Erik’s Blog: Board Shorts and Business Suits

As I pursue my goal of becoming a 4.5 tennis player I am beginning to see just how tough hitting that little yellow ball can be. Serving, overheads, and most difficult, the backhand. In particular the one-handed backhand. After a short thought process my girlfriend and I decided on a one hander because it would give me more reach meaning more shots to make me a more complete player. The fact that I haven’t learned how to even hit a two-handed may be helpful, and that stud Roger Federer uses a one-hander so it must be cool.

While learning the one-handed backhand I have found it very difficult to just hit to rally and switch from forehand to backhand. My footwork is all off and my body is usually not in the right place at the right time. There is also the swing, the racket position and the follow-through once I have gotten somewhat close to where I need to be, those can be problematic as well. To help me think through the one-handed backhand I have devised a few simple sayings that seem to work as long as I concentrate on them every time.

These stem from what both my girlfriend and her father have said so they should be able to help you also. As I have mentioned before, she played Big Ten Tennis and her father is a teaching pro as well as a lifelong player.

1. Move around the ball

The number one thing besides moving your feet is how you move them to the ball. For me my backhand is to the left, therefore as I shuffle my feet to get to the ball I must remember not to make a straight line towards the ball. Instead move towards the ball in a counter-clockwise circle meeting the ball between 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock.

What I say specifically while hitting balls being repetitively fed to me is “shuffle left, shuffle left” then when the ball begins to clear the net I shuffle slightly right and forward on an angle saying “circle, circle.” Your teacher should be able to demonstrate this for you but if you are without teacher watch some of the pros. They are constantly circling towards the ball.

2. Pull back as you circle

Right when you begin moving to your backhand side you should be pulling the racket back. Even if you are using a one-handed backhand you may be able, depending on the incoming shot, to use both hands. Always remember this, and you can add it to the first tip by saying, “shuffle, racket back, shuffle.” This will help you get the racket back before you begin your circle towards the ball.

3. Don’t drop your racket

One thing that I have a lot of trouble with is dropping the racket. What I mean by this is that my wrist points the racket towards the ground limply rather than keeping it firm, wrist cocked, and racket handle parallel to the ground. Dropping my racket helps the ball gain air but most of the time too much air sending it sailing over the back stop. To remember this tip as you take your racket back say to yourself racket up thus adding, “shuffle, racket back, racket cocked, shuffle.” Now you must remember to keep your wrist cocked and racket up at all times.

4. Bend your knees

If you want to get some spin on the ball you are going to have to bend you knees. As you shuffle your feet in the circle towards the ball just think about exploding up through the ball. To do that you are going to have to bend your knees and gain power from your legs. If you are a tall player this step is essential as you will not be able to keep your racket cocked as well as hitting from down to up. There will be no power.

Just add, “shuffle, racket back, racket cocked, shuffle, circle, bend.”

Almost there.

5. Racket tip up and through

In order to get spin on the ball and not launch the ball over the back stop you are going to need to accelerate your racket through the ball towards the net while brushing up against the side of the ball. To do this, remember your bent knees and cocked racket, begin your swing towards the ball, right when you make contact with the ball start the extension of your legs from the bent position. Now pretend there is a string at the end of your racket on the top side pulling up and across your body. Make your arm follow this same path creating spin on the tennis ball and hopefully landing it in play on your opponents side of the court.

Finally add, “shuffle, racket back, racket cocked, shuffle, circle, bend, through-up-across.”

There are five steps that should help you on your way to a better more controlled backhand. If you are having trouble with just one step you can always just say that portion of it. I find it best to repeat these sayings while hitting against a backstop board or while getting tennis balls fed to me. Just remember to circle your feet and keep your racket on that same cocked back through and across motion and you’ll be hitting better shots in no time.