Agassi's Comment

[Final_Match_Point]

Agassi just said that roddicks backhand is flawed because he used his left arm to push the shot, and that his and the best 2 handers use a strong right hand.

I thought a 2hander was a left handed shot with a right guide. ???

Someone care to elaborate?

 

[Bodacious DVT]

yea i wasnt quite sure on what he meant either.

the 2HBH is in a sense, left handed forehand. the left hand is the dominent hand in the swing, while the right hand is there for a ride (and control).

i think he might have been refering to roddick using his left hand to "push" the ball rather than "swing" but i cant say for sure.

he could have just misspoken and meant that roddick uses his right arm to push. idk.

 

[Final_Match_Point]

Im not sure either, But i tried a couple swings out, And the thing is if the left hadn is loose, the racquet head comes around naturally

 

[Noveson]

yea i wasnt quite sure on what he meant either.

the 2HBH is in a sense, left handed forehand. the left hand is the dominent hand in the swing, while the right hand is there for a ride (and control).

i think he might have been refering to roddick using his left hand to "push" the ball rather than "swing" but i cant say for sure.

he could have just misspoken and meant that roddick uses his right arm to push. idk.

That's the way it is taught by everybody, but Agassi has sad many times he uses his dominant hand for the force. He keeps his left arm tucked in and out of the way until he needs to get the racquet head around.

 

[fearless1]

What's there to elaborate on...unless you think he is being dishonest with his comments or you don't think he knows what he is talking about? On his 2hb, his dominant arm is also his prominant (fh) one. Personally, I'm glad he made those comments. I hit 2hb similar to his and have always considered my dominant arm my primary one too. I've always found it strange that many think that a 2hb is a "weak side" forehand.

 

[Final_Match_Point]

No im asking why agassi is going against the supposed coaching wisdom of the masses, and even going as far as to state that the best two handers are done with a strong right arm.

Id really like to get some coaches feedback

 

[mrcalon]

What's there to elaborate on...unless you think he is being dishonest with his comments or you don't think he knows what he is talking about. On his 2hb, his dominant arm is also his prominant (fh) one. Personally, I'm glad he made those comments. I hit 2hb similar to his and have always considered my dominant arm my primary one too. I've always found it strange that many think that a 2hb is a "weak side" forehand.

The left handed forehand as the ONLY way to hit the 2HBH is TW dogma. I used to do it myself based on info on these boards and my BH sucked. After further research (including some insightful info on JY's site - JY actually changed his mind on the subject a while ago, but I don't think this has become common knowledge yet..) I've found that a right hand dominant two hander is perfectly legit. After working on it this summer I've found it works way better than the lefty dominant.

At the end of the day though it all depends on the individual.

There's a thread on here about Agassi saying the same thing in Tennis magazine. Many thought he was misquoted. Maybe he read the thread and decided to put the thing to rest

 

[sharpy]

agassi's refering to the grip when he says "strong" right arm

because roddick has some flaw in his bh, causing him to push with the left hand

im hoping tricky would step in and elaborate more about bh technique here....

 

[asknowbuylater]

I tried, for a while, 2hbh with the non-dominant arm pushing the ball, but it just wasn't effective as my forehand. I came back to 1hbh and worked on it for months until it was whippy enough.

Now I sometimes use 2hbh but the non-dominant arm is only used for the follow through as the dominant one whips the ball as if I used 1hbh.

Is it something like that?

 

[Bungalo Bill]

The left handed forehand as the ONLY way to hit the 2HBH is TW dogma

Well for sure your post is a bunch of crap.

It is not just "TW dogma" but a fact that many top coaches and players use the non-dominant arm to control and add "push" to the contact zone.

Further, using the bottom-hand as dominant is also not obscure or taboo for a twohanded backhand. The twohanded backhand has several combinations of grips and dominance for players to use to find the right combination that suits them. So your comments are a bit naive.

Finally, many players use a balanced combination of the hands. There is no push or pull from either hand. For these players, the use of body rotation is the main force behind their power coupled with relaxed arms.

So before you go spouting your stuff, you should do a bit more homework about what the twohanded backhand really is and how it can be used.

One of the most attractive benefits of the twohanded backhand is the forgiveness in where a person can make contact and still hit a good ball and the flexibility in grip combinations and arm dominance combinations.

 

[Ross K]

It's great that Andre has come out and uttered his wise words (although for us Agassi fans this isn't new at all.) But for those expecting their 2handers to suddenly improve dramatically into an Andre-like weapon, I know I'm not alone in saying this lead-with-the-right-arm-approach comes complete with its own set of problems and difficulties - in fact enough to make some of us realise you're definitely better sticking off with the more traditional lead-with-the-left-arm approach.

BTW, this illustrates to me the great interest people have in hearing about 2hander technique. How there are still basic elements that we're not all certain about. And how we could really do with a bit more input from the games very highest practitioners (coaches and players.)

 

[Slazenger]

I'm pretty sure what he said what that his right hand is dominant in the takeback but in the swing his left hand takes over (while the right hand is still working). I suppose this explains why lots of players shadow swing with their right hands after missing 2HB shots.

 

[tricky]

im hoping tricky would step in and elaborate more about bh technique here....

To be honest, I think Agassi believes this because he's a closet 1H BH fan. Poor guy's just in denial!

Agassi's 2H BH is more of a 1H BH "with support."

1) You basically start with a very classical 1H BH leading with the elbow and tracing a U.

2) With your non-dominant hand, you don't so much grip the racquet as you let it rest in the palm of your non-dominant hand. In fact, it helps to try this with an "open" hand initially.

3) You swing as you would a normal 1H with the dominant hand (legs, straight arm holding racquet, chin over shoulder, etc.) The non-dominant hand follows along, providing additional support.

4) What you find is that the additional support "compresses" and "flattens" the swing. The contact point moves closer to you than what's typical with a 1H BH. The U-shape looks more like a straight takeback. And your finish is over the shoulder.

5) You can experiment with different grips, and vary the grip of the non-dominant hand to adjust topspin between DTL and deep crosscourt shots.

6) Some people notice that it looks like Agassi has wristiness with his 2H BH. But it's a bit of an illusion and it's a natural product of this stroke. You'll automatically see it if you take the racquet back far enough, so that the chin is over the shoulder and the butt cap is facing the net.

 

[WBF]

Well for sure your post is a bunch of crap.

It is not just "TW dogma" but a fact that many top coaches and players use the non-dominant arm to control and add "push" to the contact zone.

Further, using the bottom-hand as dominant is also not obscure or taboo for a twohanded backhand. The twohanded backhand as several combinations of grips and dominance for players to use to find the right combination that suits them. So your comments are a bit naive.

Finally, many, many players use a balanced combination of the hands. There is no push or pull frm either hand but the use of body rotation is the main force behind the power along with relaxed arms.

So before you go spouting your stuff, you should do a bit more homework about what the twohanded backhand really is and how it can be used.

One of the most attractive benefits of the twohanded backhand is the forgiveness in where a person can make contact and still hit a good ball and the flexibility in grips combinations and arm dominance.

++

Agreed. He wasn't saying that the best way to hit a 2hbh was his way, he was saying that he thinks the best bh's are hit in that manner. You will see plenty of incredibly talented players with great backhands hit their backhands in this "flawed" manner.

 

[predrag]

Well for sure your post is a bunch of crap.
The twohanded backhand as several combinations of grips and dominance for players to use to find the right combination that suits them.

Exactly right.
Dominant bottom or dominant top hand, it depends on a player.
I use my left hand for fork only, so when I was hitting 2hbh, left arm (I am righty)
was there only to provide additional support.

Finally, many, many players use a balanced combination of the hands. There is no push or pull frm either hand but the use of body rotation is the main force behind the power along with relaxed arms.

Again, great insight. I am teaching all my 2hbh students that backhand is actualy
hit from the shoulders and that arms are there only as a link.

Regards, Predrag

 

[arnz]

If anyone is really interested in the subject, Yandell's site did an excellent job breaking down and analyzing the 2 hand backhand, including Agassi's.

Agassi is different from a lot of 2 handers because he fully extends both arms at contact, whereas some bend their arms at contact. Yandell's site also analyzed Roddick's backhand and its limitations, specifically the grip of the right hand

 

[spot]

Look at most men on tour- the left arm will be straight almost all the way through the shot. Thats not at all how you would hit a "lefthanded" forehand. In that form the right side is driving the shot and the left is there for added support in the hitting structure.

Womens 2BH (and roddick actually) are different. There they do hit with a bent arm hitting structure on the left side as if it were a left handed forehand.

 

[ho]

To be honest, I think Agassi believes this because he's a closet 1H BH fan. Poor guy's just in denial!

Agassi's 2H BH is more of a 1H BH "with support."

1) You basically start with a very classical 1H BH leading with the elbow and tracing a U.

2) With your non-dominant hand, you don't so much grip the racquet as you let it rest in the palm of your non-dominant hand. In fact, it helps to try this with an "open" hand initially.

3) You swing as you would a normal 1H with the dominant hand (legs, straight arm holding racquet, chin over shoulder, etc.) The non-dominant hand follows along, providing additional support.

4) What you find is that the additional support "compresses" and "flattens" the swing. The contact point moves closer to you than what's typical with a 1H BH. The U-shape looks more like a straight takeback. And your finish is over the shoulder.

5) You can experiment with different grips, and vary the grip of the non-dominant hand to adjust topspin between DTL and deep crosscourt shots.

6) Some people notice that it looks like Agassi has wristiness with his 2H BH. But it's a bit of an illusion and it's a natural product of this stroke. You'll automatically see it if you take the racquet back far enough, so that the chin is over the shoulder and the butt cap is facing the net.

Thank for the information Tricky, not because of the information itself but a nice message reach people ears easier than a THUG language.

 

[mrcalon]

Well for sure your post is a bunch of crap.

It is not just "TW dogma" but a fact that many top coaches and players use the non-dominant arm to control and add "push" to the contact zone.

Further, using the bottom-hand as dominant is also not obscure or taboo for a twohanded backhand. The twohanded backhand as several combinations of grips and dominance for players to use to find the right combination that suits them. So your comments are a bit naive.

Finally, many, many players use a balanced combination of the hands. There is no push or pull frm either hand but the use of body rotation is the main force behind the power along with relaxed arms.

So before you go spouting your stuff, you should do a bit more homework about what the twohanded backhand really is and how it can be used.

One of the most attractive benefits of the twohanded backhand is the forgiveness in where a person can make contact and still hit a good ball and the flexibility in grips combinations and arm dominance.

I like how you preface your posts with "you're post is crap!".

Please read again - I said teaching it as the ONLY way is the dogma. I never said using the left hand is the wrong way. I also said it's all dependant on individual preferences at the end of the day which is basically what you wrote in your post - so does that mean your spouting crap as well...

 

[crosscourt]

Exactly right.
Dominant bottom or dominant top hand, it depends on a player.
I use my left hand for fork only, so when I was hitting 2hbh, left arm (I am righty)
was there only to provide additional support.



Again, great insight. I am teaching all my 2hbh students that backhand is actualy
hit from the shoulders and that arms are there only as a link.

Regards, Predrag

We are taught the same thing with the one-hander.

cc

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I like how you preface your posts with "you're post is crap!".

Please read again - I said teaching it as the ONLY way is the dogma. I never said using the left hand is the wrong way. I also said it's all dependant on individual preferences at the end of the day which is basically what you wrote in your post - so does that mean your spouting crap as well...

In the many years I have posted here, only a few have said that in order to hit the twohanded backhand you must use tophand dominance. You ought to reread your own post. It is not TW dogma as you wrote.

I have written many times that the twohanded backhand has various grip combinations and hand dominance combinations. None of them are "the best" because it depends on the person.

So your post is full of crap - period.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Exactly right.
Dominant bottom or dominant top hand, it depends on a player.
I use my left hand for fork only, so when I was hitting 2hbh, left arm (I am righty)
was there only to provide additional support.

Again, great insight. I am teaching all my 2hbh students that backhand is actualy
hit from the shoulders and that arms are there only as a link.

Regards, Predrag

Perfect Predrag,

I want to explain somethings as well.

There are some qualifying comments made in John’s article that is largely being ignored in this thread. It is easy to assume that since “someone" heard Andre Agassi say “he hits with a dominant bottom-hand on the two-handed backhand" that this is the way everyone should hit the two-handed backhand.

In John’s article he said there are four variations. Not one, four.

He also mentioned that it is important for coaches and players to not get locked up into thinking that the two-handed backhand can only be hit with top-hand dominance. Below is a quote from John's article. The full article can be seen at www.tennisplayer.net if you are a subscriber which everyone should be.
=================================================
“Let's clarify one thing. It's not that the left-handed two-handed backhand doesn't exist. It definitely does. It's one of the 4 variations. It's also the dominant version in women's tennis. Although it's less common, players at the top of the men's game have used it as well. If you have learned that version, or teach that version, it's not that it is technically invalid. It's just that it is one of 4 possible versions.”
=================================================

Additionally, in Nick Bollettieri’s Ballistic Backhand video, it is mentioned and illustrated that the grip combination a player chooses can have an influence in which hand takes a dominating role and which arms are bent or straight. When the bottom-hand takes the grip of an Eastern backhand grip, the arm dominance shifts to the bottom-hand and a straighter arm will usually be the result because it takes on the characteristics of a onehanded backhand.

John also mentioned that some top players hit with various grip combinations and arm dominance on various balls.

Based on the films I have seen on Agassi, it is clear to me that in the beginning of the forward pull of the racquet toward contact, Andre's dominant arm sort of pushes down the racquet and plays a role in getting the racquet in position as the racquet starts to come forward. This activity makes this arm dominant or active in the preparation of the racquet during the forward part of the swing. It is also clear that when the momentum of the swing is underway, the role of the dominant arm balances itself with the push of the top-hand as the racquet head clearly swings around and into contact with the ball from the push of the tophand.

There is no question in my mind that after reviewing the film's of various pro players that the top-hands role varies in this stroke and on different balls. Some are clearly more dominant with the bottom-hand and others the top-hand. Still some are very balanced.

The thought that the tophand is simply going for the ride is misleading. A player should find the right grip and arm dominance combinations that works best for them. Coaches should be aware of the variations of acceptable twohanded backhands and adjust the players they teach accordingly.

Finally, it is still important for a player to train and coordinate their non-dominant side even if they are bottom-hand dominant. This training coordinates the balance, footwork, and weight shifting on the non-dominant side that is important in all variations of the twohanded backhand.

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

This thread is kind of funny.

Agassi makes a simple observation about Andy's backhand and then goes on to describe his preferred 2hbh and people over-react to it.

He's commenting on world class pros backhands not amateurs backhands which are fine just the way they are.

 

[mrcalon]

In the many years I have posted here, only a few have said that in order to hit the twohanded backhand you must use tophand dominance. You ought to reread your own post. It is not TW dogma as you wrote.

I have written many times that the twohanded backhand has various grip combinations and hand dominance combinations. None of them are "the best" because it depends on the person.

So your post is full of crap - period.

The posters above my original post were confused because they thought the 2HBH is a lefty forehand, and that this is the only possible variation.

Therefore it is TW dogma because people believe it as fact based solely on info on these boards.

There is a search button if people want to look up all the posts on here advocating it.

Which part needs re-reading?

 

[sharpy]

bb, tricky,

somewhat off topic, where is the major source of getting topspin on the bh? is it the windshield wiper effect like the fh, or is it something else thats done in the backswing???

 

[Bungalo Bill]

The posters above my original post were confused because they thought the 2HBH is a lefty forehand, and that this is the only possible variation.

Therefore it is TW dogma because people believe it as fact based solely on info on these boards.

There is a search button if people want to look up all the posts on here advocating it.

Which part needs re-reading?

The advocation is coming outside of TW and being brought here. It is a common practice for coaches and players to emphasize the use of the non-dominant hand/arm as the main aspect of the twohanded backhand. There is also nothing wrong with that view point.

At the same time, if you would search all posts (including mine) you will note that I talk about various grips, the practice and isolation of the non-dominant arm, the dominance of arms in the stroke concerning the grips chosen, etc...

Players from around the world add to these boards. If they are adding to these boards it means that they are learning these things from others outside of these boards. Get it?

 

[siber222000]

so what agassi saying is that it's like one handed backhand where you use ur dominant hand to get force and left hand is just to guide that right hand which make backhand *safer* backhand than 1hbh? im confused someone mind kinda explaining it in easier way? thanks!

P.S: i always wondered how agassi could hit such a clean and beautiful form *imo* of backhand... anyone want to explain that to me also? thanks :grin:

 

[TheJRK]

I heard that comment as well last night... weird timing too since I had just played with a guy who is a USPTA Pro that afternoon and he told me I was using my right arm (I'm right handed) too much in my 2HBH. He said I should be pushing a lot more with the left.

I was confused since I always thought it was kind of 50-50 (left-right). Then I heard Agassi last night and I was even more confused.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

bb, tricky,

somewhat off topic, where is the major source of getting topspin on the bh? is it the windshield wiper effect like the fh, or is it something else thats done in the backswing???

Sharpy,

What causes the ball to spin with topspin? Is it your backswing or the way your strings brush the ball? Topspin on a ball is created when your strings move in a direction against the ball to create a forward spin.

It is difficult to create topspin with your racquet strings brushing the ball high to low, right?

It is difficult to create topspin (real topspin) with your racquet strings hitting the ball dead on and straight through, right?

So, topspin is created by your strings brushing up the ball going upward. If the ball is on the strings in less then a blink of the eye, what happens in your backswing has little to do with creating topspin. You could twirl the racquet on your nose as part of your backswing but it will have little to do with how topspin is created except in the area of building momentum.

Adding a fanning or windshield wiper motion may speed up the racquet head for a faster rotation on the ball, but it also creates a greater chance for error.

You are introducing two vortex in a swing when you roll your forearm for the fanning motion. One is your arm taking the racquet up to the ball and the other is your hand turning the palm upward to get the racquet head to "windshield wipe" the back of the ball.

Topspin is created by getting the racquet head below the ball and coming upward against the ball. How well you time your wieght transfer, make clean contact, and how much racquet head speed you can generate will contribute to creating a heavy topspun ball.

 

[soyelmocano]

First, let me say that I do not hit a two handed backhand. I can, but I feel cramped/restricted in the chest area and it probably looks awful.

Now take a step away from the racquet, pick up a golf club, and step into the golf "way-back-machine". Ben Hogan has one of the most studied swings in the history of golf or other sport. What Hogan said about his swing was (paraphrased of course) that he swung with the left (which would be like swinging with the right for a 2HBH) and slapped the hell out of the ball with the right. This would probably be similar to what AA was saying about his backhand.

Also if you were to use a katana to slice something, there is a extra push at through the target to generate more speed although the initial "swing" is with the hand further from the blade. It is as if the sword were pivoting between the hands. I think that the 2HBH should be similar.

Then again, I don't like the two hander. So take all that I said as you will.

 

[tricky]

somewhat off topic, where is the major source of getting topspin on the bh? is it the windshield wiper effect like the fh, or is it something else thats done in the backswing???

It's a classical stroke, so must of it is from the down-to-up motion. This is especially true with the 2-hander. Key thing is that the body as a whole drives this stroke, not the arms.

so what agassi saying is that it's like one handed backhand where you use ur dominant hand to get force and left hand is just to guide that right hand which make backhand *safer* backhand than 1hbh? im confused someone mind kinda explaining it in easier way?

As BB pointed out, there's a few different styles to the 2-hander. It's usually taught as a kind of lefty FH, but Agassi kinda treats it as a 1H BH with support. This is more apparent when you watch Agassi's body, how uses his legs to drive the racquet forward and how little hip rotation actually occurs through the forward swing. It's more inline with how the body moves with the 1H BH. When you look at his BH this way, the grip choices, correct feel, and all that other good stuff tends to all fall in line.

 

[mrcalon]

The advocation is coming outside of TW and being brought here. It is a common practice for coaches and players to emphasize the use of the non-dominant hand/arm as the main aspect of the twohanded backhand. There is also nothing wrong with that view point.

At the same time, if you would search all posts (including mine) you will note that I talk about various grips, the practice and isolation of the non-dominant arm, the dominance of arms in the stroke concerning the grips chosen, etc...

Players from around the world add to these boards. If they are adding to these boards it means that they are learning these things from others outside of these boards. Get it?

It doesn't matter where the info came from. It's still common belief here in TW.
I had tried to find info on a righty dominant forehand on these boards after reading Yandell's article, and found only a handful of posts, as opposed to the majority advocating the lefty forehand. If I hadn't read Yandell's article, the righty dominant 2 hander would just be a myth for all i know...

 

[Mountain Ghost]

Function of Each Arm on 2HBH

There are actually two questions on the USPTA certification test about this:


In the two-handed backhand, the function of the dominant arm (the one used for all other shots) is:

A. To add power to the shot
B. To guide the racquet face (ANSWER)
C. To avoid hitting the ball late
D. It is nonfunctional


In the two-handed backhand, the function of the nondominant arm (the one NOT used for all other shots) is:

A. To add power to the shot (ANSWER)
B. To guide the racquet face
C. To avoid hitting the ball late
D. It is nonfunctional


So, according to the USPTA, the “correct” answers are: dominant arm = racquet guidance; nondominant arm = add power. Of course the USPTA is by no means the final authority on the subject, especially since they are officially open to many different teaching styles. But I would suspect that they do present the view of a majority of teaching pros out there.

MG

 

[regmund]

I like the comment about the golf swing, I too have always tried to use my non dominant hand more on my two handed backhand and for years this has felt uncomfortable and not very natural. I play tennis left handed and golf right handed, and always thought it weird to use the left arm more in a right handed golf swing and then turn around and use the right hand more in a left handed 2HBH..... I am gonna have to try AA's method.... DAMN I just wish i could hit a better 1 hander.....it feels so natural but the results are just not that good.

 

[Swissv2]

Before this thread gets too much out of hand...take an objective look at this comment by Agassi.

Agassi is coming from a perspective of already "been there, done that". Most coaches come from a perspective of "theoretical explainations - with no world class experience".

Take Agassi's comment as you will, and realize what you say about world class tennis can only be supported by what you have learned - not what you have done. Big difference.

Instead of arguing for or against his comments - experiment to your own game with his suggestions. Then come back and talk about it. It is not worth it to get in a heated discussion right now.

 

[kimizz]

I have a question, in my BH both or my arms are slightly bent. But I dont feel like either of the hands is dominating...is this wrong? Is this possible Maybe Im just numb from playing too much

 

[RedKat]

Finally, many players use a balanced combination of the hands. There is no push or pull from either hand. For these players, the use of body rotation is the main force behind their power coupled with relaxed arms.

Right on, Bill! I've been using all my life 1hb but now switching to 2hb. And what I found is that the best shot comes really when both my hands (without any preference) are relatively loose and relaxed and power comes from aggressive body rotation

 

[Bungalo Bill]

It doesn't matter where the info came from. It's still common belief here in TW.
I had tried to find info on a righty dominant forehand on these boards after reading Yandell's article, and found only a handful of posts, as opposed to the majority advocating the lefty forehand. If I hadn't read Yandell's article, the righty dominant 2 hander would just be a myth for all i know...

It does matter where it came from because it is not TW dogma. Hitting lefthanded forehands or using the tophand as the dominant hand in the twohanded stroke is a popular way of hitting the twohanded backhand. As pointed out but John's comments and if you search my comments you will find that it is a perfectly acceptable way of hitting a twohanded backhand.

A majority of people will use this and do well with it. However, there are plenty of us on TW (as you can see by the supporting threads) that do not use tophand dominance in the twohanded backhand. It depends on the grips used by the player and their preferences.

The twohanded backhand on this website has also been explained as a player friendly stroke because of the forgiveness in the contact point and because it provides grip combinations that a player can choose from. So when you say this is TW dogma and I clearly do not believe the twohanded backhand can only be played with tophand dominance you are absolutely wrong with your extreme words.

Here is a website on the twohanded backhand grips and what Nick has to say about them.

http://www.nickbollettieri.com/tips/index.cfm?tipID=6

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Before this thread gets too much out of hand...take an objective look at this comment by Agassi.

Agassi is coming from a perspective of already "been there, done that". Most coaches come from a perspective of "theoretical explainations - with no world class experience".

Take Agassi's comment as you will, and realize what you say about world class tennis can only be supported by what you have learned - not what you have done. Big difference.

Instead of arguing for or against his comments - experiment to your own game with his suggestions. Then come back and talk about it. It is not worth it to get in a heated discussion right now.

You have to also understand that while Agassi trained at the Bolletteiri Tennis Academy he hit a lot of lefthanded forehands. Why? If Agassi is bottom hand dominant THROUGHOUT the stroke then why not hit onehanded backhands?

Was Agassi wrong to practice this? Was Nick? Did they screw up?

 

[BeHappy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdEhE0uxD6o

7min50sec in he makes the analysis of roddicks backhand

sounds like he's saying that the right hand dominant stroke is superior to the lefty or equal

 

[Hewittfan22]

Im trying to think that your Left shoulder comes all the way through and at the finish of swing your chin should be touching the left shoulder. I think this really helps it prevents you doing anything with your wrists and makes you hit more with your shoulder rather than just your hands and your wrists.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Im trying to think that your Left shoulder comes all the way through and at the finish of swing your chin should be touching the left shoulder. I think this really helps it prevents you doing anything with your wrists and makes you hit more with your shoulder rather than just your hands and your wrists.

Very good, using a shoulder to chin, shoulder to chin ensures good rotation and helps the player use their torso for power rather than their arms.

 

[dirkgnuf]

I don't think anyone has clearly stated in its entirety what agassi said, so I'll try to do so
McEnroe starts of stating how Roodick's backhand looks stiff, and states how Agassi always looked so relaxed.

Agassi replies that Roddick has a fundamental issue with his backhand.
He was stating how Roddick "hits with his left hand, has a weak right hand grip, pushes backhand with his left hand, the harder he tries to hit it, the more he looks like he's rising up on the shot."

Agassi then goes on to say,
"I hit primarily my backhand with my right hand until I make contact. Then allow the racquet head to come around at the end."

McEnroe asks if Roddick can fix it.

Agassi states that "the best backhands are the ones where that racquet head(not quite sure what he meant here?) is up and a strong right hand with it."

 

[Cindysphinx]

Fascinating discussion!

BungalowBill, I am so glad you posted about the 4 variations. I was starting to think I was a freak of nature. When I hit my 2HBH, I do not think *at all* about which hand is doing what. I try to keep my arms bent, keep that racquet head up, get close enough to the ball, and do a Serious Shoulder Turn. This works great for me, when I actually execute it.

Nevertheless, the Conventional Wisdom among tennis players and some coaches is that if you aren't pushing with the LH, you're doing it wrong.

Hogwash, I say. Pushing with the LH got me nowhere.

 

[iamke55]

I'll starting using the left hand more on my BH after the USPTA members get a career slam, thanks.

 

[Swissv2]

You have to also understand that while Agassi trained at the Bolletteiri Tennis Academy he hit a lot of lefthanded forehands. Why? If Agassi is bottom hand dominant THROUGHOUT the stroke then why not hit onehanded backhands?

Was Agassi wrong to practice this? Was Nick? Did they screw up?

That was the way they trained, but perhaps Andre took that knowledge with a grain of salt and applied his own technique afterwards which worked for him personally.

Many professionals have a different technique in producing effortless power on the 2HBH side, including Agassi. Agassi's comment was merely an answer to McEnroe's question about Roddick's "stiffer arm, which seems harder to generate pace".

Perhaps conventional wisdom states that your technique is the bible truth and the only way to do a backhand, but you have to give credit where credit is due to Andre for being able to speak from world class experience.

 

[Ross K]

racquet head raised?

Agassi states that "the best backhands are the ones where that racquet head is up and a strong right hand with it."

I'm very interested and curious about this comment. What do people imagine AA might have been refering to here exactly?

 

[stormholloway]

What's there to elaborate on...unless you think he is being dishonest with his comments or you don't think he knows what he is talking about? On his 2hb, his dominant arm is also his prominant (fh) one. Personally, I'm glad he made those comments. I hit 2hb similar to his and have always considered my dominant arm my primary one too. I've always found it strange that many think that a 2hb is a "weak side" forehand.

Obviously if someone is confused and wants to learn more, there is more to elaborate on. Think objectively. I don't think the original poster was implying Andre Agassi doesn't know what he's talking about. He just wants more explanation.

I hit a one hander, so I don't give a ****.

 

[Mountain Ghost]

Who to Believe

This thread is actually somewhat humorous. I really don’t think many playing pros should be seen as having an abundance of expertise on tennis stroke theory. Even if a player has world-class playing experience as a genuine champion, he or she typically has NO broad (or world-class) teaching or coaching experience. Playing pros are usually deeply familiar with one method (their own), and it’s simply human nature for them to advocate it, while calling the others “flawed.”

Implying that teaching pros and coaches don’t know what they’re talking about until they have career slams under their belts is quite an intelligent concept too. That would certainly make it easy to not believe virtually every teaching pro on the planet, including every “big dog” on this board. We could pretty much trash ALL tennis advice on the web.

So really, which arm should be dominant on a two-handed backhand? I suppose not thinking about it might win the politically correct prize, but that doesn’t mean there ISN’T a dominant arm in action. It might just not get noticed consciously. And I have to laugh when I hear people say that some particular concept or visualization didn’t get them anywhere, since they were actually able to get nowhere (and stay there) all by themselves.

I’ll end by quoting Robert Lansdorp: “Basically you hit the two-hander the way you would a left-handed forehand. In fact, the really good two-handers are probably people who can do something quite well with the left hand, because the left hand is the dominant hand in the two-hander.”

Of course, he doesn’t have a career slam, so what does he know?

MG

 

[Hewittfan22]

Mountain Ghost, you are making me laugh with your non-sense post, just go back and read what you said one more time very carefully.