My one-hand backhand (video)

[DonDiego]

Ok, time to expose myself. I thought I could get constructive comments from TT members.

I personally find it's a decent stroke for recreational level, though my form is not very ''classy'' and I still have a lot to improve. For instance, in this video I find that I lean forward too much. I should work on keeping my body and back more straight through the shot.

Anyways, your comments are welcomed. Thanks.

https://vimeo.com/98671802

 

[caugas]

Ok, time to expose myself. I thought I could get constructive comments from TT members.

I personally find it's a decent stroke for recreational level, though my form is not very ''classy'' and I still have a lot to improve. For instance, in this video I find that I lean forward too much. I should work on keeping my body and back more straight through the shot.

Anyways, your comments are welcomed. Thanks.

https://vimeo.com/98671802

At least you have exposed yourself. Looks great to me... but I hit a 2 hand some I can't critic and my 2HBH is not as good as your 1HBH!

 

[Maximagq]

Maybe it's just me but I'm not a big fan of loopy backhands. I used to have one until I was about 15 and then I realized it was a big liability on the return and on faster surfaces. Then again, your backhand is better than my backhand at the moment haha.

 

[DonDiego]

It's usually flatter when I go down the line, but that's also when I miss most often... I also like to drive it when someone comes at the net.

In these drills I usually try to get as much ball in as I can, and hit cross court 75% of the time. That's something I like about the one-hander (compared with two-hand), it's much easier for me to clear the net and make the ball drop 1 foot from the baseline.

It might look decent in practice, but unfortunately it often breaks down during matches...

 

[geca]

OP very nice..

just 1 little thing, you lock your right knee quite early... I think it will cause problem in adjusting to higher balls.

 

[DonDiego]

OP very nice..

just 1 little thing, you lock your right knee quite early... I think it will cause problem in adjusting to higher balls.

Thanks. I think I see your point. My knee is often locked before I make contact with the ball, which shouldn't happen - at least not as often I guess. Maybe that's a reason why I'm more erratic during matches, where balls land at different spots every time.

 

[DonDiego]

Part of the loopiness is the result of a very relaxed grip and swing, something I worked on a lot and which allowed me to overcome a tennis elbow a few years back. I intentionally exaggerated this in the last 5-6 strokes.

Edit: inspired by this guy, when he warms up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeZjBFyDnSo

 

[TeamOB]

I don't really like the strings facing the back fence on the takeback. It seems like an unnecessary complication in the stroke. The extra time required for this loopy takeback might cause you trouble on returns or faster shots. Other then that, it looks very good.

 

[Alexrb]

Part of the loopiness is the result of a very relaxed grip and swing, something I worked on a lot and which allowed me to overcome a tennis elbow a few years back. I intentionally exaggerated this in the last 5-6 strokes.

Edit: inspired by this guy, when he warms up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeZjBFyDnSo

Not sure if it effects your shot at all, but compared to the guy in the video your left arm looks much higher/more tense. Almost like a chicken wing!

 

[LeeD]

You hit it quite well in the vid.
But, seems the loopy takeback and the need for a full wrist supination at the finish of the followthru would require perfect timing every time you hit that shot.
I like a shorter followthru for more consistency, without using that full wrist reverse snap to keep the racketface closed.
Also, a simpler takeback would cut down on errors against incoming shots that are faster, deeper, lower, or higher than you expected.
In other words, you hit your 1hbh well, but does it work in real play against slices, flats, topspin shots of different speeds and depth.
Making your backhand more simple might give you more flexibility and consistency.

 

[sportsfan1]

Not sure if it effects your shot at all, but compared to the guy in the video your left arm looks much higher/more tense. Almost like a chicken wing!

What alexrb said - good observation on the left (non-hitting) arm being very high. But given that overall it's a good shot when going cc, you may want to be careful tinkering with it.
Yeah, the guy in the video looks more relaxed than OP, but he did shank one really high ;-).

 

[DonDiego]

You guys are absolutely right. Although I'm sure I don't use as long a takeback and follow-through during matches, I need to practice hitting a more compact stroke, even in practice, so that I can replicate it naturally during matches.

As for the ''chicken wing'' (lol), I like it this way, never been a fan of the ''straight arm for balance''. When I play and get more tense my left hand kind of opens up at the end of the stroke, like it's ready to grab something thrown at it. But I've noticed a few players, including Wawrinka, have their hands in a similar way (or so I like to think).

 

[DonDiego]

Any suggestions for a player I could watch that uses a short takeback on a one-hander? I'm a visual guy and like to learn by watching others play or practice their strokes. Thanks.

 

[LeeD]

Look at John McEnroe's or PetrKorda's 1hbh's. Then lengthen as you preferr.

 

[DonDiego]

Thanks Lee. I also like to watch these two go at it. Lots of backhands in these five minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6p5ZdGR4hU

 

[PaulC]

Your OHBH kinda remind me of Justin Henin's and a few other S. American ATP players in the late 90s...

Which is a TRUE topspin BH, unlike many other guys like Almagro or Gasquet who actually try to hit topspin with a "LIFTING BH" stroke by compensating with wrist and thumb actions.

In my opinion, if you can combine Lendl's non-slicing BH (when oncoming balls are fast and heavy, he got a more compact take-back and set-up) and Henin's (when you have time to take a bigger take-back, brush up and roll over it), you BH shots would be pretty formidable.

 

[DonDiego]

Your OHBH kinda remind me of Justin Henin's and a few other S. American ATP players in the late 90s...

Which is a TRUE topspin BH, unlike many other guys like Almagro or Gasquet who actually try to hit topspin with a "LIFTING BH" stroke by compensating with wrist and thumb actions.

In my opinion, if you can combine Lendl's non-slicing BH (when oncoming balls are fast and heavy, he got a more compact take-back and set-up) and Henin's (when you have time to take a bigger take-back, brush up and roll over it), you BH shots would be pretty formidable.

Hey thanks Paul! Very encouraging (although I idolize Gasquet, best down-the-line ever). I'll definitely work on that shorter take-back, no later than tomorrow morning if the weather is good.

 

[widmerpool]

The first couple were the strongest because your wrist was firm.

Look at :21 to see one that's too far from your body and has that exaggerated wrist flick.

You have to release the shot. You shouldn't be "pushing" the ball along with a little wrist flick near the end.

Speaking of Henin, you will see how firm her wrist is through contact. Yes, the wrist turns slightly after contact just to save the arm.

OHB is an incredibly difficult shot. You have a great foundation. Don't be hitting the ball far from your body with that wrist flick. It looks rather classic but there's no power in that shot. Let the arm unfold in a loose manner but keep the wrist strong through impact and have the ball close enough for a natural release of the arm.

 

[DonDiego]

The first couple were the strongest because your wrist was firm.

Look at :21 to see one that's too far from your body and has that exaggerated wrist flick.

You have to release the shot. You shouldn't be "pushing" the ball along with a little wrist flick near the end.

Speaking of Henin, you will see how firm her wrist is through contact. Yes, the wrist turns slightly after contact just to save the arm.

OHB is an incredibly difficult shot. You have a great foundation. Don't be hitting the ball far from your body with that wrist flick. It looks rather classic but there's no power in that shot. Let the arm unfold in a loose manner but keep the wrist strong through impact and have the ball close enough for a natural release of the arm.

Thanks! Much appreciated.

 

[DonDiego]

NEW VIDEO -- My 2-HANDED backhand...

Since I'm tempted to switch every other day, I thought I would post a quick vid of my 2-hander. It's something rather new in my game, as I started developing and practicing it a few weeks ago. I'm still working on making clean contact and generating enough racquet head speed on a more consistent basis.

I'll probably keep working on it during summer, so your comments are welcomed!

As much as I like the one-hander, and even though the 2-hander is probably just as hard to make it into a great shot, there is something ''simpler'' to this stroke that make me want to keep working on it.

Here's the video: https://vimeo.com/98743516

EDIT: I've started a new thread with both videos: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=8482376&posted=1#post8482376

 

[Edburger]

Hey thanks Paul! Very encouraging (although I idolize Gasquet, best down-the-line ever). I'll definitely work on that shorter take-back, no later than tomorrow morning if the weather is good.

Wawrinka DTL backhand, much better than Gasquet.

Gasquet backhand, poor man's Kuerten.