1 Handed backhand help!!!

[bigfoot910]

I have recently switched to a 1hbh and I am having some problems getting topspin, especially when I go for broke on a put-away. I am using an eastern backhand grip, which I understand is pretty universal. I can keep the ball going in rallies fairly well 10-15 at about 80%, but when I go to uncork the winner, it ends up flat as a board and sails about 3-4 ft. long. I am really focusing on going low to high, but when I hit out on the ball, it just doesn't seem to be enough.
By the way, I am a 4.0-4.5 player using the Prestige Flexpoint MP

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[JCo872]

I have recently switched to a 1hbh and I am having some problems getting topspin, especially when I go for broke on a put-away. I am using an eastern backhand grip, which I understand is pretty universal. I can keep the ball going in rallies fairly well 10-15 at about 80%, but when I go to uncork the winner, it ends up flat as a board and sails about 3-4 ft. long. I am really focusing on going low to high, but when I hit out on the ball, it just doesn't seem to be enough.
By the way, I am a 4.0-4.5 player using the Prestige Flexpoint MP

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

You have to LIFT the ball with your hitting arm.

 

[dommod]

Why did you switch to 1 hbh? Bjorn Borg used a 2 hbh, and he was very successful.
But then again, Federer uses 1 hbh, and he is very succesful too!

 

[bigfoot910]

I switched to a 1 hander because I have always had a problem generating pace on the backhand wing. I tried hitting a 1 hander a while ago and it just felt more natural, I could really drive through the ball and put more on it, not to mention the improvement in my return game. I have always had a problem switching grips on return of serve because I use a full-western forehand, with this grip, I can hit a 1 hbh with the same grip and the same side of the racquet by just rotating it over. However, I just don't have that topspin that I had when I had a 2 hander.
I will try to put up some video of me hitting the stroke so I can get some more feedback, it might be a while though.

 

[dommod]

I think the 2 hbh is more powerful.

 

[Solat]

Why did you switch to 1 hbh? Bjorn Borg used a 2 hbh, and he was very successful.
But then again, Federer uses 1 hbh, and he is very succesful too!

this is the most random comment ever

 

[Chauvalito]

I would suggest just giving it some more time and practice. Switching strokes can be very difficult, it took me almost a year and a half to gain complete confidence in my one-hander...and that can dissappear if you dont play for a week or 2.

I would also check out old tennis magzines, they have some good analysis of the one-hander.

For more topspin, I would check where you are finishing with the racket face. Its really hard to explain, and would take to long...but if you look for pictures of say Roger Federer, you will see that when he finishes the stroke, his wrist is very laid back and the but of the racketis pointing toward the net...this occurs for Gasquet as well...not all of the time...

Your also a 4.0, 4.5 player, so its only a matter of time before you feel out the stroke...

 

[FiveO]

If you are hitting with a squared racquet face at contact and hitting flat it simply means you are swinging on a very flat trajectory. In other words you're not allowing the racquet to drop below contact height at the bottom.

You should be swinging up to contact from a point about a racquet head width lower the intended contact point.

Keep in mind you will need a tick more time to allow for that slightly longer swing path. If you are not mindful of that added time or you are just a little late you will likely and unconsciously "flatten" the path to make it up.

You'll need a little more room for the drop prior to contact and a little more time to execute it. The fix can be as simple as lowering your stance (while maintaining good upper body posture) and/or making contact about 6-8" higher than you are now, but again be mindful of budgeting a little more time to execute it.