What a pain! One handed backhand
- Thread starter Curious
- Start date
Dragy
G.O.A.T.
It’s so much easier and more pleasant to communicate and try things live on court, isn’t it?
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Indeed. Need to give credit to ACT though. I trusted him because he can hit a one hander, and also has thought about technique. He managed to fix/improve his own stroke. So he can spot issues and offer ways to fix them.
Quick fix and big win coming for you right now.
Your left foot as you drive - it can be a little more horizontal. So the tip of your foot faces the fence. This will mean you’re better side on. And if you’re side on you can rip it better with your hips
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Makes sense. Thanks.
ballmachineguy
Hall of Fame
You’re doing it wrong.
ACT
Rookie
Great meeting you and was a very good hit and quick fun set of doubles, you're doing extremely well, keep it up
Let's put this one to bed hey
Despite the flack that @Curious gets here, he actually hits very well. Can accelerate and decelerate into the ball at will for managing shot selection, aims where he's hitting with intention, serves accurately and does not double fault easily, volleys confident and extremely well and was holding easily 10-15 sometimes 20 shot rallies half court consistently with my partner on multiple balls at a very respectable pace. For his age, he's also very fit, barely taking 3-4 short drink breaks through 2 hours of hitting. Pretty sure it's all on camera, proof is in the pudding.
He may not have 100% the most beautiful technique in the world, but neither do I and most of us here at a recreational level don't - what he does have is actually a full well rounded game, capable of playing at a good level.
Anyone who knows anything about technical improvement and teaching, knows that you work in increments, and you find as many small wins as you can to build a foundation for long term success - especially when someone knows how to rally well, you don't look to revamp everything from scratch, because you destroy years rhythm and confidence, that is a silly way to approach things.
But no, you wouldn't understand that, because you have no proof of your own technical improvement or the acknowledgement of people that you help with all that information you regurgitate - you only know how to teach according to the textbook nature of what a swing is supposed to look like, but you have no ability to actually apply that in the real world. Which is making adjustments over time, to allow them to actually become a better player, not just asking them to ineffectively look good for the camera.
You wouldn't actually understand the nuances that go into teaching someone based on the variances of their individual game or personality, and you can't just insert your cookie cutter explainations and expectations to help someone improve, who has grooved thier own technique for years and years, who thinks about tennis in very specific ways, where only certain mental cues will work with their brain and thought process.
All of which, by the way was done only in full pace live play, no easy ball feeding and warmups, it was straight into it. @zill is easily UTR 8+ if not for his health issues at current age, and high 9+ in his younger days, even as difficult as his current struggles with his knees, still hits clean and damn well. @Curious is live hitting against him, at a good pace, and he's adjusting as best as he can to deep, high, short balls, on the run, off balance, you name it - no easy feat for a OHBH. He made minor adjustments last night, and it yielded almost immediate results, not much you can ask for in a 2 hour session of hitting only, and I only spoke to him for probably 20 minutes max.
After hitting against him myself, I would put my money that @Curious is by far better player out of you two, probably not even that close - but as you said, you know so much that we don't right? I mean, surely there's a reason why you hide no? waiting for you to prove me wrong
But hey barring all the technique BS, it was great to meet some players here and have a good hit with them
zill
Legend
ballmachineguy
Hall of Fame
He’s doing it wrong.Great meeting you and was a very good hit and quick fun set of doubles, you're doing extremely well, keep it up
Let's put this one to bed hey
Despite the flack that @Curious gets here, he actually hits very well. Can accelerate and decelerate into the ball at will for managing shot selection, aims where he's hitting with intention, serves accurately and does not double fault easily, volleys confident and extremely well and was holding easily 10-15 sometimes 20 shot rallies half court consistently with my partner on multiple balls at a very respectable pace. For his age, he's also very fit, barely taking 3-4 short drink breaks through 2 hours of hitting. Pretty sure it's all on camera, proof is in the pudding.
He may not have 100% the most beautiful technique in the world, but neither do I and most of us here at a recreational level don't - what he does have is actually a full well rounded game, capable of playing at a good level.
Anyone who knows anything about technical improvement and teaching, knows that you work in increments, and you find as many small wins as you can to build a foundation for long term success - especially when someone knows how to rally well, you don't look to revamp everything from scratch, because you destroy years rhythm and confidence, that is a silly way to approach things.
But no, you wouldn't understand that, because you have no proof of your own technical improvement or the acknowledgement of people that you help with all that information you regurgitate - you only know how to teach according to the textbook nature of what a swing is supposed to look like, but you have no ability to actually apply that in the real world. Which is making adjustments over time, to allow them to actually become a better player, not just asking them to ineffectively look good for the camera.
You wouldn't actually understand the nuances that go into teaching someone based on the variances of their individual game or personality, and you can't just insert your cookie cutter explainations and expectations to help someone improve, who has grooved thier own technique for years and years, who thinks about tennis in very specific ways, where only certain mental cues will work with their brain and thought process.
All of which, by the way was done only in full pace live play, no easy ball feeding and warmups, it was straight into it. @zill is easily UTR 8+ if not for his health issues at current age, and high 9+ in his younger days, even as difficult as his current struggles with his knees, still hits clean and damn well. @Curious is live hitting against him, at a good pace, and he's adjusting as best as he can to deep, high, short balls, on the run, off balance, you name it - no easy feat for a OHBH. He made minor adjustments last night, and it yielded almost immediate results, not much you can ask for in a 2 hour session of hitting only, and I only spoke to him for probably 20 minutes max.
After hitting against him myself, I would put my money that @Curious is by far better player out of you two, probably not even that close - but as you said, you know so much that we don't right? I mean, surely there's a reason why you hide no? waiting for you to prove me wrong
But hey barring all the technique BS, it was great to meet some players here and have a good hit with them
ballmachineguy
Hall of Fame
He can’t hit with topspin because he is stepping forward while swinging. He will always have zero variety. People claim I am not able to fix his backhand. Curious isn’t capable of fixing it. He has been told for three years that his front foot has to be down before he leaves his take back position. He’s not going to do it.
zill
Legend
At the same time actually. He is doing it right. Problem is he still has too shallow of a drop. One or two good ones though.
ACT
Rookie
Nice non response, didn't even try to refute a single word, I expected more lol - also wrong btw, his forward step has nothing to do with his ability to generate top spin or not, but you can't expect someone who doesn't know what it feels like to hit one - case closed
Another technical change for another day - but top spin is for margin and safety, and only slightly needed on a OHBH it is not necessary until the ball is too low
You're also forgetting court conditions - these courts were reasonbly high bouncing, because he's a single hander, there's no point to try to come under the ball, it's not going to be beneficial or will he have more success by letting the ball jump over his shoulder or wait for the ball to drop by standing way behind the baseline. We're not athletic enough to be playing 1-2m behind the baseline and cover the whole court and hit through everything
He is better off cutting off the ball and the angle to nullify the high bounce - I also was shanking more last night because i kept trying to spin it at first and then stated to hit way better when i just flattened everything
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
Multiple problems for curious. You were getting more topspin on your 2 hander than he was. Thats something that shouldn’t happen with a solid one hander. True he hit great in the vid but something is off if the 1 handed bh is that flat.
zill
Legend
Exactly my thoughts.
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Ok, not solid or consistent yet but don’t make it sound like I have no idea how to create top spin and can’t do it at all!
ballmachineguy
Hall of Fame
You can’t.Ok, not solid or consistent yet but don’t make it sound like I have no idea how to create top spin and can’t do it at all!
Stepping forward while dropping the racquet pulls the shoulder forward with it and it is why you let go of the racquet early and don’t get it in the right position before pulling it forward. Flicking your wrist at the end isn’t topspin.
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zill
Legend
We want to see you hit balls with that shape from the baseline.Ok, not solid or consistent yet but don’t make it sound like I have no idea how to create top spin and can’t do it at all!
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Getting there bit by bit. I take notes all the time. Watching ACT bh I see very nice forward extension of the swing. Mine is still too shallow horizontal left to right swing. Will definitely fix it. I seem to forget staying sideways although it was a big revelation recently. Will go back to focusing on it. So in summary, turn much more but don’t uncoil after the forward swing starts, keep elbow bent at all times except at contact, make sure you extend the swing forward and up, don’t side slap it.
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Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
There are a few components of topspin, spin from swing path and RHS for instance. Imho its the RHS component that is missing.Ok, not solid or consistent yet but don’t make it sound like I have no idea how to create top spin and can’t do it at all!
Curious
G.O.A.T.
I need a correct stroke first. Rhs is my least concern now. I don’t think I swing that slow anyway.
Curious
G.O.A.T.
I think one of the biggest things I understood this morning is the amount of uncoiling. Full coil 135 degrees, then drop and swing but with only 45 degrees of uncoiling! That facilitates the drop and also makes sure your forward swing goes up and extends avoiding a shallow horizontal swing.
user92626
G.O.A.T.
That is true.
Talk is actually quite enjoyable. Like early morning while drinking coffee or late evening while relaxing after a good match.
Yeah...carry on.
I remember well my childhood's childish obessions/hobbies. Most fun in the world while I were with my hobbies.
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What were the most fun things that you and @zill recently have at the courts? Not necessarily together though. Do share.
zill
Legend
Playing tennis then thinking about it immediately afterwards.That is true.
Talk is actually quite enjoyable. Like early morning while drinking coffee or late evening while relaxing after a good match.
Yeah...carry on.
I remember well my childhood's childish obessions/hobbies. Most fun in the world while I were with my hobbies.
/
/
/
What were the most fun things that you and @zill recently have at the courts? Not necessarily together though. Do share.
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
while that makes sense I think you can learn the correct stroke faster when you hit it with RHS. It will weed out the wrong technique very fast. Said another way, shots can be off, but swung slow, they can go in. Swinging fast they go out. Sure if you want to go slow and take longer thats cool, but maybe try a batch against the ball machine at the end of a session where you just add in some RHS.
Curious
G.O.A.T.
You have a point. ACT actually asked me to swing fast at one stage last night. The swing should be free, full and fast, I agree.
zill
Legend
Competent players should be able to hit both fast and slow.
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Sure, depending on the situation. While rallying though it should be fast trusting the spin will bring it down, right?
zill
Legend
You should be able to hit slow and fast all with control.
ACT
Rookie
Technically he does, he has the ability to choose when to inject pace through RHS, swing path needs to be ingrained that's what's key - there's no point swinging out unconsciously, you will build bad habits
ACT
Rookie
Definitely looks better - at the contact point you dont need to turn the wrist too forcefully, you want to pull through the shot, opening the racquet face at the right time to make contact in that strong position we were talking about last night
Most importantly is just to swing into a position where the racquet is underneath the ball, but only slightly, not too steep of an angle
Because you need to also hit through the ball to maintain depth and pace, brushing up too aggressively which the top spin pro promotes is not an accurate representation of a shot you want to hit for real - you actually want to crash into the plastic holsters of where the ball is held a bit
ballmachineguy
Hall of Fame
Whatever happened to not being able to make a full turn because of physical limitations? They disappear?
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Still not easy. Mostly due to restricted neck flexibility that makes seeing the ball harder with more turn.
See how insane this is? Turned more than 90 degrees but face still completely square to the net.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
If your eyes were on the side of hour head like a bird it would be easier.
StringSnapper
Hall of Fame
nice, swinging big and lots of them going in. the exact same thing was what improved my backhand recently, although maybe mine is slightly different with the "two turn" thing. turn, and then coil. that was the missing key on my backhand to start blasting it.
when i play though i always try to focus on my forehand first and get that grooved, because i can always fall back on backhand slices. i cant fall back to forehand slices on that side and expect to win. the forehand has to be firing. if the backhand is firing as well, thats the pure joy of tennis. and a bit of ego!
StringSnapper
Hall of Fame
edit: mistake
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Yes, extra turn is big. Coil 135 degrees followed by uncoil 45 degrees. Very important imo. ACT says he used to turn less like 90 degrees and fixing that with extra coil made a big difference.
StringSnapper
Hall of Fame
agree, i've been saying (what i think is the same thing?) in different terms - uncoil until your chest faces the net post then hit the breaks, the arm whips through into contact. its different on the forehand, because you make contact when your chest faces the net. its 45 degrees off on the backhand just to confuse us! same as the forehand on the 2hnder though
Sounds like ACT is a great instructor anyway, those were looking good.
StringSnapper
Hall of Fame
i'm still a big advocate of not having to blast the backhand every time. the slice and the block and the push are all good variety on the backhand. but you do need the ability to blast it just to strike a bit of fear into your opponent.
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Agree. All stroke parameters should be adaptable depending on the situation, right? The amount of turn, size of take back, drop, swing path etc.
user92626
G.O.A.T.
Nice to see zill and Curious have kissed and made up, and playing balls together now.
That's how life should be. Smacking balls together as often as you can.
ballmachineguy
Hall of Fame
Wrong forum. Wrong site as well.Nice to see zill and Curious have kissed and made up, and playing balls together now.
That's how life should be. Smacking balls together as often as you can.
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Don’t misquote me!
This is what you said, what I said.
“You have drop troubles full stop lol.
Am just giving you my honest opinion. But my drop is even worse than yours with the 1hb. Yours however is at the level that is unsatisfactory unfortunately.”
“ACT doesn’t seem to think it’s a big deal. No offence but I value his opinion on this.”
ballmachineguy
Hall of Fame
I know how much you value my opinion, but, the good news is, it’s not an opinion. If ACT was the architect of what I saw in the video, you are never going to get anywhere.
There is no room in the world for tennis backhands where your front foot isn’t down before you/or as you (placating Zill here) start the racquet from its take back position. There is no room in any sport where you are going to pull or throw any object: ball, javelin, racquet where your foot is not set down first, save for a jumping, show-off shot. ACT said some other stuff that makes me think he isn’t the guy to coach you out of these trouble waters. At least wear a life jacket.
Anyway, just making sure you put the front foot down correctly timing-wise is your only hope and quite possibly, the only fix. To be clear, down early and with as much distance from the rear foot as is reasonably comfortable.
You say you can make topspin and hit hard enough. You could use better, easily-attainable technique and hit with 40% effort and get everything you do now with 80%. Also, you could shape the ball as desired and be consistent with better accuracy.
And don’t feel bad for me wasting my breath yet again. I’m just typing between sets at the gym.
