Relax for a powerful slice backhand

INSTRUCTION

Relax for a Powerful

The following article on the slice, or backspin, backhand is the second in an instructional series that explains how to add power to your ground strokes and serves through relaxation

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s noted in the first article, “Relax for a Powerful Topspin Forehand” [July 2008], ball speed comes from racket head speed. And racket head speed is best generated from a relaxed arm and hands. Use the following relaxation checkpoints to help you execute a powerful slice, or backspin, backhand.

Checkpoint #1: Ready Position In the ready position, the key to relaxation is the non-racket hand.

Generally speaking, advanced players simply rest their racket hand on the grip in the slice backspin position. The non-racket hand supports the full weight of the racket, usually up at the throat, even if the player hits most backhands with two hands. Some players (like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) are so relaxed that they even twirl their rackets between shots, right in the middle of a point. However, while I agree that twirling your racket as you wait to return serve can help you relax, I do not recommend that you habitually twirl your rackets in the middle of points between each shot. Leave that trick to Roger and Rafa.

Also, for slice backhands, a grip change to a continental or hammer grip is advised. This grip change is accomplished by the nonracket hand turning the racket face to a slightly open position when it arrives in the backswing or set-up position discussed in the next checkpoint. To check that you have a continental grip, try repeatedly bouncing a ball down on the ground off the edge of the racket.

If your wrist is comfortable and in a similar position to chopping vegetables, you should have a grip that will work for all backspin shots, including slice backhands and volleys.

Checkpoint #2: Set-Up The set-up takes place once you’ve identified that the incoming ball will be a backhand shot. Like all groundstrokes, the turn in the set-up should be completed as early as possible, often before the opponent’s ball crosses net. The main issue is to initiate the shoulder turn in the set-up primarily with the non-racket hand.

Yes, once again, keep your racket hand as relaxed as possible. For a slice backhand, the racket head is pulled back and around past “pointing to the back fence” as shown in the photo at right. Note that the player has a green Velcro strap connecting both wrists.

Called the Backhand Fixer, this simple training aid helps give players the feel for the “split” of forces from the non-racket hand holding the racket back and the forward acceleration of the racket head into contact. It’s very similar to a tug of war.

Checkpoint #3: The Tug of War Once the racket is set in the back position, it’s time to make the adjustment steps necessary to ideally position yourself to the ball.

Then, it’s time for what I call a “tug of war,” during which the nonracket hand tries to hold the racket in the back position and the racket hand literally “tears” the racket away from the non-racket hand. The result of this tug of war is that the non-racket hand flies

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tennislifemagazine

september

2008

backward, and the racket hand and racket itself fly forward in a quick and explosive motion. You can see the result of this tug of war in the photo to the right in which the Backhand Fixer dangles from the right hand of the player. In this photo, the Velcro of the Backhand Fixer has pulled off the non-racket wrist after the tug of war is won by the hand holding the racket.

Of course, in beginning phases, players will generally be less explosive and swing slower, but the tug of war still takes place.

Slice Backhand

By Joe Dinoffer Checkpoint #4: Contact In the old days, firming up at contact was the gold standard of coaching tips. The sweet spot was small, as was the face of the racket. Without firming up, slightly off center hits could easily twist the racket.

Today, mainstay tips like this are challenged by larger sweet spots and more resilient racket manufacturing materials along with stable wide-body rackets. Nevertheless, since a slice backhand requires a slightly open racket face, the force of an off-center strike of the ball can still torque, or twist, the racket face, causing loss of control over the flight of the ball. My recommendation is to firm up the grip a fraction of a second before contact and just enough to avoid frequent mishits. However, stay relaxed most of the time to avoid unnecessary tension, since this will inevitably slow down the speed of the racket and cause more errors than a relaxed and more fluid swing.

Checkpoint #5: Finish If you watch in slow motion the slice backhands of the top ten men and women in the world, you’ll see one primary finish position that can be a little misleading. You’ll see the racket face finishing around the body. However, note that at all levels the wrist remains firm enough to avoid letting the racket chop down on the ball, a move that often results in hitting the ball into the net.

To get an initial feel for a slice backhand, I recommend finishing with the strings pointing in the direction that you are aiming the ball, as seen in the photo at left. One idea that is especially helpful to young beginner players is to draw a smiley face on the strings using a magic marker. Then simply ask the children to follow through with the smiley face watching the ball travel over the net. This little drill works well for all backspin shots, including volleys as well as slice backhands.

So the next time you’re on the court working on your slice backhand, remember to relax and to use the non-racket hand to help. Just be sure not to also relax your feet, which should be moving lightly but also intensely. Only relax your hands and upper body. You’ll end up with a more effective slice backhand—a shot often used for control as well as mixing up the rhythm of your opponent by keeping the ball low and out of their most comfortable hitting height. Your opponents may not like your improved slice backhand, but it can make tennis more enjoyable (and successful) than ever for you.

Joe Dinoffer is a Master Professional in both the PTR and USPTA, a distinction awarded to only a handful in the tennis industry. He has published numerous books and videotapes, and is a frequent speaker at tennis conferences around the world. For more information, visit www.oncourtoffcourt.com.

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