bvu126 said:
Hey guys,
I'm a self taught player, right now around 3.5 to 4.0 college player. Our school recently hired a new coach. The new coach told me that I needed to shorten my back swing.
Well first, my backhand is like this. I grap the throat of the racquet with my non-dominant hand which for me is my left hand, to rotate my shoulders in preparing for the ball. But on my right hand, I extend my elbow kind of straight out and make a big looping C before making contact.
The coach told me that instead of straightening my right arm out, tuck the arm in while I pull back with my left hand. As an example, by putting a tennis ball underneath my armpits, and the ball should stay there until I make contact with the ball. Is this the correct way or straightening my right arm out okay?
Yes you should keep the elbow closer to the body then pushing it away from the body.
There are several reasons for this:
1. The brain has a more precise idea of where the racquet head is in relation to the incoming ball.
2. You reduce forearm rotation that move the racquet face around too much and you will lose control.
If you want to study an excellent onehanded backhand for almost all club players, you can get no better model then Tommy Haas. His takeback and form are near perfect when he smacks that ball.
Here is a clip on his backhand:
http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Backhand side view.swf
Since you are concerned about the takeback and swing itself, I will not venture into his footwork, his center of gravity, his shoulder turn, his grip change, and him being able to make contact WHILE his body is facing the 45 degree angle. That is for you to study and for you to ask questions.
For now, let's just analyze his take back and forward swing.
http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Backhand side view.swf
For most players I see hitting a onehanded backhand, it would do some good for those struggling with their onehander to anaylze Tommy's takeback which I believe is paramount to a consistent well developed onehander. The days for the big loop or the C stuff gets people in trouble. I have heard them all.
At one time, this was easier to teach because the game was a lot slower. Not the case today. Your takeback needs to match how the game has changed. Especially if you are teaching yourself. I am self-taught and believe anyone can teach themselves anything.
So back to Tommy. NOTICE the hape his hand makes on the takeback and forward swing. Also, NOTICE the little hole he makes between the racquet, his non-dominant arm and his hitting arm at his highest point in the backswing. The NON-dominant hand goes about shoulder high while his hitting hand rises to about chest level. THIS IS A HUGE KEY FOR TIMING!!!!
The shape the hitting hand makes on the takeback and the foward swing is a small shallow U. That is it! Also, notice he is READY to pull forward BEFORE the ball hits the ground. This is one of the best backhands to copy in the game today. So while you practice keeping your elbow closer to your body, change your thinking to the hand. Also, don't get trapped into trying to figure out how to "loop" your racquet head up, around, back, down, up and forward. Get your mind off of the racquet head and how it has to go high and loop around - your will kill your timing that way.
Focus on the hand, keep it close like Tommy. Turn the shoulders and take the hand back and slightly up before the ball bounces. Then pull as the ball is nearing the contact zone.
Also, note that when he rotates his shoulders his hitting hand does not move back very far. In fact, it stays within the width of his body.
Now, that is one beautiful backhand!
Where Tommy gets his power is from his timing, his back foot push to step forward, and the pull forward on the handle (which takes practice to get the feel of it). He explodes into the ball.
His center of gravity rises very smoothly. His elbow is also close to his body.
Now your coach is probably trying to overteach something to you with the "hold the ball" between your elbow and your side to break a bad habit. Go with it, there is nothing wrong witht hat instruction. But study Tommy Haas and practice his takeback. On your stroke, put your focus on the hand.
Make sure your racquet is a foot below the ball as it comes up to the contact zone. The reason for this is it is very easy for a onehander to still be swing down to the low point at or near contact. This causes all kinds of problems.
Forget about the C or the big loop, or the BIG U. Watch Tommy's hands it is short and sweet and close to the body. Stay with that and you will have a great backhand.
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