Increasing dwell time by technique!?!?!

[AmanooMan]

Hello everyone.

In the past few days, I've noticed that with a change in my technique and/or grip, the dwell time on my backhand varies by a large margin.

Usually, when performing backhand, the racket is very loose in my hand until the moment of contact, when I snap my wrist and use my thumb and index finger to prevent the racket from flying out of my hand. Whilst this does produce fast shots with good spin, the arc is not great, resulting in a lot of balls clipping the net, although this is partially because I use Hurricane 2 on my backhand, which produces one of (if not the) worst ball trajectories.

So, a few days ago, I was just looping backspin for fun with a completely loose grip without the final snap and usage of fingers, when I realized that the dwell time increased like crazy. As a result, I noticed a very big improvement in the arc I produced as well. I tried the same for a few days, and every time I was very happy with the dwell time and the arc. However, I can't produce the same speed and penetration (I know this is not an ideal choice of word, but you know what I mean) like this.

So, is there a way to get both the dwell time and the speed?

Thanks.

 

[Tyce]

Without being able to see it, I guess you make contact with a bit of an open angle. Holding the bat more loose would then allow for a "flex" kind of effect, resulting in holding the ball on the rubber a bit longer.

I think you need more of a brushing contact, meaning you aren't hitting the ball, but rather moving the ball by dragging its surface with the rubber.
Why I think this is the case, is you mentioning the trajectory of the rubber. If you really drag that ball, the arc will go up. If you hit the ball instead, the arc will be very flat indeed.

 

[AmanooMan]

Without being able to see it, I guess you make contact with a bit of an open angle. Holding the bat more loose would then allow for a "flex" kind of effect, resulting in holding the ball on the rubber a bit longer.

I think you need more of a brushing contact, meaning you aren't hitting the ball, but rather moving the ball by dragging its surface with the rubber.
Why I think this is the case, is you mentioning the trajectory of the rubber. If you really drag that ball, the arc will go up. If you hit the ball instead, the arc will be very flat indeed.

Now that I think about it, you could be very right. Thank you. It was such a good comment.

 

[golden_son]

I have the same issue and my coach harps on me about the same thing.

One thing I really focus on is making sure I start my stroke below the ball, so the direction of the stroke naturally imparts lift, while the wrist snap/pinch helps wrap the ball and makes sure it comes down instead of flying out. Now if only my arm would listen to my brain 🤣