Urgent - help on high short balls on BH

[sureshs]

Got badly beaten by a junior last nite. He is like half my size and a quarter of my age, but I could not handle the high short balls to my backhand (right handed, one handed backhand, eastern grip). Some of them had a lot of topspin, and I could anticipate trouble from them. But the ones without topspin also gave me trouble. It was as if the high short ball on my backhand was in my blindspot. Sometimes I could run around it, but if not, how do I handle this using my backhand only? It was too short to slice from the baseline, too high after bounce to do the usual topspin thing. When I moved forward, I did not know what trajectory to use on my backhand swing and whether to hit up or down on the ball.

Please help.

 

[NamRanger]

Move back and just push it back deep rather then trying to get topspin. Focus on getting the ball into play rather then getting spin on the ball. That's the first step.


When you can consistently get the ball back in, then you can start going for a little more spin on the ball.



Unless you are extremely good with timing your backhand, I highly recommend you don't try to hit your backhand on the rise constantly.

 

[Katlion]

Let the ball drop to your ideal hitting spot. It's that simple.

 

[Katlion]

Or take it on the rise. But my first tip is easier. it just takes a little bit of practice, and patience. Plus, very good timing.

 

[sureshs]

Move back and just push it back deep rather then trying to get topspin. Focus on getting the ball into play rather then getting spin on the ball.

Let the ball drop to your ideal hitting spot. It's that simple.

I think I will combine the two ideas. I was moving up and finding the ball at a high level after bouncing, and getting confused. On the forehand, it is much easier for me to just move forward and hit down on the ball or even top spin it out wide. I think I will:

Stay back

Let the ball drop and then hit a regular shot, flat push deep initially, and topspin after getting used to it.

Very good points.

 

[GeorgeLucas]

Take the ball at a higher point and spin it into the corner. Balls this high cant be driven easily and waiting for it to drop can mess up your timing. Focus on control and go for an angle rather than power.

 

[Slazenger]

I think I will combine the two ideas. I was moving up and finding the ball at a high level after bouncing, and getting confused. On the forehand, it is much easier for me to just move forward and hit down on the ball or even top spin it out wide.

You can do the same thing on the backhand side. You just have to practise the shot.

 

[Jackie T. Stephens]

Move back and just push it back deep rather then trying to get topspin. Focus on getting the ball into play rather then getting spin on the ball. That's the first step.


When you can consistently get the ball back in, then you can start going for a little more spin on the ball.



Unless you are extremely good with timing your backhand, I highly recommend you don't try to hit your backhand on the rise constantly.

Push it back deep?? if it was me I would clobber it right back into the court with a flat forehand shot.

 

[sureshs]

Push it back deep?? if it was me I would clobber it right back into the court with a flat forehand shot.

I was asking about the backhand and without running around it

 

[sureshs]

Take the ball at a higher point and spin it into the corner. Balls this high cant be driven easily and waiting for it to drop can mess up your timing. Focus on control and go for an angle rather than power.

I have seen Justine do what you said. On a short high ball on the backhand, she came in and smothered the ball with a high swing of the racquet, with both side and top spin. But she uses an extreme Eastern grip, and even the commentator said it was a very difficult shot.

Today I was watching Fed-Sampras and Fed got a short high ball on his backhand. He moved into the court, let the ball drop, and then swung at it. And he put it into the net! Like you mentioned about the timing - waiting for it to drop to optimal height messed his timing up.

In my case the Justine shot is pretty much a no go for now. The "wait for the ball to fall" tactic works both for short balls and for deeper balls (if you move backwards, which is what I noticed most lower junior 2 handers do).

 

[NamRanger]

Push it back deep?? if it was me I would clobber it right back into the court with a flat forehand shot.

He was talking about his backhand, but most people insist on trying to go for heavy spin or on the rise, both which are extremely hard to do if your backhand is not a strength in your game. I can tell you it took me quite some time to spin high balls back, and even then I'm not too consistent with it.



Your better off pushing the ball back as deep as possible, at least get the ball into play. That is your number one goal in a ralley, then comes depth, pace, spin, etc.

 

[Rickson]

Got badly beaten by a junior last nite. He is like half my size and a quarter of my age, but I could not handle the high short balls to my backhand (right handed, one handed backhand, eastern grip). Some of them had a lot of topspin, and I could anticipate trouble from them. But the ones without topspin also gave me trouble. It was as if the high short ball on my backhand was in my blindspot. Sometimes I could run around it, but if not, how do I handle this using my backhand only? It was too short to slice from the baseline, too high after bounce to do the usual topspin thing. When I moved forward, I did not know what trajectory to use on my backhand swing and whether to hit up or down on the ball.

Please help.

JHH is short and she smashes high balls on her backhand quite often. Forget about slicing them down if you're close to the net. Aim down and let it rip!

 

[In D Zone]

Got badly beaten by a junior last nite. He is like half my size and a quarter of my age, but I could not handle the high short balls to my backhand (right handed, one handed backhand, eastern grip). Some of them had a lot of topspin, and I could anticipate trouble from them. But the ones without topspin also gave me trouble. It was as if the high short ball on my backhand was in my blindspot. Sometimes I could run around it, but if not, how do I handle this using my backhand only? It was too short to slice from the baseline, too high after bounce to do the usual topspin thing. When I moved forward, I did not know what trajectory to use on my backhand swing and whether to hit up or down on the ball.

Please help.

I had the same challenged before.... this is a common weakness for one handed backhand players.

the key is not the stroke, its your footwork. No need to go around the ball to do an inside out, work on your steps first - try the caricoca steps. This is what Sampras do when he is ready to move into the net.
Here's the link:
http://www.tennisone.com/newsletter/template/11.22.04.newsletter.html

Secondly, use short abbreviated slicing stroke (think of it as a volley), your forward motion will provide the power to drive the ball; if you muscle your slice the ball will sail long. This stroke is effective against low or high bounce (topspin balls). The carioca step will provide the shoulder turn and movement - all you have to do is to focus on the ball and drive it down the line or cross court.

Good luck!

 

[In D Zone]

One other thing - if you are returning a high ball to your back hand using a Slice. prepare the Racket early, upon ball contact make sure you finish your racquet above the net. SLice down below the net increases error.

 

[sureshs]

I had the same challenged before.... this is a common weakness for one handed backhand players.

the key is not the stroke, its your footwork. No need to go around the ball to do an inside out, work on your steps first - try the caricoca steps. This is what Sampras do when he is ready to move into the net.
Here's the link:
http://www.tennisone.com/newsletter/template/11.22.04.newsletter.html

Secondly, use short abbreviated slicing stroke (think of it as a volley), your forward motion will provide the power to drive the ball; if you muscle your slice the ball will sail long. This stroke is effective against low or high bounce (topspin balls). The carioca step will provide the shoulder turn and movement - all you have to do is to focus on the ball and drive it down the line or cross court.

Good luck!

Thanks, that was a fantastic article! It is almost as if Dave Smith was there watching me struggle. Yes, this is what happens to me - I just "walk into" the ball on the backhand side, facing the net, on short balls. I need to turn sideways and then move forward.

 

[NamRanger]

JHH is short and she smashes high balls on her backhand quite often. Forget about slicing them down if you're close to the net. Aim down and let it rip!

That's because of her grip and her talent. Not many people can do that, even male players. The only male player who could do that consistently from what I remember is Gustavo Kuerten.

 

[sureshs]

The sideways approach works! Tried it several times today. You can slice, topspin, take it on the bounce or wait for it to drop - as long as you are turned and not facing the net head on for the short ball.

 

[Rickson]

That's because of her grip and her talent. Not many people can do that, even male players. The only male player who could do that consistently from what I remember is Gustavo Kuerten.

I do it just about every time I get a high bouncing ball to the bh that lands close to the net. I say just about because the times I don't do it, I run around and smash a forehand, but the shot is not difficult at all to execute. Take a sw or a full western bh grip, aim down and instead of slicing the ball, just smash it like you'd do on the forehand side. What's so difficult about that?

 

[sureshs]

I do it just about every time I get a high bouncing ball to the bh that lands close to the net. I say just about because the times I don't do it, I run around and smash a forehand, but the shot is not difficult at all to execute. Take a sw or a full western bh grip, aim down and instead of slicing the ball, just smash it like you'd do on the forehand side. What's so difficult about that?

It is quite difficult

 

[Rickson]

It is quite difficult

Are you trying the western backhand grip? It only takes a small flick of the wrist.

 

[sureshs]

Are you trying the western backhand grip? It only takes a small flick of the wrist.

No, as I said, I have the eastern (not the extreme eastern, also called western, which Henin has - not that I am trying to compare myself with her ...) I can see how the western will help - it is almost like hammering the ball down. I cannot play with the western backhand - too much wrist strain.

 

[Rickson]

No, as I said, I have the eastern (not the extreme eastern, also called western, which Henin has - not that I am trying to compare myself with her ...) I can see how the western will help - it is almost like hammering the ball down. I cannot play with the western backhand - too much wrist strain.

I meant that you might flick your wrist and turn to a western when you see the ball is gonna be short, high, and to your backhand.

 

[NamRanger]

I do it just about every time I get a high bouncing ball to the bh that lands close to the net. I say just about because the times I don't do it, I run around and smash a forehand, but the shot is not difficult at all to execute. Take a sw or a full western bh grip, aim down and instead of slicing the ball, just smash it like you'd do on the forehand side. What's so difficult about that?

I garuntee you, unless you have some godly backhand, most people will completely disagree that your shot is that good. It is extremely tough to peform such a shot, there's only a handful players in the world that can do it, not even Federer can do such a thing.


Plus you say it's at the net, a little easier to peform. Try it around the baseline and tell me if it's easy.

 

[Rickson]

Plus you say it's at the net, a little easier to peform. Try it around the baseline and tell me if it's easy.

He said high short balls to the BH. How is the baseline a short distance?

 

[In D Zone]

Thanks, that was a fantastic article! It is almost as if Dave Smith was there watching me struggle. Yes, this is what happens to me - I just "walk into" the ball on the backhand side, facing the net, on short balls. I need to turn sideways and then move forward.

You are Welcome! Working on the carioca step and slice is the easiest way to win some points or to get the ball back into play. As you start getting comfortable with the step; basically moving naturally - you can start hitting with your normal backhand stroke - flat or topspin back. Again there will be times you're strokes will be off, you'll always have the dependable slice to go back to.

I strongly advise that you add this movement everytime you practice.

ps... its funny to hear others keep stressing your grip... stroke .... pushing... or going around the ball for an inside out. everything sounds great that is if you can get to the ball and hit it back correctly. No one had given you any advise about footwork - hmmm! really???