My 2HBH ISSUE and how to fix it?

[JackB1]

Okay I have taken several lessons now with the local pro trying to improve my two-handed backhand. I know what I need to fix but I'm not quite sure how to go about it?

My main issue is that I whip the racket across my body too quickly without extending outward towards the opposing baseline. I don't make contact out in front of my body enough and my wrists are breaking way too early. Every now and then I'm able to hit it correctly, but right now it's maybe two or three out of 10.

My secondary issues are that I take back the racket too close to my back hip. I need to allow more space between my body and my hands on the takeback. This is a much easier fix then the first problem.

My other secondary issue is that I'm not bringing the back hip through the shot early enough or just enough period. This is killing my power and ability to rotate through the shot. This is not as hard to fix as the first primary issue but it's not as easy as the second issue.

Any suggestions on how to work through these issues, mostly the main issue of not breaking the wrists too early and extending through contact, would be greatly appreciated. Is it just repetition and getting out there with the ball machine and hitting hundreds of backhands? Are there any visual clues or body cues That will help me with any of these issues?

I'll try and take some more video today of be working on my backhand through drop feeding and maybe that will help me to solve my issues?

 

[LeeD]

Embrace you sidespin shots.
McEnroe and Connors often hit sidespin right in the middle of a pro rally, and often won the point.
Pure topspin is overrated. Sidespin also makes the ball drop IN, and bounces differerent than what most opponent's expect.

 

[Nellie]

I would focus on the first issue, which is likely a result of being too stiff and using too much arms (and not enough torso). I find that a lot of people try to whack the back hand - and this leads to bad form/results.

1) You want to slow down and relax - try playing some mini-tennis (i.e., rallying with a friend while in the service boxes) while emphasising topspin over contact but make sure you are still turning your shoulders. Even when you are hitting full court, hit high and with a moderate pace (a 50% shot). The height encourages you to hit up and through the ball. Try practice hitting down the line a lot because you will hit cross court when you hit across the body.

2) Make the backhand-side arm to be more involved. I find it is helpful to practice while holding the racquet, on the forehand-side hand, with the only thumb and index finger. This forces you to use that bh arm

3) Think of the 2hhb stroke as throwing out the racquet as far as possible before you finish the stroke by bending the elbows over your forehand side shoulder. Try stopping right at contact to see how your arms/shoulders are positioned - if your bh side arm is bent you are not getting good/proper extension.

 

[DavaiMarat]

Separate the two actions of lifting and pushing in the 2HB. Your arms life the ball (kinda like a bowling motion) and the torso and legs hit the ball. Your arms are moving in a more linear fashion while your legs and hip and shoulder turn is producing the torque or rotational power.

In others use the arms to life and not hit the ball. Too many people get too army and collapse on the ball (like you are) because they aren't driving the ball the core. THey are trying to hit with the arms and not lift.

Hope this helps.

 

[TheCheese]

Video would be really helpful here.

 

[JackB1]

Video would be really helpful here.

Here u go

http://youtu.be/nh7OwNmAQP4

 

[LeeD]

Like your backhand better than I like your forehand.
The reason you're not hitting with topspin is that you have not quite completed your backswing on your 2hbh before the ball arrives and you need to swing. Also, you're not under the ball with the rackethead...which is linked to completing your backswing so you start your forward swing at the right time, not early, like you do now.

 

[JackB1]

Like your backhand better than I like your forehand.
The reason you're not hitting with topspin is that you have not quite completed your backswing on your 2hbh before the ball arrives and you need to swing. Also, you're not under the ball with the rackethead...which is linked to completing your backswing so you start your forward swing at the right time, not early, like you do now.

So you are saying take back further and start everything sooner?

 

[LeeD]

Prep sooner, yes, so you can hesitate a micro second and then start your swing.

 

[lendl1986]

1. Bend the knees and stay down during the entire 2hbh.
2. You're too close to the ball. Imagine yourself as a baseball switch hitter trying to hit the ball with the "sweet spot." You're going to take a step back and really make contact with your arms nearly at full extension.