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I get your point Loopadoop, I have seen such advise given first hand to one kid in India. In that case I had played with the coach and while the coach had a fabulous forehand , he himself did not have a backhand game and I guess would not have been able to teach the kid correct backhand technique and its nuances.
Now, the scenario you described above is different where going from hardbat backhand to anti backhand would not take too much of an adjustment and he could focus on forehand.
However, in the modern fast paced game, where an youngster is starting out to learn, he or she will be severely impaired if they start off with anti on the backhand. Imagine, the adjustment in ball judgement and technique he or she will have to do when the coach finally decides to teach him backhand. And, its always difficult to unlearn and re-learn correct technique which gets set in the mind , especially in case of beginners.
Also, the person might totally stop trying to understand spin and receive and block everything with his backhand.
Now, the scenario you described above is different where going from hardbat backhand to anti backhand would not take too much of an adjustment and he could focus on forehand.
However, in the modern fast paced game, where an youngster is starting out to learn, he or she will be severely impaired if they start off with anti on the backhand. Imagine, the adjustment in ball judgement and technique he or she will have to do when the coach finally decides to teach him backhand. And, its always difficult to unlearn and re-learn correct technique which gets set in the mind , especially in case of beginners.
Also, the person might totally stop trying to understand spin and receive and block everything with his backhand.
Well, I coached a senior in his mid 50's who was playing at about USATT 500 rating skill level using a generic hard bat paddle. He was playing all BH with no 4H. He didn't even understand the basics of spin. I designed a paddle for him 4H 729 BH anti. In 12-16 months he is 1600+ level with a very good 4H. He doesn't have a service return problem. He is now starting to counterloop on his 4H.