Justine Henin as to return low ball on backhand

[bababoo]

Hi, eveyone.

I have a single-handed backhand grip like that of Justine Henin's because I am only 5 feet 7 tall and want to deal with high-bouncing backhand-side balls. However, I find Justine's backhand grip awkward when dealing with low balls. Interestingly, Justine seems to have no problem on that situation.

Could anybody help me have to return the low balls with a extreme single backhand grip?

Thanks

 

[halalula1234]

me too i have a little bit of problem on fast, low balls return of serve on this shot. on ground stroke its alright cus more time to prepare. . well i watch justine's video quite a bit and it seems sometimes shes flat hits it back with a grip near conti and eastern but then normal grip after that. and on kick serves i looks like she uses her normal grip. sometimes she slices it back.

 

[larry10s]

slice the low balls or treat them like half volleys

 

[bababoo]

me too i have a little bit of problem on fast, low balls return of serve on this shot. on ground stroke its alright cus more time to prepare. . well i watch justine's video quite a bit and it seems sometimes shes flat hits it back with a grip near conti and eastern but then normal grip after that. and on kick serves i looks like she uses her normal grip. sometimes she slices it back.

Yes, that is very likely to be the case. I actually use continental grip on slice and topspin backhand return of low balls and then use extreme western grip on backhand return of high ball. It is a good disguise because I prepare slice and topspin backhand the same way when dealing with low balls. Well, for high ball, extreme western backhand grip is just a winner machine. My opponents are actually afraid to hit a high ball to my backhand now.

Anybody who can find any video clip of Justine returning low balls?

 

[LeeD]

Western grip backhands are no problem, if you tell yourself to bend your knees and get down to the ball.
Most hit it a little flatter, but there WILL be topspin with a high followtru.
Don't just bend your knees to get down, WIDEN your stance does it better and allows for more stability, gets you lower, and gives you a longer strikezone.
In other words, MOVE !!

 

[bababoo]

If only we could see some picture of Henin returning low balls.

 

[In D Zone]

High bouncing ball to bh - you can do a couple of things.

Take half step back allowing you to let the ball drop and take a cut at the ball as it comes down.

Move forward bring the racquet above the shoulder and slice the ball downward - try to target the return to the backhand side.

If the ball is coming in fast and low - employ regular slice i fyou are late. Bend the knees low and drop racquet low allowing you to lift and hit the ball with a topspin.

If the ball is coming fast low to bh side of the body(jam). set your racquet perpendicular to the ground and block the ball back (moving body forward upon contact to generate power). Another option is brush the racquet from low to high in a linear motion - generating a topspin return.

Lastly, always keep the head silent, and transfer the weight from the back feet to the front as you swing thru with 1hbh

 

[badboy]

If only we could see some picture of Henin returning low balls.

she sliced.

 

[In D Zone]

here's one... (first 5 seconds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLSkzwAwS0A&feature=PlayList&p=C3CAF4843C37559F&index=8

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Basically, you hit a low backhand the same as a "normal" one, you just get down lower and hit through the ball- up and over the net. The act of doing that will put enough topspin on the ball to bring it back down in the opposing court.

Here is a nice practice session of Hennin's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb_yYgT-CL4&NR=1

And another-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpiRI42eGCg

 

[bababoo]

Basically, you hit a low backhand the same as a "normal" one, you just get down lower and hit through the ball- up and over the net. The act of doing that will put enough topspin on the ball to bring it back down in the opposing court.

Here is a nice practice session of Hennin's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb_yYgT-CL4&NR=1

And another-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpiRI42eGCg

Excellent Job!!

Here is Roger Federer's Practice Clip, which shows his backhand return of high balls on Clay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKV0-QRq4M0&feature=related

 

[oneguy21]

Get down really low! Just do it, and life will be easier. The one thing I somewhat don't like about Justine Henin's backhand is that she tends to bend at the waist to handle low balls. However, she's a world class player and it obviously works for her.


I recommend, using your legs to get down really low (don't bend your waist).

 

[stormholloway]

Anyone use more conservative grips for their returns?

 

[split-step]

bend.your.knees

Also some balls are just better to slice.

 

[bababoo]

Could anyone give a picture link of how Justine grips her backhand?

Thanks

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Couldn't get image to work, go to Google, "Henin backhand grip" - select article from Wikipedia-- good shot of her grip.

 

[Frank Silbermann]

bend.your.knees

Also some balls are just better to slice.

Ironically, people started developing the topspin backhand _specifically_ to deal with low volleys and approach shots against a net-rusher. (Unless his opponent was at or headed towards the net, Laver pretty much sliced _all_ of his backhands.)

So now we teach a topspin backhand technique that works all of the time _except_ when facing a net rusher (who presumably will be trying to keep the ball low).