I think I cracked the code to the 2HBH (video)

[sundaypunch]

As I said, I have never seen a source that says a SW will have a contact point further back than an eastern grip.

Here's a great John Yandell article that touches on the subject-

The Two Handed Backhand: Simplest Stroke or Most Complex?

A quote from the article-

"Agassi uses what I would call a continental backhand grip with his index knuckle on the second bevel, and part of his heel pad on the top bevel. This is paired with a conservative grip with the left hand, on old style eastern forehand that is even verging on a very mild continental……

Courier on the other hand hit it with a stronger one handed backhand grip, with his index knuckle closer to the top of the frame. He pairs this with a mild semi-western grip with the left arm. Although his arms were both straight at contact, this grip combination appears to push Courier's contact point further in front. Agassi and Kafelnikov on the other hand tend to make contact more to the side-….

 

[DonDiego]

Somehow this instructional video of Agassi, at 5:00, tells me that my leaning forward on the 2HBH is not something to worry about too much. What do you you guys think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpvN9y5njNA

 

[Tight Lines]

Agassi has a very different grip than yours. He has a very attacking grip where he has to extend to hit the ball, thus the leaning forward.

You on the other hand have a SW grip which means by definition the ball has to be hit closer to you with more rotation of the body and less extension of your arms.

So, to me, you cannot use Agassi as a model unless you change the grip completely.

Just try to level out your shoulder with the current grip and see if that helps. If not, try the eastern grip and lean into the shot, and see if that helps.

Anyone who tells you to model your swing based on someone with a different grip, you should be very skeptical of.

JMHO.

Harry

 

[DonDiego]

Agassi has a very different grip than yours. He has a very attacking grip where he has to extend to hit the ball, thus the leaning forward.

You on the other hand have a SW grip which means by definition the ball has to be hit closer to you with more rotation of the body and less extension of your arms.

I actually use an eastern on my left hand. Sorry it was my mistake, just holding the racquet I thought I was using a semi-western, but when I actually hit on a court I realized it was an eastern, with index knuckle flat on the wide bevel.

What's Agassi's grip btw?

Edit: here's Agassi's grip, and it's exaclty like mine. Good to know http://www.top-tennis-training.org/strokes/backhand/double-handed-backhand/backhand-fundamentals/

 

[DonDiego]

Ok, can't help it... here's another video from yesterday.

https://vimeo.com/107668232

I re-incorporated the ''shoulder pointing the ball'' tip. I'm starting to get some serious pace on my shots, without forcing it.

Next time I'll try to post a match video, or a least a rally with someone.

 

[julian]

Finish could be a bit higher

Ok, can't help it... here's another video from yesterday.

https://vimeo.com/107668232

I re-incorporated the ''shoulder pointing the ball'' tip. I'm starting to get some serious pace on my shots, without forcing it.

Next time I'll try to post a match video, or a least a rally with someone.

The finish could be a bit higher.
Try to see/watch some videos of Djokovic

 

[DonDiego]

The finish could be a bit higher.
Try to see/watch some videos of Djokovic

I think you're spot on. I worked with a coach this morning and he told me to extend my arms more in front (which would also result in a higher finish).

 

[julian]

Two issues

I think you're spot on. I worked with a coach this morning and he told me to extend my arms more in front (which would also result in a higher finish).

Some coaches do separate two issues:
Straighter arms just before a contact and at a contact.
Deaccelarating after a contact
Technically those are two different issues because one happens around the contact and second happens after the contact.
The next issue for you is how you get from a follow through to a ready position
for a next shot.
The major issue for you however is to have two different modes:
more or less "flat" and another with more vertical speed.
I do not think your ball machine drills are challenging enough for you