2hbhers - left-hand dominance?...

[Ross K]

I was working on something last week from a recent thread - tricky talked a about about 'the vertical slot' and if how you can envisage such a thing, and swinging forward as if the side-fence was right up against your left-hand side, and as if you're trying to pul the frame out of someone's grasp but cleanly, so they'd not notice - something like that anyway!

Anyhow, tricky mentioned that this all suited to and was appropriate to a more left-hand dominant stroke, and after I tried these visualizations etc, I can confirm precisely that. But not only did it feel instantly different - and I was aware right away of the left-hand now being instrumental and better involved - moreover, my 2hbh definitely felt noticeably enhanced re being consistantly powerful and dynamic. Which surprised me, because I didn't actually realize before I was as right-hand dominant as I was.

So, all this has me interested now in these aspects of a more left-hand dominant 2hbh and wanting to experiment and incorporate this. I'd welcome hearing more technique advise on how to create a more left-handed dominant 2hbh, recommendations on which left-hand dominant pro's are worth looking at, any tips on grip combos here, general thoughts on this from ppl who use a left-handed dominant 2hbh, etc.

Cheers,

R.

 

[dak95_00]

Ross,

I'm w/ you. I'd like to see more videos too and from different angles.

Here is my thought and I have to say it comes from a combination of core rotation similar to golf and because Dozu got me thinking. Also, I visited some really good golfing friends the other day who were playing on a simulator. One was a former college golfer and the other I know is a rep for Mizuno and grew up in a golfing family (dad was a pro).

We talked about power, timing, and rotation. The statement I'd never heard was how the right elbow at the start of the downswing tucks back into the side above the hip and then the hip and elbow turn together for the power and accuracy.

From a tennis standpoint, I tried it w/ my left elbow and hip w/ my 2hbh and it felt great. It also appears that the pros do the same in the videos posted on that last post. It is an easy move and feels very comfortable.

Elbow, hip, turn together. Of course the racquet head was up until the elbow to hip move that starts the swing into the turn which engages the core and provides the power and accuracy.

What do you guys think? Am I just saying the same thing in another way?

 

[LeeD]

Lots of 2hbh players use oft hand dominance, but not all.
Depends on personal preferences, grips, and whatnot.
Use what works for YOU, not Nadal, not Murray, not DJ.

 

[tricky]

Some ideas to throw out there:

1) Before you start the backswing, visualize that there's a long string or rubber band connected from the back fence to your left elbow. Let this rubber band pull and stretch your left elbow back. When you initiate the forward swing, try to "break" that rubber band.

2) During shadow swings, have your left hand hold the racquet normally, but your right hand hold the racquet with just the thumb and 3rd finger (or thumb and index finger.) During backswing, you want to feel your biceps move with the right arm, but your triceps move with the left arm.

 

[Power Player]

Focus on keeping your left arm inclose to your body also and dropping the racquet head before swinging up. This helps me get the let hand in the slot as well.

 

[fuzz nation]

1) Before you start the backswing, visualize that there's a long string or rubber band connected from the back fence to your left elbow. Let this rubber band pull and stretch your left elbow back. When you initiate the forward swing, try to "break" that rubber band.

Nice. My variation on this idea is to keep a quiet right hand/arm while looking to extend my left arm through contact. That gives me a good swing radius and leverages the racquet rather well without steering it too much. When I refer to that "leverage", I'm talking about how the top hand sort of rolls over the bottom hand to release the head through the hitting zone.

If I extend that left arm (I'm a righty) as I execute a weight transfer and a shoulder turn, the racquet propels quite nicely for me.

 

[Ross K]

Cheers, chaps ^...

Has anyone got more on the whole 'vertical slot' thing though?

As I said, just visualizing this, and the other visualizations mentioned in the opening post, well, it seemed to put a whole lot more left hand/arm/side/whatever into the stroke/shot, and the effects were noticibly better, I think.

Still, I would really welcome hearing more re the vertical slot concept... anyone want to explain it in detail?

TIA,

R.

BTW, I know it's common in the pro-game, but none-the-less, which pros can be said to be well renowned for their left-hand dominant 2hbh? Who should I look at specifically for this?

 

[mista-k]

I think ur a victim of over thinking it...as long as your stroke isnt hindered in your whip I dont see why the left should be more dominant...from what Ive gathered it just suppose to be a guide for placement (Im a lefty so its all tongue in cheek)

 

[mista-k]

it was laggin...2x post

 

[Ross K]

Cheers chaps ^^...

As I said, just visualizing this, and the other visualizations mentioned in the opening post, well, it seemed to put a whole lot more left hand/arm/side/whatever into the stroke/shot, and the effects were noticibly better, I think.

Still, I would really welcome hearing more re the vertical slot concept... anyone want to explain it in detail?

TIA,

R.

BTW, I know it's common in the pro-game, but none-the-less, which pros can be said to be well renowned for their left-hand dominant 2hbh? Who should I look at specifically for this?

 

[Ross K]

I think ur a victim of over thinking it...as long as your stroke isnt hindered in your whip I dont see why the left should be more dominant...from what Ive gathered it just suppose to be a guide for placement - (im a lefty so my advice is null n void)

Well, I'm just experimenting with technique here, trying to perfect and fine tune stuff, etc - which is kind of what 'Tennis Tips' is about, isn't it?


R.

 

[tricky]

Still, I would really welcome hearing more re the vertical slot concept... anyone want to explain it in detail?

It's a concept that originated with teaching the "Killer FH." It's a good technique to help somebody learn the WW FH, because it encourages you use your hitting arm to swing at the ball, rather than in a "round-about" sort of way.

The above last point is relevant to the 2H BH. Many intermediates associate the 2H BH as being a "switch hitter" baseball swing, or akin to swinging a broom at a ball. People say it's like a lefty FH, and that's basically true. But most people don't swing 2H BH across the body or are from an open stance, so it's a little hard to make the association practical.

However, when you use the above technique, you'll notice that your left arm is aggressively swinging at the ball (rather than in that "broom sweep" motion.) You'll notice that your left elbow springs toward the the ball. That your left side of your body is much more active (again the word, "aggressive") through the forward swing. The swing feels more linear and left dominant; there's more "wrist hinge" -- it starts to feel more like FH motion on your left wing.

It's not so much the technique itself, but that you may be experiencing an overall arm motion (i.e. a lefty FH) quite unlike your normal 2H BH.

 

[Ross K]

Okay. Playing later and will try and focus on the left-hand dominance/coming out of the vertical slot thing again (and maybe a few of the tips mentioned by others) and see if there's the difference I thought I found a few days ago... shall report back.

Interesting, because what I've worked on in the last year or so has been different stuff - like keeping that left shoulder higher on the stroke, or getting more torso into the shot, or grip combos, or stance work, or planting/anchoring that right foot, etc. Always fun to explore other, new areas though and see if improvements can be made.


R.

 

[tricky]

left shoulder higher on the stroke, or getting more torso into the shot, or grip combos, or stance work, or planting/anchoring that right foot, etc.

All important stuff. Really, your 2H BH may be fine.

 

[DavaiMarat]

Cheers, chaps ^...

Has anyone got more on the whole 'vertical slot' thing though?


Still, I would really welcome hearing more re the vertical slot concept... anyone want to explain it in detail?

Hi Ross,

I've been doing a fair bit of research on the 2handed backhand. I recently authored a thread about the wrist drop and flex in the 2handed backhand. I'm familiar with the vertical slot concept that tricky was talking about. In essence you want to drive the racquet out of the slot straight out with the wrist leading the racquet. You want to imagine there's someone holding a towel behind you and you want to yank it out of his/her hands. Your not going to pull outward in a round arc (I.e. Semi-circle), because if you do your moving the hand far away from the body putting the arm stretched out and in weaker position. If you pull the racquet/towel straight out you hold the elbow closer to your body creating a more powerful swing. If you notice your wrist will automatically will open up to square the racquet face to the ball.

Use this imagery and it should help you feel the pulling action of the left arm in the 2hbh. Good luck!

 

[tricky]

I recently authored a thread about the wrist drop and flex in the 2handed backhand. I'm familiar with the vertical slot concept that tricky was talking about.

That's where Ross picked up the concept.

You want to imagine there's someone holding a towel behind you and you want to yank it out of his/her hands.

Yup, the Killer FH drill. TP.net is great.

Most people approach the 2H BH like a baseball swing or turret. The towel drill gets you to swing in an approximate line toward the ball. Even with the 2H BH, you want to aspire for that. Plus, this makes you more conscious of your hand dominance.

 

[mightyrick]

This is an interesting thread. I really like tricky's rubber-band analogy.

When I first started hitting a 2HBH, my biggest problem was my right-hand dominance. I kept treating it like a 1HBH -- as if my right hand should lead the stroke. As a result, I had a weak-ass 2HBH "drive". I wouldn't even call it a drive it was so slow.

I am a righty. One day, I got a recommendation from a guy I played in a match to go out and hit a thousand left-handed forehands. It helped me immensely. I personally recommend this to anybody.

The first hundred strokes were shanking all over the place. The second hundred were "okay". After that, it got much better. By the time I hit a thousand strokes, I was actually getting some of that natural wrist tension as I brought the racquet forward and a bit of pronation as I finished the stroke.

Now, when I hit a 2HBH, my left hand leads strong. My right hand is really just along for the ride -- to help aim.

The big challenge for me is that I just needed something to help me get the "feel" for left-handed dominant hitting. Hitting left-handed forehands did the trick.

 

[Ross K]

mighty, David, tricky,

Great posts guys. Will try the towel snap vizualisation next time... might also try the l/handed fhs routine, which I'm familiar with, but not to the no. mentioned.


R.

 

[Power Player]

Don't think too much or you will go nuts. Just ask yourself if you're left arm is in close enough and if you are dropping the racquet before swinging to contact. If you are doing those things, you will start hitting a consistent ball.

Next thing is to make sure you prepare early..as early as possible..I try and get turned with the racquet ready before the ball crosses the net. This is where your power and ability to move the ball down the line or cross court will develop. Once you are doing both of those things, it just boils down to fine tuning and repetition.

The towel visual is real nice.

 

[Ross K]

Don't think too much or you will go nuts. Just ask yourself if you're left arm is in close enough and if you are dropping the racquet before swinging to contact. If you are doing those things, you will start hitting a consistent ball.

Next thing is to make sure you prepare early..as early as possible..I try and get turned with the racquet ready before the ball crosses the net. This is where your power and ability to move the ball down the line or cross court will develop. Once you are doing both of those things, it just boils down to fine tuning and repetition.

The towel visual is real nice.

You're not wrong there, PP.:wink:

I've actually had less success doing this since I 1st tried it out. Don't know why but I think a couple of things I was working on with the visual aspect 2 days ago didn't gel with me as well as well as the first time.

Namely, imagining you're pressed up tight against the fence on the left-hand side and frames held for a second or 2 in a vertical slot. Will go back to that, plus also keeping that left hand/arm in a bit.

R.


BTW, Anyone got any related links to any of this, please post them up! TIA...