Need advice-Looped backswing or straight back on 1 hand b/h

[acer]

Hi there

I am player who uses a one hand backhand. I have been dealing with some tennis elbow issues lately and while off I have been re-evaluating my backhand. Along with making a grip change on my topspin backhand from a continental grip to an eastern grip, I am also reviewing my takeback on my 1 hand backhand. I use a classic straight back backswing where I take the racquet straight back about a foot under the ball. I have experimented with using a looped backswing, that is where you take the racquet back high, then low and then high again. The classic U shape that Federer and others pros use.

The problem that I have found on the looped backswing is that it takes a little more time. Also, on the higher takeback it seems that my elbow sticks out on the first part of the backswing and if a shot is coming at me fast there are times where my timing is off and I get jammed on the shot. This leaves my elbow sticking out which seems to give a nice jolt to my elbow when I hit late. I realize that better footwork with a more concentrated effort on tucking my elbow in will help but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and how they have corrected this?

Also, if I get it right, will the looped backswing be a little more gentle on my arm as I am generating more racquet head speed? Is it worth the switch and what are the advantages besides more racquet head speed and thus spin?

Any helpful advice appreciated.

Thanks

Acer

 

[The Prodigy]

eastern top spin backhand? i think a continental is better?

 

[acer]

eastern top spin backhand? i think a continental is better?

From what I have read and heard lately, the continental grip on a topspin backhand puts your wrist in a weak position. There was a recent post on this. Anyway, sorry, I want to keep the thread on the looped or straight takeback topic.

Thanks

Acer

 

[bad_call]

acer - if u got time to set up and are on ur game then try the looper backswing.

will it be better on ur arm? i think so (works for me) but anyway ur arm will let u know.

 

[1171]

Try the classical Arthur Ashe take back.

He brings his backhand to shoulder level. Opponent would never tell whether he is going to slice or hit flat/topspin.

Take it back to your left shoulder level is like half way between straight take back and loopy take back.

It is the best of both world.

 

[acer]

Try the classical Arthur Ashe take back.

He brings his backhand to shoulder level. Opponent would never tell whether he is going to slice or hit flat/topspin.

Take it back to your left shoulder level is like half way between straight take back and loopy take back.

It is the best of both world.

Thanks for your reply 1171, I will give this a try when I get back to playing. I guess it is sort of a hybrid of the two. In regards to my tennis elbow and elbow safety, I am just going to have to work on keeping my elbow tucked in on this looped takeback. It seems easier to do on the straight takeback.

My thinking is that on the looped takeback you can generate more racquet head speed and thus it may be easier on my arm overall when compared to a straight takeback where you can't generate as much racquet head speed and therefore the collision of the racquet and the ball may be more harsh. Mind you I am not sure of this. Maybe there is a physics guy out there would can confirm or deny this.

Thanks again

Acer