How To Hit A Tennis Backhand With Venus Williams

Venus Williams
28 Jul 202309:25
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this engaging tennis tutorial, the instructor offers a comprehensive guide to mastering the backhand stroke. Starting with the essential Eastern grip, the video progresses to demonstrate a closed stance backhand, emphasizing the importance of turning the shoulders, stepping into the ball, and maintaining a low stance for control. The instructor also touches on avoiding common mistakes such as excessive wrist movement and the lack of shoulder turn. As a bonus, the video briefly introduces the open stance backhand, suitable for advanced players, to add disguise and manage shots on the run. The tutorial is designed to help beginners feel more comfortable with their backhand and improve their overall tennis game.

Takeaways
  • 🎾 The video provides a backhand tutorial for tennis enthusiasts who have already learned other strokes like the forehand, serve, and overhead.
  • 🤚 The Eastern grip is recommended for the backhand, which is different from the semi-western grip used for the forehand.
  • 👀 It's important to keep the knuckle on the edge of the bevel for the correct backhand grip, avoiding sliding too far which could lead to a baseball-like swing.
  • 🏋️‍♂️ Power for the backhand comes from the body, not just the arms, emphasizing the importance of an athletic stance and full body activation.
  • 👉 The backhand swing involves a simple turn of the shoulders and stepping into the ball without unnecessary movement.
  • 👀 Focusing on the contact point and visualizing the racket hitting the ball is crucial for a successful backhand.
  • 🙅‍♂️ Avoid lifting the head during the swing as it can lead to loss of control and inconsistency in ball placement.
  • 🚫 Beginners should avoid the temptation to 'bunt' the ball and instead focus on proper technique for long-term improvement.
  • 🕺 The open stance is an advanced technique used for more disguise and when on the run, but it requires careful consideration and balance.
  • 🤓 The tutorial suggests that beginners might find it easier to master the backhand compared to the forehand, encouraging practice and patience.
  • 🎉 The video concludes with encouragement to get on the court, practice, and have fun while improving backhand skills.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the tutorial?

    -The main focus of the tutorial is to teach the backhand technique in tennis.

  • Why is it important to have a good backhand in tennis?

    -A good backhand is important because it should complement your forehand, making it difficult for opponents to target your weaker side and forcing them to play into your strengths.

  • What type of grip is recommended for the backhand in this tutorial?

    -The Eastern grip is recommended for the backhand, which is different from the semi-western grip used for the forehand.

  • How should the knuckle be positioned when using the Eastern grip for the backhand?

    -The knuckle should be on the edge of the bevel when using the Eastern grip for the backhand.

  • What is the first step in executing a backhand according to the tutorial?

    -The first step in executing a backhand is to turn your head and shoulders towards the incoming ball.

  • What is the significance of maintaining a low body position during the backhand swing?

    -Maintaining a low body position helps in controlling the ball and ensures a more consistent performance.

  • Why is it recommended to visualize the contact point when hitting a backhand?

    -Visualizing the contact point helps in making better contact with the ball and improves the accuracy and power of the shot.

  • What is the recommended follow-through technique for a consistent backhand?

    -The recommended follow-through technique involves keeping the head down until making contact with the ball and then bringing it up after the shot.

  • What common mistake should beginners avoid when learning the backhand?

    -Beginners should avoid the temptation to just 'bunt' the ball without turning their shoulders and stepping into the shot, as this will hinder their progress and skill development.

  • When is it beneficial to use an open stance for the backhand?

    -An open stance can be beneficial for more disguise in your shot, when you're on the run and need to hit without taking an extra step, or on an approach shot to hide your intentions.

  • Why is it important to always recover after hitting the ball, even if it looks like a winning shot?

    -It's important to always recover because sometimes the ball comes back, and if you're not ready, you could lose the point.

Outlines
00:00
🎾 Backhand Tennis Tutorial Introduction

The speaker begins by expressing excitement about delivering a backhand tutorial, which has been highly requested by the audience. They emphasize the importance of a strong backhand as a complementary shot to the forehand, aiming to create a balanced and formidable tennis game. The tutorial starts with the fundamentals, focusing on the correct Eastern grip for the backhand, which is different from the semi-western grip used for the forehand. The speaker provides a visual guide for positioning the knuckle on the racket's bevel to ensure a proper grip. They also stress the importance of using the entire body, not just the arms, for power and control in tennis, advocating for an athletic stance and body activation for an effective backhand.

05:00
🚶‍♂️ Backhand Technique and Stance Breakdown

This paragraph delves into the mechanics of executing a backhand shot, starting with the closed stance approach. The speaker outlines the steps: turning the head to follow the ball, stepping back to prepare for the shot, and following through with a balanced recovery. They highlight the importance of keeping the body low and maintaining an athletic position for stability and power. The tutorial also touches on the visualization of the contact point and the need to keep the head down for consistency and accuracy. The speaker advises against common beginner mistakes such as not turning the body and relying too much on the wrists. Additionally, they introduce the concept of an open stance for advanced players, which can be used for disguise and when on the run, but recommend the closed stance for beginners due to its balance and ease of recovery. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to always stay low and maintain balance throughout the backhand motion.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Backhand
The term 'backhand' refers to a type of tennis stroke where the player swings the racket across their body to hit the ball with the back of the hand facing the incoming ball. In the video, the backhand is the main focus, as the tutorial aims to teach viewers how to properly execute this shot. The script emphasizes the importance of a good backhand as a complement to a strong forehand, highlighting the need for a balanced game.
💡Eastern Grip
The 'Eastern Grip' is a specific way of holding the tennis racket, which is different from the forehand grip. It is named after the Eastern style of play and involves placing the knuckle of the index finger on the edge of the racket's bevel. The script explains that transitioning from a semi-western forehand grip to an Eastern backhand grip is crucial for a proper backhand stroke.
💡Forehand
The 'forehand' is a fundamental stroke in tennis where the player hits the ball with the palm of the hand facing the ball. The script mentions the forehand as the player's 'biggest shot' and contrasts it with the backhand, suggesting that while the forehand is often the primary weapon, a strong backhand is also essential for a well-rounded game.
💡Semi-Western Grip
The 'semi-western grip' is a type of grip used for forehand strokes in tennis, which is between a Western and Eastern grip. It allows for a combination of power and spin. The script mentions this grip in the context of transitioning to the backhand grip, indicating the importance of grip variation for different types of shots.
💡Closed Stance
A 'closed stance' in tennis refers to the position of the player's feet when they are facing the net and their body is aligned with the direction of the shot. The script describes a backhand with a closed stance, emphasizing the importance of turning the shoulders and hips to generate power for the backhand shot.
💡Turn
In the context of tennis, 'turn' refers to the rotation of the player's body, particularly the shoulders and hips, to prepare for a shot. The script instructs viewers to 'turn' as the first step in executing a backhand, indicating that this movement is essential for setting up the shot properly.
💡Step
The 'step' in tennis involves moving towards the ball to hit it effectively. The script mentions 'step' as a crucial part of the backhand technique, where after turning, the player steps into the ball to meet it at the optimal point for striking.
💡Contact Point
The 'contact point' is the point in space where the racket meets the ball. The script advises viewers to visualize this point right in front of them when executing a backhand, emphasizing the importance of eye contact and body positioning for accuracy and control.
💡Follow Through
The 'follow through' is the movement of the racket and body after making contact with the ball. The script highlights the importance of a proper follow through for the backhand, indicating that it contributes to the shot's power and direction.
💡Recovery
In tennis, 'recovery' refers to the player's movement back to a ready position after hitting the ball. The script stresses the importance of always recovering, regardless of the shot's outcome, as it prepares the player for the next stroke and maintains readiness.
💡Open Stance
An 'open stance' is a more advanced tennis technique where the player's body is not square to the net when hitting the ball. The script briefly mentions the open stance as a technique for advanced players, useful for disguising shots and hitting the ball while on the run.
Highlights

Introduction to a backhand tutorial for tennis players.

Importance of a well-rounded game, emphasizing the backhand as a strong shot.

Explanation of the Eastern grip for the backhand compared to the semi-western for the forehand.

Technique to avoid sliding the grip too far to prevent a baseball-like swing.

Transitioning from forehand to backhand grip easily during play.

Demonstration of a backhand with a closed stance.

Tips for turning the head and following through for a successful backhand.

Recovery in tennis, emphasizing readiness for any return even after a strong shot.

Activation of shoulders and hips for power in the backhand.

The simplicity of the backhand motion compared to the forehand.

Importance of maintaining a low body position for control during the backhand.

Visualizing the contact point for a successful backhand.

Avoiding common mistakes such as not turning and excessive wrist movement.

The concept of using an open stance for advanced players and specific situations.

Strategic use of the open stance for disguise and recovery in tennis.

Encouragement to practice and master the backhand for improved tennis performance.

Bonus tip on using the open stance during approach shots.

Final thoughts on the simplicity of the backhand and its importance in tennis.

Transcripts

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Tennis TutorialBackhand GripForehand ComparisonEastern GripSports TrainingTennis SkillsAthletic PositionContact PointOpen StanceTennis Strategy