Better Backhand to imitate: Safin or Nalbandian

Mansewerz · 07-26-2009, 05:30 PM

I feel like my backhand is becoming a bigger weapon than my forehand (at least at the moment), and I wonder which backhand I should imitate more to get the most out of my backhand.

Safin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WReGiDn9tU8

Nalbandian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM2s8q1cOpI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90HhzBiU_K0

From what I can see, the only difference my untrained eyes can notice is a slightly longer takeback by Nalbandian.

As of now, that is my only concern. I'm getting better at taking my backhand off the rise, and I don't want to extend my takeback too much to make taking it off the rise harder. Does Nalbandian take it off the rise well? How about Safin? Who does it better?

Thanks

NamRanger · 07-26-2009, 05:56 PM

Nalbandian and Safin fundamentally have different backhands from a more advanced standpoint (meaning minuscule things that would never apply to amateur players like us).

Safin usually has his arms fairly close to his body, and hits with an eastern forehand grip with his left hand. Nalbandian has a bigger take back and a bigger loop than Safin, and hits with a semi-western to western backhand. There's alot more to it, but that is the general gist.

Nalbandian actually has the more conventional backhand though because he's a little bit less flashy than Marat. Safin tends to do abit too much driving and hits abit too flat for my tastes. Nalbandian can drive and spin very well, but also has a fairly easy motion to copy compared to Safin, who's actually not as easy to copy as you think.

nfor304 · 07-26-2009, 05:57 PM

Nalbandian's backhand is better from defensive positions, and he uses his left hand on the backhand better than anyone. This to me makes it a more versatile shot as he can hit it hard and flat like Safin or he can find sharp angles or apply heavy spin when he needs to.

I would say Nalbandian's backhand is the better of the two to imitate

BU-Tennis · 07-26-2009, 07:43 PM

I have always been a fan of Safin's backhand. When he's on, he can do the most on that side than almost any other player.

Mansewerz · 07-26-2009, 07:44 PM

Really? I'm surprised Nalbandian's is easier to copy. I always thought his was more complex.

dirkgnuf · 07-26-2009, 09:20 PM

NAMRanger,
If you're up for it, could you break down Nalbandian's backhand for me, either here or in a new thread? Or if you have before could you post a link to that?
I've recently decided to start my backhand from scratch, not that it was any good to begin with, and I'm trying to adapt a simplified Nalbandian style backhand to use, and any analysis of the stroke would helpe me tremendously. Thanks.

SystemicAnomaly · 07-27-2009, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mansewerz

Really? I'm surprised Nalbandian's is easier to copy. I always thought his was more complex.

The bottom line is that you should do what works best for you -- given your physique/anatomy, skill level and game. If you find that the Safin technique suits you and it produces good results, then go with it. Whether you emulate Safin or Nalbandian, you should adapt/modify it to your own body and ability level. Quite often, the pros will execute versions of some shots that are just too advanced for us mere mortals to get away with. Best to simplify, if needed -- find what works best for you.

ten15 · 07-27-2009, 05:15 AM

I like Safin's better, but like systemicanomaly said: do whatever works for you. It's ok to base it off a pro's technique, but if you have to make a few changes here and there to make it work for you, don't be afraid to stray from Safin's or Nalbandian's style.

soyizgood · 07-27-2009, 05:37 AM

My backhand evolved over time (13 years). Originally, I just wanted to hit 2HBH because Agassi made it look so bad ***.

I hit flatter now because I had to change my left hand grip from semiwestern to eastern (darn wrist injury). I love going down-the-line when the opportunity presents itself (Safin trademark). I get a kick out of hitting sharp-angled cross-court backhands when I can pull it off (Nalbandian trademark).

Now if I could have Safin's power, Nalbandian's angles, and Rios' smoothness I'd be all set.

Mikael · 07-27-2009, 08:58 AM

Here they are one against the other!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCEJQ0NEe4Y

Safin's is a little unconventional I feel in that sometimes his right arm almost appears to be in a continental grip, making for a very flat backhand.

Like others have said Nalbandian's is smoother and more versatile, but lacks the pace.

I think it's a tie!

Bungalo Bill · 07-27-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mansewerz

I feel like my backhand is becoming a bigger weapon than my forehand (at least at the moment), and I wonder which backhand I should imitate more to get the most out of my backhand.

Safin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WReGiDn9tU8

Nalbandian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM2s8q1cOpI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90HhzBiU_K0

From what I can see, the only difference my untrained eyes can notice is a slightly longer takeback by Nalbandian.

As of now, that is my only concern. I'm getting better at taking my backhand off the rise, and I don't want to extend my takeback too much to make taking it off the rise harder. Does Nalbandian take it off the rise well? How about Safin? Who does it better?

Thanks

My advice is this (and this is where the naturalist get me wrong). Learn how to hit a technically correct backhand.

In other words, find the grips you like. Learn how the arms shape in the swing. Strengthen the top arm. Use your legs in the stroke.

What will happen is you will then develop your backhand without worrying about "who you look like."

Just develop your backhand around sound instruction and let you be you in your backhand.

Double bagel · 07-27-2009, 10:36 AM

Also just keep in mind that those legendary Nalbandian acute crosscourt angles are the result of a 28in. racquet. Not that he couldn't produce epic trajectories with a 27in...just sayin'.

stanfordtennis alum · 07-27-2009, 01:02 PM

safin, hands down.. one of the best of all time

NamRanger · 07-27-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mansewerz

Really? I'm surprised Nalbandian's is easier to copy. I always thought his was more complex.

Nalbandian has alot less moving parts in his backhand, while Safin starts out bent, then drops, and then pulls up to hit. Nalbandian more or less starts out with a fairly straight take back. Safin's backhand is quite intricate to Nalbandian, who has a fairly straight forward backhand (gets in position, takes back, drops, lifts and hits).

However, it really doesn't matter as Bungalo Bill said, because you should focus on what allows you to make clean contact.

Drop Shot 11 · 07-27-2009, 02:17 PM

Just don't imitate, do what feels good to you, and stick with it.

FitzRoy · 07-27-2009, 03:35 PM

I would say that both of them have backhands that are more similar than they are different. I wouldn't focus on the parts where they're different. They both have key elements like unit turn, hip rotation, extension through the ball...once you learn a fundamentally sound backhand, then your own 'style' should develop from there.

Mansewerz · 07-27-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

My advice is this (and this is where the naturalist get me wrong). Learn how to hit a technically correct backhand.

In other words, find the grips you like. Learn how the arms shape in the swing. Strengthen the top arm. Use your legs in the stroke.

What will happen is you will then develop your backhand without worrying about "who you look like."

Just develop your backhand around sound instruction and let you be you in your backhand.

Cool, thanks for the advice. My main interest recently has been having compact enough strokes to take the ball off the rise well. For example, my forehand takeback is now more Safin esque.

I'm just curious though. Does Nalbandian hit off the rise well?

Grizvok · 07-27-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mansewerz

Cool, thanks for the advice. My main interest recently has been having compact enough strokes to take the ball off the rise well. For example, my forehand takeback is now more Safin esque.

I'm just curious though. Does Nalbandian hit off the rise well?

He could do everything with his backhand, especially hit off the rise.

Tyrus · 07-27-2009, 06:19 PM

I am 100% behind everybody that says find the backhand that works for you. Since you like your backhand, i'd change nothing.

Do you want to plow flat through and hit it back with some pace, or scoop it up and load it with topspin. Find what works for you.

dave333 · 07-27-2009, 06:29 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnfsK...eature=related

I actually like Nadal's forehand a lot. Simple technically, you can get some good results. None of that fancy stuff that Safin and Nalbandian seem to have.

07-26-2009, 05:30 PM	#1
Mansewerz Legend Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Caught in No Man's Land Posts: 9,168	Better Backhand to imitate: Safin or Nalbandian I feel like my backhand is becoming a bigger weapon than my forehand (at least at the moment), and I wonder which backhand I should imitate more to get the most out of my backhand. Safin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WReGiDn9tU8 Nalbandian http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM2s8q1cOpI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90HhzBiU_K0 From what I can see, the only difference my untrained eyes can notice is a slightly longer takeback by Nalbandian. As of now, that is my only concern. I'm getting better at taking my backhand off the rise, and I don't want to extend my takeback too much to make taking it off the rise harder. Does Nalbandian take it off the rise well? How about Safin? Who does it better? Thanks __________________ Gameplan: Get it deep, wait for the short ball, then come in. (2) Volkl C10 Pros

07-26-2009, 05:56 PM	#2
NamRanger G.O.A.T. Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 13,824	Nalbandian and Safin fundamentally have different backhands from a more advanced standpoint (meaning minuscule things that would never apply to amateur players like us). Safin usually has his arms fairly close to his body, and hits with an eastern forehand grip with his left hand. Nalbandian has a bigger take back and a bigger loop than Safin, and hits with a semi-western to western backhand. There's alot more to it, but that is the general gist. Nalbandian actually has the more conventional backhand though because he's a little bit less flashy than Marat. Safin tends to do abit too much driving and hits abit too flat for my tastes. Nalbandian can drive and spin very well, but also has a fairly easy motion to copy compared to Safin, who's actually not as easy to copy as you think. __________________ "man... what match is this? The Iron Hands vs The incredible Shanker..." - Gorecki, Federer vs. Ferrer Cincinnati 2009

07-26-2009, 07:43 PM	#4
BU-Tennis Semi-Pro Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Virginia Posts: 485	I have always been a fan of Safin's backhand. When he's on, he can do the most on that side than almost any other player. __________________ Yonex RDiS 100 Midplus, Tourna Poly Big Hitter Silver 17 @ 54lbs.

07-26-2009, 07:44 PM	#5
Mansewerz Legend Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Caught in No Man's Land Posts: 9,168	Really? I'm surprised Nalbandian's is easier to copy. I always thought his was more complex. __________________ Gameplan: Get it deep, wait for the short ball, then come in. (2) Volkl C10 Pros

07-27-2009, 05:37 AM	#9
soyizgood Legend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 9,645	My backhand evolved over time (13 years). Originally, I just wanted to hit 2HBH because Agassi made it look so bad **. I hit flatter now because I had to change my left hand grip from semiwestern to eastern (darn wrist injury). I love going down-the-line when the opportunity presents itself (Safin trademark). I get a kick out of hitting sharp-angled cross-court backhands when I can pull it off (Nalbandian trademark). Now if I could have Safin's power, Nalbandian's angles, and Rios' smoothness I'd be all set. __________________ "The two-hander is just a more secure ball." - Navratilova Dunlop 4D 300/M-Fil 400/Aerogel 300. Babolat PS. 2HBH/Cheap Players club's CEO Last edited by soyizgood : 07-27-2009 at 05:42 AM.*

07-27-2009, 01:02 PM	#13
stanfordtennis alum Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2008 Location: on a tennis court Posts: 1,821	safin, hands down.. one of the best of all time __________________ Stanford Tennis Alumni- Class of 2006 61-24 record over 4 years Head Flexpoint Prestige- Pro Supex Strings- Go Cardinals!!