Bad Backhand

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Bad Backhand

by Ashley
(gozreh6@hotmail.com)

Hello, I am a beginner at tennis and I would like some tips on how to straighten out a backhand. I'm not so sure I am hitting it right, but when I do hit it, it goes straight into the net.

My friend that plays tennis told me that I am putting too much topspin on it. He briefly explained what topspin was, but I'm not so sure I understood. Can someone explain my problem?
Thanks!

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Bad Backhand

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Jun 29, 2009
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From "Bad Backhand" to "Good Backhand" hopefully! ;-)
by: Julian

You say you are a beginner, so my first piece of advise is to arm yourself with patience. The backhand shot -probably more so than the forehand- will give you some extra work and could actually become "a work in progress" type of thing for some time. So be ready to pay close attention to what's going on and to keep notes on what you might be doing "right" or "wrong" when you hit it.

You don't specify whether yours is a one or a two hander and I'm going to assume it's a one hander since if it were otherwise I believe you would have mentioned it.

Regarding your problems/questions:

"Topspin" is the term used to describe the effect you impart on the ball when you brush up on it (with your racket/racket strings) at the time of contact. The reason for using topspin is to make the ball rotate fast and forward during fly so as to force it to dive and/or curve down onto your opponent's court. This way you can hit the ball hard while controlling that it doesn't fly long and out of bounds.

You can also check out this in detail forehand / backhand tutorial on this website that includes an in depth analysis/definition on what topspin is!

As far as why your backhand shot lands on the net... I find it difficult to picture that your problem is using too much topspin since you were not familiar with what it was... But if it turns out that it is part of the problem, make the adjustment of driving more through the shot instead of finishing up/pulling up too high at the end. I'd also check that you're using a proper grip (mostly an eastern backhand) to make sure you're keeping your racket head at the right degree of openness/closeness during contact. And make sure you're not rolling your forearm/wrist when you hit the ball. In other words, the idea is to keep your racket head steady in position (perpendicular to the ground) through contact.

There could be a number of other factors that can't be detected without seeing you, but from what you described I'm hoping this helps.

Good Luck!

Jul 01, 2009
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Hit higher
by: Nick

If your problem is hitting the ball into the net then just hit higher

Strive to hit 3 feet above the net

Power and control will come by taking a smooth extended swimg.

Tomaz's video about forehands and backhands should help, click on Instruction, then origin of forehand and backhand technique.

In the last video, notice the arc and height on his groundstrokes.

Good luck on improving your backhand

-Nick

Jul 06, 2009
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How I developed BH from only underspin to topspin
by: Vladimir

Hi Ashley,
I started to play "seriously" tennis at university after mix double with a girl whom I realy adored at that time. We have been quite succesful and she praised my "tennis book" style of serve and forehand. Then, to be praised next time even more by her, I started to work on my 1 handed topspin BH ;-)(underspin I had have already). So first advice:

YOU NEED A MOTIVATION AND THEN YOU WILL DEFINITELY SUCCEED.

Day by day I discovered that to develop 1 handed BH with topspin is not an easy job. I did not have trainer but I have read articles about backhand and the

FIRST THING which I had have TO CHANGE was the GRIP (Browse a little bit and you will find a lot about what is an eastern or semiwestern BH grip).

At that time I have been lucky to choose semiwestern BH grip (like Hennin or Kuerten - not Federer). From my point of view the best 1 handed BH player have semiwestern BH grip.

AT THE BEGINNING it was very uncomfortable but I have been comitted to succeed (as I explained above). Not having any trainer I played against the wall, VERY SHORT DISTANCE like one meter, very softly just to get used to the grip and trajectory of the racquet. Again, I recommend you to read articles about BH or find out good trainer who can explain you what to do slowly, step by step. Continually, I have moved further and further from the wall having longer and longer backswing, being very deep below the ball when necessary, all the time well positioned with my sholders etc. It took me 2 months, at least every second day half hour playing just backhand against the wall and then I started to play backhand with quite a good technicque. SO, YOU NEED REGULARITY AND PATIENCE. I have to add, that I had to loose a lot of matches just because of my new, in matches poor backhand, before I started to succeed. And again, nice girl deserves my thanks for that improvement: I played quite good during the training but then, when I played match my backhand was poor; too late, too early, to the net or to the sky. The problem was that after first wrong shot I told to myself: I cannot play this shot or I will never be good in playing backhand... So why I thank to that girl? She just told me: "you have much nicer backhand than I have but when you miss it you criticise yourself soooooo much; when I miss it I tell to myself just: It was not good shot". So, when I changed my MIND I allowed myself to make errors and praised myself for every good shot. It was maybe the most important thing which brought me to CONFIDENCE even during critical match situations. It is already 20 years ago and I am still surprising my fellows with TV style of backhand passing shots ;-).

Of course, you may find out different way how to succeed but I believe you will need:
MOTIVATION
"KNOW-HOW" or TRAINERS
PATIENCE, i.e. also the TIME
and BELIEVE or SELFCONFIDENCE that you will succeed (and believe me, it is just up to you whether you will or you will not).
Good luck!

Vladimir

Jul 07, 2009
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Response to Vladimir
by: Nick

Nice story, thanks for posting it

Motivation really is key for success in any endeavor.

-Nick

Jul 07, 2009
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There are two 1 handed backhands
by: Steve

There are two main ways to hit a one-handed backhand...top-spin and slice.

If you are in fact hitting with topspin and hitting into the net then you may either be hitting the ball too late or early, allowing it to get too low before hitting. Or you may not be bending your knees enough to get yourself and your racquet low enough to strike the ball properly. A simple change till you get our technique right is to open up the racquet face by changing your grip as suggested.

For starters though, since you say you are a novice, and hitting into the net, you might go with a slice backhand. This will put underspin/sidespin on the ball causing it to float more instead of dive down, and curve a bit. It will also let you take the pace off and block/control a hard shot by your opponent. You may not be able to hit the ball back as hard, but as a beginner that is not your biggest concern. Your concern is to keep the ball in play right now. See this Youtube video of former #1 Justine Henin's backhand slice and do some searches for more. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GzW401yri4 Notice her head, how still it stays, notice the position of her legs/feet, her striking arm, her "off" arm (important for balance), where the racquet head begins and ends, her grip.

When you are ready for a topspin backhand, find a video of hers or Federer's to copy as well. Good luck.

Jul 09, 2009
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Thanks Guys
by: Ashley

Thanks guys for the advice: it really helped me. I can actually get the ball over the net now!!!
Ashley
A.K.A Bad Backhand

Mar 18, 2010
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Lil tip
by: timgus

One little tip that completely changed my game for the best, was hold your racquet for a fraction longer. I was someone do that once who had the best backhand I have ever seen. Then I noticed Henin and Gasquet do it. Hold a little bit longer, til just before contact and bang! you'll be fine.

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