Technique: Classic and Modern One Handed Backhand Part 1 Classic

When I started playing tennis.  I had a two handed backhand.  However, as I got more beefy and the balls traveled faster, my backhand became a little limiting.  But that is another blog.  In this one, I will attempt to explain the general biomechanics of the two one handed backhands (Classic and Modern).  The biggest problem that occurs in these backhands is when you try to combine the two techniques into one.

General Backhand

The general idea of this backhand is that you turn sideways, draw the racket back with two hands and then bring the racket forward with your dominant hand.  As a shirtless Tommy Haas shows, its a very smooth and pretty motion if done well.


The Classic One Handed-Backhand

Players that hit it:  Roger Federer, Tommy Haas, Mikhail Youzhny, Richard Gasquet, Grigor Dimitrov, Carla Suarez Navarro, everyone player from 1990 and older.

This one handed backhand (OHBH) is done with the arm.  You do everything to set it up and then you basically move the arm all by itself.  AFTER you contact the ball you can do whatever you want.  A lot of players accentuate the followthrough.  That is what makes it look pretty





The bonus about this backhand is that you can be very creative.  Your arm moves independently so you can hit the ball flat by extending forward OR you can loosen your arm and flick it upward for more of a loopy topspin.  In addition, you can manage pace better when it comes to you and can aim easier.

If you watch a creative player like RICHARD GASQUET when his backhand is under attack, you will see about 5 or 6 different ways of hitting it.


But also that brings us to the weakness of the classic OHBH that is shown in the video as well: lack of power.  It is possible to hit this type of backhand with power, but you have shotgun it from the racket back position and lean forward.  Which makes it very hard to focus on when you want to make someone pay or you are moving laterally.

The biggest weakness on a classic OHBH is a heavily topspun ball.  I mentioned before that you can extend your arm forward for flat, or you can loosen your arm and flick upward.  WELL...a ball that explodes off the ground makes you flick upward because the other way will make you hit the ball long.  So it becomes a matter of organization at this point.  Do you wuss out and slice?  Roll a very high slow ball back OR try to use your weak shoulder and forcefully meet the ball to overcome the spin?  Keep in mind that you are also hitting the ball in front of you.  None of these choices lead to a powerful response.  And most of the time you will get another shoulder punishing, heavily spun shot.  Better get ready to run because that is what you will be doing...that is as soon as they get tired of beating up on you WEAK backhand.

Here is a video of Roger Federer's top 10 backhand winners.  Notice that his winners are not him slapping the mess out of the ball like his forehand.  He either just deflects the ball someone has just hit flat or loops an angle off the court.  He is very good at his backhand organization


The bottom line: the classic one handed backhand is great for playing creatively with your opponent.  But the higher up in skill you go the more you see that you HAVE to play creatively because you don't have another option.  So if you have this type of OHBH, then learn to play loose and mix up your shots.  You are going to need that slice and a lot of unconventional shots!