Having trouble attacking down the line with Backhand - any tips? (pic included)

[Nash77]

hi all, would appricate any tips on this. I've got some decent quality on some shots - but don't have proper training with a coach.

Assuming both players are right-handed :

If someone attacks my backhand - my natural movement is to return the ball to the middle or to his backhand. This comes easy. See GREEN lines.

The issue is trying to attack his forhand - see the RED line. The only way I can aim for his forhand corner is if I completely change my entire body position and face that corner with my legs and torso. The problem is - this change of body angle is easy to spot and my opponent can tell I'm going to aim to his forehand.

What is the solution? I'm missing some hand/arm technique to be able to aim there, surly I don't HAVE TO change my entire body position for that.

Any tips/Videos/explanation would be appreciated!

 

[Lazer]

I suspect you are standing wrong. The basic position is belly and feet perpendicular to the target. So you should turn a little to the left. But without seeing it’s impossible to tell…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Nash77]

I suspect you are standing wrong. The basic position is belly and feet perpendicular to the target. So you should turn a little to the left. But without seeing it’s impossible to tell…

Cheers
L-zr

Thanks Lazer.

Regardless of what direction im facing, I'm basically able to aim either straight or right with a quality backhand (fast and/or spinniy shot).

I guess the question is, what's the proper technique if I want to aim wide left? (I'm right handed) with my BH?
It seems like a much less natural shot, no?

 

[blahness]

Thanks Lazer.

Regardless of what direction im facing, I'm basically able to aim either straight or right with a quality backhand (fast and/or spinniy shot).

I guess the question is, what's the proper technique if I want to aim wide left? (I'm right handed) with my BH?
It seems like a much less natural shot, no?

You adjust with the body, and a bit with the hand too. Watch the Butterfly Japan tutorials with Harimoto

 

[Nash77]

You adjust with the body, and a bit with the hand too. Watch the Butterfly Japan tutorials with Harimoto

Thanks. Couldn't find the video you're referring to, do you maybe have a link?

I get the adjusting the body part, but what exactly should I adjust with the Hand?

 

[Jslick89]

try these two things:

1) rotate your hips clockwise...this will open your body up more and allow you to hit down the line
2) bring your right elbow a little forward and do your normal backhand stroke will allow for a more natural hit down the line

bonus: and combination of the two above tips will also allow you to more accurately place your backhands down the line.

 

[Lula]

If you hold forehand grip this is much harder. Also much more difficult if you get rushed or/and the opponent plays hard. So try to read the game. Also play more to the their middle. If you play deep backhand and they get the angle back deep backhand, the angle for playin straight is not good.
Otherwise i think everyone do this in differently:
- move the legs a bit
- put elbow or shoulder in front
- turn the wrist in

I think it would be best to play backhand backhand and then play to the forehand and try different things and see how the opponent reacts.

Good luck

 

[blahness]

Thanks. Couldn't find the video you're referring to, do you maybe have a link?

I get the adjusting the body part, but what exactly should I adjust with the Hand?

For me i fade the ball to get opposite sidespin to make the ball unreachable.

Adjusting with the body - you can suddenly rotate to the left by pulling your left leg back or moving forward with your right leg. Moving forward with right leg is good for shorter balls and pulling left leg back is good for fast balls.

 

[Nash77]

For me i fade the ball to get opposite sidespin to make the ball unreachable.

Adjusting with the body - you can suddenly rotate to the left by pulling your left leg back or moving forward with your right leg. Moving forward with right leg is good for shorter balls and pulling left leg back is good for fast balls.

Thanks, the tip about the left leg adjusting makes a lot of sense, it already help me in training yesterday.

Can you please elaborate more how do you fade the ball to opposite sidespin? I know what you mean, but not sure about how to execute the technique. In this example, I want to spin it wide left, deep in the opponent FH and out of his reach.

 

[blahness]

Thanks, the tip about the left leg adjusting makes a lot of sense, it already help me in training yesterday.

Can you please elaborate more how do you fade the ball to opposite sidespin? I know what you mean, but not sure about how to execute the technique. In this example, I want to spin it wide left, deep in the opponent FH and out of his reach.

it is a bit technical, but in BH topspin you usually roll over the top of the ball, but if you roll over to the right side of the ball you will fade the ball.

 

[Brs]

Don't worry about fade until you can consistently play straight parallel balls. Then watch the OG Women's gold medal match and see CM fade SYS over and over. Learn from the best.

In the OP you answered your own question. You can only play parallel if you turn your body a little. So turn your torso. If your opponent is any good he will read your direction. If not now then later. You won't win vs quality players by surprising them anyway. Putting many balls on the table, with placement and spin, this will win.

 

[Nash77]

found this vid which i think gives a great explnation

 

[blahness]

found this vid which i think gives a great explnation

Imo I tried this way before and this doesnt work well in strong BH to BH rallies because he lost his forward lean posture when doing the fade and this is the problem with not adjusting with the body - the body is crucial to ensure consistency and control.

Moving the legs allows for far more sudden switches and far greater angles which cannot be detected beforehand, and also ensures you get on top of the ball.