onehandbh's high topspin backhands - VIDEO + 240 fps footage

[onehandbh]

Finally back on the red clay again after a long break.

Using a ball machine, I practiced some high topspin backhands -- a shot many one handers find challenging.
Any feedback & tips welcome. I also put in a few clips repeated at 240 fps.

I recorded the video towards the end of the hour I hit with the ball machine because in theory, when I'm super tired, that's when technique should fall apart more.

 

[kiteboard]

You'd benefit from a bigger head frame, with gamma zo verve/l-tec 4s: strung lower in hitting area, and tighter eleswhere in the bed. Smaller head/frame limits your spin.

 

[Lance L]

Against a ball machine that delivers a consistantly placed high ball, it looks good.
Obviously I can't comment on its effectiveness in real world conditions.

 

[onehandbh]

Against a ball machine that delivers a consistantly placed high ball, it looks good.
Obviously I can't comment on its effectiveness in real world conditions.

I agree. It is much easier against a ball machine.
Sadly, the balls in the ball machine were wildly inconsistent -- some pretty dead, some okay. I will try and replace ones that are dead next time.

 

[LeeD]

Like it a LOT.
Later, wider stance and more pace, less spin.

 

[Cheetah]

Why don't you have a straight arm?

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[onehandbh]

Why don't you have a straight arm?

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

That's one of the things I want to fix. Right now it straightens before contact but It should already be straight at the "sword draw" position.

 

[geca]

That's one of the things I want to fix. Right now it straightens before contact but It should already be straight at the "sword draw" position.

it doesn't matter. as a matter of fact if you force the 'straighten' it will be difficult to use wrist flexion to close the face to handle high balls... which is important because your grip looks quite neutral.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

You'd benefit from a bigger head frame, with gamma zo verve/l-tec 4s: strung lower in hitting area, and tighter eleswhere in the bed. Smaller head/frame limits your spin.

Lol

 

[kiteboard]

Don't supinate much at the end, which limits spin and extension.

 

[movdqa]

I think that you could go with a looser wrist if you want to hit more spin at the cost of some pace.

 

[5263]

Finally back on the red clay again after a long break.

Using a ball machine, I practiced some high topspin backhands

Nice hitting and well done video.

 

[onehandbh]

You'd benefit from a bigger head frame, with gamma zo verve/l-tec 4s: strung lower in hitting area, and tighter eleswhere in the bed. Smaller head/frame limits your spin.

I like and have a tendancy of hitting a little higher up on the stringbed (toward tip of frame opposite of grip butt cap). You would recommend that I string the crosses and mains in that area looser?

 

[Aretium]

Too wristy for my liking, can be susceptible under pressure. You should try and keep the racket head pointing up in the takeback as long as possible.

Obviously this is just hitting with a machine, no idea what is happening in matches. If the result is the same then you don't need too much advice.

 

[RDS001]

Well, for me, the thing here is, that you know exactly where the ball is going, so you adjusted your positioning prior to even seeing where the ball goes, for me that is a big mistake, you don't get into the ready position, but instead you just stay sideways, and that thing does not work in a match situation.....your backhand looks good technicly, but the single most important thing about ohbh is the footwork, detecting that the ball is going to your bh, adjusting your grip, turning sideways and doing small adjustment steps prior to hitting the ball.....
Keep up the good work, but my advice for you would be to drop the ball machine, and find some friend or practice partner with who you can hit with

 

[Lance L]

Well, for me, the thing here is, that you know exactly where the ball is going, so you adjusted your positioning prior to even seeing where the ball goes, for me that is a big mistake, you don't get into the ready position, but instead you just stay sideways, and that thing does not work in a match situation.....your backhand looks good technicly, but the single most important thing about ohbh is the footwork, detecting that the ball is going to your bh, adjusting your grip, turning sideways and doing small adjustment steps prior to hitting the ball.....
Keep up the good work, but my advice for you would be to drop the ball machine, and find some friend or practice partner with who you can hit with

Sometimes I get the feeling that for some performance against a ball machine or in practice is the goal. They go out several times a week, hit against a ball machine or easy rallying. From an exercise perspective it is great but it is not playing tennis.
You are right about footwork. The hardest part for me in finally getting the 1hbh was footwork/timing and getting a good shoulder turn.

 

[geca]

You'd benefit from a bigger head frame, with gamma zo verve/l-tec 4s: strung lower in hitting area, and tighter eleswhere in the bed. Smaller head/frame limits your spin.

this is either a joke or a bad advice.

 

[SinjinCooper]

You'd benefit from a bigger head frame, with gamma zo verve/l-tec 4s: strung lower in hitting area, and tighter eleswhere in the bed. Smaller head/frame limits your spin.

Nobody ever progresses without Gamma Zo Verve.

 

[kiteboard]

I like and have a tendancy of hitting a little higher up on the stringbed (toward tip of frame opposite of grip butt cap). You would recommend that I string the crosses and mains in that area looser?

I hit in the area too: in between, 4th-9th cross down, and after extensive experimentation, have found: the greatest effect: string mains in this area a bit looser, for 16 x19: center six mains: and the crosses, 10-20lbs looser, ie: 45lbs mains, 40-45lbs crosses just in this area, and tighter elsewhere, which causes a bit of hoop squash, depending upon how much ten. difference, and the power, spin, and longevity all increase. After thousands of string jobs i have never cracked one with this technique.

 

[onehandbh]

Sometimes I get the feeling that for some performance against a ball machine or in practice is the goal. They go out several times a week, hit against a ball machine or easy rallying.

This was the first time I've hit with a ball machine in a long time. Maybe over a year. I originally wanted to hit with another person, but there was no one available the day I had time to hit so I figured the ball machine was better than nothing.

Well, for me, the thing here is, that you know exactly where the ball is going, so you adjusted your positioning prior to even seeing where the ball goes, for me that is a big mistake, you don't get into the ready position, but instead you just stay sideways, and that thing does not work in a match situation.....your backhand looks good technicly, but the single most important thing about ohbh is the footwork, detecting that the ball is going to your bh, adjusting your grip, turning sideways and doing small adjustment steps prior to hitting the ball.....
Keep up the good work, but my advice for you would be to drop the ball machine, and find some friend or practice partner with who you can hit with

I agree. The movement and footwork to get in position is the most challenging thing -- especially for me.

 

[Lance L]

This was the first time I've hit with a ball machine in a long time. Maybe over a year. I originally wanted to hit with another person, but there was no one available the day I had time to hit so I figured the ball machine was better than nothing.



I agree. The movement and footwork to get in position is the most challenging thing -- especially for me.

Oh, I know this is your thread but I wasn't referencing you in any way. I have one data point about you, I have no idea what your habits are, I should have made that clear. This is something I've seen quite a bit around me.

 

[zalive]

@onehandbh:
I wonder, what is your reason why using a neutral stance instead of closed stance?
Your cross court shots look more natural and fluid to me than DTL's. And I guess the reason is stance, where your neutral stance is practically a lightly closed stance when hitting cross courts.

Not that all is not effective on topspin and power, but DTL's simply don't look as easy and natural, look like you force arming and wristing to make up for lack of swing path to reach desired RHS.

 

[Fintft]

the footwork, detecting that the ball is going to your bh, adjusting your grip, turning sideways and doing small adjustment steps prior to hitting the ball.....

Agree and last week, I wasn't doing a proper adjusting of the grip (according to the coach) myself.

 

[onehandbh]

@onehandbh:
I wonder, what is your reason why using a neutral stance instead of closed stance?
Your cross court shots look more natural and fluid to me than DTL's. And I guess the reason is stance, where your neutral stance is practically a lightly closed stance when hitting cross courts.

Not sure why. Could have been bc i was tired or maybe my footwork has just gotten worse and lazier over time. I will try to record another video the next time i hit with my friend.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

I think your shot looks pretty good. Not that it cannot be improved but as far as rec one handers go, it's pretty good given how high some of the balls you dealt with were. Re DTL, maybe try planting the right foot across more so that you close the stance. For a backhand, a closed stance will let you put more body into the shot.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

If you can get those same results in match play, that's a solid 4.0 backhand.

 

[ZPTennis]

If you can get those same results in match play, that's a solid 4.0 backhand.

Nope. onehandbh is 4.5 at least. Thats a 4.5 one hander and is probably a high level 4.5 player if i had to guess purely from this one video. I like your backhand. Just keep practicing and it will refine itself on its own. No tips are needed in my opinion. Just repetition to devleop more muscle memory.

 

[Shroud]

Finally back on the red clay again after a long break.

Using a ball machine, I practiced some high topspin backhands -- a shot many one handers find challenging.
Any feedback & tips welcome. I also put in a few clips repeated at 240 fps.

I recorded the video towards the end of the hour I hit with the ball machine because in theory, when I'm super tired, that's when technique should fall apart more.

Very nice BH!!!!

 

[zalive]

Not sure why. Could have been bc i was tired or maybe my footwork has just gotten worse and lazier over time. I will try to record another video the next time i hit with my friend.

One more thing crossed my mind. Look at your front foot and where it points - it's mostly sideways, sometimes completely, sometimes slightly angled towards the net, but never much. Look when you transfer the weigh how it limits your hips rotation - you start the rotation when you transfer weight but angle of rotation is limited because of front foot position. Now, you can have your front foot point in prep at some 30-45 degrees from the baseline even with closed stance - closed stance plus putting your front feet like this gives you much wider angle of body rotation when doing weight transfer - and what's best, you did point your right foot like I describe on last three hits on vid which look most fluid. Perhaps this is what you usually do also, when you hit 'normal' topspin OHBH's?

Look how Stan 'opens' his front foot on topspins.

 

[kiteboard]

But stan always plants sideways, or even backwards towards the rear, to get max. coil, no matter what his stance hitting foot does, the plant foot remains, as is true with all pro players, they all plant sideways.

 

[onehandbh]

One more thing crossed my mind. Look at your front foot and where it points - it's mostly sideways, sometimes completely, sometimes slightly angled towards the net, but never much. Look when you transfer the weigh how it limits your hips rotation - you start the rotation when you transfer weight but angle of rotation is limited because of front foot position. Now, you can have your front foot point in prep at some 30-45 degrees from the baseline even with closed stance - closed stance plus putting your front feet like this gives you much wider angle of body rotation when doing weight transfer - and what's best, you did point your right foot like I describe on last three hits on vid which look most fluid. Perhaps this is what you usually do also, when you hit 'normal' topspin OHBH's?

Look how Stan 'opens' his front foot on topspins.

Hmm. Haven't really thought much about my front foot angle (relative to the baseline). I'll try and video the next time I hit with my friend to see what I do in a rally.

You post got me curious and I looked at a couple Wawrinka videos. He front (right foot angle) really varies quite a bit depending on the shot he is hitting. When he is moving forward to hit a shorter ball, it naturally angled more towards the net. Other times it can be more parallel to the net.

Unless there is a good reason for having the foot angled a certain amount, I will probably just focus mostly on moving my feet more to be in position and also transferring weight / unloading / uncoiling into the shot.

 

[zalive]

Hmm. Haven't really thought much about my front foot angle (relative to the baseline). I'll try and video the next time I hit with my friend to see what I do in a rally.

You post got me curious and I looked at a couple Wawrinka videos. He front (right foot angle) really varies quite a bit depending on the shot he is hitting. When he is moving forward to hit a shorter ball, it naturally angled more towards the net. Other times it can be more parallel to the net.

Unless there is a good reason for having the foot angled a certain amount, I will probably just focus mostly on moving my feet more to be in position and also transferring weight / unloading / uncoiling into the shot.

Might have even something with where he intends to place the ball, cross court or DTL - kind of easier to place cross courts with tip at some angle relative to baseline. Though I usually see an angle - and second shot from that vid is significant because it's visible how he turs his foot by intention while it would be easier to leave it parallel to the baseline - ball returned looks like cross court to me.

Good reason for me is ease and naturality of turning your body and more readiness for footwork and receiving the next ball. But TBH I never thought about it. I just 'shadowed' what I usually do with my stance and feet, then checked Stan and saw it's actually similar.

Look at this warmup vid:

He occasionally hits with front foot parallel to baseline, but on most hits he puts it at 30 or even 45 degrees. And this particular position is the best for aggressive attacker hits. He mostly puts his front foot parallel to baseline when slicing.

Anyway the gain is wider angle for hips turn, you kind of want this foot position when you want more power.

 

[sundaypunch]

Nope. onehandbh is 4.5 at least. Thats a 4.5 one hander and is probably a high level 4.5 player if i had to guess purely from this one video. I like your backhand. Just keep practicing and it will refine itself on its own. No tips are needed in my opinion. Just repetition to devleop more muscle memory.

Maybe or maybe not. It is hard to tell from easy ball machine feeds. You would rate my one hander much higher than you should in a video like this as opposed to a match.

The lack of a straight arm is the one thing that would make me curious to see how the OP's BH holds up in a competitive match.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Finally back on the red clay again after a long break.

Using a ball machine, I practiced some high topspin backhands -- a shot many one handers find challenging.
Any feedback & tips welcome. I also put in a few clips repeated at 240 fps.

I recorded the video towards the end of the hour I hit with the ball machine because in theory, when I'm super tired, that's when technique should fall apart more.

I learned how to best handle high backhands by imitating Billie Jean King as shown in the first 3 seconds of this Wilson tennis racquet commercial. It is much easier to handle high backhands with underspin IF you know how to do it correctly. BJK's technique is perfect:

 

[DNShade]

Maybe or maybe not. It is hard to tell from easy ball machine feeds. You would rate my one hander much higher than you should in a video like this as opposed to a match.

The lack of a straight arm is the one thing that would make me curious to see how the OP's BH holds up in a competitive match.

It actually holds up quite well in match play -- and he's well above 4.0 -- that just laughable. Wow - the people out here sometimes. OHBH would destroy about 95% of the guys commenting out here. He's a very nice guy and quite humble as well.

Actually I've found it's harder for a good player to look good against a ball machine to be honest. It just doesn't feel right and your timing and prep is always off without the visual cues coming from the other player. Then you get bored and sloppy with the movement and footwork.

 

[NuBas]

Too wristy for my liking, can be susceptible under pressure. You should try and keep the racket head pointing up in the takeback as long as possible.

Obviously this is just hitting with a machine, no idea what is happening in matches. If the result is the same then you don't need too much advice.

It's not wristy at all.

OP I think your OHBH is very, very good but just use more of the racquets weight and relax your entire arm so you can get more power and speed into your swing. I think you will get more effortless power if you step into your shot more and just allow the racquet to do the work more. Otherwise its great backhand!

 

[Aretium]

It's not wristy at all.

OP I think your OHBH is very, very good but just use more of the racquets weight and relax your entire arm so you can get more power and speed into your swing. I think you will get more effortless power if you step into your shot more and just allow the racquet to do the work more. Otherwise its great backhand!

Yeah actually after watching it again, it isn't "wristy" but I think op should use his core more and especially that back shoulder. He also drops the racket too early but Fed does this (which I think personally forces him to hit too loopy sometimes)

 

[NuBas]

Yeah actually after watching it again, it isn't "wristy" but I think op should use his core more and especially that back shoulder. He also drops the racket too early but Fed does this (which I think personally forces him to hit too loopy sometimes)

Mine is loopy sometimes too but all it takes is adjusting the grip/racquet face angle and you're good.

 

[zalive]

Mine is loopy sometimes too but all it takes is adjusting the grip/racquet face angle and you're good.

I find leaning forward with weight transfer helpful to get the trajectory right. Makes a BH more aggressive.

 

[Aretium]

I find leaning forward with weight transfer helpful to get the trajectory right. Makes a BH more aggressive.

Yeah you can't really stop a bh from being loopy. It is usually something to do with your set up or the incoming ball. When i said loopy I meant a little weak, so the ball will sit up.

 

[onehandbh]

It is hard to tell from easy ball machine feeds. You would rate my one hander much higher than you should in a video like this as opposed to a match.

The lack of a straight arm is the one thing that would make me curious to see how the OP's BH holds up in a competitive match.

My arm is straight at contact. Not sure if it being bent at the takeback is a bad thing or not. On high backhands, it I can't really keep the arm straight at the end of the takeback b/c my pec gets in the way.

I believe the best high backhand is one hit around waist or chest height. In other words I would prefer to avoid hitting the ball above chest height and either taking the ball early or moving back to let it drop.

I was purposely practicing hitting ones out of my comfort zone. The feeds from the machine might be easy for some of you, but they were challenging for me because I set it to have a higher trajectory and turned up the topspin on the machine. Usually, I would probably hit a crosscourt slice if the ball got up there on clay. It sounds like some of you are good at crushing high topspin backhands. Would love to see a video to see how you do it. I'm always open to learning /tweaking my shots.

I don't play very often anymore and make no claims on my ntrp level as it is based on results, but I am more than happy to hit with or play anyone that comes to visit me or when I am traveling.

 

[Aretium]

My arm is straight at contact. Not sure if it being bent at the takeback is a bad thing or not. On high backhands, it I can't really keep the arm straight at the end of the takeback b/c my pec gets in the way.

I believe the best high backhand is one hit around waist or chest height. In other words I would prefer to avoid hitting the ball above chest height and either taking the ball early or moving back to let it drop.

I was purposely practicing hitting ones out of my comfort zone. The feeds from the machine might be easy for some of you, but they were challenging for me because I set it to have a higher trajectory and turned up the topspin on the machine. Usually, I would probably hit a crosscourt slice if the ball got up there on clay. It sounds like some of you are good at crushing high topspin backhands. Would love to see a video to see how you do it. I'm always open to learning /tweaking my shots.

I don't play very often anymore and make no claims on my ntrp level as it is based on results, but I am more than happy to hit with or play anyone that comes to visit me or when I am traveling.

yeah fair enough, you dealt with these balls very well. I think I too would slice them, I quite like slicing high balls, I get a lot of penetration as i flatten it out a little. I "can" hit these for big winners, but in practice and i guess I don't get these high balls too much as I don't play on a high bouncing surface.

You have a seemingly great backhand, well above the rec level for most. The only thing I would say to do, if I was coaching you, is to keep the racket pointing up until the last minute, you will get more free power.

I might post a video to take your bait , I recorded a 98mph backhand last weekend when i got the gun out for the kids.

 

[onehandbh]

yeah fair enough, you dealt with these balls very well. I think I too would slice them, I quite like slicing high balls, I get a lot of penetration as i flatten it out a little. I "can" hit these for big winners, but in practice and i guess I don't get these high balls too much as I don't play on a high bouncing surface.

Actually, I think I am only okay at dealing with high backhands. I should move to get in better position to hit a more aggressive shot but oftentimes I'm lazy and just slice it back.

Dealing with high balls seem unavoidable for me on clay. I'm far from good at playing on clay. Don't always slide on time or move enough given the extra time you have with a slower bounce. I do like chasing dropshots b/c it seems like I can run down almost every dropshot on clay.

The only thing I would say to do, if I was coaching you, is to keep the racket pointing up until the last minute, you will get more free power.

I might post a video to take your bait , I recorded a 98mph backhand last weekend when i got the gun out for the kids.

I will work on keeping the racquet up a bit more before the takeback. That was the first time I hit with the PS95 limited edition. Seems to have a little less spin and power vs my Yonex 95D, but has more feel and probably control if I got used to it.

Would love to see how you hit high backhands or just backhands in general. My username may be onehandbh, but I'm FAR from a rec wawrinka...

 

[Aretium]

Actually, I think I am only okay at dealing with high backhands. I should move to get in better position to hit a more aggressive shot but oftentimes I'm lazy and just slice it back.

Dealing with high balls seem unavoidable for me on clay. I'm far from good at playing on clay. Don't always slide on time or move enough given the extra time you have with a slower bounce. I do like chasing dropshots b/c it seems like I can run down almost every dropshot on clay.


I will work on keeping the racquet up a bit more before the takeback. That was the first time I hit with the PS95 limited edition. Seems to have a little less spin and power vs my Yonex 95D, but has more feel and probably control if I got used to it.

Would love to see how you hit high backhands or just backhands in general. My username may be onehandbh, but I'm FAR from a rec wawrinka...

I would say this, the slice is the most underrated shot in tennis......

PS95?!?!? wtf is that?!?!?!? That sounds crazy, how did it play? lol i didn't even notice haha.

As I was saying, the slice is super underrated, the amount of times I hit a sliding backhand when defending or some attempt, the ball just falls short.

Ill send you a video but not sure if I have a suitable camera. ill see what I can do lol.

 

[sundaypunch]

My arm is straight at contact. Not sure if it being bent at the takeback is a bad thing or not. On high backhands, it I can't really keep the arm straight at the end of the takeback b/c my pec gets in the way.

I believe the best high backhand is one hit around waist or chest height. In other words I would prefer to avoid hitting the ball above chest height and either taking the ball early or moving back to let it drop.

I was purposely practicing hitting ones out of my comfort zone. The feeds from the machine might be easy for some of you, but they were challenging for me because I set it to have a higher trajectory and turned up the topspin on the machine. Usually, I would probably hit a crosscourt slice if the ball got up there on clay. It sounds like some of you are good at crushing high topspin backhands. Would love to see a video to see how you do it. I'm always open to learning /tweaking my shots.

I don't play very often anymore and make no claims on my ntrp level as it is based on results, but I am more than happy to hit with or play anyone that comes to visit me or when I am traveling.

My point was just that ball machine feeds that require little movement aren't a good way to judge someone's level. That is not a knock on you.

 

[sundaypunch]

It actually holds up quite well in match play -- and he's well above 4.0 -- that just laughable. Wow - the people out here sometimes. OHBH would destroy about 95% of the guys commenting out here. He's a very nice guy and quite humble as well.

Actually I've found it's harder for a good player to look good against a ball machine to be honest. It just doesn't feel right and your timing and prep is always off without the visual cues coming from the other player. Then you get bored and sloppy with the movement and footwork.

I have had a ball machine for 6+ years and find the exact opposite. It is much easier to look good on a ball machine than in a match when you have a consistent feed. There is no need for visual cues from another player when you have the machine feeding them right to you.

Again, the OP may very well have a 4.5+ BH. It may be outstanding in match play - but a ball machine doesn't tell me that.

 

[purdyd]

Nice video and backhand. I think your front foot is late to the party.

 

[NuBas]

I find leaning forward with weight transfer helpful to get the trajectory right. Makes a BH more aggressive.

I think loopy OHBH shots are because sometimes taking the ball too high, when I take it earlier on the rise or shuffle back and allow ball to drop lower into hitting zone, it flattens out the shot and has better trajectory. OHBH is so much about technique and definitely weight transfer/footwork is extremely vital.

 

[onehandbh]

PS95?!?!? wtf is that?!?!?!? That sounds crazy, how did it play? lol i didn't even notice haha.

As I was saying, the slice is super underrated, the amount of times I hit a sliding backhand when defending or some attempt, the ball just falls short.

This is the racquet:
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ed-edition-midsize-95-17mm-beam-width.550111/

I'll try and record some video when I play doubles tonight. It'll be a bit dark for a phone camera, though. In doubles I usually play the ad side and mostly hit bh slices returns on the rise until they prove they can poach effectively. None of the guys I'm playing with tonight have a big serve so maybe I'll try and hit more topspin backhands.

 

[Fintft]

I think op should use his core more and especially that back shoulder.

I agree and it makes quite a difference in terms of effortless power, if one is using his core on the 1HBH as well, starting with the hips. And of course the back shoulder, but that's more part of the preparation.

I tried it for the first time yesterday (using the core/hips) on the advise from the coach (similar to what I've been doing on the FH, although not as much) and it feels great.