High balls to one-handed backhand

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High balls to one-handed backhand

by Josh

I have a one-handed backhand and use an eastern backhand grip.

What I really struggle with is returning balls which land deep with lots of topspin to my backhand.

Sometimes I try taking it early or flattening the ball out, but that isn't very effective.

Also, when I slice these balls, my shot floats either high and long, or gets attacked by my opponent.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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High balls to one-handed backhand

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Jan 27, 2009
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High Balls to One-Handed Backhand
by: Anonymous

That problem is for all players who have a one hand backhand stroke. My suggestion to you josh is either move back as fast as you can everytime you anticipate this high balls to your backhand and wait till the ball is at your range meaning on the zone when you think you can hit strike the ball more comfortably. Otherwise, the "on the rise" shot that you are doing is your other chance but add a spin by using your wrist upon contact with the ball. You can try changing your grip too from eastern to continental to hit a slice but by not hitting the ball with to much slice but rather hitting the ball on its edge to make it a little bit flat and deep. Practice of ocurse! Good luck!

eymard

Jan 31, 2009
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Fellow one hander
by: Anonymous

I would suggest practicing on hit that ball on the uprise. the one hand is a powerful shot and you can hit angles most two handers can't come close to. bend you knees when you hit and follow through with enough spin to get of the net but not too much so that you can keep the ball low.

Feb 06, 2009
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side turn
by: Mike

I have this problem, I found I was tending to try to hit it without fully turning ide on. This meant all the movement had to come from my arm/shoulder. By turning further so that I am directly facing the sideline, I then get more body turn/movement as well as arm movement into the shot. This also gives me better follow through aqnd much more control. Did lots of practice of this against a wall until it started to become a bit more insrinctive. The shot still goes off, but when it does, I know what I have to concentrate on again.

Feb 06, 2009
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Use Continental Grip on One Handed Backhand/Slice
by: Anonymous

I am also a one hander and I've used continental grip on my backhand and it feels better to use it even on the slice. Also, you can move backward or forward and hit it with a normal one - handed backhand.

Feb 06, 2009
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saggitar
by: Anonymous

Side on is very good - & all the stuff about movement, hitting on the rise.. But you can't always do that. It's all down to hitting lots of balls high on the backhand,so a wall, or obliging hitting partner is essential. Try the neutralising slice & try to see whether the assumed advantage of the double-hander is correct. I'am not so sure. I know it's received wisdom that the double-hander can deal with these shots better, but if you try it out experimentally, you might get the same result I did. It may be personal bio-mechanics (we're all different), but for the me the single-hander (I used to play double-handed) is far less constricted &, unless your non-dominant hand is strong (perhaps verging on ambidexterous), it seems to me that anything that can be done double-handed cna be done single-handed. Find someone to feed you lots of balls - or borrow a good ball machine - & practice. That & mental attitude may be more of a problem than the high ball to your back-hand.

Feb 06, 2009
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experiment different adjustments
by: Gerry Blum Professional Tennis Schools

the high ball to the one-handed backhand doesn´t have to be your problem. i have multiple pro solutionns for you:

1. back up early enough to be able to step into the shot and hittingzone and rip the backhand, mostly heavy cross deep, use a lot of wrist rotation supernation to add spin, meaning finishing with your thumb outside top right

2. back up early enough to be able to step into the shot and hittingzone and rip the backhand, and hit the becker blocker flat inside out, just move the racket from the outside to the inside in your swing, hit it down the line

3. attack the ball of the bounce and rip it with lots of supernation and wrist usage top spin anywhere, but with a little bit of outside spin coming around the ball to make it a safe shot

4. adjust quickly from backhand to continental grip and slice the ball in your hitting zone taking it early, either deep down the line or cross, or short low cross with outside spin

5. take the ball out of the air topspin or slice volley and come in

6. rn around the high ball and work the ball with your aggressive forehand anywhere you like either bounce or out of the air

you can use all those technical and tactical options to keep your opponent honest.

Have Fun, Gerry Blum Professional Tennis Schools

Feb 06, 2009
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The key to a good Topspin One Handed Backhand is a Slice One Handed Backhand
by: Cole Reeves

The easiest and best way to handle the high balls and low balls with a one handed backhand is to slice it.

I run a pattern with my students that is terrific for a scenario like this. I will feed them a high ball, low ball, and one right in the wheelhouse. I have them slice the high ball down in the court hard.

A really hard hit slice from up high will really help to neutralize your opponent and get you safely back into the point.

I have them hit the low ball with slice and try and move up with their feet and pick that ball up and put it back deep.

Then anytime you get a ball right where you like it about waste high I have them hit the topspin.

If you have someone feed you this pattern and work on that slice you can really find yourself getting into a rhythm. You will find yourself making better shot selection during play. Hope this helps.

Feb 06, 2009
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Extreme backhand grip against high ball to backhand
by: Vladimir

Hi Josh, to step in or step out is not every time possible, but probably the best solution. But what also works at least for me, even it may sounds strange for most one handers, is to play something like drive shot with severe backhand grip. I am said a best one hander in our club and I believe the reason is that I use semiwestern grip most of the time (like Justine Henin). For high ball I use also very high backswing, very very close stance (my back almost towards net) and, definitely, move the weight of the wholy body against the ball. It may be risky but very often I surprise my oponent may be because it looks almost like backhand smash, landing flat, low bounce. Good luck

Feb 06, 2009
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high backhand modeling
by: bandono

I'm a one hander too and recognize the "issue" with high balls ... and what I've done is what I do with all shots ... I watch for someone who hits it really well ( I get the tennis channel and espn2) and look for someone who hits it really well and then model the motion before trying to hit anything and then work on hitting the shot with the right motion against a wall or with a ball machine ... my dvr lets me slow down any shot and this is critical for getting it right .... my recommendation for high backhand models wawrinka, haas, gasquet and justin henin..... these are one handed artists of the highest order... can't say I've perfected it yet but it's coming....!

Bandono

Jul 27, 2010
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use two hands.
by: Sweatband

To handle a high, deep bounce with a one hander, I have two pieces of advice:

1) Move faster. Faster. FASTER! Get off the court as quickly as you can, and take that ball where you want to.

2) When you can't move fast enough, use a two hander. I use and love the one hander, but that doesn't mean I can't use a two hander once and awhile if it helps me win a point.

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High balls to one-handed backhand

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High balls to one-handed backhand