Legs on 2 handed backhand

[EddieBrock]

For a right handed player:

When you hit a 2 handed backhand I know most of your weight should be on your left leg and then transfer forward into your right leg, but should you also straighten your legs as you're hitting?

In other words, if you load your left leg then when you've turned your shoulder, dropped your racket and are swinging up to hit the ball do you also straighten your legs or should they stay bent throughout the swing?

I

 

[LeeD]

High balls need some leg to help raise the torso, so the leg's straighten.
Low balls, torso is low, and to maintain solid head positioning, you have to keep the knees bent.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I'm trying to add more leg drive to my GSs; this is true even if the ball is low. So I disagree with @LeeD that one must keep one's knees bent on a low ball because it's the unbending of the knees as well as the uncoiling of the core/shoulder that generates power.

 

[2HBH-DTL]

my knees are always slightly bent in some way or another either on a low or medium height ball. if it's above the shoulders then i'm most likely going to load my left leg and scissor kick up and hit a jumping backhand instead.

 

[J011yroger]

my knees are always slightly bent in some way or another either on a low or medium height ball. if it's above the shoulders then i'm most likely going to load my left leg and scissor kick up and hit a jumping backhand instead.

Is that you Marat?

J

 

[Dartagnan64]

Your legs need to respond to the height of the ball.
Low balls, stay low
High balls, get tall.

If you don't respond with your legs, then you'll respond with bending or straightening your torso and that can lead to significant inconsistencies in your swing.

 

[LeeD]

I'm trying to add more leg drive to my GSs; this is true even if the ball is low. So I disagree with @LeeD that one must keep one's knees bent on a low ball because it's the unbending of the knees as well as the uncoiling of the core/shoulder that generates power.

You must never watch WTA tennis. ALL the good girls are staying on for groundies between ankle to knee high balls.

 

[ptuanminh]

Agree with LeeD. I feel when I keep my knees bent the whole time (low ball only), the shot is more consistent and deep.

 

[TennisCJC]

I've heard a lot of coaches teach leg lift and I find I get a better hit when I get a bit of lift out of the legs. I've heard James Blake use the old "sit and lift" phrase and say his teaching pro Dad taught him that way. Vic Braden was also very big on using legs to lift. Yes, you see the Radwanska, Kerber and Wozniacki squat and stay down 2HBH a lot on the WTA. Personally, I think you want reasonable leg lift in your groundstrokes. Even low balls should use leg lift but the player might not lift to fully extended.

 

[EddieBrock]

It's a bit confusing for me to figure out. Coaches always say "use your legs" and to load my left leg, but other than that I haven't been able to find much advice on the subject. I know you want your momentum carrying you through the shot and want to lift your left (back) leg only after you've finished your swing, but whether you should lift your legs as you hit every shot or just for high balls is still a mystery to me.

 

[2HBH-DTL]

i think people really over complicate this.

assuming you're a righty:

step 1: load on the left leg and pivot foot so that it's sideways/parallel to the baseline (this allows you to get sideways properly and get good shoulder turn)
step 2: while you're pivoting, racquet take back should occur and should be pointed up or AT LEAST at a 45 degree angle to get properly leverage
step 3: step into the court with your right foot and using your left hand to control head of the racquet and generate pace. be sure to have a full follow through and rotate hips AFTER the shot.

there.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

It's a bit confusing for me to figure out. Coaches always say "use your legs" and to load my left leg, but other than that I haven't been able to find much advice on the subject. I know you want your momentum carrying you through the shot and want to lift your left (back) leg only after you've finished your swing, but whether you should lift your legs as you hit every shot or just for high balls is still a mystery to me.

Have someone feed you low balls and experiment with what feels optimal.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

You must never watch WTA tennis. ALL the good girls are staying on for groundies between ankle to knee high balls.

I've observed Radwanska do that a lot but it's for shots that bounce very close. I was thinking of shots that bounce a good distance away [at least a few feet] but that are low and skidding. For those, I'm thinking of Murray and I don't think he stays low but I have to look for examples.

 

[LeeD]

I've observed Radwanska do that a lot but it's for shots that bounce very close. I was thinking of shots that bounce a good distance away [at least a few feet] but that are low and skidding. For those, I'm thinking of Murray and I don't think he stays low but I have to look for examples.

Stay low if you can, dip the racket like McEnroe if you have to.
Seen Isner stay low, hitting through the ball flat and hard 2hbh, but don't expect that every time from a tall fella.
Certainly WTA tend to stay low through their shots, but they start low too.
Gotta do what works for you, and your particular build.