Ok, so I'm a 4.0 self taught (mostly) with a better than average serve and forehand. I can slice a backhand fairly well but I'm trying to incorporate a topspin backhand and here's the issue...maybe 3 out of 10 backhands that I hit have nice, even topspin rotation and the rest have some sort of ugly side spin. I have no video so hopefully someone can visualize what I'm talking about. Do I need to swing up more, am I swinging to the side maybe? I would like to hit with the same topspin I get on the forehand side. Maybe I need to hit more out in front? Any help is appreciated. Thanks
Backhand question
- Thread starter Shbeals
- Start date
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
I can't help correct you but I have the same thing happening to me on backhand. It is because I am swinging across my body more putting a funky spin on it. It slices well but when it lands it bounces away from the opponent because of the side spin. I think I am bringing my arm across my body while swinging rather than taking a more natural swing path through the ball.
Yes, ohbh. You mean, my body is turned to far so my elbow is leading instead of the racquet?
Yes, this exactly.
I saw a couple of online videos. I think what's happening is I am not keeping my arm straight enough on contact, so my elbow is a little bent. Would this cause the ball to spin sideways?
Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
A high speed video camera can show how your racket contacts the ball. You can usually see what in happening with certainty, unlike all other methods of observing tennis strokes.
Used cameras with high speed video that can do this cost under $100, but the motion blur in bright sunlight needs to be small, so that the ball and racket are not blurred. (Some people have cameras capable of high speed video mode and are not aware that their cameras have a high speed video mode. Anyone have one? ..........)
The Canon Powershot 110HS, $73 or 78 used, is capable of 240 fps and small motion blur in bright sunlight. Other Canon Powershot cameras with high speed video may or may not have small motion blur. Check motion blur before buying any camera for high speed video of tennis strokes.
Used cameras with high speed video that can do this cost under $100, but the motion blur in bright sunlight needs to be small, so that the ball and racket are not blurred. (Some people have cameras capable of high speed video mode and are not aware that their cameras have a high speed video mode. Anyone have one? ..........)
The Canon Powershot 110HS, $73 or 78 used, is capable of 240 fps and small motion blur in bright sunlight. Other Canon Powershot cameras with high speed video may or may not have small motion blur. Check motion blur before buying any camera for high speed video of tennis strokes.
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Nothing wrong with sidespin if you're hitting up the middle or hitting DTL.
Now, CC needs topspin.
Some pros, like Gasquet, Fed, Almagro, and Wawrinka, supinate the racket thru just before contact, to insure the racket face get's squared up to the ball.
But, if you look closely at most of their DTL 1hbh topspin shots, those shots have a component of SIDESPIN to them.
Now, CC needs topspin.
Some pros, like Gasquet, Fed, Almagro, and Wawrinka, supinate the racket thru just before contact, to insure the racket face get's squared up to the ball.
But, if you look closely at most of their DTL 1hbh topspin shots, those shots have a component of SIDESPIN to them.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
You might be crowding the ball too much to get a decent swing up through the ball. Usually if we're too close, we can only pull the racquet across the ball and that produces the sidespin you're talking about above.
The one-hander allows for a pretty big swing radius as long as the ball isn't too close to the player. Because of this large radius, I feel as though I can easily generate more power and/or spin with my one-hander, but the catch for me is that I can't be especially rushed to effectively produce the full stroke.
One cue that might help you get better spacing for your stroke is to look at the ball like the face of a clock. If you're a righty, think about extending around the outside of the ball and instead of hitting it in the center (from your point of view), try to make contact at 9 o'clock. If you're swinging lefty, go for 3 o'clock.
Also check your feet. If your stance is either neutral or even mildly open as you swing, that can be making it harder to get the extension through contact I'm getting at above. If my stance isn't closed for my one-hander, I'm much more prone to pull across the ball... and get that sidespin. Closed stance, get onto that front foot before you swing, and don't forget a full comfortable follow through.
It should feel as though you're initiating your backhand swing slightly earlier than with your forehand, since the contact point is ideally a little further out in front of you. Why? Your racquet arm is attached to your forward shoulder for this backhand compared with your forehand (or two-handed backhand) where your racquet arm and shoulder start from behind you.
The one-hander allows for a pretty big swing radius as long as the ball isn't too close to the player. Because of this large radius, I feel as though I can easily generate more power and/or spin with my one-hander, but the catch for me is that I can't be especially rushed to effectively produce the full stroke.
One cue that might help you get better spacing for your stroke is to look at the ball like the face of a clock. If you're a righty, think about extending around the outside of the ball and instead of hitting it in the center (from your point of view), try to make contact at 9 o'clock. If you're swinging lefty, go for 3 o'clock.
Also check your feet. If your stance is either neutral or even mildly open as you swing, that can be making it harder to get the extension through contact I'm getting at above. If my stance isn't closed for my one-hander, I'm much more prone to pull across the ball... and get that sidespin. Closed stance, get onto that front foot before you swing, and don't forget a full comfortable follow through.
It should feel as though you're initiating your backhand swing slightly earlier than with your forehand, since the contact point is ideally a little further out in front of you. Why? Your racquet arm is attached to your forward shoulder for this backhand compared with your forehand (or two-handed backhand) where your racquet arm and shoulder start from behind you.
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
I have a 1HBH and I have the same issue. For me, it is because I am hitting the ball late, and because of that I am swinging across my body to make up for being late. It is actually not that ineffective when it happens, although you do not get the same topspin kick effect for sure. But usually, if I lose a match, that isn't what did it. For 4.0 singles, hitting a backhand is so infrequent that it doesn't matter as much. Doubles is a different story because of the angles people can hit and make you have to hit the backhand more.
