High Balls to the 1-H Backhand need help!

Tennis4203 · May 16, 2007

Helloooooooo everybody

there's a local tournament coming up and i want to be ready for it. And i don't want to go in with a weakness, i wanted to learn how to counter these high balls before i go in, because around here, there's a lot of lobbers that play in the local tourneys.

Nyway i would greatly appreciate nything helpful for me with my 1-hander

thanks
Tennis4203

Punisha · May 16, 2007

slice............

Lindros13 · May 16, 2007

Options:

1) Slice (as indicated by Punisha above)
2) Step in and catch it on the rise, before it kicks up or bounces up high.
3) Back up and catch it on the way down (probably not the preferred method most of the time b/c you'll be getting into a bad position, back off the court - but it's an option from time to time)
4) If it's not too high, you can still hit topspin, but be sure to keep your swing low to high.
5) Practice all of the above, and practice any other suggestions that others provide!

35ft6 · May 16, 2007

This doesn't just reply this topic, but remember that you can practice your weak shots and strengthen them. Just hearing "hit it on the rise," or whatever, and trying it a few times isn't enough. I heard people, and myself, talk about my bad this or terrible that, but we rarely go out with a ball basket, or to a wall with the intent of practicing this shot until it becomes discernibly better.

Whatever you decide to do, you'll get quicker results if you can get somebody to feed you high, deep balls to your back so you can practice it.

andreh · May 16, 2007

35ft6 said:
This doesn't just reply this topic, but remember that you can practice your weak shots and strengthen them. Just hearing "hit it on the rise," or whatever, and trying it a few times isn't enough. I heard people, and myself, talk about my bad this or terrible that, but we rarely go out with a ball basket, or to a wall with the intent of practicing this shot until it becomes discernibly better.

Whatever you decide to do, you'll get quicker results if you can get somebody to feed you high, deep balls to your back so you can practice it.

I like this advice. Quite simply to hit a lot balls. Get a coach, or a friend to feed you 100s of high backhands. You need practice. Plain and simple. The same is true for any shot.

35ft6 · May 16, 2007

andreh said:
I like this advice. Quite simply to hit a lot balls. Get a coach, or a friend to feed you 100s of high backhands. You need practice. Plain and simple. The same is true for any shot.

Sometimes I get the impression that people think they can just read an answer and not really have to practice it. If this were a thread about computers, yeah, simply reading the answer might be enough, but in tennis reading the suggestions is just the beginning -- you've gotta go out and hit hundreds of balls.

Seriously, I need to take some of my own advice. I need to go out and hit hundreds of serves a week.

andreh · May 16, 2007

35ft6 said:
Sometimes I get the impression that people think they can just read an answer and not really have to practice it. If this were a thread about computers, yeah, simply reading the answer might be enough, but in tennis reading the suggestions is just the beginning -- you've gotta go out and hit hundreds of balls.

Seriously, I need to take some of my own advice. I need to go out and hit hundreds of serves a week.

I agree. There's a huge difference between knowing intellectually, rationally what to do on court and getting you body to actually do it. In theory I know all about "hitting on the rise", but I can't get my body to do what my mind knows it should do. And here's where practice comes in. Practice, practice, practice...hit hundres of balls "on the rise" to teach your body to do what it should do.

Sup2Dresq · May 16, 2007

I agree with all the postings. Practice all that was mentioned above. Until then, I would Slice and if not in your aresenal, top sin high right back.

As for technique. Here is one to try out. When you hit the high backhand remember to extend your not hitting arm parrallel to ground. This open feel keeps you balanced and maintains a good balance for hitting through a high ball. In most cases your not hitting arm tends to balance to the side of your body. A high ball makes it open up. Just see pics of the pros hitting a high ball and notice the pose.

Roforot · May 16, 2007

35ft6 said:
Sometimes I get the impression that people think they can just read an answer and not really have to practice it. If this were a thread about computers, yeah, simply reading the answer might be enough, but in tennis reading the suggestions is just the beginning -- you've gotta go out and hit hundreds of balls.

Seriously, I need to take some of my own advice. I need to go out and hit hundreds of serves a week.

I am cynical; if someone's not going to even search for the answer, can one really expect them to even put time and effort in following the answer?

iplaybetter · May 16, 2007

Slice, Slice, Slice...
even though i use my slice possibly more than my topspin because i can hit the angles and win points, i only hit a big topspin when it is where i want it

habib · May 16, 2007

My prefered method of dealing with high shots to my backhand is to return high topspin shots from my backhand. Someone hitting high bouncers to a one-handers backhand is seeking to force errors through frustration or inexperience. If you're patient and willing to hit those same extreme topspin high bouncers right back, you're not donating the point to your opponent, nor are you giving them a shot which they can do much with - quite like what they're trying to give you. In fact, I've played against some one-handers who've tried to pick on my backhand in such a fashion, only to breakdown when I return similar balls back to their backhand.

Now, in terms of actual technique, the main difference between a flatter, more aggressive 1hbh and the higher, loopier one is that you're swinging your racquet with more vertical speed and acceleration rather than the horizontal variety. It's even a good idea to open up your shoulder a bit with these shots, as it allows for a better range of motion in this particular scenario.

Forehand Forever · May 17, 2007

I have a two hander but when I hit high balls to my backhand I hit one with a one hander. I like to set back wait for it and be on my left foot and hit it with some topspin to get it over sorta like a lob.

zapvor · May 17, 2007

Sup2Dresq said:
I agree with all the postings. Practice all that was mentioned above. Until then, I would Slice and if not in your aresenal, top sin high right back.

As for technique. Here is one to try out. When you hit the high backhand remember to extend your not hitting arm parrallel to ground. This open feel keeps you balanced and maintains a good balance for hitting through a high ball. In most cases your not hitting arm tends to balance to the side of your body. A high ball makes it open up. Just see pics of the pros hitting a high ball and notice the pose.

i am going to try this next time. but i have a 2h bh usually.

Matt_MS · May 17, 2007

I was actually working on this tonight with my coach. He said either take it on the rise or scoot back. I scooted back and took it on the way down if it was a shorter high ball, but if I knew i'd be placed off the court I took it on the rise.

Tennis4203 · May 18, 2007

Hey, guyz thanks alot, i'll try what u guyz said.

And also it's a bit hard to take it on the rise, i'd say if u have a flatter, 1bh like i do, i usually hit it long or into the net, for now i'll stay with the slice.

And after i'll practice practice practice.

i'm vsing 6th seed...crap

35ft6 · May 18, 2007

iplaybetter said:
Slice, Slice, Slice...

Slice is okay when the rally is more or less in a neutral state, but speaking from experience, you really need to be able to step into the backhand on a floater when you've got the guy on the run.

You're starting to outpace your opponent, and finally you hit a near winner forehand cross court. But your opponent reaches it, barely, and wisely throws up a deep, high-ish ball. That's the one you need to be able to take on the rise to hit the easy backhand crosscourt winner into the open court.

Bagumbawalla · May 18, 2007

To be blunt, if you are not comfortable with high backhands, now, all the advice in the world will not help you much in the upcoming tournament because you will have to, actually, practice/drill over and over to groove the shots before they begin to come naturally/comfortably in match play.

Still, this is a shot that you will need for the long haul since more players are hitting with loopy topspin. You need to seriously get someone to hit you high-bouncing ball and practice. Depending on your level and ability, mastery will come-- but not likely by next week.

There are basically 4 ways of dealling with these balls (forehand or backhand).

1) hit them as much as possible like your normal stroke, just hitting up higher and exaggerating the swing to compensate for the height. This is the way I hit most high bouncers.

2) Move in and catch the ball on the rise. This is not so easiy as it sounds, but if you are athletic and have good timing, with practice, you can do well with this method.

3) Step back and let the ball drop so you can hit more in your comfort zone. This is the least effective, but easiest to acomplish.

4) Hit down through the ball with a bit of slice. The ball will be high enough so that you can clear the net by about a foot and still hit with good pace.

When you practice/drill you should practice all the different shots, just in case.

B

Big Fed · May 18, 2007

Slice u cant learn any other option in a week or so.

Tennis4203 · May 20, 2007

Bagumbawalla said:
To be blunt, if you are not comfortable with high backhands, now, all the advice in the world will not help you much in the upcoming tournament because you will have to, actually, practice/drill over and over to groove the shots before they begin to come naturally/comfortably in match play.

Still, this is a shot that you will need for the long haul since more players are hitting with loopy topspin. You need to seriously get someone to hit you high-bouncing ball and practice. Depending on your level and ability, mastery will come-- but not likely by next week.

There are basically 4 ways of dealling with these balls (forehand or backhand).

1) hit them as much as possible like your normal stroke, just hitting up higher and exaggerating the swing to compensate for the height. This is the way I hit most high bouncers.

2) Move in and catch the ball on the rise. This is not so easiy as it sounds, but if you are athletic and have good timing, with practice, you can do well with this method.

3) Step back and let the ball drop so you can hit more in your comfort zone. This is the least effective, but easiest to acomplish.

4) Hit down through the ball with a bit of slice. The ball will be high enough so that you can clear the net by about a foot and still hit with good pace.

When you practice/drill you should practice all the different shots, just in case.

B

Ye nyway, i've practiced hitting it on the rise, before, and i just finished my tourney. My backhand just worked perfectly (yessssssssss) and i hit it on the rise (sometimes) but i sliced it usually. But i still lost to the 6th seed 6-1 6-1 nwyay i made it to the round of 16 in the consolation and lost to this crazy guy 6-2. nyway i'll take the advice u guyz gave me (tyvm) and just practice

paulfreda · May 20, 2007

Lift your arms up and hit flat.

Or use a SW BH grip, open the face wide open like Guga does, slide/slice thru the ball with your wrist always under the ball and never release your wrist until the ball is gone. With practice you can rip this ball with tons of pace from heights of shoulder high to waist high.

Milano · May 20, 2007

paulfreda said:
Lift your arms up and hit flat.

Or use a SW BH grip, open the face wide open like Guga does, slide/slice thru the ball with your wrist always under the ball and never release your wrist until the ball is gone. With practice you can rip this ball with tons of pace from heights of shoulder high to waist high.

Use the SW BH grip. Been using it for a couple weeeks and it works wonders and sometimes even catches the other guy off guard and causes an error/winner.

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