How to hit consistent backhand down the line?

[1171]

I think the best way to eat my opponent alive is to have a consistent backhand down the line.

I need all the tips on how to do this efficiently and effectively.

Better with one-hand or two-hand backhand? If two-hand, better with open or close stance? What is the most consistent stroke for down the line backhand?

 

[Phil Daddario]

I've found it efficient with both. It's often easier to hit DTL rather than crosscourt with a 1HB, but you can send it down the line easily with both backhands.

Open stance lets you wrap around and rotate more, and can provide lots of angles.

But a neutral stance is ideal for sending the ball down the line. It's harder to hit that sharp crosscourt angle, but it's easy to send the ball forward. Most of the momentum is linear there, and moving forward as well.

So go with the neutral stance with a 1HB or 2HB. Both of em. Hitting down the line just requires sort of hitting the "bulls-eye" on the ball. Connect in the middle (rather than on the outside for crosscourt) and extend through the ball.

 

[rulik]

I know nothing about 2hb. With 1hbh mix topspinned and underspinned crosscourt strokes will not shake out only the top players. It's what Federe does.

 

[Tennis Ball Hitter]

At the lower level of tennis, 4.0 and lower I geuss, I'd expect the 2H to be easier since you can muscle the ball and place more spin on it. Which is kind of like kicking myself in the face since I use a 1 hander. I can't rip the 1H BH DTL for a winner in baseline rallies with any consistency. I really need the ball to sit up nicely if I want to rip it for a winner. But if the opponent is at net I can do a solid consistent shot DTL which more often than not passes my opponents.

 

[donnyz89]

i find hitting dtl backhand dificult, because u cant have the normal shoulder rotation, but using your arm to brush up and push through the ball more. if i have normal shoulder rotation and followthrough, it will likely go towards the center of the court of i try dtl. thats y i usually stick with crosscourt backhand to their backhand unless its a very easy ball. backhand dtl is a dificult shot no matter at what level.

 

[x Southpaw x]

I think you have the same problem as me because your one handed BH has a bit of sidespin and you probably supinate your BH stroke, thus causing it to go crosscourt easily. Work on hitting with more topspin and minimize side spin for down-the-line shots.

 

[Exile]

I can't hit dtl 1hbh.
I can't hit inside out 1hbh, I want to so badly.

I do find it a little easier to attempt it if you go all out topspin, to make sure things go ok.

 

[zAllianceBmx]

two handed closed stance will get it down the line plenty good. two hands is easier and a bit more stable. the closed stance will set u up nicely. use open stance if your caught up and cant adjust quick. or just use it to get nice crosscourts

 

[Phil Daddario]

But the closed stance directs too much momentum to the side, and isn't really worth anything anymore except for inside out shots. Neutral stance works much better. The closed stance makes it easy to hit down the line, but all the lost momentum makes it harder to hit an effective shot.

Neutral all the way.

 

[kevhen]

With alot of practice I learned how to hit 2HBH DTL for winners on passing shots. I hit it at moderate-hard pace very low to net with just a little bit of topspin about 1-2 feet inside the baseline. I am usually in a square stance but sometimes semi-open to confuse opponent on a short ball that I may go crosscourt with. Deeper balls I will square up for more power and control and generally don't go crosscourt on anyway so am committed to the DTL shot. Practice is key to this shot as maybe 3 years ago I didn't own it yet but now it's pretty reliable so you better approach to my forehand side or cover the line!

 

[mucat]

I think bh dtl is only good for passing shot, if you use one hander. Most of people with 1hbh has a very consistent bh but will not be powerful enough to hit dtl winner. The worst is, you hit bh dtl to the opponent, the opponent can hit a powerful fh crosscourt to make you chase down the ball, then he can come to the net to finish the point.

2 hander is different, if done right, it is just so much more powerful. I used to hit 2hbh, and my bh was way more powerful than my fh. However, even with 2hbh, it is still more effective to go cross-court trade bh with your opponent.

I will usually trade backhand with my oppponet, once I get something workable, run around to my fh, depending on the position, either a sharper fh cc or fh dtl, maybe come to the net after.

 

[lendl lives]

a dt bh is the best shot you can have, (singles). set up a ball machine and start hitting. this helps me more than hitting with another person.

 

[Tan]

Just imagin you hit backhand against knockboard, Naturally nobody gonna hit it cross It's already in you believe me and whatever stance you use don't forget to make it unpredictable.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

hit 1,000,000,000,000,000 of them.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

But the closed stance directs too much momentum to the side, and isn't really worth anything anymore except for inside out shots. Neutral stance works much better. The closed stance makes it easy to hit down the line, but all the lost momentum makes it harder to hit an effective shot.

Neutral all the way.

Not if you do it right. A onehanded backhand is perfectly fine for a closed and nuetral or forward stance. I would even go as far as a semi-open stance. The open stance is either primarily for service returns or once someone learns to master the staple stances of the onehander.

The key to not getting all the momentum going sideways on the forward swing is pointing the butt cap towards the ball. This moves the momentum forward.

Also, during preperation many times the position of the hips in relation to the shoulders can be different. Keeping the butt cap pointing forward during preparation helps eliminate the sideways movement.

Oh, almost forgot, the head is also important. If you turn your head too much toward the side fence that does not help.

All of these can be easily corrected.

 

[FiveO]

I think the best way to eat my opponent alive is to have a consistent backhand down the line.

I need all the tips on how to do this efficiently and effectively.

Better with one-hand or two-hand backhand? If two-hand, better with open or close stance? What is the most consistent stroke for down the line backhand?

Neither the 1 or 2hbh is superior/inferior for hitting dtl. On the highest levels, this is evidenced by the dtl 2hbh's of Agassi and Safin vs. the one-handers of Gasquet and Henin-Hardenne. Either one, executed well, is effective.

In addition to the above advice, consider the following for greater consistency:

IMO problems arise when we start defining groundies aimed at different targets as being different strokes and that they should be produced differently. I disagree with this approach. While accommadations must be made for the fact that the net is higher and the distance shorter, hitting dtl as opposed to x-court, those adjustments are minor. IMO it is fundamentally the same stroke requiring the same core elements be performed.

Direction is controlled by a near verticle racquet face, moving through a linear hitting zone (a straight path 6" prior to 6" after contact) with the racquet face maintaining right angle to that path through the zone. Very minor adjustments to the vertical racquet face, and how steeply angled the low to high path selected, dictates how much spin is applied. Generally, directional control issues are caused when the relationship between the racquet face and linear hitting zone is lost. Too laid back for the path and you'll lose the ball wide. Contact "outside" with the same path and you'll yank the ball more crosscourt. Linear path toward the target with the racquet at a right angle to that path for its entire length is the best, most consistent way to control direction, IMO.

Consistency? The net IS higher dtl, so more lift is required. So, if hitting an offensive or attacking shot dtl you'll need to add topspin, again, w/o losing sight of the racquet face angle and its linear path. Hitting the net? Try to avoid allowing your contact drop below net height and hit with more lift. Hitting long? Add more topspin and/or adjust pace.

Also, be mindful of the specific target you select when hitting dtl. When hitting x-court, not only is the net lower but deviation, left or right, from the intended path of the shot, will still allow the vast majority of your shots to fall in. When aiming dtl, many players aim for THE LINE without being conscious of it. Aiming for the sideline will put half of the shots deviating even slightly wide of the intended path, OUT. Especially when hitting dtl, select a target 2 to 3 feet inside the sideline to reduce misses wide.

Stances. I agree with BB and PhilD. A bh can be hit from a closed stance. But if forced or choosing to hit closed, I feel you should try to step at least somewhat diagonally forward onto the front foot. For disguise (making the preparation/set-up of each shot nearly identical) I suggest trying to hit either 1 or 2hbh's from as neutral a stance as comfortable. Additionally, with a 2hbh it is easier to take advantage of the more efficient court coverage an open stance provides.

Choose one. Work on it and don't lose sight of the core elements of directional control. The added benefit of focusing on the hitting zone and the racquet face in relationship to it, is it allows you to produce a more consistent, solid ball.

Good luck.