How much torso rotation while moving north-south for 1HBH?

[New Daddy]

How much torso rotation do you maintain while moving north and south (i.e., front and back) for 1-handed backhand?

If you keep the torso nearly fully rotated, it feels awkward and seems to hinder moving up and down the court. If you don't keep the torso rotated enough, you have to rotate it when you get to the ball, which seems to increase the precious set-up time. In contrast, moving side to side with the torso rotated almost to the hitting position feels very natural and comfortable. As a result, personally, hitting short balls or deep balls while moving back on the backhand wing is very uncomfortable for me.

Any suggestions?

 

[Limpinhitter]

How much torso rotation do you maintain while moving north and south (i.e., front and back) for 1-handed backhand?

If you keep the torso nearly fully rotated, it feels awkward and seems to hinder moving up and down the court. If you don't keep the torso rotated enough, you have to rotate it when you get to the ball, which seems to increase the precious set-up time. In contrast, moving side to side with the torso rotated almost to the hitting position feels very natural and comfortable. As a result, personally, hitting short balls or deep balls while moving back on the backhand wing is very uncomfortable for me.

Any suggestions?

Glad you asked. It seems that the current fad is to turn less than 45 degrees ie: chest doesn't move far from facing the side fence throughout the stroke. IMO, however, it should be closer to 180 degrees ie: back facing target to chest facing target. Here's a picture series of one of the all time great backhands by Lew Hoad. Compare picture #3 and #8. Note that Hoad is using a Continental grip. If he were playing today, he'd have to change that to Eastern to accomodate the higher bouncing balls. Hope this helps.

 

[New Daddy]

Glad you asked. It seems that the current fad is to turn less than 45 degrees ie: chest doesn't move far from facing the side fence throughout the stroke. IMO, however, it should be closer to 180 degrees ie: back facing target to chest facing target.

Thanks for the response and the photos.

I think the modern 1HBH still recommends almost 180-degree rotation at set-up. I have yet to meet a coach who teaches otherwise.

But my question was how much of that rotation do you maintain while moving up and down the court. For forehand, I move up and down while maintaining almost the full rotation of the torso (about 135 degrees from the net). With backhand, on the contrary, moving up and down the court with you back almost facing the net is very uncomfortable. Hence my question.

 

[boramiNYC]

The torso is mistakenly known for rotation but torso or abdomen muscles are not designed to forcefully rotate. It mainly stabilizes rotation between hip (pelvis) and upper body (ribs and shoulders). You should focus on front shoulder movement. Most of 1HBH power comes from that shoulder coiling and uncoiling of the arm. You want the hitting timing to be not when the shoulder is uncoiling toward the front but when the front shoulder is opening up and exposing chest. The shoulder uncoiling toward the front is part of the backswing for the momentum. Actually, when you have to hit fast, you can hit with plenty force with simply opening up the shoulder with racquet in front and of course a closed stance.

 

[sureshs]

Great thread. I was looking for information like this in:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=415626

Look at the comments on the distance moved. Short distance = can move with sideways turn. Long distance = move straight then turn.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Thanks for the response and the photos.

I think the modern 1HBH still recommends almost 180-degree rotation at set-up. I have yet to meet a coach who teaches otherwise.

But my question was how much of that rotation do you maintain while moving up and down the court. For forehand, I move up and down while maintaining almost the full rotation of the torso (about 135 degrees from the net). With backhand, on the contrary, moving up and down the court with you back almost facing the net is very uncomfortable. Hence my question.

To the contrary, it seems that most coaches teach, and most pros hit their 1hb's, countering the forward swing with a backward left arm swing and maintaining the side facing the target.

 

[netguy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq3Pi1KIkT8&NR=1

 

[boramiNYC]

To the contrary, it seems that most coaches teach, and most pros hit their 1hb's, countering the forward swing with a backward left arm swing and maintaining the side facing the target.

I agree, there's limit how much head can rotate from the chest (about 90 degrees) so the chest cannot be facing back fence. Facing the incoming ball with the head, the chest cannot turn more than 90 degrees which is chest side way. Now the shoulders move independently from the chest and for balance it's best when one elbow is in front the other elbow leaning back. So i agree left elbow is best leaning back during preparation. When the chest is turned any further you have to squint to get a good look at the ball, not good. Always face straight toward the ball for best focus.

 

[Cheetah]

Great thread. I was looking for information like this in:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=415626

Look at the comments on the distance moved. Short distance = can move with sideways turn. Long distance = move straight then turn.

^^ This is correct. If you are far away you run towards the area where you will meet the ball with a normal stride w/ both hands on the racket. when you get 2-4 steps away you rotate.

 

[sureshs]

^^ This is correct. If you are far away you run towards the area where you will meet the ball with a normal stride w/ both hands on the racket. when you get 2-4 steps away you rotate.

I will go ahead and book a court on Sunday around 4 pm. Can do it only Thu night. Will let you know.

BTW, the abbreviated swing on my serve you saw last time needs to be extended properly to the second serve. Hit two DFs last night. Remind me to work on it.