ROS: DTL BH

[Shankadelic]

I am struggling with hitting a DTL BH when returning a serve on the ad side. I don’t have a problem with this shot on the deuce side. Looking for tips or your recommendation of good teaching videos to help with this shot. Try the search function on TT but it is not working right now so was not able to find a thread dedicated to this shot. If one exist, please post the link.

In my last dubs match, both of my opponents were sliding closer to the middle, but not poaching, on my returns as the match went on. Smart on them as I kept hitting CC BHs ROS. A couple of times, was able to hit the DTL BH in the area where the “pickleball” lines are painted on the court but that just gave my opponent a CC FH volley. IMO, hitting one or two down the alley would have made them back off some of the pressure they were applying in the middle.

FWIW, I am 2HBH type of guy.

 

[snahzje]

Jeff Salzenstein had a great drill that helped me quite a bit for DTL backhands (and also applies to ROS):

 

[IowaGuy]

Sounds like your return it too predictable. If not comfortable with DTL BH (which can be a tough shot, especially against a high kick serve), you still have options to mix it up.

If server is consistently going to your BH on the ad side and rarely hitting down the T, you could also run-around to hit a FH DTL.

You could also play cat & mouse by standing in the alley to return serve, then cheat back over to hit a FH, etc.

Try not to be so predictable. Unless he has a huge serve and can ace you, I would mix up where you stand to return his serve.

 

[FiReFTW]

Here is the best advice you will ever hear.

Im struggling with X shot what should I do?

Answer : Practice X shot.

 

[ptuanminh]

Practice is one thing but in double, going for the man at the net is a formula for disaster i think. Unless your opponent has a **** serve or **** volley. So pick your spot.
In terms of technique, i guess i will shorten my swing, put loads of topspin on it, make it hard for the netman.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Try also mixing it up and hitting straight at the net man: many times, it's more difficult to hit a volley that comes directly at you rather than one you have [get] to move toward.

Or the occasional lob.

 

[Bender]

I am struggling with hitting a DTL BH when returning a serve on the ad side. I don’t have a problem with this shot on the deuce side. Looking for tips or your recommendation of good teaching videos to help with this shot. Try the search function on TT but it is not working right now so was not able to find a thread dedicated to this shot. If one exist, please post the link.

In my last dubs match, both of my opponents were sliding closer to the middle, but not poaching, on my returns as the match went on. Smart on them as I kept hitting CC BHs ROS. A couple of times, was able to hit the DTL BH in the area where the “pickleball” lines are painted on the court but that just gave my opponent a CC FH volley. IMO, hitting one or two down the alley would have made them back off some of the pressure they were applying in the middle.

FWIW, I am 2HBH type of guy.

That's because as far as Wardlaw is concerned, returning the AD serve with a BH DTL is a riskier shot than returning a deuce serve with a BH inside-in. Outside v inside ball and all that.

The trick with the BH DTL, especially if the incoming serve is wide with a fair bit of pace is to use your left foot and your left hand to punch the ball in the direction you want to hit, ie DTL.

If the serve is not that powerful, you can close your stance a bit more and make contact slightly later than normal. It's arguably easier to read the DTL if you only close your stance on the DTL, so you might want to mix it up a bit and use the same stance to hit the CC returns hard to keep them honest.

 

[atp2015]

I am struggling with hitting a DTL BH when returning a serve on the ad side. I don’t have a problem with this shot on the deuce side. Looking for tips or your recommendation of good teaching videos to help with this shot. Try the search function on TT but it is not working right now so was not able to find a thread dedicated to this shot. If one exist, please post the link.

In my last dubs match, both of my opponents were sliding closer to the middle, but not poaching, on my returns as the match went on. Smart on them as I kept hitting CC BHs ROS. A couple of times, was able to hit the DTL BH in the area where the “pickleball” lines are painted on the court but that just gave my opponent a CC FH volley. IMO, hitting one or two down the alley would have made them back off some of the pressure they were applying in the middle.

FWIW, I am 2HBH type of guy.

The symptoms point to very flat shot. That's why you are fine on duece side as ball goes over the lower part of the net.
Try to hit with more top spin and you can reach any part of the court. And also can hit a lot harder.

 

[Shankadelic]

I played a single match last night and went for this shot a lot more than I would in a dubs match. Yes, I know, there was no pressure to hit this shot since there was no net guy but have to start somewhere. Things I focused on was a more liberal step to get into a closed stance and finish my swing more upward vice across my body. The result, beside a few frames, was a loopier shot than I usually hit and would like but it landed in the general area I was hoping for, close to the sideline. Obviously, I need to work on it a lot more.