's talk about his NORMAL forehand. i think that is best shown by seeing him warm up.

look here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z47bHHUbbxw

you'll see he hits open stance (leaning toward semi-open), and a more closed stance for very low balls.

[schwuller]

look here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSf2rzVPU2I&NR=1

at the 1:45 point of the video, you'll see him hit an open stance forehand, followed by a squared stance forehand. so he uses both. i think everyone does. but when he's just hitting the ball normally he seems to hit open/semi open, and for low balls he closes his stance up more into a squared stance.

[wihamilton]

MG,

That's a great chart. Well played sir.

[Rickson]

Your right foot should not be in front of the left even in an open stance. As for the backhand, you should be in a closed stance if you hit a one hander. On forehands, you don't have to be completely sideways.

[Mr. Anderson]

Originally Posted by Rickson

Your right foot should not be in front of the left even in an open stance. As for the backhand, you should be in a closed stance if you hit a one hander. On forehands, you don't have to be completely sideways.

I think you miunderstood what I said. I know that your right foot should never be in front of your left, the only way that would be possible is to cross your legs or something, what I meant was, say standing in a semi-open stance, you see there the right foot is, I don't know how to say it, higher then than the left foot, that's what I mean, not crossed in a way that your right foot is to the left and your left foot is to your right or something