1 HBH players, how do you deal with high loopy heavy topspin balls to your backhand?

[LoneGun]

Could anyone give me tips on hitting those hard topspin shots with 1HBH? Those high loopy balls are hard for me to pounce on it with 1HBH when the ball's at the highest point. I tried stepping in and take the ball on the rise, but that gives me an uneven result. It's hard to predict how much ball will bounce due to different level of topspin. I don't have problem steping back and wait for the ball to drop then hitting it, but that put me in a defensive stance which the opponant can exploit. So should I learn how to take the ball at its high point, taking it on the rise, or step back? Any tips or advice would be appreciated

 

[Kaptain Karl]

1 - Quickly step in and take it on the rise. (You've already learned how tough that timing issue is.)

2 - Back up several steps and play it when it's dropped back down. (Could put you in too defensive a position.)

3 - Even when the ball is high to your BH, swing UP on it to give your shot a bit of top. (Many people try to swing down on these ... mistake.) Play it high, soft and deep to the opposite corner. Frequently these loopy topspin shots come from (devoted) baseliners, who don't take advantage of them and come to net for the weak return.

4 - Run around it and hit an inside-out FH. (Only *drive* this shot if your FH is a superior shot. Otherwise, "high, soft and deep" to the opposite corner.

- KK

 

[edberg505]

Could anyone give me tips on hitting those hard topspin shots with 1HBH? Those high loopy balls are hard for me to pounce on it with 1HBH when the ball's at the highest point. I tried stepping in and take the ball on the rise, but that gives me an uneven result. It's hard to predict how much ball will bounce due to different level of topspin. I don't have problem steping back and wait for the ball to drop then hitting it, but that put me in a defensive stance which the opponant can exploit. So should I learn how to take the ball at its high point, taking it on the rise, or step back? Any tips or advice would be appreciated

Slice the hell out of it. Of course depending on how much topspin the ball has this requires good timing as well.

 

[LoneGun]

3 - Even when the ball is high to your BH, swing UP on it to give your shot a bit of top. (Many people try to swing down on these ... mistake.) Play it high, soft and deep to the opposite corner. Frequently these loopy topspin shots come from (devoted) baseliners, who don't take advantage of them and come to net for the weak return.

- KK

Sounds like a good plan, I'll try this out the next time i'm on the court, thanks

 

[Nuke]

I'm one of the guys who hits those loopy high bouncers to my opponents' BH, and the better players step in when they see it coming and volley or overhead it before it bounces. If they can succeed at that, I stop hitting the high bouncer.

 

[Rickson]

Could anyone give me tips on hitting those hard topspin shots with 1HBH? Those high loopy balls are hard for me to pounce on it with 1HBH when the ball's at the highest point. I tried stepping in and take the ball on the rise, but that gives me an uneven result. It's hard to predict how much ball will bounce due to different level of topspin. I don't have problem steping back and wait for the ball to drop then hitting it, but that put me in a defensive stance which the opponant can exploit. So should I learn how to take the ball at its high point, taking it on the rise, or step back? Any tips or advice would be appreciated

Take the ball on the rise or step around and hit a forehand. If the ball is coming at you as a moonball, you'll have plenty of time to step around, but if your opponent is good at hitting to the open court, you might want to send back a fairly high ball so you can get back into position. You might try slicing a high ball too, but be warned, your opponent might start volleying if he sees that you're slicing back everything. Your options are take the ball on the rise, step around and hit a fh, or slice back high balls.

 

[thejackal]

If i know the other guy won't come to net, I moonball.

 

[Thud and blunder]

Tennis Magazine had a pretty good instructional article on this a few months back, using Ljubicic's backhand as a model.

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/instructionarticles/backhand/backhand.aspx?id=455

 

[TennsDog]

I do one of two things for these shots: either hit a two-hander instead of one or slice it. It just depends on the shot and my court positioning and how lazy I'm feeling on the shot. The slice is easier, so I do that if I don't feel like putting forth the effort of a two-hander. Assuming you can't really hit a two-hander like that, though, I would suggest slicing it as much as possible, but also trying to hit up on it with some topspin sometimes as well. You will likely need to swing a little bit sooner because the racket needs to travel further to get to the ball. Don't worry about trying to do anything offensive with this shot. You just need to get it back (hopefully deep) and get ready to finish the point.

 

[Hondasteve]

Great advice given so far! Slice that sucker in half, nice and low and deep into the opposite corner. If that proves too difficult, I am in favor of stepping in, taking it early, and hitting a potential winner.

That'll learn 'em to push those weak balls on you!

 

[Andres]

It also depends on the bh grip. The most extreme the backhand grip for the backhand is, the easiest to handle high balls.
That's why Gaudio and Kuerten can drive and rip topspin backhands out of shoulder+ high balls, and Federer has trouble with.

It's a matter of the contact point. The same reason why Eastern fh is good for low balls and bad for high balls (low contact point), and full western is muurder for really low balls, and fantastic for high balls.

 

[Rickson]

It also depends on the bh grip. The most extreme the backhand grip for the backhand is, the easiest to handle high balls.
That's why Gaudio and Kuerten can drive and rip topspin backhands out of shoulder+ high balls, and Federer has trouble with.

It's a matter of the contact point. The same reason why Eastern fh is good for low balls and bad for high balls (low contact point), and full western is muurder for really low balls, and fantastic for high balls.

True and that's why JHH at 5'5 can handle head high balls with a topspin drive while Federer slices back balls that are chest high to him.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Sounds like a good plan, I'll try this out the next time i'm on the court, thanks

Good luck. (Note: When I post "high, soft and deep" I don't mean to just poke it back. I mean don't try and hit it *too* powerfully.)

The following is an excellent find. Good job, Thud and blunder.

Tennis Magazine had a pretty good instructional article on this a few months back, using Ljubicic's backhand as a model.

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/instructionarticles/backhand/backhand.aspx?id=455

- KK

 

[Andres]

True and that's why JHH at 5'5 can handle head high balls with a topspin drive while Federer slices back balls that are chest high to him.

Chest high for Federer is still a higher ball than head high for Justine :mrgreen:

 

[Rickson]

Chest high for Federer is still a higher ball than head high for Justine :mrgreen:

Is she really that short? I'd say shoulder high for Federer is head high for Justine, but you're probably thinking about her other than on the tennis court. Andy, you've got some imagination.

 

[sureshs]

3 - Even when the ball is high to your BH, swing UP on it to give your shot a bit of top.

Justine is a classic example of that. She is almost bending backwards as she swings up with topspin on such balls.

 

[jackson vile]

1 - Quickly step in and take it on the rise. (You've already learned how tough that timing issue is.)

2 - Back up several steps and play it when it's dropped back down. (Could put you in too defensive a position.)

3 - Even when the ball is high to your BH, swing UP on it to give your shot a bit of top. (Many people try to swing down on these ... mistake.) Play it high, soft and deep to the opposite corner. Frequently these loopy topspin shots come from (devoted) baseliners, who don't take advantage of them and come to net for the weak return.

4 - Run around it and hit an inside-out FH. (Only *drive* this shot if your FH is a superior shot. Otherwise, "high, soft and deep" to the opposite corner.

- KK

Good advice, I still hit a lot of these with 1hbh topspin, you could also do the Blake and hit it flat like crushing a flat forehand, and then slice

I think a better question could be what can you do to prevent it from happening at all, can you end it at the net?

All the other advice will just consum energy and cause errors with low chance for a winner

 

[sureshs]

True and that's why JHH at 5'5 can handle head high balls with a topspin drive while Federer slices back balls that are chest high to him.

Is the extreme Eastern vs Eastern grip the only reason? Could it be that there is no Nadal-equivalent of topspin to the BH on the women's side?

 

[FH2FH]

I agree with most of this advice, but I wouldn't try to use HEAVY slice. The more you chop at it, the more likely you'll mis-time it.

This shot is the reason I play now with a two hander. You must practice, practice, practice your 1H BH to beat a player who only gives you moonballs to the BH. JV mentioned trying to prevent it in the first place, which is a good idea, but you really have to work to dictate play to keep this weakness covered up.

My vote is to step around it and hit your FH (DTL or Inside Out), or come to the net for the overhead or volley. If you can take it on the rise your opponent will have less time to execute another perfect moonball.

sureshs, Patty Schnyder hits that loopy ball, but she isn't aggressive enough to push the top 5 IMO. She's also a lefty, like Nadal.

 

[Slazenger]

Lots of great replies.

I'll add that the type of game you play might also dictate which type of ball you hit off these high loopy topspin shots to your bh.

I step in and take these balls on the rise. The timing was very difficult for me at first and I shanked a ton of balls but now I can return these balls fairly consistently (I still net a few of them).

There are times when I can't step in because I can tell I'll be late so I hit the BH open stance with the ball about the apex of its bounce.
2 things about this: Load up like crazy on the back foot; shoulder strength.
This way takes too much energy (for me). If someone kept doing this to me all day my Bh would break down.

 

[Aggro]

bend your knees, and brush up the back of the ball

 

[LoneGun]

Thanks for the great advices guys Sounds like I should practice more topspin BH to deal with these topspin shots. But how do you hit these shots? I have the tendency to fall back when hitting these shots and it gives me better timing. However I was instructed not to do so, and should step in instead. Should I listen to this instruction and practice stepping in or stick with what I'm more comfortable with?

 

[LoneGun]

Tennis Magazine had a pretty good instructional article on this a few months back, using Ljubicic's backhand as a model.

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/instructionarticles/backhand/backhand.aspx?id=455

Great website btw. Very detail step by step instructions, I think I'll start practicing my BH like this.

 

[onehandbh]

I like to step in and hit it before it gets above shoulder height and either drive it with topspin or hit a looping topspin shot
back. The thing that helps me the most is footwork and
shoulder turn. Having a great BH slice is probably the
key though b/c as a one-hander, this is one of the pluses
to having a one handers in the first place.

 

[bluescreen]

hitting it on the rise is the best move if u can time it right. if this is too inconsistent, u can step back and let it drop down, but id suggest swinging up on it like others already said. i find that swinging up on it hits the baller higher over the net, making it go farther for a less defensive shot. if your opponent is rise and comes to net u might wanna hit it higher, even a lob, to make sure u dont give him or her an easy volley or overhead. no matter what, i find that slicing it always puts u in the worst position.

 

[TennsDog]

hitting it on the rise is the best move if u can time it right. if this is too inconsistent, u can step back and let it drop down, but id suggest swinging up on it like others already said. i find that swinging up on it hits the baller higher over the net, making it go farther for a less defensive shot. if your opponent is rise and comes to net u might wanna hit it higher, even a lob, to make sure u dont give him or her an easy volley or overhead. no matter what, i find that slicing it always puts u in the worst position.

A good slice will never put you in a particularly bad position no matter when it's used. The only problem comes when people mis-hit or are unable to hit a good slice. The first thing is you need to make sure that you get a slice shot like this deep. Even if it's weak and sets up, it gives you plenty of time to get back into the point. Ideally, though, you can hit it low over the net and have it bite into the court (while being deep), which will leave your opponent with limited options.

 

[NoBadMojo]

You dont say what racquet you use..if a midsize or otherwise a headsize too small for you, the high one handed backhand is very difficult even for advanced players.....

 

[jackson vile]

You dont say what racquet you use..if a midsize or otherwise a headsize too small for you, the high one handed backhand is very difficult even for advanced players.....

Are you sure? I am forced to do it on many feeds, that is a 90sqin frame.

What rackets do you recomend for the 1hbh, I think the best was the 200gMW95.

 

[arosen]

I suggest you keep hitting topspin backhands no matter what, as much as you can, this way you will develop your shoulder muscles and the shot will become second nature to you. Slice is a good weapon, but against someone who hits good approaches or pummels groundies it can put you on defensive way too often.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Are you sure? I am forced to do it on many feeds, that is a 90sqin frame.

What rackets do you recomend for the 1hbh, I think the best was the 200gMW95.

dont believe me....ask federer..he's a pretty good player eh? nadal gives him fits with high bounding balls to his backhand which fed has a tough time with because of his small headed frame..cant say he is lacking in the skill department....or...ask Sampras who was thinking of changing to a larger headed frame to give him a better chance at winning the French where the balls are higher bounding. one of my regular hits went to the nCode90..he's a very consistent 5.0 and i now can get him to cough up a UE anytme I want by hitting him something loopy to his backhand.

 

[maynardsson55]

I am a pro and think the best way to cure the problem is to be honest at what you are good at (nice english,eh?). I personally make sure that my shoulders are turned on every topspin backhand I hit first thing. Being very prepared, I step in with appropriate footwork, get on top of the ball, and make sure to extend up and through. If you are not that confident and are playing a non attacking player, hit it back high by swinging up on it(requires some shoulder strength) or slice it back deep. In all swings you must take a full, controlled swing and not get out of control. You must also be very careful not to "bunt it back". Get a local teaching pro to teach you all of these techniques and figure out what works best for you and your level. Hope I could help some. In college I went about a week developing my one hander on the rise w/topspin. Especially when guys hit high and deep to my backhand corner. I also believe(can you tell I'm ADD) that staying down with your legs on any shot on the rise is very important.

 

[TennsDog]

I still don't see how you will be in any trouble if you just slice it low and deep to the middle of the court. Even if they do have plenty of time to set up and take a good whack at it, you've got time to get back into position (if you were out), and their angles are minimal. I just don't think it's all that worth it to go for a topspin shot that may or may not go where you want it. Even if you do get topspin on the shot, it will likely not be deep and not have much on it. At least with slicing it, you can get some kind of penetration if you hit it right (and slice at that height is easier to hit right than topspin).

I will also note that the head size doesn't matter as much, if at all, if you slice it. Smaller rackets tend to be better at slicing (in my experience) and you will have a better chance of pushing it deep.

P.S. I do realize that all of this, both my comments and those of others, largely depends on the skills of both players involved. I am assuming advanced level player against equally advanced level player, such that you know how to hit a good neutral/offensive slice deep and the other player isn't pummling you off the court.

 

[maynardsson55]

I think a good player picks up on slicing high balls and then attacks the net after he hits you a high one. If he doesn't pick up on this,slice it and kick his butt.

 

[TennsDog]

I think a good player picks up on slicing high balls and then attacks the net after he hits you a high one. If he doesn't pick up on this,slice it and kick his butt.

If he hits you a high backhand, which you return with a slice, and follows it to net, he will be attempting to hit a volley with a lot of backspin at around knee level. In order to get this over the net, not to mention any kind of depth, he would have to hit up on it quite a bit rather than drive through it. If you drive through a volley that has a lot of slice, it's just going to dump into the net. So now you have him hitting you a short or at least slow volley, which you should have time to set up for a passing shot/lob depending on how close he is.

Honestly, I think I might like it if someone tried to volley on a shot that I was planning on slicing back hard. Now, it might make more sense to follow it in to net if the returning player hit it with topspin, because then it will come back across the net high and with little pace = easy volley to put away.

 

[maynardsson55]

If he hits you a high backhand, which you return with a slice, and follows it to net, he will be attempting to hit a volley with a lot of backspin at around knee level. In order to get this over the net, not to mention any kind of depth, he would have to hit up on it quite a bit rather than drive through it. If you drive through a volley that has a lot of slice, it's just going to dump into the net. So now you have him hitting you a short or at least slow volley, which you should have time to set up for a passing shot/lob depending on how close he is.

Honestly, I think I might like it if someone tried to volley on a shot that I was planning on slicing back hard. Now, it might make more sense to follow it in to net if the returning player hit it with topspin, because then it will come back across the net high and with little pace = easy volley to put away.

Not disagreeing with the difficulty of shot. You better have a damn good slice from way above your head to make me miss a volley on any slice backhand. No offense, but if you punch the ball correctly you can volley the slice deep w/no problem. I would challenge MOST people to consistently come up with a high backhand slice that hurts me at the net. You might want to lob that high backhand back if I am coming in. But what do I know?

 

[Kevo]

I recently go a ball machine and started working on some of these deep high bouncing shots. The first problem is that many times your option of doing a Nadal and going ten feet to fifteen feet back and hitting the shot simply isn't possible because there isn't a lot of extra room on most of the courts I play on. Many courts even at nicer clubs are close together. Some of them even fenced on all sides. Only the "show" courts are that big. So the only two things that typically work for me are to hit a high looper back, or step in and hit off the bounce. If someone sneaks one of these in every now and then, I tend to loop it back. However, if they hit a lot of them I will step in. I found while hitting over and over that stepping in on these can be a great way to hit a winner. If you catch the looper early and pick the spot you want to hit the ball out of, you can really rip these shots. I think it's due to the fact that you have more time to judge the filght of the ball, and rarely is there much sidespin on these shots. If you rip a few winners off of these, it makes them think twice about hitting that shot.

 

[arosen]

Honestly, I think I might like it if someone tried to volley on a shot that I was planning on slicing back hard. Now, it might make more sense to follow it in to net if the returning player hit it with topspin, because then it will come back across the net high and with little pace = easy volley to put away.

I love volleying off slices. The ball flies straight, so all I have to do is put the stick there and either drop volley or punch nice and deep into a corner. Easy pickings. On the other hand, when someone puts a ton of spin on the ball and it's curving downwards, it's way harder to hit a solid volley off of that shot. Plus, a lot of 1hBH guys I played hit a loop that's really high when they see me coming in, that makes it that much more difficult to hit a volley.

 

[TennsDog]

All this talk of handling high backhands is making me consider an alternative method: lefty forehand. With this, you eliminate the challenge altogether. That is, the backhand aspect of it. You wouldn't need to hit a great shot nor be extremely consistant/versatile with it. As long as you can hit back a neutral shot when you need to, it seems like it may be a viable alternative.

 

[SydneyJim]

i just run around it and rip forehand winners =)

 

[Trinity TC]

Two things:

1) You've got to put enough pressure on your opponent so that they don't hit that shot.

2) You had better learn how to hit a "safety" shot from the backhand corner. The better the player you face...the more you're going to face high backhands that keep you on your heels. It's low on style points but you've got have one. All of the top level players have it. It's the shot separates the champs from the chumps.

If you've got a good looping topspin backhand that lands on or near the baseline...use it. Like Kap'n Karl sez, it doesn't have to be hard, it just has to land deep in the corner and bounce high. If you don't have it...learn it, so that you can use it against oppenents that aren't used to returning that shot and use it when you're being pinned in the backhand corner. It puts the same pressure on the other guy that you are currently feeling. You should be able to draw a lower bouncing, shorter, manageable shot the better you get at the "safety" shot. Good luck.

 

[Trinity TC]

My previous post was referring to high deep balls that land on or near the baseline. If you are having uneven results with hitting the shorter balls on the rise, it's possible that you are over rotating your shoulders on the backswing. You can get all technical (I read some of those threads...) and analytical about hitting on the rise but for all practical purposes, just do a 3/4 turn on the backswing and use a full follow through if you want to have a well timed "on-the-rise" shot. Go nuts.