Richard is on a mission to improve his backhand. He is trying to change his arms configuration at contact. Richard wants to have a stretched left arm like the majority of the pros (and maybe even stretched right arm at contact).
We've been discussing it for a while and it is not easy to find a clear path to follow. Should we change the stroke or should we just try to improve what we have? I think that Richard will change his backhand because he has a clear picture of what he wants his backhand to be like. There is one junior player at our club, his name is Lasse and he has a great backhand. He keeps his left arm straight and possibly even his right arm at contact. Richard is focused and obsessed with his backhand so I think he should change. I'll ask Lasse to record his backhand and to post it on the blog, how does that sound Richard?
Last time we've been on court Richard was a bit disappointed because he thought that he was hitting with the left arm stretched. When we looked at the video later it was clear that he still wasn't. Richard thought that maybe he couldn't change it and I begun to have some doubts as well.
However looking at the new videos and comparing it with the videos that I took of him two months ago there are a few differences and the shot seems much better. And that has led me to believe that Richard is in fact on the right track and he just needs a bit more time.
What to change now:
On most of the shots that Richard steps with a neutral stance he brings his right foot perpendicular to the net. I've pointed out to him long time ago but he still hasn't change that. Maybe he hasn't change that because he still doesn't believe it affects him too much. The big problem appart from injury of course, is that stepping in with the foot like that forces Richard to rotate too early his shoulders and hips. The backhand down the line is out of the question with the foot like that, and even when he goes crosscourt he is loosing a lot of power and control.
What has changed:
By trying to hit with a straight left arm, Richard has improved his extension and followthrough and his swing looks more compact. Richard is finding the hitting arm position with less loop of his hands and that I think it is a good improvement, just feels more compact.
20/05/10
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20/05/10
We can see clearly how much Richard has improved his backhand in the last year. Check the followthrough for example on the next three footage.
First after he hits it, he is looking at the ball over his left fore arm.
08/02/09
Much more extension after contact:
05/03/10
More extension, check the followthrough.
20/05/10
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Hey this is Richard
ReplyDeleteNot many people know that there are four different hitting arm configurations for the two-handed backhand. At the moment I hit with a bent/bent hitting arm configuration which is the 'left handed forehand' version. If I compare my backhand to previous footage my arms are significantly more extended, but my hitting arm are still bent. I want to hit my backhand with a straight/straight hitting arm configuration like andre agassi/andre vaz pinto (two great two handed backhands). Having the right arm straight in the preparation is an important aspect I feel when trying to hit with this hitting arm configuration so im going to try work on that. Its difficult to play competitive tennis while changing your backhand so drastically!
Another massive element in my backhand is what my left foot does! It points towards the net rather than being at 45 degrees - almost painful to watch!!!