How do you effectively execute a strong one-handed backhand?

Question

How do you effectively execute a strong one-handed backhand?

Answer 1

Sadly not many pros hit with one hand anymore.

Richard Gasquet,and Amelie Mauresmo are two you could watch.

There are many from the past who have great one handed backhands.You could try to find some clips on Youtube,or videos of their matches.

Here are a few;

Ivan Lendl-a great powerful backhand.I really learned to hit a strong one hander from watching him.

Pete Sampras-he had good form on every shot.

Stefan Edberg-not very powerful,but very simple and fluid.

Henri Leconte-short fast strokes.

Boris Becker-pure power from a short swing.

Women

Martina Navratilova-simple,mostly slice,alot of variety.

Steffi Graf-the perfect slice backhand.she almost never hit topspin off the backhand but no one could break down her slice.

I would really try to find video of Lendl.He had great textbook

form.He had a deep knee bend and hit a full stroke.

I think you should use a standard eastern grip.

You need to prepare early.Take the racket back with your left(or supporting hand) on the throat of the racket.Keep your elbow firm.You don't have to lock it hard,but remember the shoulder moves the elbow doesn't.

Bend your knees,and use the power from coming up,and out into the shot.Put your weight into it.

You can think of it like this;imagine you are standing in a swimming pool where the water comes up to your waist.

You want to sweep your hand through the water,and push a big wave.big wave,and go forward.

That's the way a solid topspin backhand should feel.

That is also a good image for a topspin forhand.

You can also try this drill from Dennis Van Der Meer;

You have a person stand behind you(a little to the side) and toss balls forward for you to hit.

The idea is you must step forward into the shot.Don't lunge at it.Bend your knees and drive into the ball,moving forward.

You can try looking at old instruction books.The one handed backhand was predominant until the last decade or so.

"The Handbook of Tennis" by Paul Douglas is a very good book.You might find a copy on ebay sometime.

Good Luck with your backhand.

Answer 2

Some tips i've read & tried. Kinda Effective for me.

The backhand grip, your knuckles should face upward to the sky.

The motion should be like, imagining yourself drawing or pulling out a sword.

And check out you tube, for slow motion footage of players with a 1 handed backahands.

Hope these helped you.

Answer 3

rotating your shoulders, dont be to obsessed with swinging hard with your arms, use your whole body, and body weight to put power in to the ball

Answer 4

Gasquet has THE best backhand, so does Henin and Youzhny. If you go to tennis.com and look at instructions, they have slow mo videos of them. It also gives a good description.

I have an awesome one handed b/h, and my first few coaches tried to talk me out of using a one handed, bec it used to suck, but my natural inclination was to go one handed. Then one instructor took the time to teach me it, and now everyone says it looks beautiful.  

Turn your grip, turn your body sideways and lunge just right, and watch the ball hit the strings, then when you strike it, pronate and "fly".  Its sort of hard to describe in writing. Get a VERY excellent coach, by going to the best club in your state. Also, go to tennis stores, and ask them who is the best coach around?

Answer 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RORTYH588...