Blog Claim

I want to claim my blog. The number is kucwzb396m.

The Topspin Backhand-Why?

I guess I should start off by answering the title. The reason you need to learn the topspin backhand is so that you can score points. And that's the name of the game is to score points. Maybe you have a good topspin forehand, well that's not the side your opponent is going to hit the ball to. He's going to hit it to your backhand because for most people, just making any kind of backhand shot is an accomplishment, so he'll be hoping that you're in that boat. Imagine his surprise when you not only make a well hit return, but the ball seems to fall out of the sky and drops down close to the net, but on his side. You can do this if you master the topspin backhand. I'll tell you how to become the master of the topspin backhand in this article.

A lot of the topspin backhand is just like the regular backhand, but you will be holding the tennis racquet with a different grip. The proper grip to use for the topspin backhand is called the Continental grip. In the Eastern grip the "V" between your thumb and forefinger will be centered on the #1 bevel on the racquet handle. In the Continental grip, this "V" is moved all the way to the left on the #1 bevel

As I said before, this stroke will be almost the same as your regular backhand. The big difference is that when you bring the racquet across your body, you bring it to a position below where the ball is going to be. If the tennis ball is coming in low, you may even have to bend your knees so that you can get your racquet even lower. When the ball arrives, go ahead and make a swing at the ball. You will actually be swinging up at the ball. This puts topspin on it which will cause it to curve towards the ground. After you make contact, go ahead and make your follow through and don't forget to look momentarily at your contact point before you watch the balls trajectory.

The end result of the topspin is that the ball is spinning in such a way that it curves to the ground. I'll say it again, it's not sneaky; it's called strategy. You want to hit the ball where your opponent can't get it and the topspin backhand might just come in handy for that.

I know that a lot of people would rather watch demonstrations of a skill than read about it, so I've made a website where I sell links to tennis backhand videos. It's called, "Tennis Backhand Videos". I also have a Squidoo lens about the topspin backhand. It's called, "How To Hit A Topspin Backhand". My Squidoo lens also has a couple of videos that demonstrate both the one-handed and two-handed topspin backhand. I have even more information in my article over at Ezine articles called, "The Topspin Backhand-A Sneaky Stroke?"

How To Hit A Backhand? Is A Good Question To Ask

Most people ask how to hit a backhand when they first start playing, but they rarely ask for advice on the forehand. This just confirms for me and a lot of other people that the backhand is far more complicated. Why is it more complicated? I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with forehand being a very fluid natural motion and the backhand being an awkward, unnatural motion. No wonder so many new people ask how to hit a backhand. I will attempt to explain it in the next few paragraphs.

For the sake of this tutorial, I will just assume that you are a right hander. If you are a left hander, just make the appropriate reversals. I will also assume that you are using the one-handed backhand because some of the directions are different for the two-handed backhand. You can always add the two-handed backhand if you need more power.

The first thing is to use the Eastern grip

If you're playing a game and tennis ball goes to your backhand side, it's important to keep both eyes on the ball. This isn't easy to do, because you have turned your body to run to the ball, but it's important because you need both eyes to determine depth perception in relation to the ball.

When you are running to the ball, you will be temped to use large steps. Try to resist the temptation to do this. Try to use small steps so you won't overrun the ball.

When you move to the ball, your shoulders and hips should be perpendicular to the net. You should keep them in this position while hitting the ball.

While you are running to the ball, start bringing your right arm back across your body. Your arm should be slightly bent, but your wrist should remain straight. Use your left hand to steady the racquet while you are waiting for the ball.

Once the ball starts to arrive, let go with your left hand and start your swing. Keep the face of the racquet perpendicular to the ground as you swing and gradually straighten your right arm. By the time you hit the ball, your arm should be straight. Rotate your hips and shoulders during the swing, this where your power comes from.

It is important to follow through with your swing even after you hit the ball. You should end up with a straight arm pointing in the direction of the net and your racquet should be above your head.

Even after hitting the ball, keep your eye on the contact point for half a second or so before you look up at the ball trajectory. This will help with your follow through.




Now that you know how to hit a backhand, it's important that you practice your backhand each time you play. Remember, the only way you'll get better is to practice. Knowing how you're supposed to do something and actually doing it are two different things. If you practice, you will get better. I guarantee it!

I know that a lot of people would rather watch demonstrations of a skill than read about it, so I've made a website where I sell links to tennis videos. It's called, "Tennis Backhand Videos". I also have a Squidoo site about the backhand. It's called, "How To Hit A Backhand". My Squidoo lens has a couple of videos that demonstrate both the one-handed and two-handed backhand. I have even more information in my article over at Ezine articles, it's called, "How To Hit A Backhand-It's A Simple Question".

The Eastern Backhand Explained

When most of us started playing tennis, we were too busy leaning a new skill to worry about the names of the strokes involved. When a friend of mine said that I should be using the Eastern backhand, I had no idea what he was talking about. After some asking around, I found out that since I already use the one-handed backhand and I'm using the Eastern grip, I'm already using the Eastern backhand. This Eastern grip that they talk about is the same grip that I use for my forehand, so I guess I'm in luck. If I had been using the two-handed backhand, my friends probably would have shown me a different grip. Anyway, it turns out that if you are using this Eastern grip, then you are doing the Eastern backhand. In the next two paragraphs a couple of ways to make this Eastern grip.





From now on, all descriptions will assume that you are a right hander. If you are a left hander, just make the appropriate substitutions. Perhaps the easiest way to make the Eastern grip is by what is called the "shake hands method". To make this grip, hold the tennis racquet in front of you with the left hand. At this point, the face of the racquet should be perpendicular to the ground with the handle pointing towards your waist. Wrap your right hand around the face of the racquet with your thumb touching the strings on one side and your fingers touching the strings on the other side. Slide your right hand down as far as it will go on the handle. It will appear that you are shaking hands with your racquet, hence the name, "shaking hands method".



The second method that I want talk about is also very simple. Hold the racquet in your left hand just like in the "shake hands method", but instead of sliding your right hand down to the handle; grab the handle with your right hand. The "V" between your thumb and forefinger should be centered on the top bevel of the handle. Now you have the Eastern grip.



I know that a lot of people would rather watch demonstrations of a skill than read about it, so I've made a website where I sell links to tennis backhand videos. It's called, "Tennis Backhand Videos". I also have a Squidoo site about the Eastern backhand. It's called, "The Eastern Backhand Grip". My Squidoo lens has a couple of videos that demonstrate both how to make the grip and use to use your backhand..

Backhand Tips Are Necessary

I say backhand tips are necessary because just about every tennis player has a problem somewhere in his backhand and if he's not too proud, he should ask for some tips. Oh sure, some people get the tennis ball over the net using unconventional strokes, but it's nothing they could teach. They might not know what they did. And if the ball comes to them in the same exact way, they might not get it over the net this time because they don't have time to recall what they did last time. That's what it's all about is time. If a hard hit ball is streaking to your backhand, you're just worried about being able to make the shot period. This is where some quality backhand tips come in. If you practice some quality tips, you're body will know what to do when that ball comes screaming over the net. Thus, you will have saved time and you can worry about more important things, like making it the ball in the first place.

Every player is different, but if you follow these backhand tips, you will get better.

Here are some tips that can help improve your backhand right now:

      1  First, you have to get to where the ball is going. Your opponent will try not to hit the ball right to you. Run to the ball with small steps instead of large ones, you don't want to jam yourself up by getting too close to the ball.

      2  You've probably heard the old saying, "keep your eye on the ball". Well it should be, "keep both eyes on the ball". You need to see the ball with both eyes so that you have depth perception.
      3)  Keep your racquet face perpendicular to the ground at all times while preparing for your backhand and while swinging.

      4)  Practice your backhand; don't be afraid to use it. Only practice for about five minutes at a time though. If you practice longer, you may get tired and start making mistakes.

      5)  Don't push yourself, don't expect you're backhand to get better over night. It will take some time. Be satisfied with just gradual improvement.

      8)  When you wind up, keep your wrist straight and your arm slightly bent. When you're wound up and ready to swing, use your free hand to steady the racquet in the proper position. During your swing, gradually straighten your arm until it's completely straight by the time you make contact with the ball.

      9)  It's really important to keep your eye on the contact point after the tennis ball has left.

      10) Some people find that their backhand shots are very weak. If you need more power try using the two-handed backhand, but be aware, your feet must be well planted before you make this shot or else you will end up off-balance.

      11) Also very important is your follow through after you hit the ball. Ideally, you'll end up with arm straight pointing towards the net and your racquet a little above your head.
      12) As you hit the ball, you should step into it with the foot that is closest to the net. This foot should end up at about a 45 degree angle to the other foot.

.

The whole idea of these backhand tips is make your backhand better. A stroke that you're not afraid to use. The bad news is that it will take some practice. Remember though, practice is an investment.

I know that a lot of people would rather watch demonstrations of a skill than read about it, so I've made a website where I sell links to tennis backhand videos. It's called, "Tennis Backhand Videos". I also have a Squidoo lens about backhand tips. It's called, "10 Backhand Tips". My Squidoo lens has a couple of videos that demonstrates tips for both the one and two-handed backhand. I have even more information in my Ezine article titled, "Backhand Tips Are For You".

Two Easy Backhand Tennis Drills

Yes, you read right, these two backhand tennis drills are easy. There's no running involved, so you'll still have wind for your regular game. If you're not doing some kind of practice, your probably not going to get much better even you play every day. Why do I say that? If you're playing often, it might seem like you are getting better, but you may be developing some bad habits along the way. To avoid developing bad habits, you should step down once in awhile and do some backhand tennis drills. I suggest practicing on the backhand because that's one of the hardest strokes and therefore one in which you most likely to develop some bad habits. The two backhand tennis drills that I'm going to talk about in this article are the "backhand volley" and the "drop and hit drill".

For both of these drills, I will assume that you are using the one-handed backhand.

The first of the backhand tennis drills is called the "backhand volley". This drill is called a "volley" because the tennis ball never touches the ground when it's on your side of the net. The student should use the following steps to practice with the "backhand volley".

.

• The first thing to do is make sure you are holding the tennis racket with the Eastern grip.
• Begin the drill by walking up to the center of the net and touching your stomach to the net.
• Back away from the net using three good size steps (shorter people should go ahead and take short steps; taller people should be a little further back than three steps).
• As you're moving to hit the ball take one step forward.
• After you hit the ball, your racket should end up over the spot where you took your first step back from the net.
• If you're right handed, hold the all the way to you're left, ready to use your backhand.
• Keep your wrist straight and you're arm slightly bent when you bring them back. You need to keep the wrist straight to prevent injury to the wrist.
• By the time you contact the ball, your arm should be straight and also, the face of the racket should be perpendicular to the ground during the entire swing.
• You should be able to stop the racket just before the ball makes contact. Since the ball still has a lot of momentum and you are standing close to the net you should be able to just let the ball bounce off your racket face and go over the net. This is the perfect time to concentrate on making the ball contact the center of the strings.

Getting the volley down will be very good for your game. If you can rush towards the net and return the ball before your opponent's expecting it, you have a very good chance of scoring a point.

The second of the backhand tennis drills you can use is called the "drop and hit" drill. I hope your friend is a good friend, because once again you will need his help.

• Once again, you will need to use the Eastern grip.

• Where you stand for this drill will be a little different because you should stand on the baseline.
• You should be facing to the side as you would be when getting ready to hit a backhand. Have a friend stand in front of you and have him gently tennis balls to you so that they bounce once before you hit them with your backhand.
• As you hit these balls, take a small step forwards into the ball and practice rotating your hips and shoulders, that's where your power will come from when you use your backhand. If you need even more power, try the two-handed backhand.
• You may not need this power right now, but when you do need power, it's nice to know how to make it.

You should try to incorporate practicing these two drills each time you play. It doesn't sound like fun when you here the word "practice", but you will start playing better.

I know that a lot of people would rather watch demonstrations of a skill than read about it, so I've made a website where I sell links to tennis videos. It's called, "Tennis Backhand Videos" . I also have a Squidoo site about backhand tennis drills. It's called, Backhand Tennis Drills. My Squidoo lens has a couple of videos that demonstrate both of the drills above. I have more information in myi article over at Ezine articles called, "Backhand Tennis Drills Will Make You Improve".