Controlling a point... with the backhand?

[Heavybackhand]

Hey guys! I have another question and because searching for this topic I couldn't find anything I figured I'd start a new thread. I've noticed that the players on tour with a backhand that is equal to or better than their forehand (generally speaking of course) still run around backhands and try to take control of points with their forehands.
*And people such as Paire, whose backhand is amazing may I just say, are the exception.*
Anyways! I've noticed a lot of guys don't really control points with their backhands the same way that a guy like Del Potro can with his huge forehand. I see it happen once in a while where Murray will dictate play from his backhand or Gasquet, but the question is, can you dictate play with your backhand just simply without having to run around and finish the point? And if so, what are the patterns of play that work? I know that when I played the best match of my life I was dictating well on backhand to backhand rallys but that wasn't like a forehand where you run somebody all over the court soooo.... how would you use a certain pattern of play etc? Assuming I can hit any shot that is needed, slice, heavy, flat etc.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[Spin Doctor]

Its a lot harder to run around your forehand to hit a backhand. Backhands require more time for proper footwork and positioning. Forehands you can hit open, neutral, closed stances with different footwork positions. Instead of trying to use your BH you should work on your FH to make it more of a weapon.

 

[oble]

I think it's possible if you have a solid backhand, or if you feel that your backhand is better than your forehand or if you feel your backhand is better than your opponent's backhand. Probably a tidbit easier with a 2hander than a 1hander because of 1hander's stricter requirements on footwork and preparation.

But why hit backhand if you have the opportunity to hit inside-out and inside-in forehands? It's a higher percentage shot (something about ball not crossing the body's center line = easier shot and easier to change direction).

 

[Heavybackhand]

Well I'd have to say that I like my backhand slightly better than my forehand, and simply because I drop my forehand short in the court a lot, so it becomes attackable, whereas my backhand rally shot is a much more consistently deep ball with really good topspin. If I need to work on my forehand how would I go about fixing that? And physically speaking, I can hit my backhand from an open and closed stance so that part of a forehand doesn't seem to be as beneficial. What makes the forehand a higher percentage shot?

 

[travlerajm]

My 2hb is better than my forehand.

Back in the days when I played competitively in open level tournaments, the difference in level between my bh and fh was so extreme that I knew going into a match, no matter the opponent, that my bh would be stronger than my opponent's bh, and my opponent's fh would be stronger than my fh.

A couple of my favorite go-to strategies that I used to great success:

1. Hide my bh in the warm-up. I would try to hit smooth consistent and powerful forehands in the warm-up, and hit my trusty 2hb with poor form on purpose. Then when the match starts, my opponent will play the first set and a half before he realizes that he should have been serving to my forehand! By that time, hopefully I'm already up a set and a break, so that I can ride my serve home.

2. Use the 2hb crosscourt rally to set up your 2hb down-line-line. If you keep hitting your bh crosscourt, your opponent will need to play it back to your bh. Eventually, he will give you a shorter ball that you can attack DTL. You can either use the DTL to go for an outright winner, or use it as an approach shot. But the key is using the bh crosscourt to draw your opponent into his bh corner to set this shot up.

 

[travlerajm]

My 2hb is better than my forehand.

Back in the days when I played competitively in open level tournaments, the difference in level between my bh and fh was so extreme that I knew going into a match, no matter the opponent, that my bh would be stronger than my opponent's bh, and my opponent's fh would be stronger than my fh.

A couple of my favorite go-to strategies that I used to great success:

1. Hide my bh in the warm-up. I would try to hit smooth consistent and powerful forehands in the warm-up, and hit my trusty 2hb with poor form on purpose. Then when the match starts, my opponent will play the first set and a half before he realizes that he should have been serving to my forehand! By that time, hopefully I'm already up a set and a break, so that I can ride my serve home.

2. Use the 2hb crosscourt rally to set up your 2hb down-line-line. If you keep hitting your bh crosscourt, your opponent will need to play it back to your bh. Eventually, he will give you a shorter ball that you can attack DTL. You can either use the DTL to go for an outright winner, or use it as an approach shot. But the key is to be patient, using the bh crosscourt to set this shot up.

 

[Heavybackhand]

hmm.. well it makes sense to hide your biggest shots in the warm up, because you're also not trying to win the warmup hahaha

but, don't you have to get that shot warmed up a little bit? Kind of start grooving on the backhand side?

And the crosscourt balls back to the backhand before going down the line makes sense, thats a play that works fh or bh, are there any other specific plays you had? Getting your opponent to hit a shoulder high ball first? or a relatively flat ball?

 

[dominikk1985]

serena williams does it quite often. if the ball is rather up the middle you can do it.

 

[goran_ace]

OP, watch how competitive junior girls or college girls play. Often their backhand is their better shot and preferred shot when going for the kill.

 

[Heavybackhand]

and i guess therein lies the problem, because as many people as i have watch i cannot seem to figure out exactly HOW i want to game plan to use my backhand as the kill shot. obviously a middle court winner is relatively easy to produce with a forehand or backhand because that's self explanatory but to actually control a point is a different animal i think

 

[oble]

My backhand is weaker than my forehand, so I can't provide any suggestion based on experience, but travlerajm's strategy #2 sounds pretty solid especially if you have a more consistent backhand than your opponent.

 

[Mac33]

Hitting a backhand up the line with sufficient pace to force your opponent on to the back foot is the hardest shot in the game.

I can do it quite well in practice matches but in comp when I play the shot I back off the RHS as I feel I'm going to make a error.

The worst thing that can happen though is I just lose the point :twisted: