gangster33
Rookie
I just hate it when the fast loopy balls go to my backhand. All i can do is slice it back. It feels REALLY awkward to hit a 1h backhand with the ball so high.
Advice please.
Advice please.
1h backhand handling heavy topspin balls
- Thread starter gangster33
- Start date
halalula1234
Professional
just top spin it back or wait for it to drop a bit and hit it. well if the shot is too good all u can do is slice or u can try flat hit it back if u wanna risk a bit.
kirbster123
Banned
Slice when the ball is high, or take the ball on the rise.
Tempest344
Professional
All you can really do is slice it or slice/hit it on the rise...its a tough shot neutralise with a 1 hander
or just try and run around and hit a forehand if/when you can
or just try and run around and hit a forehand if/when you can
gangster33
Rookie
is it difficult to hit topspin on the ball when its at shoulder to head height like federer does against nadal?
You can topspin it back if you're built like Vilas or Lendl, and actually HAVE that shot.
For the rest of mortals, try an extreme eastern backhand grip and hard slice it low, angled, and deep to confound most topspin baseliners. That extreme backhand grip is easy on your body to hit, it replicable, and only needs a slightly closed stance and stable body position.
Opponents hits with much physical movement, you just hardslice it back no effort.
For the rest of mortals, try an extreme eastern backhand grip and hard slice it low, angled, and deep to confound most topspin baseliners. That extreme backhand grip is easy on your body to hit, it replicable, and only needs a slightly closed stance and stable body position.
Opponents hits with much physical movement, you just hardslice it back no effort.
Bagumbawalla
Talk Tennis Guru
If you have a 1-handed backhand it is especially important to get in position early and prepare for your shot.
The rest is, basically, practice.
If you can already hit with topspin off your backhand, then you are halfway there. You just need to learn/practice hitting it higher. The motion through the ball is, basically, the same, just more awkward/uncomfortable. It is not easy, so let me emphasize the word "practice".
Other possibilities are slicing through the ball- I will sometimes use 3/4 slice (with some side spin) just to make it more difficult for theopponent.
You can also step back a bit and allow the ball to drop down into your comfort zone- or move up and take it on the rise (before itbounces so high).
In every case practice/consistancy is the key to getting it rigt
The rest is, basically, practice.
If you can already hit with topspin off your backhand, then you are halfway there. You just need to learn/practice hitting it higher. The motion through the ball is, basically, the same, just more awkward/uncomfortable. It is not easy, so let me emphasize the word "practice".
Other possibilities are slicing through the ball- I will sometimes use 3/4 slice (with some side spin) just to make it more difficult for theopponent.
You can also step back a bit and allow the ball to drop down into your comfort zone- or move up and take it on the rise (before itbounces so high).
In every case practice/consistancy is the key to getting it rigt
If you're going to slice it back, slice it starting with your racket head high, generate good racket-head speed "brushing" the ball, and finish with the racket head low. The ball should go on a downward trajectory from your shoulder level to much lower across the net. Done right the ball will "die" shortly after it touches down on the other side of the court. This is a more offensive slice than is often used.
Otherwise, try to step back once you've anticipated the high topspin shot to your backhand, and hit it on the rise before it reaches your shoulder level, sharply angled toward the sideline, crosscourt.
Otherwise, try to step back once you've anticipated the high topspin shot to your backhand, and hit it on the rise before it reaches your shoulder level, sharply angled toward the sideline, crosscourt.
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
The problem with letting the ball drop back down is that it puts additional pressure on you to hit a great shot. You give up so much time and court positioning this way that you better get it back deep and heavy, else you're just playing right into their hands.
Of course, you obviously know this; I guess this response is more intended for the OP.
Matt
Bud
Bionic Poster
That is one of my favorite shots! I love a high one handed backhand (or lob to my backhand). I get tons of topspin on the ball when it's shoulder height or higher.
Bud
Bionic Poster
It's tough taking a ball on the rise with a 1HBH while getting much on it, if it's too low... it's a much more effective strategy with a 2HBH. However, if you catch it on the rise a bit over waist height... that's a different story.
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
Well, if you've seen Kirbster's videos then you know that he's playing at a fairly high level, so maybe his advice was a little more "advanced", so to speak.
I know that learning to hit on the rise is a long and tedious journey, but I think in the end it's worth all the time and effort. My initial response to the OP's question was "well, why are you making them high balls in the first place"?
It's not easy to get those feet moving properly, but if you could take the ball in a position that doesn't make your hand almost fall off, why wouldn't you?
In D Zone
Hall of Fame
Like kkm mentioned .... aka Spanish SLice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHPdlGW4vEE&NR=1
Or if you are fast - you can hit like Gasquet BH.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsdv5-eC3PY
Element54
Semi-Pro
I tend to slice the ball - however it also floats sometimes too - i need to add more underspin perhaps.
Been practising the 1bh topspin shot on high backhands too (shoulder height). I do manage to hit the ball (takes a lot of effort) but theres too much topspin and it lacks penetration and drips mid court.
Been practising the 1bh topspin shot on high backhands too (shoulder height). I do manage to hit the ball (takes a lot of effort) but theres too much topspin and it lacks penetration and drips mid court.
In D Zone
Hall of Fame
As long as you are able to get the ball back is the only thing that matters.
Its not a matter of feeling awkward - but more on believing yourself. It' all mental !
Are you comfortable playing the slice? What is your confident level - control and command of the slice?
You are not alone! I was on the same boat as you and so as many of the 1hbh players. You got to buckle down and know that you can use the slice as defense and as offense (as noted by KKM). You can move aggressively to slice the ball down or stay back use slice as a defensive shot. OR as many pointed out wait for the ball to drop to make contact with the ball.
Relax, keep feet moving and trust your stroke - stay on the point and not get too get caught up with the notion that you cannot win with a slice. Slice to get the ball back and plan your next move, like going for inside out if the ball comes back on the same side.
Its not a matter of feeling awkward - but more on believing yourself. It' all mental !
Are you comfortable playing the slice? What is your confident level - control and command of the slice?
You are not alone! I was on the same boat as you and so as many of the 1hbh players. You got to buckle down and know that you can use the slice as defense and as offense (as noted by KKM). You can move aggressively to slice the ball down or stay back use slice as a defensive shot. OR as many pointed out wait for the ball to drop to make contact with the ball.
Relax, keep feet moving and trust your stroke - stay on the point and not get too get caught up with the notion that you cannot win with a slice. Slice to get the ball back and plan your next move, like going for inside out if the ball comes back on the same side.
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Really the only instances in which I'll sometimes use a slice BH are on the run wide on the ad side, and when not on the run, if I feel that my opponent is too far back to get to the slice before it bounces a second time. More recently on-the-run in the ad side, I look to drive the 1HBH more that I look to slice it if I'm remotely in position to do so. Grips can make a good bit of difference IMHO for the BH. I like continental for slice, eastern for drive, semi-western for a bit more topspin. A big key for me to hitting a good slice(for it to go on a nice downward trajectory) is generating really good racket-head speed and just "brushing" the ball with the stringbed.
Though you can perhaps look to step around and hit a FH, make yourself hit the BH. You'll become more comfortable and confident when forced to practice hitting it, and in short time you may surprise yourself with the options you have from that side - your opponent won't be able to pick on it! ;-)
I try my best to advise based on my playing experiences
To the OP, I shouldn't neglect to mention that to get a nice downward trajectory(that is, if you choose to slice), this is one instance in which it's not better to take the ball early/on the rise. Hitting the ball at its peak, when it's higher - perhaps around shoulder level - helps in this case. Of course you must be in good position ready to make the shot, but if you hit the ball when it's lower, around waist level, you will have to send it on a more level trajectory to allow it to clear the net, and it will probably end up bouncing high enough on the other side that it could be a sitting duck for your opponent to take advantage of. Your racket head should start high, finish low.
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Racket-head speed and court movement/footwork are important. Gasquet has impressive racket-head speed on his BH. In the slow-mo vid posted earlier in this thread, his swing has started on its trajectory well before his racket makes contact with the ball. He does disguise the shot well while generating a good amount of power.
