Effective one handed backhand requires precise footwork. It begins with a wide lateral step which then automatically triggers a shoulder turn for added power.
Federer, Wawrinka and Thiem still employ this antiquated (some might say outmoded) stroke; but can they compete without it?
The Grip
One handed backhand players have many choices when selecting their ideal grip for this stroke, depending on what ball type, level and shot type they prefer to hit. Most high topspin backhand players tend to favor an eastern grip which allows their dominant hand to remain over the top of the handle for greater control during each stroke.
An eastern backhand grip provides players with the ability to generate lots of topspin on the ball while creating sharp angles, but can make transitioning between shots more difficult; an experienced player should be able to overcome this.
No matter the grip that you use, it’s vitally important to strike an optimal balance at contact. Once your finish has held steady, this allows you to maintain great equilibrium and control throughout the rest of the stroke – helping prevent common mistakes made when learning how to hit a backhand stroke for beginners.
One thing to keep in mind when performing one-handed backhand strokes is beginning early with your strokes. Make sure your racquet is in its proper condition before approaching the ball so you have enough time and accuracy for set up and hitting accuracy – beginners and recreational players often make this mistake, so try starting early.
As previously noted, one-handed backhand strokes are extremely powerful and precise strokes, not suitable for weak and timid players. Therefore, you should practice your footwork and timing prior to trying this shot at hitting the ball with either arm. Large steps in your footwork will allow you to move forwards more freely than just using the back leg; this allows for hitting it at its highest point with more power and accuracy.
The Forward Swing
When creating topspin on one handed backhands, it’s essential to place all of your weight on your front foot prior to hitting. This step of stroke preparation is often difficult for players; shifting too much of their weight backwards on their split step can result in too much top spin or the ball skidding off the court altogether. In order to overcome this difficulty, practice your split step until it becomes natural so you can consistently hit shots with just the right amount of topspin each time.
Once your footwork is in place, the next step in developing an effective forward swing can be daunting for beginners. A good forward swing combines hip and shoulder rotation with arm straightening out. Most great backhands are compact; meaning their upper bodies don’t move much during their swing and especially around contact; this contrasts to what often happens with forehand swings where excessive upper body rotation results in balls either short or wide.
Pro players tend to make contact with the ball with straight arms, with their racket coming into an “L” shape behind their head when making contact with it. This helps generate topspin and keep the ball in play. Keep in mind, however, that wrist angle won’t ever be as relaxed on one-handed backhands due to using multiple closed grips and having the strike zone move closer towards their face in order to achieve similar levels of power as open grip forehands.
Starting out is difficult for novice golfers and it may take some practice before becoming second nature; once achieved though it will become much simpler. Furthermore, having an effective follow through ensures you won’t lose control of the shot.
The Follow Through
Follow through is one of the key components to developing a solid backhand game. Many players do not hold their finish for enough time and this can create issues in both contact point and power output.
To achieve an effective one-handed backhand shot, players need to extend their arm into the follow through properly in order to generate more power into their shot and hit an effective topspin shot with topspin.
As players extend into their follow through, it is imperative that they do not bend their arm at any point during this movement; doing so could result in missed shots when hitting down-the-line shots. Instead, players should concentrate on extending their arm in a straight line toward their target.
Once a player can extend their arm into a follow through, they should make sure to transfer weight onto their front foot as soon as they do so. This may prove challenging for some as some are used to shifting their weight onto their backfoot as they swing – this may throw off balance the player and lead them astray; therefore it’s essential they focus on shifting it onto their frontfoot as early as possible.
As it can be a challenging feat for some players, it is also key that when hitting high one handed backhand shots the player maintains their head at contact longer. While this may prove challenging at first, practice and continued work can help ensure you remain at contact longer for this type of stroke.
A one handed backhand is an integral component of tennis, and it’s essential that any player understand how best to utilize it for maximum effectiveness. By focusing on five key areas listed below, they’ll be able to develop an impressive one handed backhand that can help them beat opponents with ease.
The Finish
Develop an amazing one handed backhand can be an arduous task. While players like Justine Henin and Roger Federer have become great with this stroke, it remains one of the hardest in tennis to master. This article offers readers with tools needed to successfully develop this stroke; its tips will assist them with understanding its fundamentals such as gripping the racket correctly, forward swinging effectively, and finishing on time at follow through.
Step one in developing a powerful backhand is finding an appropriate grip that best fits their game. There are various available grips, each offering advantages and disadvantages; continental backhands may be best for low balls as they quickly transition between shots; on the other hand, eastern backhands offer topspin capabilities to play more aggressive tennis styles.
Once you have chosen a suitable grip, the next step should be hitting more balls – either with friends or using a ball machine. A ball machine can help develop backhand shots by consistently pushing balls backhanded and forcing players to hit backhand shots that will ultimately improve technique.
When hitting backhand shots, it is essential to keep the racquet head close to the body during contact. Too often players will allow it to pass past them at contact and this can result in lost power and spin. Furthermore, proper follow through should include keeping arms straight and pushing off of front feet correctly.
One handed backhands can be powerful shots when executed correctly. To achieve this goal, players should break down each stroke into smaller and simpler chunks so they can fully comprehend each movement of their stroke. By following these simple steps, not only can players hit their backhand with proper technique, but it will also become an effective shot that can win points during matches.