High balls to the backhand got me too!

[Rickson]

Here I was thinking I could drive back high backhand shots because I use an extreme eastern grip, but like most one handers, I found that I don't drive high balls well finding it easier to slice. Luckily for me, I handle mid high and lower balls very well on the backhand side, but if I run into a topspin king who likes going to the backhand, I'm gonna wind up slicing everything. I'm not a slicer, I prefer to drive backhands. Help a one handed brother out!

 

[ZPTennis]

Don't feel too bad. Even Federer was having trouble in the French Open final against Nadal.

I don't have a one hander, but you could try moving forward to the ball more to take it right off the bounce. I do the same thing to keep from having a high 2 handed shot. Keeping it in the strike zone is always better.

 

[Hondasteve]

I am in the same boat of limited options. The only advice I can give is:

1) Catch it early and use your opponents pace against him

2) Wait until it comes down to lower thatn shoulder height(though timing can be problematic on this stroke)

3) Flick the shot crosscourt and short using forearm/wrist strength. Ball trajectory will be relatively flat and you might force an error

4) Learn to hit a jumping acrobatic shot

Probably not much help, but I think this is the bane of the 1HBH players out there, myself included.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

I usually slice off the rise on those. If they are deep then topspin on the rise but only after I've got the timing off the slice on the rise down first. I play around the baseline and try not to move back unless my timing is really horrid that day.

 

[ShcMad]

What other posters said are good pieces of advice.

-Step back a little, let the ball spin out, and then when it's on the strike zone, hit it. You'll need some power in order to get the ball back deep from the backcourt, but it's better than hitting the ball shoulder-height.

-Take it off the bounce. This is quite hard, and requires precise timing. But, if you can do that, this will rob time from your opponent, plus you'll be able to hit it offensively this way.

Whenever I play against a heavy topspin player, I use both of these techniques, and I throw in a slice or two everytime I'm on the defensive or when I wanna cut off the rhythm. But, high balls to my backhand still frustrate me.

 

[mucat]

I wonder anyone does this. It is still a low to high swing. At contact, my racket will be pointing up (instead of parallel to the ground) and in front of me. Since the ball is high, the swing will probably put more sidespin on the ball than usual. I found the key point to hit like this is hit early and hit in front.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Yes, Mucat, I do something like that, as well-- when the ball bounces above my shoulder. The ball sails fast and low, and stays low after the bounce forcing the opponet to dig it up with their backhand. Don't do it too often, though or they might rush in and take it in the air.

 

[Tim Set Match]

I wonder anyone does this. It is still a low to high swing. At contact, my racket will be pointing up (instead of parallel to the ground) and in front of me. Since the ball is high, the swing will probably put more sidespin on the ball than usual. I found the key point to hit like this is hit early and hit in front.

Actually when I was starting out my coach taught me to return high balls on the forehand side this way. It was more of a level swing than a low to high swing though. Now I just switch to a western grip for high balls on the forehand side that are too low to smash.

For high balls on the backhand side, I will use that method if my aim is to hit a nice slow ball back to someone I'm coaching. However, in a competitive situation I find that a slice is far more effective.

So my advice.... slice deep!

 

[TrueAce]

watch videos of Gaudio.....I think his timing/positioning is better than Fed's handling Nadals heavy top.

 

[Rickson]

I'm able to drive back most balls to the backhand, but yesterday I faced a moonballer and when I tried to get the balls on the rise, I mistimed some. I found that slicing balls that are about to get up high was easier, but it also left me feeling vulnerable because I always move in on slicers. Luckily for me, the moonballer I faced is not a net rusher, but the thought of slicing back all high balls scares me.

 

[fx101]

If you jump into the shot, a la safin, you will be able to take it as an agressive ball. It takes some work (a lot actually) but after learning to time it you will be able to turn the point to your favor instead of hitting a defensive slice back.

 

[Rickson]

If you jump into the shot, a la safin, you will be able to take it as an agressive ball. It takes some work (a lot actually) but after learning to time it you will be able to turn the point to your favor instead of hitting a defensive slice back.

2 problems for me here; I'm not 6'4 like Safin and I use a 1 hander unlike Safin.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

2 problems for me here; I'm not 6'4 like Safin and I use a 1 hander unlike Safin.

They did have an article on taking high backhands like Lubijic in tennis magazine. he was pretty much jumping as well too and hitting a high looping topspin backhand back to his opponent.

 

[Rickson]

They did have an article on taking high backhands like Lubijic in tennis magazine. he was pretty much jumping as well too and hitting a high looping topspin backhand back to his opponent.

That helps a little being that Ljubicic uses a one hander, but a high backhand to Ivan is like a backhand overhead for me.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/instructionarticles/backhand/backhand.aspx?id=455

Ivan Ljubicic's Backhand

By Jimmy Arias
Photos by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Even a tricky high ball is no match for Ivan Ljubicic's backhand.

Perhaps the most difficult shot for players with one-handed backhands is hitting a ball up around the shoulders. There are three options to use in order to return it: You move in and take it early and on the rise, before it gets too high; chip it defensively with slice; or return the favor to your opponent by looping it back. Here we see Ivan Ljubicic going for the last choice, and doing it very well. With early preparation, spot-on timing, and impressive shoulder strength, Ljubicic returns a tough shot with relative ease.

1. As he prepares for his backhand, Ljubicic pulls his racquet back with his left hand while keeping a loose grip on the handle with his right. It’s smart to bring the racquet back with your off hand because it promotes a good shoulder turn. And by not strangling his racquet, Ljubicic can easily switch to his backhand grip and keep his hitting arm relaxed.

2. Since the ball is coming in high and deep, Ljubicic is retreating with crossover steps to get himself in good position. His racquet comes up slightly, and he doesn’t rotate his body yet, as his primary goal is good footwork. Ljubicic has time to run around his backhand, but because of his confidence in the stroke, he is content to hit it rather than a forehand.

3. With all the time Ljubicic has, he continues on to an exceptionally full shoulder turn. You can practically see his back. His body weight is almost completely gone from his front foot and has shifted to his left leg. Notice his body composition—his legs are bent and low while his back is straight. The only thing you want the upper body to do is rotate.

4. Ljubicic starts to rotate back as his racquet drops well below the ball. This shot is going to have ample topspin. His legs continue to straighten as he starts to jump off the court. Instead of bringing his weight through the shot, his momentum is actually going upward, which will result in a high, looping return.

5. At contact you see Ljubicic way off the ground and the ball still above his shoulders. This causes the racquet to be more at an angle rather than level as he rotates his wrist up to meet the ball. To coordinate a swing of this speed with all this movement takes great timing. It also requires plenty of shoulder strength and wrist action to power a ball from this height.

6. Even though he’s airborne, Ljubicic still manages a nice full finish to his stroke. His left arm stays back, keeping that side from coming around prematurely and allowing him to stay sideways and extend through the shot. Ljubicic doesn’t overswing and bring his left side around; he maintains solid mechanics throughout.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

That helps a little being that Ljubicic uses a one hander, but a high backhand to Ivan is like a backhand overhead for me.

How tall are you? I'm 5'9.5" and it works for the most part. Once you hit it back once with heavy topspin looping to their backhand it's over for them. It's like taking what they gave you and adding to it.

 

[Rickson]

How tall are you? I'm 5'9.5" and it works for the most part. Once you hit it back once with heavy topspin looping to their backhand it's over for them. It's like taking what they gave you and adding to it.

I'm 5'6 and 1/2 and I can take fairly high backhands (shoulder high), but once they get above the shoulders, I'm toast. I tried driving some nose level backhands, but they went inside out which can not be a good thing when you're aiming crosscourt. I tried taking balls on the rise, but when they were destined to go very high (moonball), I couldn't control them well. I wound up slicing the moonballs on the rise and I found good directional control that way, but the pace was not the same as a flat to light topspin backhand drive. Oh well, I guess I'm gonna slice very high balls for now, but I'll work on the jumping backhand, thanks.

 

[tennis-all-year]

I used to use 2HBH. Now I use 1HBH. I either slice or top spin high balls on my backhand now. I watched a recent BH video clip of Sampras. He used top spin to lift a backhand high ball (at head level).

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

I'm 5'6 and 1/2 and I can take fairly high backhands (shoulder high), but once they get above the shoulders, I'm toast. I tried driving some nose level backhands, but they went inside out which can not be a good thing when you're aiming crosscourt. I tried taking balls on the rise, but when they were destined to go very high (moonball), I couldn't control them well. I wound up slicing the moonballs on the rise and I found good directional control that way, but the pace was not the same as a flat to light topspin backhand drive. Oh well, I guess I'm gonna slice very high balls for now, but I'll work on the jumping backhand, thanks.

I've had problems at first because it's not a normal shot you see when just rallying with friends but in a match people will do their darndest to beat you with anything. I had my cousin feed me balls like that until I got the rhythm down. You have the tools but just have to practice using it like any other stroke. 5'6"? Man for some reason I keep picturing your avatar picture as it being you but I know it isn't hahaha. Hope people don't think i'm some short italian plumber.

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

One thing you could do is take a basket of balls to the court. Toss the ball high into the air in front of you, get yourself positioned, and do the Lubicic swing (from the previous picture), without jumping, simply focus on rolling the racquet up over the ball.

If you work on it with a paceless ball, you will get more comfortable with the mechanics and have more confidence instead of immediately employing a defensive slice under match conditions.

You may not hit an offensive backhand this way, but you will get good depth and it will have good spin too.

Nothing wrong with hitting a nice deep ball with spin even if it doesn't have pace. You've survived to hit another ball.

One of the things I started doing several years ago also (besides take them on the rise early as was mentioned by several people) with guys that hit high looping topspin balls to my backhand is since I can see it coming, they don't hide it well and you have time, is that I move forward and if possible run around them and take them out of the air with a forehand. Its a risky shot.

My logic is this: I have a weakness. My opponent is exploiting it. I often hit a weak backhand or make an error on a backhand high bouncing ball anyway, so why not try to gain positional advantage on the court, use one of my weapons (a forehand) and hit an offensive ball. Its risky, but I'm in trouble anyway.

Its not always effective but it also sends my opponent a signal that I'm not going to let him get away with it, and a couple winners on my part (maybe even lucky ones) often shuts him down. I've effectively stopped him from attacking my weakness which has other benefits.

 

[mucat]

This is (the 2nd pic) what I am talking about, contact at an upward racket position. Of course, being so tall, Ljubicic's racket didn't have to point totally vertical to meet the ball. But some of us who aren't as tall, lots of the time the racket will have to be more vertical to meet the ball. If time it early (have to hit it in front, very important) and time it right, you can hit it really hard and still goes in. Since the ball is so high, you can hit a sharp angle xcourt to suprise your opponent.

However, if you are jammed and late, slice is the only good option. Well, maybe moonball too...