One handed backhand - should I use more extreme grip?

M

Mojo28

New User
I was trying to find some answers here and I did some. However, I would like to know more and see what you guys think. The video I posted here has been of great help for my strokes. Especially on forehand side. But now, I would like to work on my backhand a bit more. I am currently in doubt on which grip should I use on my one handed backhand. I am trying out eastern hammer grip vs eastern pistol grip. If you don't know the difference you can check it here - https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...e-1-hand-backhand.129108/page-2#post-10832104

I am currently using hammer grip.
I can see I generate more spin with this grip and can hit cross court really well. Also, I can hit short CC shots with some really nice angles. However, in order to produce decent shot, I really need to turn my back all the way and load up to the ball. The problem is, I feel like I don't have so much a feel for the shot. It is like I miss control. It is very hard for me to hit DTL shot. I feel like it is impossible. I am also maybe opening up much when trying to hit the shot. It seems like a more wristy shot with this grip and if I try to hit it slower, it's like I lack penetration. For example, when playing mini tennis, ball just go too high and I am having troubles on controlling even these simple, slow shots. When I hold it with more pistol grip (or actually something in between pistol and hammer - like on post I shared), it feels much more stable and better for these shots. However, I cannot hit it hard as with hammer grip and cannot generate that much spin on it. My main concern is, am I ever gonna get the feel with hammer grip or maybe I should just stick with more of a pistol grip where I have more feel and feel more comfortable but also sacrifice amount of top spin? The thing that constantly bothers me is all those new videos on Youtube where people say that hammer is the way to go.

Anyway, I have some technical questions which I couldn't find anywhere related to hammer vs pistol grip and it is about contact point...
1. Where is it? Is it further in front with hammer or pistol grip?
2. Is it more to the left with hammer or pistol grip?
3. It should be higher with hammer grip, right? Something like chest high for hammer and waist high for more of a pistol. The weird thing is that I found easier to hit these balls with more of a pistol grip than with hammer. And I am not sure why.

I wrote a lot I know, but I would like to get some accurate answers on this.
I am playing tennis for 2 years now and I still feel I have no control on my backhand side. My forehand is improving constantly and I almost pay no attention to it. But on backhand, I am trying all kinds of stuff and it is still very inconsistent. And on court, it can sometimes totally demotivate me...
Thanks in advance.
 
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Most rec players can't hit a 1HBH worth crap. It's probably better and more time efficient just to work on a really good slice from the BH side. The next time I see an opponent with a great 1HBH topspin drive will be the first time (NTRP 3.0-4.0).
 
Try slicing most of your 1hbh's DTL, but go topspin for CC, flipping, supinating the finish like Wawrinka and Fed.
Nothing comes easy, but after a while, you learn to hit topspin DTL with more a top/sidespin component, turning your shoulder's a lot.
 
Mojo28 said:
Eh, I started to play tennis because of the one handed backhand :D Therefore, I must learn it.
Click to expand...

It's likely not you grip that's holding you back. It's more than likely footwork and timing. The topspin 1HBH is one of the most demanding shots from that standpoint. It's why you see most 1Hers hitting slices until they get that perfect ball they can hit. Playing at rec levels where seeing a nicely paces thigh high ball to your BH is rare, it's a bad shot to work on. Slice is much better at dealing with high balls, low balls, lobs, short framed balls,,etc.
 
One slight advantage of slicing 1hbh's DTL is that the ball often fades to the alleyside, making a longer run for the opponent. Hit it outside in, swiping slightly across the ball.
Your normal aggressive 1hbh CC should also fade to the alley, making your backhand wider than true topspin.
 
I played with the hammer grip for about 25 years and then moved to the spread grip. I started with the Continental, then moved to the Eastern and play with the SemiWestern now. On the backhand, I can hit with the Eastern or Continental. I use the Continental more for slicing and the Eastern for topspin and driving. What I found is that the hammer grip gave you a more firm hold of the racquet at the loss of some flexibility and feel. I use the spread grip on all of my shots today.

I don't have specific advice other than to watch and analyze players with good OHBHs and see if you can incorporate what they do. Important stuff is footwork, preparation, turn, etc. 2 years is pretty early in your tennis career too.
 
Mojo28 said:
It is very hard for me to hit DTL shot. I feel like it is impossible.
Click to expand...

It damn near is impossible. If you're parked on the backhand corner, hit all your BH's cross court. ALL of them. If you get a shorter, softer ball, then you can think about changing direction with it, otherwise you're working against physics and geometry. To take a decent cross court rally ball to your backhand and redirect it down the line is one of the lowest percentage plays in tennis, and is best left to 7.0's. And most of them aren't all that good at it.

The only time most people should be taking a backhand down the line from the baseline is when engaged in a cross court FOREHAND rally, should a ball come and offer you an inside backhand you can turn on.

Never stray from the basics or the percentages until you're good enough that you can do it the vast majority of the time without risk. Master -- don't tinker with, MASTER -- the basics first. Then and only then work on esoterics. For more than 99 people out of every 100, that means never.

Obviously, if you have more fun taking risks and losing, then more power to you. Do it for a lark or a laugh. Do it so that if you connect, you've got something to brag about over beers afterward. But if your questions and goals are about how to do it right? The answer is: don't.
 
LeeD said:
Try slicing most of your 1hbh's DTL, but go topspin for CC, flipping, supinating the finish like Wawrinka and Fed.
Nothing comes easy, but after a while, you learn to hit topspin DTL with more a top/sidespin component, turning your shoulder's a lot.
Click to expand...

LeeD said:
One slight advantage of slicing 1hbh's DTL is that the ball often fades to the alleyside, making a longer run for the opponent. Hit it outside in, swiping slightly across the ball.
Your normal aggressive 1hbh CC should also fade to the alley, making your backhand wider than true topspin.
Click to expand...

Eh, I also find it much easier to hit slice CC than DTL. It is not for me as hard as with topspin BH but I still feel much more comfortable with slice. I also try to hit slice only with downspin since I sometimes produce sidespin without even wanting too. I also get much more penetrating ball with downspin only.
THe interesting fact is that, when I started to play, I could only hit my BH DTL :D And for most of the time it was easier for me to hit DTL than CC. But, I was hitting pretty flat back then.

movdqa said:
I played with the hammer grip for about 25 years and then moved to the spread grip. I started with the Continental, then moved to the Eastern and play with the SemiWestern now. On the backhand, I can hit with the Eastern or Continental. I use the Continental more for slicing and the Eastern for topspin and driving. What I found is that the hammer grip gave you a more firm hold of the racquet at the loss of some flexibility and feel. I use the spread grip on all of my shots today.

I don't have specific advice other than to watch and analyze players with good OHBHs and see if you can incorporate what they do. Important stuff is footwork, preparation, turn, etc. 2 years is pretty early in your tennis career too.
Click to expand...

I try to analyze them. Maybe even a bit too much :-) Mostly Haas and Wawrinka.
The thing with my BH is that when I get a bit slower and lower ball (around waist high), I can really rip it cross court with much spin. But, still, when I try to hit with some lower paced BH, it is like I don't have that much control.

SinjinCooper said:
It damn near is impossible. If you're parked on the backhand corner, hit all your BH's cross court. ALL of them. If you get a shorter, softer ball, then you can think about changing direction with it, otherwise you're working against physics and geometry. To take a decent cross court rally ball to your backhand and redirect it down the line is one of the lowest percentage plays in tennis, and is best left to 7.0's. And most of them aren't all that good at it.

The only time most people should be taking a backhand down the line from the baseline is when engaged in a cross court FOREHAND rally, should a ball come and offer you an inside backhand you can turn on.

Never stray from the basics or the percentages until you're good enough that you can do it the vast majority of the time without risk. Master -- don't tinker with, MASTER -- the basics first. Then and only then work on esoterics. For more than 99 people out of every 100, that means never.

Obviously, if you have more fun taking risks and losing, then more power to you. Do it for a lark or a laugh. Do it so that if you connect, you've got something to brag about over beers afterward. But if your questions and goals are about how to do it right? The answer is: don't.
Click to expand...

The thing is I can hit DTL much easier with more of a pistol grip. And also, directional control is much better. With more of a hammer grip I have to be positioned much better to hit the ball properly. Even on easy short balls, I hit CC much easier. But, when I hit the ball properly, it is much harder for opponent when I hit with hammer grip.
I feel a bit stupid when either I rip the ball or totally miss it with no control at all.
 
Mojo28 said:
I was trying to find some answers here and I did some. However, I would like to know more and see what you guys think. The video I posted here has been of great help for my strokes. Especially on forehand side. But now, I would like to work on my backhand a bit more. I am currently in doubt on which grip should I use on my one handed backhand. I am trying out eastern hammer grip vs eastern pistol grip. If you don't know the difference you can check it here - https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...e-1-hand-backhand.129108/page-2#post-10832104

I am currently using hammer grip.
I can see I generate more spin with this grip and can hit cross court really well. Also, I can hit short CC shots with some really nice angles. However, in order to produce decent shot, I really need to turn my back all the way and load up to the ball. The problem is, I feel like I don't have so much a feel for the shot. It is like I miss control. It is very hard for me to hit DTL shot. I feel like it is impossible. I am also maybe opening up much when trying to hit the shot. It seems like a more wristy shot with this grip and if I try to hit it slower, it's like I lack penetration. For example, when playing mini tennis, ball just go too high and I am having troubles on controlling even these simple, slow shots. When I hold it with more pistol grip (or actually something in between pistol and hammer - like on post I shared), it feels much more stable and better for these shots. However, I cannot hit it hard as with hammer grip and cannot generate that much spin on it. My main concern is, am I ever gonna get the feel with hammer grip or maybe I should just stick with more of a pistol grip where I have more feel and feel more comfortable but also sacrifice amount of top spin? The thing that constantly bothers me is all those new videos on Youtube where people say that hammer is the way to go.

Anyway, I have some technical questions which I couldn't find anywhere related to hammer vs pistol grip and it is about contact point...
1. Where is it? Is it further in front with hammer or pistol grip?
2. Is it more to the left with hammer or pistol grip?
3. It should be higher with hammer grip, right? Something like chest high for hammer and waist high for more of a pistol. The weird thing is that I found easier to hit these balls with more of a pistol grip than with hammer. And I am not sure why.

I wrote a lot I know, but I would like to get some accurate answers on this.
I am playing tennis for 2 years now and I still feel I have no control on my backhand side. My forehand is improving constantly and I almost pay no attention to it. But on backhand, I am trying all kinds of stuff and it is still very inconsistent. And on court, it can sometimes totally demotivate me...
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Though I've never known what it was, I've always used the hammer grip. I'm willing to learn other grips though.
 
Sad part is, by the time someone is good enough to hammer 1HBH's DTL reliably, their opponents are good enough to keep them from getting set up for that shot in the first place.

3.5's get short balls all the time to the BH side, but aren't good enough to reliably take them DTL. By the time they get good enough, no one is giving them short balls any more.
 
Hold with an eastern backhand grip (base knuckle on the top bevel) and then watch tons of slow mo vids of Roger and Stan.
 
northbynorthwest1.jpg
 
This is rather subjective ....Might wanna try all four knuckles aligned linearly on bevel 2 or between 1 and 2 .......... worked for me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
This is rather subjective ....Might wanna try all four knuckles aligned linearly on bevel 2 or between 1 and 2 .......... worked for me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
> The thing with my BH is that when I get a bit slower and lower ball (around waist high), I can really rip it cross court with much spin. But, still,
> when I try to hit with some lower paced BH, it is like I don't have that much control.

A lot of older players with 1HBHs prefer smaller-headed frames with less power so that you could take a big cut at the ball while maintaining control. It took me quite some time to move from a 90 sq in frame to a 95 and there are times when I miss the precision of the smaller-headed frames. The modern approach is to add spin for control and that's the transition that I made. Basically a looser wrist and more topspin to keep the ball in the court.

> The thing is I can hit DTL much easier with more of a pistol grip. And also, directional control is much better. With more of a hammer grip I have to be positioned
> much better to hit the ball properly. Even on easy short balls, I hit CC much easier. But, when I hit the ball properly, it is much harder for opponent when I hit with
> hammer grip.

You could use the spread with the crosscourt and the hammer with the DTL.
 
My one handed bh grip is essentially the same as my fh grip. I just rotate the racquet. Its very natural once you get the hang of it. Its funny they call semi western fh and extreme eastern bh different grips bc its the same grip as far as i can tell, just flipped racquet face.
 
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Djokovicfan said:
My one handed bh grip is essentially the same as my fh grip. I just rotate the racquet. Its very natural once you get the hang of it. Its funny they call semi western fh and extreme eastern bh different grips bc its the same grip as far as i can tell, just flipped racquet face.
Click to expand...
Go embrace @Shroud
 
I switched to the Shroud method(I didn't know this at the time) about 3 months ago after getting sick of my 2 handed backhand. I find it very very easy to hit stomach height balls or above with my extreme grip but anything lower forces me to switch to slice. The one handicap of this method seems to be on service return. I can't reliably use it because I don't know what bounce height the serve is going to have ahead of time. I have to switch back to my 2 handed grip for that aspect of play. My cross court ball is nearly as good as hitting my inside out forehand now. It's a pretty remarkable difference. I think this method is suitable for really right hand dominant people, especially if you've played a fair amount of ping pong.
 
Justin Yesso said:
I switched to the Shroud method(I didn't know this at the time) about 3 months ago after getting sick of my 2 handed backhand. I find it very very easy to hit stomach height balls or above with my extreme grip but anything lower forces me to switch to slice. The one handicap of this method seems to be on service return. I can't reliably use it because I don't know what bounce height the serve is going to have ahead of time. I have to switch back to my 2 handed grip for that aspect of play. My cross court ball is nearly as good as hitting my inside out forehand now. It's a pretty remarkable difference. I think this method is suitable for really right hand dominant people, especially if you've played a fair amount of ping pong.
Click to expand...
I have been doing exactly this also
 
Djokovicfan said:
My one handed bh grip is essentially the same as my fh grip. I just rotate the racquet. Its very natural once you get the hang of it. Its funny they call semi western fh and extreme eastern bh different grips bc its the same grip as far as i can tell, just flipped racquet face.
Click to expand...
Yep been doing that for years. I just call it a sw bh grip because the grip is the same as a sw fh if you do a pistol grip.

Justin Yesso said:
I switched to the Shroud method(I didn't know this at the time) about 3 months ago after getting sick of my 2 handed backhand. I find it very very easy to hit stomach height balls or above with my extreme grip but anything lower forces me to switch to slice. The one handicap of this method seems to be on service return. I can't reliably use it because I don't know what bounce height the serve is going to have ahead of time. I have to switch back to my 2 handed grip for that aspect of play. My cross court ball is nearly as good as hitting my inside out forehand now. It's a pretty remarkable difference. I think this method is suitable for really right hand dominant people, especially if you've played a fair amount of ping pong.
Click to expand...

Bobs tennis said:
I have been doing exactly this also
Click to expand...

Glad you guys are trying it. It works great for me . Justin the Ros is one major advantage of this method. Lower balls are harder but not impossible recently i have been playi g with a guy who has a waiters tray serve with no power and a bit of slice. Ball stays low but if you bend down and skip the loop you can get the low balls. Just do some practice you will get it
 
Shroud said:
Yep been doing that for years. I just call it a sw bh grip because the grip is the same as a sw fh if you do a pistol grip.
Glad you guys are trying it. It works great for me . Justin the Ros is one major advantage of this method. Lower balls are harder but not impossible recently i have been playi g with a guy who has a waiters tray serve with no power and a bit of slice. Ball stays low but if you bend down and skip the loop you can get the low balls. Just do some practice you will get it
Click to expand...

I don't see how this is possible. Just to make sure we're doing the same thing, I have a SW forehand grip, I flip my arm over my body and hit my backhand without changing from my SW forehand grip using the same racket face. The problem on low balls is that my range of motion on my wrist/eblow is locked and the lower I go down my body, the more my racket face closes. Once it gets to my hips then the face is too closed to hit the ball over the net. My only option is to bend my knees which is hard to do on a ball that isn't coming right to me.
 
Justin Yesso said:
I don't see how this is possible. Just to make sure we're doing the same thing, I have a SW forehand grip, I flip my arm over my body and hit my backhand without changing from my SW forehand grip using the same racket face. The problem on low balls is that my range of motion on my wrist/eblow is locked and the lower I go down my body, the more my racket face closes. Once it gets to my hips then the face is too closed to hit the ball over the net. My only option is to bend my knees which is hard to do on a ball that isn't coming right to me.
Click to expand...
Yes you are right it can be a pretty closed racquet face on those you need to have a very vertical swing and high finish. You are trying to get alot of spin vs driving the ball
 
Well you've definitely got my respect then. I've tried to do it against heavy servers(90 to 110) and I cant time it. I can usually use it against second serves but those normally sit up for me anyway.
 
Justin Yesso said:
Well you've definitely got my respect then. I've tried to do it against heavy servers(90 to 110) and I cant time it. I can usually use it against second serves but those normally sit up for me anyway.
Click to expand...
Its not easy against low balls or fast balls but with practice things slow down. Slice may be the better option sometimes.

Try some practice if you can get someone to bomb serves at you bet you can get it

Here is an old vid.
 
Justin Yesso said:
I don't see how this is possible. Just to make sure we're doing the same thing, I have a SW forehand grip, I flip my arm over my body and hit my backhand without changing from my SW forehand grip using the same racket face. The problem on low balls is that my range of motion on my wrist/eblow is locked and the lower I go down my body, the more my racket face closes. Once it gets to my hips then the face is too closed to hit the ball over the net. My only option is to bend my knees which is hard to do on a ball that isn't coming right to me.
Click to expand...
Good point. If its too low i just slice it. Works perfectly and reliably for me. If its high enough i smack it with topspin. Too low i just give it wicked backspin. I do change my grip when i slice it though, to what seems to be continental, only i hit the side of the racquet opposite to the side you hit a serve with. Not sure if thats the best slice grip but works fine for me
 
FuzzyYellowBalls41 said:
Hold with an eastern backhand grip (base knuckle on the top bevel) and then watch tons of slow mo vids of Roger and Stan.
Click to expand...

Vic Braden "Tennis for the Future" used to say this for 1HBH. A full 1/4 turn, rather than the 1/8 turn commonly taught. That's the same as eastern backhand with base knuckle on top bevel. Then adjust contact further in front, and attain greater topspin.
 
ext2hander said:
Vic Braden "Tennis for the Future" used to say this for 1HBH. A full 1/4 turn, rather than the 1/8 turn commonly taught. That's the same as eastern backhand with base knuckle on top bevel. Then adjust contact further in front, and attain greater topspin.
Click to expand...
No one describes grips like that these days. Can you say which bevel the index knuckle is on?

Or by 1/4 do you mean 2 bevels? And what is your starting position? Bevel 2?
 
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