This is by far most useful piece of content/advice i've ever seen online on any chanel about any shot in tennis. I've been through so many videos but after implementing advice from 3:35 i've literally developed backhand (on recreational level) in less than 2 months from most insecure shot to shot that everybody i've been playing with are saying that my backhand is actually better than my forehand. This is basicly a shortcut to any other advice or learning technique i've been coached and i never actually allowed anyone to try to break my backhand after implementing this technique. Respect mate, really, this is best advice in my whole tennis progress i've ever encountered
Your lesson does a great job of pointing out a very important part of a two-handed backhand. You can see many pros, both male and female doing exactly this. I had just started imitating them on my own, but your lesson helped me lock the technique in. My backhand consistency improved close to 100%, from inconsistent to now very solid. Plus, now when I hit a bad 2-hand backhand, I know exactly why and I'm able to adjust. I have two additional 2-handed backhand lesson suggestions: 1) The technique for hitting a high (shoulder and above) 2-hander and what you should be trying to do with returning such a shot, and 2) How to keep your arms extended during the 2-handed backhand swing and the follow through to maintain power and control instead of collapsing the arms around the body during the swing/follow through, and short-arming the shot. Thanks for all you do to help us all be better tennis players.
Best video explaining the two-handed backand ever. It was a mistery to me how djokovic could have such an amazing backand and I tried to imitate Rafa's backand with the racket's head face closed. Now I have tried it and it works wonders! Thank you very much!
I don't remember if I saw that from a video or not, but I have to commend you. I remember my backhand firstly was flat but this small tip was just that. I hit huge topspin by turning the racket as you describe in this video. Good job.
Ian, I see you playing with a Classic 6.1 Prostaff. I too play with this racket and I would love hear your opinion on why I cannot find a modern racket that plays anywhere close to these "vintage" sticks. Thanks!
Hi, really like this video. The point about keeping the head up, then down, then up really seems to work for me and I get more spin and control. Is this a tip for the forehand as well? I often find that I'm over-hitting the easy forehands and could do with more topspin. Thanks.
Hi, I've been watching your videos for quite along time now and your content has really helped me out . I'm about a 2.5 to 3.0 player , I'm 12 years old and I need to learn how to pronate . I can produce a fairly affective flat or "frying pan grip serve " but I don't want to make it a habit it would really help if you could talk about some drills for how to pronate . I've tried and tried countless times and no matter what I can not get my timing right . Hope you can respond 🙂
Good to hear from you, Ian! I don't have a step by step process anywhere on RUclips for that, but I do in a few of my online courses. Shoot me a quick e-mail and I'll reply to you with some access information: ian AT essentialtennis DOT com. Thanks for watching!
I love most of your tutorials, but I believe this one is slightly misleading. The down and up wrist action should actually be a result of proper wrist lag and upwards motion (for topspin).
My two hander has a lot of topspin...too much in fact. It it loosing power and making a big arch, and I am trying to prevent it, but then it goes in the net a lot. What can I do to fix that?
Yes. I'm a righty so my left hand uses the same forehand grip as my right. I think another important topspin generator is to use your legs to drive up and forward to complement your wrists.
Ian. ..I love you. ..My wife is supposing i love men. ..I See your videos every days (manu times And The same 10/15 times) To improve My tennis....the Best videos..The pro staff in your Hands. .fantastic
This is the problem with my backhand. Sometimes I get the racket below the ball, but sometimes have trouble. What exactly are you thinking about to get this result consistently? Should I simply relax my writes, or actively do something with my arms/hands to get them to switch positions and get below the ball?
this is in theory and ideal condition, the real indication is to put your racket head parallel to the ground because what if the ball is above your hips level?
i have heard lots of different things about lag power. 1.keep the wrist straight. 2.force the wrist back. 3.keep the wrist relaxed. could you tell me what one is the best for lag power. Thanks
Ira doesn't do the recovery step (follow through with hips and feet) after his backhand. Particularly on the first shot of him he even loked off balance.
Just wondering, why can you not start with the left hand low and then swing up. Why does it have to start high, drop, then go back up? I guess there is a loss of power without that looping motion?
Hi Ian, I have quite a strong backhand side but I struggle when someone loops a shot deep into the backhand corner. I can get it back but I can never be aggressive from it. Do you have any tips I could use?
perhaps you should change your mentality. it is very difficult to return high balls aggressively. i suggest you focus on neutralising the shot. the most important thing is to get it back deep to prevent your opponent from killing off a short ball. another thing you could try is to play a looping ball back to your opponent's backhand so he or she has to struggle with a high ball again. hope this helps!
Seems like you guys did a video, part of which had Ira hitting a two-handed backhand, showing how you could improve your shot by extending your arms throughout the swing, resulting in finishing up over the opposite shoulder and avoiding collapsing the arms during the swing and wrapping them around your body (sort of short-arming the swing) resulting in a weaker shot. I can't seem to find that video on your RUclips channel. It may have just been a part of a video that emphasized other things, but that arm extension hint, along with the video above on dropping the non-dominant hand below the dominant hand before swinging forward on the two-hander, have been super helpful for my two-handed back hand. If you could find the video demonstrating arm extension for me, so I can share it with others, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for all you do.
Excellent, guys! Thanks again! I'm off to the court to practise! ;) Michele PS: It would be good to see a similar video for the two-handed backhand lob. Also, Ira should speak, too next time. ;)
Regarding de racket drop with 2HB I always have the same doubt: which hand "does the dropping"? I'm a righty so: the left hand? And is it an actual "drop" or is it more of a twist of the wrists?
why can't i drop the racket during the takeback? why does the racket tip point upwards before the drop? im having a really hard time timing the drop. do i drop the racket before i swing forward?
I think a lot of this stuff is partly wrong. The racket head drop is not done by the player consciously its mostly the effect of loose and the racket position on take back. The higher up the racket head is on take back the more the racket drop when you turn your core.
Hey Ian, thanks for the video. I think you really hit the nail on the head here. I have a very powerful two handed backhand and while I do receive many compliments on it, I have a narrow window over the net due to lack of top spin. I'm watching this video and comparing to a video I made of myself and I never really drop that racket (see video here: ruclips.net/video/2Rnrb6po0Tg/видео.htmlm33s). I have pretty tight wrists, which do affect my game but I do my best. I'm going to focus on this more. Thanks!
This is by far most useful piece of content/advice i've ever seen online on any chanel about any shot in tennis. I've been through so many videos but after implementing advice from 3:35 i've literally developed backhand (on recreational level) in less than 2 months from most insecure shot to shot that everybody i've been playing with are saying that my backhand is actually better than my forehand. This is basicly a shortcut to any other advice or learning technique i've been coached and i never actually allowed anyone to try to break my backhand after implementing this technique. Respect mate, really, this is best advice in my whole tennis progress i've ever encountered
Your lesson does a great job of pointing out a very important part of a two-handed backhand. You can see many pros, both male and female doing exactly this. I had just started imitating them on my own, but your lesson helped me lock the technique in. My backhand consistency improved close to 100%, from inconsistent to now very solid. Plus, now when I hit a bad 2-hand backhand, I know exactly why and I'm able to adjust.
I have two additional 2-handed backhand lesson suggestions: 1) The technique for hitting a high (shoulder and above) 2-hander and what you should be trying to do with returning such a shot, and 2) How to keep your arms extended during the 2-handed backhand swing and the follow through to maintain power and control instead of collapsing the arms around the body during the swing/follow through, and short-arming the shot.
Thanks for all you do to help us all be better tennis players.
This is the best technical demonstration and explanation of the one handed backhand I've ever listened to. Thanks
Great to see an old Wilson Pro Staff and an original Prince 03 Tour still being used ! Both great rackets !
Best video explaining the two-handed backand ever. It was a mistery to me how djokovic could have such an amazing backand and I tried to imitate Rafa's backand with the racket's head face closed. Now I have tried it and it works wonders! Thank you very much!
Ian, thank you and congratulations! This is one of the most clear, accurate and useful video about backhand topspin
Appreciate that, Blue.
Essential Tennis - Lessons and Instruction for Passionate Players
I know right! The videos you guys provide us with are so precise and to the point! Thanks.
test
I used the 6.1 in high school and first couple years of college and finished with the O3 tour midsize. Great sticks!
This made tons of sense, thanks!
Very good instruction. I'll try this tomorrow.
u guys really good in coaching, I like every video so far. very clear and on point
This is the best video for double handed backhand
I don't remember if I saw that from a video or not, but I have to commend you. I remember my backhand firstly was flat but this small tip was just that. I hit huge topspin by turning the racket as you describe in this video. Good job.
Awesome, great to hear that. Thanks for letting me know! -Ian
Ian,
I see you playing with a Classic 6.1 Prostaff. I too play with this racket and I would love hear your opinion on why I cannot find a modern racket that plays anywhere close to these "vintage" sticks. Thanks!
AMEN! i'm in that same predicament !!!! that PS 6.1 Classic should be in the Tennis Racket HOF!
Thank you, this made something click in my head!
Thank you coach 🤜🏾🤛🏾
Thanks! Straight forward and immediately applicable information! Great reference
Great Ian....this video really helps my son of 9 years producing some topspin to his shots
Thanks this helped my backhand a lot!
Thank you. Subscribed.
I love what you teached so much thanks am in Uganda👍🙏😁😁
Simple and easy to understand.
Great Video Ian !! Thank you !!
Fantastic Videos. Thank you for doing this. Top!
nice vid. try using the terms "lead hand" and "trail hand". keep up the good work
“I don’t have a ball”! 😁 Hreat video as always.
Thanks for watching!
Nice and clear
I am very good with forehand topspin. But somehow i couldnt manage it with my backhand. Great tips i will try it.
very helpful video. thank you
Do you have a video on second serve spin? Also the different type of serve spins.
What about putting the dominant hand on grip 1 instead of continental ?
can i hit flat shots with this technique or you can say dip the racquet thing ???
Was this recorded at elite sports clubs?
Should the racket face be pointed a little bit downward like with forehand topspin?
Hi, really like this video. The point about keeping the head up, then down, then up really seems to work for me and I get more spin and control. Is this a tip for the forehand as well? I often find that I'm over-hitting the easy forehands and could do with more topspin. Thanks.
you are good trainer keep it up
awesome one. Can you please do a video on tennis fitness
1:10 After putting his hand in the pant pocket, he found he doesn't have a ball 😂
THANK YOU!!!
Hi, I've been watching your videos for quite along time now and your content has really helped me out . I'm about a 2.5 to 3.0 player , I'm 12 years old and I need to learn how to pronate . I can produce a fairly affective flat or "frying pan grip serve " but I don't want to make it a habit it would really help if you could talk about some drills for how to pronate . I've tried and tried countless times and no matter what I can not get my timing right . Hope you can respond 🙂
Good to hear from you, Ian! I don't have a step by step process anywhere on RUclips for that, but I do in a few of my online courses. Shoot me a quick e-mail and I'll reply to you with some access information: ian AT essentialtennis DOT com. Thanks for watching!
I love most of your tutorials, but I believe this one is slightly misleading. The down and up wrist action should actually be a result of proper wrist lag and upwards motion (for topspin).
In one handed backand is the same ? can you do another for one handed backhand please?
Really thank you for your vídeos!!!
Nope, not the same. I'll add that topic to my list to use in the future. Thanks for watching!
My two hander has a lot of topspin...too much in fact. It it loosing power and making a big arch, and I am trying to prevent it, but then it goes in the net a lot. What can I do to fix that?
Terrific video as always. Thanks Ian and Ira
New sub love your vids from Serbia!
thanks so much, it was really helpful :)
Are the grips the same for the flat and topspin one?
Yup!
Yes. I'm a righty so my left hand uses the same forehand grip as my right. I think another important topspin generator is to use your legs to drive up and forward to complement your wrists.
Ian. ..I love you. ..My wife is supposing i love men. ..I See your videos every days (manu times And The same 10/15 times) To improve My tennis....the Best videos..The pro staff in your Hands. .fantastic
Vibes
This is the problem with my backhand. Sometimes I get the racket below the ball, but sometimes have trouble. What exactly are you thinking about to get this result consistently? Should I simply relax my writes, or actively do something with my arms/hands to get them to switch positions and get below the ball?
this is in theory and ideal condition, the real indication is to put your racket head parallel to the ground because what if the ball is above your hips level?
i have heard lots of different things about lag power.
1.keep the wrist straight.
2.force the wrist back.
3.keep the wrist relaxed.
could you tell me what one is the best for lag power.
Thanks
Why are my backhand shots having under spin/side spin on them...can anyone explain?
One handed backhand topspin video pls!!!
Top hand goes from top to bottom to top again (top hand swaps with bottom hand from high to low to high)
Ira doesn't do the recovery step (follow through with hips and feet) after his backhand. Particularly on the first shot of him he even loked off balance.
Just wondering, why can you not start with the left hand low and then swing up. Why does it have to start high, drop, then go back up? I guess there is a loss of power without that looping motion?
The looping motion has the high, drop, and back up too...
Plz I can't hold my racket tight.send a video plz
clear instruction..
does the left hand always have to go on top? what if you are more comfortable with it on the bottom?
uh, that would make you a left handed player.....
Nice stroke!
Love you Ian
high 2 hand backhand how help
what shoes is he wearing?
hi can you make a video about single topspin backhand,it would be nice if you do it,so i can learn it and change my game,thank you in advance :)
Great online coach
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi Ian,
I have quite a strong backhand side but I struggle when someone loops a shot deep into the backhand corner. I can get it back but I can never be aggressive from it. Do you have any tips I could use?
perhaps you should change your mentality. it is very difficult to return high balls aggressively. i suggest you focus on neutralising the shot. the most important thing is to get it back deep to prevent your opponent from killing off a short ball. another thing you could try is to play a looping ball back to your opponent's backhand so he or she has to struggle with a high ball again. hope this helps!
+Jochem Colombijn Thanks - I will give it ago
good fix
Thank you!
Good tip, should be obvious but I can see I was not getting racket head low enough.
Everything is obvious in hindsight :-)
Hand locations were identical in the before and after videos.
Seems like you guys did a video, part of which had Ira hitting a
two-handed backhand, showing how you could improve your shot by
extending your arms throughout the swing, resulting in finishing up over
the opposite shoulder and avoiding collapsing the arms during the swing
and wrapping them around your body (sort of short-arming the swing)
resulting in a weaker shot. I can't seem to find that video on your
RUclips channel. It may have just been a part of a video that emphasized
other things, but that arm extension hint, along with the video above on
dropping the non-dominant hand below the dominant hand before swinging
forward on the two-hander, have been super helpful for my two-handed
back hand. If you could find the video demonstrating arm extension for
me, so I can share it with others, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for
all you do.
Maybe it was this one: ruclips.net/video/wHl-ptXPai8/видео.html
Top, Bottom, Top , got it ! Thank You !
Ian..do you have any videos where you play and demonstrate instead of talking and analyzing..just curious.
Is the drop natural or forced???!!!!
i have the same PRO STAFF , omg its soooo old :D
Excellent, guys!
Thanks again!
I'm off to the court to practise! ;)
Michele
PS: It would be good to see a similar video for the two-handed backhand lob.
Also, Ira should speak, too next time. ;)
Haha, I'll let Ira know you prefer him speaking. -Ian
I want topspin service
Then this video is for you, Manish: ruclips.net/video/Rki8P6giyjY/видео.html
good
Regarding de racket drop with 2HB I always have the same doubt: which hand "does the dropping"? I'm a righty so: the left hand? And is it an actual "drop" or is it more of a twist of the wrists?
+Jose Basalo An active 'twist' like a coupling (or push-pull) effect is more dynamic and can produce a faster, deeper drop.
When you twist the wrist you drop the racquet at the same time
okay but how do i get forearms like djokovic xD
I found that doing tennis elbow exercises for my tennis elbow made my forearms moderately larger, just up the weight from what they recommend.
You are awesome
why can't i drop the racket during the takeback? why does the racket tip point upwards before the drop? im having a really hard time timing the drop. do i drop the racket before i swing forward?
A very Andy Murray like backhand
good for hitting bloopers shots that will get crushed if u brush to much 😆
I think a lot of this stuff is partly wrong. The racket head drop is not done by the player consciously its mostly the effect of loose and the racket position on take back. The higher up the racket head is on take back the more the racket drop when you turn your core.
Suggest u show what needs to be done. Rather than showing what we should not do.
Hey Ian, thanks for the video. I think you really hit the nail on the head here. I have a very powerful two handed backhand and while I do receive many compliments on it, I have a narrow window over the net due to lack of top spin. I'm watching this video and comparing to a video I made of myself and I never really drop that racket (see video here: ruclips.net/video/2Rnrb6po0Tg/видео.htmlm33s). I have pretty tight wrists, which do affect my game but I do my best. I'm going to focus on this more. Thanks!
You've got an excellent start to your strokes, Connor. Keep up the good work!
All of the chatter could be replaced with two words, “ulnar deviation”, which he never mentions.
Never mind I've found the video
E
wo!cool!
Relax the bottom wrist. Case solved. Pay me $1000 for my coaching tip. Lol.
Nicklas Louie im sold
what a great like -to-dislike ratio! the video deserves it too.
Good content but Ian talks a lot with his eyes closed which is very annoying
man 2 hand backhand is ugly, should not be allowed
but nowdays players like kygrios medvedev, goffin etc don't use this dip in the backhand. Their hands are still and they hit flat shots
What a jerk. Forgot the ball ;-( never laughed that much. That video not even qualifies as a bad example.