I want to have more explosive backhand. My current backhand is not explosive enough to score a point, just placement and slow spinny loop.
I want to know the ideal grip and the swing/arm rotation to improve my backhand further.
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I dont know if im the right person to answer this, since i too have problem with this shot and try to make it better. But i can share what i think, and maybe other people can fill in
I find it intersting to think about if you and me really need to have an explosive backhand to finish the point with. It might be enough if we work with our strengths, our amazing forehands and try to practice so we get more opportunities to finish the point with the forehand, in examlple by making our footwork faster so we can play forehand instead of backhand.
But it is ****ing exhausting to play forehand at everything so i will try to work on my backhand.
I also think that we maybe do not need an explosive and hard backhand, a fast backhand off the bounce is pretty good to. I feel that Jike, Ovtcharov and Harimato do not play extremely hard compared but very fast off the bounce so that also may be an alternative.
Backhand grip is proably the best grip for a good backhand. In example Zhang Jike and Ovtcharov. But it will be harder to play forehand, so backhand grip is not a good alternative. A lot of top players change the grip sligthy, so you could experiment with this you too and try to hold more backhand grip when you play backhand. I have noticed that a lot of chinese players put up the thumb on the rubber, maybe you can try that ans se how that goes. I think they do it so they can make an explosive motion without dropping the racket. So i dont think you really need to put ub the thumb but just apply pressure with the the tumb on the blade so the racket is steady in your hand and you can move the arm fast without dropping it.
With the swing i find it very important to have the elbow in front of you and have it steady, and accelerate and snap with the forearm and wrist. I have tried to look at backhandplayers and se how they do, and i find that the snap, fast explosive accelerating motion is what set them apart compared to players that are not as good with the backhand. I also think elbow should be pretty high so you could rip through the ball in a forward motion. If you have the elbow lower you need to hit more upward and will get a higher arc and not as fast.
i think you should have a pretty closed angle of the racket to be able to generate spin. but since spin is slow, you might want to open the racket angle and flat hit more against higher balls. But for lower balls i think you need the spin to get the ball safe.
It is important to hit the ball infront of the body at the highest point, if you hit the ball at a lower point you can not hit as fast since you need a arc to get the ball over the net. But you do not want to reach for the ball, since then the arm is already extended and you will get no power.
I am trying to exercise my backhand kill by doing a lot of multiball and i think that is working pretty good so try doing that.
I have talked a lot now, and do not have time to read through everything since i need to eat with my family so maybe it is just nonsense but i think something is worth trying. I also recommend looking at backhandplayers like Jorgic, Kara and Kreange and se how they do and try ot copy it. Good luck!