Hit one-hand backhand close to body?

[pico]

I was playing yesterday and I play with a one-hand backhand though this could apply to a double-hand too. I noticed that the closer I allowed my body to hit the ball (without being jammed), the more brush I could get on it and impart more spin. It created a more loopier ball but I liked it. Is this recommended?

 

[pico]

If the grip matters, I use a strong Eastern grip but when I hit the shot in the manner described above, it might almost be leaning a little to semi-western.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Could simply be the alignment of your body with the ball a bit closer in gives you a more linear swing path (more down to up) and forces you swing low to high on the ball compared to a ball further out which allows for more rotation and a larger swing path so more room for error. Personally, I say whatever works best for you just do it, so long as you are jamming yourself of introducing other issues like reduced power which would be the compromise with less room for developing racquet head speed.

I was just talking about hitting against high pace players, where a lot of times I try to get the ball in closer because it gives me less room for swinging error, but it is less swing and uses their pace to develop pace back.

 

[Big Bagel]

In general, I would say you should go for more separation. But, that's a general case, and there's always exceptions. If you watch Stan Wawrinka, he often hits later and closer to the body (less separation) than most one-handers, and he hits the ball incredibly well. It requires better timing as it sometimes forces him to rotate through his shots as opposed to letting his arm go through the hitting zone and then opening up his body on the follow through, so I wouldn't recommend it to most players, but for him it works.

So overall, I'd say for most people it's better not to get too close to the ball, so that's what I'd recommend, but clearly it's possible to hit a great ball without a lot of separation, so it's up to you.

 

[Dragy]

Consider the height of the ball as well. If hitting around your belly and higher, you don’t want that to be too close to you. If hitting at hip level and lower, you can lean to the ball quite a bit, get closer to the ball in horizontal plane while keeping straight arm. Outward swing works great for such a posture, by the way.

 

[WestboroChe]

I agree with BigBagel, when you hit close to your body you can only slice your backhand. However if you give yourself seperation you can do either with more power and authority. I've always struggled with getting too close to the ball on both wings. But if you pay attention to it and work on it, your game will be better for it.

 

[Kevo]

Depends on what you mean by close. If you are hitting shoulder pointing at your target and close means distance from your belly then somewhat close is good. For me, the separation that is most important is having plenty of space in front, off the hip, so the swing can fully develop before contact. You want the hitting arm to be able to extend fully in front at contact. Hope that makes sense.

 

[NuBas]

I was playing yesterday and I play with a one-hand backhand though this could apply to a double-hand too. I noticed that the closer I allowed my body to hit the ball (without being jammed), the more brush I could get on it and impart more spin. It created a more loopier ball but I liked it. Is this recommended?

I know what you are saying OP and the answer is whatever works for you. If you are in control of the ball even if its close to you then I don't see why its wrong to do so. I have done with you said, not on purpose but you can still hit a good shot even if not 100% perfect strike zone all the time.