For me it's my backhand which I rip for more winners, but I can hit big shots with my topspin forehand (although less consistent) and am very consistent with my forehand slice with good placement and a nice approach shot. But overall I consider my backhand slightly stronger especially on fast surfaces. Just curious as to what side you all consider to be your stronger side. I try to keep mine in balance by spending more time working on whichever side seems weaker. I would say my forehand volley is stronger but I play most winning points (80%?) from the baseline.
Is your backhand or forehand your better side overall?
- Thread starter kevhen
- Start date
Geezer Guy
Hall of Fame
From the baseline, I can rip topspin winners cross-court from either wing. However, down-the-line backhands I guide, while down-the-line forehands I punish.
At the net I'm much more acurate with forehand volley's. Backhand volley's, not so much.
At the net I'm much more acurate with forehand volley's. Backhand volley's, not so much.
Kaptain Karl
Hall Of Fame
kevhen - What (really) is your goal? You persist in your claim that the BH is the better shot for (too large a percentage of players). What are you trying to achieve?
I have a 1HBH. My BH is good ... and surprises people more because my BH passing shots are deceptive. But my FH -- also versatile on passing shots -- is stronger and more dependable.
As is the case with 90%+ of the tennis community, kevhen.
- KK
I have a 1HBH. My BH is good ... and surprises people more because my BH passing shots are deceptive. But my FH -- also versatile on passing shots -- is stronger and more dependable.
As is the case with 90%+ of the tennis community, kevhen.
- KK
Backhand... on my backhand side I can really go from defensive to offensive much better. My forehand is improving, but I usually can't hit offensive shots from defensive positions. My volleys are about the same on both sides, but my drop volley is better with my backhand so I guess that gives it the nod.
Oddly enough, my backhand namely due to mental agressiveness and more winners off of it. I have a one handed backhand, and most people have the mentality (and I do as well) to attack the backhand side... So I've generally see more shots to my backhand and get in a groove with it early in a match. I generate more racket head speed off the backhand side and love letting it rip heavy topspin down the line or short angle crosscourt.
Just curious to see what is everyone's better side both on groundies and vollies. For me it's backhand groundies and forehand vollies but we are all different.
I am not sure if can be proven that tennis players have better forehands over 90% of the time. I would say more like 75% of the time the forehand of my opponent is better than his backhand but that is just from my experiences. We all have different experiences.
I am not sure if can be proven that tennis players have better forehands over 90% of the time. I would say more like 75% of the time the forehand of my opponent is better than his backhand but that is just from my experiences. We all have different experiences.
T
tennisboy87
Guest
My forehand is my better side. My 2hbh is consistent, but I don't hit many winners with it. I can pass well with it and approach well with it, but I rarely ever rip winners with it. My forehand is also consistent, but I hit many more winners with it. I like to run around my backhand sometimes in order to hit my forehand, and I can also hit winners from anywhere on the court with my forehand. If pulled way out of position, I can end the point in one swing with my forehand, something I can't really do with my backhand.
Just want to make sure I'm not being sucked into something here that I might regret later - can and does happen.
Some players, prehaps many, learn the proper mechanics for a the forehand stroke but as they start to face more advanced players they revert back to using the arm and wrist more (time constraints) and thus can become (generally will) more inconsistant - in other words as the ball is hit with more pace they have the tendency to reduce the shoulder turn and or the use of the legs and go back to using the arm and wrist more because they have less time to react. In these cases, the backhand does seem, and probably is, more consistent than the forehand. I think that this does occur in the 3.5 - 4.5 player or even above that. In other words, because of the change in mechanics they do become less consistent with the forehand and have a tendency to make more unforced errors - when the shoulders don't rotate and the legs fail to participate (coil), bad things start to happen.
However, everything else being equal, and assuming no breakdown in mechanics, the forehand is the more powerfull shot and probably more consistent than the backhand most of the time.
Some players, prehaps many, learn the proper mechanics for a the forehand stroke but as they start to face more advanced players they revert back to using the arm and wrist more (time constraints) and thus can become (generally will) more inconsistant - in other words as the ball is hit with more pace they have the tendency to reduce the shoulder turn and or the use of the legs and go back to using the arm and wrist more because they have less time to react. In these cases, the backhand does seem, and probably is, more consistent than the forehand. I think that this does occur in the 3.5 - 4.5 player or even above that. In other words, because of the change in mechanics they do become less consistent with the forehand and have a tendency to make more unforced errors - when the shoulders don't rotate and the legs fail to participate (coil), bad things start to happen.
However, everything else being equal, and assuming no breakdown in mechanics, the forehand is the more powerfull shot and probably more consistent than the backhand most of the time.
Prince_of_Tennis
Professional
I'm pretty even on my backhand and forehand.
papa said:
Very interesting post. I have to admit I am very surprised to see how many people said that their Bh is their better side. I switched to a 2hbh this past year and I am one of a few (if not the only) at my club that feel more confident in my BH. I have to agree with you that it is all mechanically related, at least for me it is. My mechanics are so solid on the BH, but I struggle with proper mechanics on the FH side. Some of the tips that BB has given is helping me become mroe consistent on the FH now.
I usually win matches by forcing errors (not going for winners) and will start on my opponent's backhand side from the get go hitting sliced forehand and topspin backhands to my opponent's backhand corner. But I find at the 4.0 and 4.5 level there are people out there with solid backhands who don't make many errors on that side, so then I will work over there forehand which may be there bigger side but also may breakdown quicker too under constant pressure. Women often have very good backhands as the baseline game is often their bread and butter so then I wil either get to net or lure them to net. I still think it's the shot you practice the most that becomes your better shot, but I do see the forehand as having the biggest potential, but I have seen many great backhands that are hit low and hard and close to the lines. It may be even easier to place balls close to the lines with a 2 hand backhand since you can guide the ball using both hands.
topspin king
New User
takeuchi said:
Hi takeuchi, I play exectly like you!!
jimiforpres
Rookie
i feel more confident with my backhand when trying to hit sharp angles but my forehand is better in a baseline rally
B
Baseline Basher
Guest
Topspin: About equal, but I like my backhand more.
Slice: Backhand.
Volley: About equal, but I'm more confident with my forehand volley.
Slice: Backhand.
Volley: About equal, but I'm more confident with my forehand volley.
danniflava
Rookie
I probably hit an equal amount of winners on each side, but my backhand is more consistent.
topspin king
New User
takeuchi said:
My forehand approach shot:
When the ball come short, I rush to the ball and hit it w/ a "compact" swing. At he beginning, my elbow is almost touch my body, then hit the ball with lots of topspin by the wrist. Brush the ball from the back to the top. When finished, the inner elbow is on the chin level and the hand is over my left shoulder(I'm a righty), and the racquet face is face the ground. Usually can make a sharp angle shot.
My backhand slice approach shot:
Slice as usual but its much easier to make a sharp angle shot when the ball come short.
I've emthasize "sharp angle shot" in both sides because it makes my opponent harder to return and gives me a easy volley. Sometimes I hit winners by approach shots. Hope it can help.
troytennisbum
Rookie
For me, this game has become all about the serve and the forehand
el_mago
Semi-Pro
My backhand and forehand are both pretty equal, but if I had to choose it would definitely be my forehand. I don't know many who would say that their backhand is better than their forehand. It is very surprising to read those who say that their backhand is more of a weapon. The differences that separate my bh and fh is fh more spin, fh better volley, fh better slice, bh more control, and the rest is pretty much equal.
