One Handed Backhand Please!

[RiosTheGenius]

Hi there, I'm 26 and after 15 yrs playing i'm trying to switch from two handed to one handed backhand.
can someone please give me some tips as far as where the power comes from and that sort of thing?... i kinda have it down but it is always cool to hear little things.
though my two handed is super consistant ( I can hit balls back to you for weeks without missing) I don't do any damage with it ( sort of got the Lleyton 's sindrome) so in an attempt to be more agressive i want to master the one handed... plus it is much better looking too.
Oh Gaudio, if you're outthere please help your brother out... hahaha.
I wouldn't mind justine's, Federer's or mauresmo's either.

 

[Andy Hewitt]

Set yourself up perpendicular to the net and turn into the ball when u swing, finish with you racquet over your right shoulder. Gets good top spin this way.

 

[BreakPoint]

The power in a one-handed backhand comes from timing, hitting the ball well out in front of the body, and from the weight of the racquet. You need to use the momentum of the racquet generated from your swing and let the racquet do most of the work. IMO, it's easier to hit a one-handed backhand with a heavy, flexible, headlight racquet than with a light, stiff, head heavy racquet, as you need more weight to allow the racquet to plow-through the ball with a one-hander. Probably reversed for a two-hander.

 

[NoBadMojo]

belongs in the tips section, but it's all about a very big shoulder turn. not much to do with gear altho heavier frames hit heavier balls provided you can get them around quickly enough. watch mauresmo, hardenne, gaudio etc. pick the one you like best and watch their setup and the huge shoulder turn in particular.

 

[wildbill88AA]

isn't it easier to toss a frizbee backhanded than forehanded? power comes through racket speed. hit the ball out in front of you. bend your knees. swing as though your drawing a sword from a holster. swing starting low and finish high. and brush up on the ball to impart topspin. do the opposite for slice. during your swing, turn your shoulders, break your wrist and transfer your weight from your back foot to your front. keep your head down watching the ball throughout the swing. and yes, you will have to develope good timing for topspin. u may want start with a slice. and unless have an exceptional two-hander make the change, you'll get plenty of power and much more versatlity. :mrgreen:

 

[Brettolius]

something that helped me is remember to stay down through your follow through, kinda bent over. mentally it helped me picturing how fed stays down with his head locked on the ball,even after he makes contact. really made for hitting a consistant, solid shot. if you time it correctly, topspin will be there, so don't get all wristy. hope that helps. even better go to the tips and techniques section and search for 1-hander advice. lots of it there, if you can find it buried in there, bungalow bill breaks down tommy haas's 1-hander with video, real sweet.

 

[BreakPoint]

Yes, turning your shoulder and having your feet line up perpendicular to the net (closed stance) before you strike the ball are both very important, too. You also want to transfer your weight from the back foot to the front foot through your swing and end your follow-through with the racquet straight out in front of you pointing towards the sky.

 

[Rickson]

Closed stance because you may be used to an open stance from the double hander. Don't pronate the forearm because the pronating, which causes slice, is a natural motion and you actually have to think about not doing it until you get used to it. Hit the ball from low to high for topspin and although some players do this, don't bend your elbow at the end of the followthrough.

 

[goober]

you may want to be careful about changing. I don't know what level you play at, but there are very few 4.0-4.5s that I have met that can do any serious damage with a one handed BH. Most of them slice it and most cannot hit deep topspin with pace- consistently. There are some that can but they seem to be few and far between. OTOH I have met some great 2H BH at this level.

just my 2 cents

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Find some Tommy Haas backhand clips. Study them.

- KK

 

[johnmcc516]

Hey! I am learning a one handed back hand too! I just started on monday and I am getting much better. It feels much more comfortable than a two hander.

BTW. This is the Pro Player Discussion. Go to the Tips forum and ask these kind of questions. It helps keep everything organized.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

first, before posting on any issue, read what others have asked on similar issues and what replies have got. i.e. educate yourself about the site. this is valid on any site. don't just bump in.

it's very probable that you haven't invented the wheel and that others have gone through the same issue before you.

now to your issue, check this thread in the Tips area
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=46877

BTW, you're not a pro, shouldn't have posted this here:-[[

 

[SC in MA]

The key for one-hand backhand power for me is the shoulder turn, as others have already said.

I thought Breakpoint said it most succintly: "Yes, turning your shoulder and having your feet line up perpendicular to the net (closed stance) before you strike the ball are both very important, too. You also want to transfer your weight from the back foot to the front foot through your swing and end your follow-through with the racquet straight out in front of you pointing towards the sky."

You may want to check out the Tom Avery backhand video. He simplifies the stroke mechanics and shows how easy it can be to hit it with consistency and power. Highly recommended.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

first, before posting on any issue, read what others have asked on similar issues and what replies have got. i.e. educate yourself about the site. this is valid on any site. don't just bump in.

it's very probable that you haven't invented the wheel and that others have gone through the same issue before you.

now to your issue, check this thread in the Tips area
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=46877

BTW, you're not a pro, shouldn't have posted this here:-[[

Firstly, I think the table was a much more clever invention than the wheel to be quite honest with you.
secondly, I shall write whatever I feel like writing as it happens to be MY bloody thread
Thirdly, the fact that I'm new to the site doesn't mean that I have to ask you or any of the "Hall of Fame" upper management dudes what should be written.
Fourthly and lastly, you're not required to read the freaking thing , nor comment on it.
thank you for your input though, love you.

 

[Leon]

Hmm
How come nobody mentioned the, the bending and straightening your legs? One needs to bend low and coil your body, then straighten your legs, while uncoiling, this is how I used to picture it.

This is how I got my ultimate 1 hbh :
Early preparation: while on a run I start to preparing my racquet, by moving it back. While I'm getting closer to the ball I start bending my knees, and make sure the shoulder is tuck under the chin (thanks BB for the tip, works great for me).
Once the ball is in my shooting range start straightening my legs, while uncoiling, drive through the ball (sort of go forward till there is no way to go -help with leaning to the shot, and weight transfer), then finish high, trying to recover, instead of watching the ball going to the other side of the court

 

[RiosTheGenius]

thank you everyone. all those little things help.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

Hass has a sick one too.