Also if you hit with a more extreme eastern backhand grip like Henin or Gasquet you will be able to drive a high ball at shoulder height easier. Even hit above the shoulders. The grips used in the video make it more difficult to drive a ball at shoulder height.
I know this is a 4yo comment but do you have any more info about this, I'm currently struggling with high balls with heavy topspin at the back of the court on my backhand and I would like a different approach from what I've seen in this very defensive approaches video.
I slice those balls, but if they are very deep with heavy topspin, i move up to them, switch hands and block them back left-handed! I can block them deep and firm or lob...weird, hey? But I taught myself. I've won a few 4.0 tournaments using this technique. But the people who hit the big high topspin shots to my backhand are the toughest for me. I will work on taking the backhand topspin shots on the rise...Thanks for the free tutorial!
or you can take it open stanced on the base line with some elevation. power comes from oblique core rotation and a full shoulder turn in the mid air. (no ground contact) presence of top spin depends on whether you want or not (wrist control) :D
I love playing guys with on handed backhand. Most can’t hit 4 highballs in a row. Lands short and I wallop it. They have egos and won’t run around it lolll
I've been caught out through late response to a high lob on my partner's side, this tutorial shows very effectively, early preparation and varied ways of dealing with a high ball. Thank you boys. Gordon
I have always had a single-handed backhand, but after getting tired of the high balls to my backhand when I am returning serve, I decided to use a two-handed backhand on all serve-returns and occasionally during ground strokes when a one-handed shot would be weak. Historically, the best returners have been players with a two-handed backhand. Just like two-handed backhand players switch to one-handed when stretched out wide, one-handed backhand players could also switch to two-handed backhand when the ball is high, especially on serve-return where having a two-handed backhand is an advantage. Maybe I'm just weird, LOL.
I have a mostly slice game on both sides, and I have done just what you suggest. I punch the high ball back, with heavy slice, using two hands, and letting go with the left hand sometimes, like Connors and Borg used to do. it won me a few matches I would have lost otherwise.
I too found this to work. I use both topspin backhands, two handed on high balls and when it feel too late to swing a one hander defending. Then one handed when attacking, with more time to prepare a longer swing and go up to the net
Also if you hit with a more extreme eastern backhand grip like Henin or Gasquet you will be able to drive a high ball at shoulder height easier. Even hit above the shoulders. The grips used in the video make it more difficult to drive a ball at shoulder height.
I know this is a 4yo comment but do you have any more info about this, I'm currently struggling with high balls with heavy topspin at the back of the court on my backhand and I would like a different approach from what I've seen in this very defensive approaches video.
If the ball is slow enough or if you’re able to get around the ball faster enough, another option would be an inside out forehand.
I slice those balls, but if they are very deep with heavy topspin, i move up to them, switch hands and block them back left-handed! I can block them deep and firm or lob...weird, hey? But I taught myself. I've won a few 4.0 tournaments using this technique. But the people who hit the big high topspin shots to my backhand are the toughest for me. I will work on taking the backhand topspin shots on the rise...Thanks for the free tutorial!
or you can take it open stanced on the base line with some elevation. power comes from oblique core rotation and a full shoulder turn in the mid air. (no ground contact) presence of top spin depends on whether you want or not (wrist control) :D
Pc Ng like thiem.
Great video! This is a big deal, many players use to hit a semi-slice backhand, aboce the shoulder and the ball goes too short. Thanks, I share it!
slomo please. 🙂. thanks.
I love playing guys with on handed backhand. Most can’t hit 4 highballs in a row. Lands short and I wallop it. They have egos and won’t run around it lolll
I've been caught out through late response to a high lob on my partner's side, this tutorial shows very effectively, early preparation and varied ways of dealing with a high ball. Thank you boys. Gordon
My single-handed backhand thanks you for reviewing the options.
These guys are fantastic.
Yes! Keep them away from the net.
Great video!
I have always had a single-handed backhand, but after getting tired of the high balls to my backhand when I am returning serve, I decided to use a two-handed backhand on all serve-returns and occasionally during ground strokes when a one-handed shot would be weak. Historically, the best returners have been players with a two-handed backhand. Just like two-handed backhand players switch to one-handed when stretched out wide, one-handed backhand players could also switch to two-handed backhand when the ball is high, especially on serve-return where having a two-handed backhand is an advantage. Maybe I'm just weird, LOL.
I have a mostly slice game on both sides, and I have done just what you suggest. I punch the high ball back, with heavy slice, using two hands, and letting go with the left hand sometimes, like Connors and Borg used to do. it won me a few matches I would have lost otherwise.
I too found this to work. I use both topspin backhands, two handed on high balls and when it feel too late to swing a one hander defending. Then one handed when attacking, with more time to prepare a longer swing and go up to the net