How should the 2HBH feel like?

papa

Hall of Fame
BB, thanks for the response and I agree on SystemAnolomy's comments also.

Your so right about "communications" - I think at times we talk a lot and "think" we have communicated but have failed. One of the things that gets me about large group lessons/clinics is that "maybe" a couple are listening but the majority seem to be playing some form of grab-a__. Then when its their turn they can't do whats asked and you have to repeat yourself over and over again. If you take them aside, the comment always is "yeah, I know". This is one of my major areas of frustration in coaching when you have both sexes practicing at one time - always seem to be preforming for each other.
 
You know, I have a theory that Sampras actually does use the smile pattern on the FH wing.

You mean something to do with that extreme leading with the elbow? I used to do something similar, but my wrist would flex downwards for some strange reason and it was creating a serious hitch in my swing. Now I just lead slightly with the elbow, like say, Federer or Djokovic.

BTW, I focused on the pronated takeback last time I hit and I was getting some nice spin.

Edit: just looked at his forehand and the racquet definitely traces a smile. He lifts his arm way up during the backswing though, so not really the same motion as the backhand smile pattern.
 
Last edited:

tricky

Hall of Fame
BTW, I focused on the pronated takeback last time I hit and I was getting some nice spin.
Yeah, the pronated takeback is awesome, and I've noticed people deliberately copying that maybe the last 2-3 years.

To get all the action on that puppy. a person needs to eventually have what Will was talking about: the flat swing plane where all the wiping action comes from the forearm pivoting around the elbow. When you get that, not only does the spin go up, but you also get more acceleration through the ball.

This visualization might help. Imagine that the ball has a tall, narrow H on it, and that you want to hit the middle of that H. Or, you can imagine that the ball has two vertical, parallel lines (i.e. "|x|"), and that you want to strike between those lines (i.e. the "x".) You'll know it's working for you if your takeback suddenly gets straighter/more compact.

I like to use that with a smile pattern 2H BH as well, just to get into a person's head to drive through that ball.
 

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
BB, thanks for the response and I agree on SystemAnolomy's comments also.

Your so right about "communications" - I think at times we talk a lot and "think" we have communicated but have failed. One of the things that gets me about large group lessons/clinics is that "maybe" a couple are listening but the majority seem to be playing some form of grab-a__. Then when its their turn they can't do whats asked and you have to repeat yourself over and over again. If you take them aside, the comment always is "yeah, I know". This is one of my major areas of frustration in coaching when you have both sexes practicing at one time - always seem to be preforming for each other.

I just don't repeat myself. Reflect back and consider that you are also training your students to your style. Not the other way around. Therefore, I would not repeat myself because the disconnect in communication was not your fault. Let them suck and then say "next". The negative feedback system can work wonders on some people.
 

papa

Hall of Fame
I just don't repeat myself. Reflect back and consider that you are also training your students to your style. Not the other way around. Therefore, I would not repeat myself because the disconnect in communication was not your fault. Let them suck and then say "next". The negative feedback system can work wonders on some people.

Well, your right and I should know that - probably shock the HE__ out of some of them.
 
Yeah, the pronated takeback is awesome, and I've noticed people deliberately copying that maybe the last 2-3 years.

To get all the action on that puppy. a person needs to eventually have what Will was talking about: the flat swing plane where all the wiping action comes from the forearm pivoting around the elbow. When you get that, not only does the spin go up, but you also get more acceleration through the ball.

This visualization might help. Imagine that the ball has a tall, narrow H on it, and that you want to hit the middle of that H. Or, you can imagine that the ball has two vertical, parallel lines (i.e. "|x|"), and that you want to strike between those lines (i.e. the "x".) You'll know it's working for you if your takeback suddenly gets straighter/more compact.

I like to use that with a smile pattern 2H BH as well, just to get into a person's head to drive through that ball.

I'm not exactly sure how the H visualization would affect your backswing. But you're right, I hit with the machine today and at first my shots were too loopy and short. Once I flattened out the swing path a little they were going deep with some action.
 

Davis937

Professional
Verdasco's backhand has gotten better compared to a few years ago. It's a no-nonsense no-frills backhand that holds up pretty well. It looks simple enough to emulate sort of like Tsonga's.

I love Agassi, but his backhand setup is a bit too complicated for my liking. "Pull with the right hand and then push with the left hand" is just not a setup I can come close to doing right. K.I.S.S. works for me.

This is probably a really rough categorization, but somehow I put Andy's, Andre's, and Leighton's 2HBHs in the same category ... I'm not fond of them because they look a little too stiff and mechanical for me ... yes, I know they work pretty well ... it's just not a 2HBH stroke that I feel comfortable emulating ... I still like Verdasco's, Nalbandian's, and Safin's better ... just my opinion.
 

Synesthetic

New User
Verdasco's backhand has gotten better compared to a few years ago. It's a no-nonsense no-frills backhand that holds up pretty well. It looks simple enough to emulate sort of like Tsonga's.

I love Agassi, but his backhand setup is a bit too complicated for my liking. "Pull with the right hand and then push with the left hand" is just not a setup I can come close to doing right. K.I.S.S. works for me.

Just pointing out that Verdasco points the butt cap down towards the ground on his BH, which is pretty different to the majority of the other players you suggested who point the butt cap towards the oncoming ball. Personally I (and I suspect most players) do the latter...

images
 

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
Just pointing out that Verdasco points the butt cap down towards the ground on his BH, which is pretty different to the majority of the other players you suggested who point the butt cap towards the oncoming ball. Personally I (and I suspect most players) do the latter...

images

Verdasco's backhand takeback is typical among the Spanish claycourters. I call it the Spanish 2HBH because of the high takeback.
 
Verdasco still points the buttcap roughly towards the ball when he begins his forward swing. That pic shows him at the final preperation position, not swinging towards the ball.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Another question concerning the 2 hander....

Is it better to "loop" the racquet on the takeback and then continue the circular motion on the forward swing? Like a letter "c"......or just take it back..pause...and then begin the forward swing? I have just learned the 2HBH 6 mos. ago and my teacher says its better to keep it simple with a simple takeback, point the racquet tip at the back fence, let it drop lower a split second before the forward motion and then brush up. I feel like it is a lot more effort this way as opposed to a loop. Who is correct?
 

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
Another question concerning the 2 hander....

Is it better to "loop" the racquet on the takeback and then continue the circular motion on the forward swing? Like a letter "c"......or just take it back..pause...and then begin the forward swing? I have just learned the 2HBH 6 mos. ago and my teacher says its better to keep it simple with a simple takeback, point the racquet tip at the back fence, let it drop lower a split second before the forward motion and then brush up. I feel like it is a lot more effort this way as opposed to a loop. Who is correct?

Do the smile pattern Jack.
 

Davis937

Professional
Verdasco still points the buttcap roughly towards the ball when he begins his forward swing. That pic shows him at the final preperation position, not swinging towards the ball.

Good point and I have to agree with Df4life ... the picture of Verdasco is a little decpetive ... the photo captures him at the high point of his take back/preparation for his 2HBH ... when he comes through the ball, his buttcap will be facing the ball ... I use the "loop" motion on my 2HBH and at the zenith of my takeback, my buttcap is facing the ground ... it all works itself out as the stroke is completed.
 

tricky

Hall of Fame
I feel like it is a lot more effort this way as opposed to a loop. Who is correct?

I think he's trying to get you to just turn the shoulder. But it's just easier to use a smile pattern or pendulum motion. Just concentrate on bringing the racquet under the ball, and let the pendulum motion do its thing.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I think he's trying to get you to just turn the shoulder. But it's just easier to use a smile pattern or pendulum motion. Just concentrate on bringing the racquet under the ball, and let the pendulum motion do its thing.

Can someone explain the "smile pattern" or "pendulum motion" in a little more detail? I feel like my 2HBH takes SO MUCH more effort than my forehand. When I practice it over and over in drills, it wipes me out, so I must be doing something wrong. I want it to be smooth and effortless like my forehand.
I also noticed some people kind of "aim" the racquet face at the ball first and then take it back/loop it around and swing. Is this a timing mechanism?
If you watch Wil from FYB on racquet reviews (http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/rackets/) he kind of does this and he makes it look so effortless. Also my teacher wants me to really bend at the knees and get really low on the takeback, but I never see the Pro's getting that low on the b/h? Just a little bend/flex in the knees. He says I should feel like I am almost sitting down on a stool. Is that correct?
 
Top