Love your casual, easygoing approach to coaching. I'm back in the game after a 25 year absence. Amazing having access to your expertise. Keep helping us amateurs outperform our expectations!
i haven't thought about making my fist and racket surface square before watching this video and now i can actually feel how much improved my backhand stroke is. thank you!
Yes, I agree with the 'fist' thing. I have also learned to lead with the butt end; if you keep the racket at a ninety-degree angle (to the forearm) all the way through to contact, you'll be hitting out front with a straight arm like the pros. But good luck with that, even pros are late and have to compromise this ideal hitting position.
Great video Ian! Yesterday I switched from two-handed backhand to single-handed, and I must say it really amazes me how much more natural and armonious my shots were, since I watched this video before training, imagine hitting your first single-handed backhands as if you had spent the previous week practicing everyday! Thanks again, keep up the awesome work you're doing :)
great video. stan has undoubtedly the best one hander backhand. the 3 points are positioning, contact point and follow through. hope I can improve my stroke.
Great advice and review of the mechanical aspects of the one hand backhand. As I have gotten older, I am appreciating the beauty of one hander and will be training to transition from a two-hander to a one hander. Easier on the body. 💚
The 27 people that gave this a thumbs down should stop playing tennis. This is rock solid, clear, well-organized advice. I've been using it and my playing partners are wondering how I'm progressing so quickly. Thanks I've subscribed and I plan on watching all the videos.
***** I haven't tried anything on the court yet, but intuitively it feels like this will improve my backhand measurably. I've never heard anyone talk about making a fist at the ball. I decided that my eastern grip was not far over enough and was too tilted toward continental. That helped me make the fist at the contact point.
Thanks for the lesson. Contrary to what others may say about being able to hit the backhand at a higher point, I say it is best to follow the three points shared here because it makes you a better all round player because you are also working on good footwork. Kudos to the player who can hit the occasional higher balls but the better player will be the one who can put their strengths to better use. The ball can come at you deep, short, high or low but with good footwork, you will always be able to get to it and hit your usual shot without resorting to any change in your body mechanics
I tried these recommendations yesterday and all worked for a better/more solid strike. Along with good footwork, strikes are more solid, easier access to top and the follow through was natural - didn't have to 'try' to get the butt cap pointed towards the net. thank you!
This video helped me a lot. The coaches in my tennis program always get on me for hitting a slice backhand (it works, but they don't like me using it too often) and have been pushing me to learn a two hand backhand, even though I have told them repeatedly that using two hands feels weird to me. I've been trying to get a one handed backhand instead and I feel like your video went over the stuff that I was lacking on with my stroke.
Hi Ian! I'm a tennis pro in Queens, NY. I completely agree with all the points you make in this video, however, I'm not sure what you mean by making a fist. I teach all of my students to hold the grip of the racquet diagonally inside the palm resulting in a spread fingers position on the grip and not a fist. I guess a fist would be if the grip is held perpendicularly inside the palm of your hand. Thanks. Stefan
One handed backhand is the most beautiful shot in tennis, but also very difficult to do it well and be aggressive, these tips are just great, I just love the part about hitting high balls, thanks Ian ! !
Very good to limit it to three topics about the backhand. One of them I really, really needed to hear while the other two I am doing much better on. I think giving us just three aspects on the backhand enabled me to focus on the one I really needed and to get the message more clearly.
Haven't seen all your videos but if you haven't mentioned it you should really specify on your grip. I fear many people will be holding the rackets wrong and would really derail on the effect of the one-handed backhand
I know this comment is 5 years old but I made this same mistake, accidentally used a semi-western forehand grip for my 1hbh for a year and have to switch to a 2 hander now because of how messed up my 1 hander is
I would also mention that you should seek for the whip effect in your stroke and completely ignore most tennis coaches that advise to keep the body sideways when hitting an one-handed bh. Also, your hitting hand-forearm should be suppinating (opening) to achieve good topspin in exactly the opposite way that it is pronating (closing) when hitting a forehand. That is why at the follow-through you end up with the inside of your arm facing the net and your racquet looking up or even back.
Thank you, that was great - video is perfect for me - 3 things checked: - slow motion of Stan's technique - tutorial made by left handed trainer - my favourite shot
sure, just today ;) bh went really well. I hit more winners than usual and realized I must put even more effort to be at the optimal position for bh (good footwork it's really essential) and not to take my eyes of the ball. =)
Great Video as always! Big fan of yours here in England! Some great tips for the 1 handed backhand. I have a 1 hander and love it! I will use these tips for sure!
Agreed! very good advice indeed :) i guess aside from those very important core-technique on one handed BH is making time/space to find your striking zone..which means foot works somehow instinct dominated. Thank you Ian.
Great lesson - I get jammed all the time and do the early rotation thing that you showed. I've read that my problem might be not watching the ball correctly - using one eye and not two. Blocking the back (or left) eye is caused by trying to get rotated but not turning your head enough which causes your back eye to be blocked by your nose = bad depth perception.
Hi, very useful video. Thanks for sharing it. Could you please upload a video explaining the lower body position during hit preparation? Showing how much do we have to bend the leg and knee. Thanks Gilbert.
Good, clear presentation. The few other of your videos that I have seen are also very good. The point on extension of the arm is very important. I have the tendency to let the ball get too close to my body, thus not hitting a solid shot. I also occasionally tend to lean slightly backwards rather than forwards when hitting the top-spin backhand, to lift my left foot up at follow-through, to not bend my knees enough and to start the racquet too high when coming through the ball, i.e., I sometimes come across the ball too flat. All result in significantly worse shots than when the form is correct, as this presentation emphasizes. As the video shows, good form without excessive exertion can produce an excellent shot with good pace, top-spin and placement. I disagree in full by the way with the comment from Brian Brannies below. among current touring tennis professionals, Mr. Wawrinka has a beautifully executed top-spin backhand, as do Messrs. Gasquet, Federer, among others, so the form and execution of any of their backhands are worth paying close attention to in every aspect.
Congratulations Ian I have noticed how easy and relaxed you hit the ball always with enough power and consistency. I suppose that you are a very good tennis player. By the way very good tip.
Hi Ian, this is Franco. Just a thought watching this video again - and please bear in mind it's not just you, a lot of other coaches do it too - there's a tendency not to talk about the forearm supination that happens in the topspin backhand. Is it because you don't want to confuse your students? It's strange because on one hand, you highlight the effect caused by supination (flashlight pointing at the side fence), but on the other hand, you don't talk about how the arm gets that way. Personally, I found understanding supination of the forearm really helped me to understand how we achieve a proper topspin backhand, as it is unthinkable to do it with the shoulder, making the head of racquet brush up on the ball at those speeds would be impossible.
Its a really good point, Romano! I agree, "pronation" is such a buzzword on the forehand and serve, but not many people talk about supination on the backhand. Maybe I'll do a video about it in the near future. Thanks for your feedback.
Great video, thanks! I'm also a teacher (not tennis!) and thought your lesson here was really clear and helpful. If I had one bit of constructive feedback it would be to sum up, really briefly, at the end of the video the three key points you mentioned. It just helps it stick in the mind even better. Thanks again though - I think you have the best tennis instruction videos on RUclips.
Ian, As always, AWESOME video!!! I did have a request for a instructional lesson. An exercise to practice serve and volley foot work. I know you are supposed to split step- be in the air- right after they make contact but what kind of drill could you do by yourself to practice this. I can't figure out a good one. Thanks.
Ian, could you talk about the tension in the dominant arm duting the take back and loop? I was recently told to keep the arm very loose and use the non-dominant arm to do 90% of the take back and loop. My right (dominant) arm was working hard on the take back and the non-dominant was basically holding on and I have always had trouble getting under the ball - this might be a key for other players who are struggling. What do you think?
Hi, Ian. I've been battling with backhand because I've been switching from and to 2hbh and 1hbh. with 1hbh I produce more spine and power but the hitting zone is way infront which results to inconsistency. meanwhile, 2hbh it's more consistent because of a closer hitting zone but lacks power and feels too constricted. Should I improve my 1hbh or my 2hbh?
Great video! As I watched it, it seems like Stan's wrist is fairly firm at contact. He is coming into the shot high to low to ball contact with FIRM wrist.. He ONLY "releases" his wrist AFTER the ball has left his racket. I have too many mishits. As a 4.0 player I will be working on attempting to use less wrist flick or no longer brushing up with my wrist on ball contact. I hope you agree Ian:)
Yes, I definitely think you're on the right track, Mike. Trying to actively "flick" or "flip" the racquet around through contact will make quality striking really tough! -Ian
Excellent instruction. Only qualm: Stan uses a "hammer" grip-i.e., his knuckles are all on the top face of the grip (just as you show), which results in his not spreading his fingers. This is fine, but perhaps note that it is not the grip generally taught or used for the one-hander.
Backhands are so hard for me. Two handed backhands are simply not an option for me. My one handed backhands have more success but aren't as consistent as I want them to be. These tips however could help me, so thanks!
Hi ! Thank you very much From Colombia ! I was looking for this video! You are the best ! I'm doing the course to improve my serve too. Thanks for doing this kind of videos :D
Great lesson! We're quite fond of Stan's backhand too!
Love your casual, easygoing approach to coaching. I'm back in the game after a 25 year absence. Amazing having access to your expertise. Keep helping us amateurs outperform our expectations!
i haven't thought about making my fist and racket surface square before watching this video and now i can actually feel how much improved my backhand stroke is. thank you!
Yes, I agree with the 'fist' thing. I have also learned to lead with the butt end; if you keep the racket at a ninety-degree angle (to the forearm) all the way through to contact, you'll be hitting out front with a straight arm like the pros. But good luck with that, even pros are late and have to compromise this ideal hitting position.
Stan is the man and my favorite pro right now
Great video Ian! Yesterday I switched from two-handed backhand to single-handed, and I must say it really amazes me how much more natural and armonious my shots were, since I watched this video before training, imagine hitting your first single-handed backhands as if you had spent the previous week practicing everyday!
Thanks again, keep up the awesome work you're doing :)
***** That's awesome, Manuel. Congrats and thanks for watching!
You picked a good pro to immulate, and the lesson was straight forward and easy to remember. Thanks.
You're very welcome, Samuel!
You explained it very well. I have known it already, but it's good to see and to hear it again. Thanks, Casey
great video. stan has undoubtedly the best one hander backhand. the 3 points are positioning, contact point and follow through. hope I can improve my stroke.
Great advice and review of the mechanical aspects of the one hand backhand. As I have gotten older, I am appreciating the beauty of one hander and will be training to transition from a two-hander to a one hander. Easier on the body. 💚
Man I need this one bad. I've been working on my backhand FOREVER!!!
Thank you for making this video great instruction.
The 27 people that gave this a thumbs down should stop playing tennis. This is rock solid, clear, well-organized advice. I've been using it and my playing partners are wondering how I'm progressing so quickly. Thanks I've subscribed and I plan on watching all the videos.
Marquise Davis I really appreciate that, Marquise. Congrats on your improvements!
i watched federer's backhand slowmos almost everyday til i got the hang of it and i got better, but thanks for clarifying it.
Might be the best video I have seen from you..very nice. Very helpful and simple things to remember.
Thanks so much for the feedback, glad you liked it!
*****
I haven't tried anything on the court yet, but intuitively it feels like this will improve my backhand measurably. I've never heard anyone talk about making a fist at the ball. I decided that my eastern grip was not far over enough and was too tilted toward continental. That helped me make the fist at the contact point.
Thanks for the lesson. Contrary to what others may say about being able to hit the backhand at a higher point, I say it is best to follow the three points shared here because it makes you a better all round player because you are also working on good footwork. Kudos to the player who can hit the occasional higher balls but the better player will be the one who can put their strengths to better use. The ball can come at you deep, short, high or low but with good footwork, you will always be able to get to it and hit your usual shot without resorting to any change in your body mechanics
i am 67 and always find your tips a very big help in my game . playing 5 days a week ..
Thank you from Brazil! Excellent video!
+João Emílio Alcanfôr Baccile
Thanks for watching!
I tried these recommendations yesterday and all worked for a better/more solid strike. Along with good footwork, strikes are more solid, easier access to top and the follow through was natural - didn't have to 'try' to get the butt cap pointed towards the net.
thank you!
MrBluzhound Awesome, that's what I love to hear!
Good 1st tip about controlling where the strike zone is by reading your opponents shot better. Hitting high OBHs is very difficult!!
This video helped me a lot. The coaches in my tennis program always get on me for hitting a slice backhand (it works, but they don't like me using it too often) and have been pushing me to learn a two hand backhand, even though I have told them repeatedly that using two hands feels weird to me. I've been trying to get a one handed backhand instead and I feel like your video went over the stuff that I was lacking on with my stroke.
Great points for backhand and well explained
Hi Ian! I'm a tennis pro in Queens, NY. I completely agree with all the points you make in this video, however, I'm not sure what you mean by making a fist. I teach all of my students to hold the grip of the racquet diagonally inside the palm resulting in a spread fingers position on the grip and not a fist. I guess a fist would be if the grip is held perpendicularly inside the palm of your hand. Thanks. Stefan
One handed backhand is the most beautiful shot in tennis, but also very difficult to do it well and be aggressive, these tips are just great, I just love the part about hitting high balls, thanks Ian ! !
Very good to limit it to three topics about the backhand. One of them I really, really needed to hear while the other two I am doing much better on. I think giving us just three aspects on the backhand enabled me to focus on the one I really needed and to get the message more clearly.
Thank you so much for the lesson!
Really comprehensive video ! Well done ! Thanks
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it :-)
Fantastic video, Ian. Thanks so much for posting.
Good video! I liked the "strike zone" concept and the appropriate foot work to get there.
Really nice breakdown of the three areas. I will watch out for these next time I play!
Pro backhand tennis tips !!! Thx !!! Gonna work on those 3 tips next time on court =)
Awesome lesson that I've enjoyed most.
thanks for the great tutorial, I play tennis since 10 years old and I'm still looking for that backhand ;)
Excellent teaching, awesome videos, thank you so much.
You're welcome!
This video is absolutely outstanding, Ian. So clear, motivating, and the tips are right on the money. Thank you so much!
Ramon Osa Glad you enjoyed it, Ramon. Thanks very much
Haven't seen all your videos but if you haven't mentioned it you should really specify on your grip. I fear many people will be holding the rackets wrong and would really derail on the effect of the one-handed backhand
I know this comment is 5 years old but I made this same mistake, accidentally used a semi-western forehand grip for my 1hbh for a year and have to switch to a 2 hander now because of how messed up my 1 hander is
Good review. Simple to understand. I look forward to getting on the court I have been trying to get more consistent with hitting my backhand.
My Back hand has come along really strong since I've used the Full Swing , Great tip and looking forward to some more .
ganemead1 Awesome, I'm so happy to hear that!
Great lesson, thanks. Can't wait to get out on the court and try it.
This is a great video. I have had trouble with consistency on my backhand and I believe this will help. Thank you.
Good job! I've once had a good forehand drills when I was in College long times ago, but now needs a tune up backhand and forehand shot.
Noah Olay Glad this helped :-)
Thanks I will try to implement what you showed me.
Dude, every word was on point. I'm a coach myself and you said exactly the same things i say everyday ;). Good work
I would also mention that you should seek for the whip effect in your stroke and completely ignore most tennis coaches that advise to keep the body sideways when hitting an one-handed bh.
Also, your hitting hand-forearm should be suppinating (opening) to achieve good topspin in exactly the opposite way that it is pronating (closing) when hitting a forehand. That is why at the follow-through you end up with the inside of your arm facing the net and your racquet looking up or even back.
Thank you, that was great - video is perfect for me - 3 things checked:
- slow motion of Stan's technique
- tutorial made by left handed trainer
- my favourite shot
Glad we nailed it for you, Skylaxx :-) Have you had a chance to try these tips out yet?
sure, just today ;) bh went really well. I hit more winners than usual and realized I must put even more effort to be at the optimal position for bh (good footwork it's really essential) and not to take my eyes of the ball. =)
Awesome! So happy to hear that! Keep up the good work, really proud of you :-)
Thanks for the lesson
Great Video as always! Big fan of yours here in England! Some great tips for the 1 handed backhand. I have a 1 hander and love it! I will use these tips for sure!
Thank you for reminding me the useful lesson! This is helpful! :)
박혜근 Good to hear, you're welcome!
Agreed! very good advice indeed :) i guess aside from those very important core-technique on one handed BH is making time/space to find your striking zone..which means foot works somehow instinct dominated. Thank you Ian.
Ivan Fukuoka You bet, thanks for watching!
excellent explanations, you are a great pedagog, thanks for the tips, and nice quality video with multiple cameras/angles, a real pro !
Nicolas Dupuy Thanks for the kind words!
Excellent video. It really helped me improve my technique. It goes straight to the point. Congrats.
So happy to hear that, Alison! What level player are you?
Excellent lesson. Well done
Thanks Coach. Your videos and instructions are simple awesome..Thanks for all the help
Once more, very good channel. Thank's
Very solid analysis. Thanks.
nice effective simple lessons.. thanks a lot..
Love the way you instruct
Jay D Man I appreciate it, Jay!
Great lesson - I get jammed all the time and do the early rotation thing that you showed. I've read that my problem might be not watching the ball correctly - using one eye and not two. Blocking the back (or left) eye is caused by trying to get rotated but not turning your head enough which causes your back eye to be blocked by your nose = bad depth perception.
good job focussing on the but cap technique is next for me thanks
Hi, very useful video. Thanks for sharing it.
Could you please upload a video explaining the lower body position during hit preparation? Showing how much do we have to bend the leg and knee.
Thanks
Gilbert.
Excelent video I improved my backhand !
Great to hear, Miguel!
Great explanation thanks
Good, clear presentation. The few other of your videos that I have seen are also very good. The point on extension of the arm is very important. I have the tendency to let the ball get too close to my body, thus not hitting a solid shot.
I also occasionally tend to lean slightly backwards rather than forwards when hitting the top-spin backhand, to lift my left foot up at follow-through, to not bend my knees enough and to start the racquet too high when coming through the ball, i.e., I sometimes come across the ball too flat. All result in significantly worse shots than when the form is correct, as this presentation emphasizes. As the video shows, good form without excessive exertion can produce an excellent shot with good pace, top-spin and placement.
I disagree in full by the way with the comment from Brian Brannies below. among current touring tennis professionals, Mr. Wawrinka has a beautifully executed top-spin backhand, as do Messrs. Gasquet, Federer, among others, so the form and execution of any of their backhands are worth paying close attention to in every aspect.
Congratulations Ian I have noticed how easy and relaxed you hit the ball always with enough power and consistency. I suppose that you are a very good tennis player. By the way very good tip.
This is in fact the difficulties I am facing with my single backhand. Would really appreciate some drills to improve on it
Great info for hitting high balls
Hi Ian, this is Franco. Just a thought watching this video again - and please bear in mind it's not just you, a lot of other coaches do it too - there's a tendency not to talk about the forearm supination that happens in the topspin backhand. Is it because you don't want to confuse your students? It's strange because on one hand, you highlight the effect caused by supination (flashlight pointing at the side fence), but on the other hand, you don't talk about how the arm gets that way. Personally, I found understanding supination of the forearm really helped me to understand how we achieve a proper topspin backhand, as it is unthinkable to do it with the shoulder, making the head of racquet brush up on the ball at those speeds would be impossible.
Its a really good point, Romano! I agree, "pronation" is such a buzzword on the forehand and serve, but not many people talk about supination on the backhand. Maybe I'll do a video about it in the near future. Thanks for your feedback.
Muy fácil de entender, tetare de ponerlo en práctica en mi club.
Very easy to understand, i'll try to do it in my club.
Thanks Mate !!!
thanks for these great tips. struggle a little bit right now with the bh. Let's see if this works!!
Really excellent - thank you!
flooberonimus You're welcome, thanks for watching!
good stuff ... thanks. Keep 'em coming!
Byron Elton Will do!
great lesson
that was a good analysis, thanks
"Fist at the ball"! Great tip!! I am going to shamelessly use this one on my next lesson. Thanks Ian!
Joel Hamm R.Ac. Feel free, glad it was helpful!
Great video, thanks! I'm also a teacher (not tennis!) and thought your lesson here was really clear and helpful. If I had one bit of constructive feedback it would be to sum up, really briefly, at the end of the video the three key points you mentioned. It just helps it stick in the mind even better. Thanks again though - I think you have the best tennis instruction videos on RUclips.
Thanks for the feedback, Adam. We appreciate it!
Good instructions. Thanks!
I loved it .my game really improved
Great lesson! I like it lot.
Harry Tran Thanks for watching, Harry!
Very good lesson. Well said.
alexbaargaal Thanks for watching!
Thank you
Great video. What's the best way to train our timing to take balls on the rise? I'm sick of getting pushed backwards!
Ian, As always, AWESOME video!!! I did have a request for a instructional lesson. An exercise to practice serve and volley foot work. I know you are supposed to split step- be in the air- right after they make contact but what kind of drill could you do by yourself to practice this. I can't figure out a good one. Thanks.
Nice info, thanks
Very helpful. Thanks.
Paddy K You're welcome!
Well done ! Every little bit of information helps in some way or another Thanks
Ian, could you talk about the tension in the dominant arm duting the take back and loop? I was recently told to keep the arm very loose and use the non-dominant arm to do 90% of the take back and loop. My right (dominant) arm was working hard on the take back and the non-dominant was basically holding on and I have always had trouble getting under the ball - this might be a key for other players who are struggling. What do you think?
Hi, Ian. I've been battling with backhand because I've been switching from and to 2hbh and 1hbh. with 1hbh I produce more spine and power but the hitting zone is way infront which results to inconsistency. meanwhile, 2hbh it's more consistent because of a closer hitting zone but lacks power and feels too constricted. Should I improve my 1hbh or my 2hbh?
Great video! As I watched it, it seems like Stan's wrist is fairly firm at contact. He is coming into the shot high to low to ball contact with FIRM wrist.. He ONLY "releases" his wrist AFTER the ball has left his racket. I have too many mishits. As a 4.0 player I will be working on attempting to use less wrist flick or no longer brushing up with my wrist on ball contact. I hope you agree Ian:)
Yes, I definitely think you're on the right track, Mike. Trying to actively "flick" or "flip" the racquet around through contact will make quality striking really tough! -Ian
Hi! I was wondering if may be you could do a video about wawrinka's backhand handgrip.
I was a bit skeptical but these tips are really effective. Listen to that guy hehe
Good stuff!
Great piece of advice. We, rec players, always make the same mistakes.... Thanks for rememberin us.
No problem, thanks for watching :-)
***** Thank you for posting.....
Great tips!
David Pew Thanks for watching!
Thanks!!
This is an excellent video.
Thanks!
Excellent instruction. Only qualm: Stan uses a "hammer" grip-i.e., his knuckles are all on the top face of the grip (just as you show), which results in his not spreading his fingers. This is fine, but perhaps note that it is not the grip generally taught or used for the one-hander.
Backhands are so hard for me. Two handed backhands are simply not an option for me. My one handed backhands have more success but aren't as consistent as I want them to be. These tips however could help me, so thanks!
Good video - thank you! I just love Stan and his backhand. And Roger too btw :)
Anders Svenson I would gladly take either of them!!
Hi ! Thank you very much From Colombia !
I was looking for this video! You are the best !
I'm doing the course to improve my serve too.
Thanks for doing this kind of videos :D
very helpful!