I need one handed backhand help!?

Question

on my one handed backhand i need serious help, i recently switched from a two handed to a one handed to get better control and topspin.

on my one handed i do the split step and form but i forget to look at the ball as i hit it and bend my knees enough. i can get plenty of pace on the ball but it keeps hitting the top of the net almost going over any tips to improve my backhand??

Answer 1

I'm a high-school varsity player and tried to go one-handed so I'm telling you what my coach told me.

1. Don't do anything with your back once you being your swing. keep it straight and locked throughout.

2. GET YOUR WRIST LOOSE. sounds like that's your main problem. by loosening the wrist you can get under the ball to lift it.

3. When you loosen your wrist also let the racket head drop.

You know the other two problems (eyes and knees). Sounds like part of the reason you may be able to get as much pace as you're getting is that you're hitting on top of the ball, hitting down basically. The key is to get under the ball, then brush over so the top spin adds pop and brings the ball back down. Good luck.

Answer 2

I can understand where your coming from. I always used a one-handed backhand and my coach had me switch to two-hands for a while and it worked sometimes, but allot of times I hit it and it would hit the net, which ticked me off obviously, LOL. The best thing to do is just keep practicing with it and see if it works out for you, if it doesn't seem to work out switch back to using two hands. It could be that your body is used to the two hands and now that your switching it hasn't really set in quite yet, so just keep practicing with it more. When you change your strokes around it takes the body some time to get used to it.

Answer 3

No one can give you worthwhile instruction without seeing your stroke. Get a friend to record it, upload it to YouTube and post the link in a new question or update this one.

Answer 4

I have always hit with a one handed backhand and have only recently found great success with it because it can take a lot of time to develop. Remember that proper form is crucial, when bringing back the racquet grip the throat of the racket with the other hand and bring the racquet from low to high (preferably from your just below your hip, up, and extend the racquet up to your shoulder). This low to high motion will help you generate topspin which will make the ball travel high over the net but well within the baseline. For perfect form watch federer, especially his backhand slice which is just ridiculous, also check out the clips from the recently retired Justine Hennin, best backhand lob ever!