Feel Extension
Today we are talking about the 2 handed backhand. Many players seem to have issues with the low ball on the 2 handed backhand.
I want to share a tip from one of the best coaches in tennis, Robert Lansdorp.
Lansdorp taught a handful of players who reached number 1 in the world, and most of the players he coached had amazing 2 handed backhands.
Robert Lansdorp was big on making sure players felt a lot of extension on the 2 handed backhand, and this can be achieved by driving through the ball. One way to guarantee maximum drive is to finish with the hands in front without having them go over the shoulder. You must extend toward your target when the hands finish in front of the body.
Finish With The Hands In Front
I like to use the Lansdorp finish with the hands in front on low balls. You can actually get the ball up and down, making it drop into the court with this hands in front style of finish.
You’re only goal is to stop your hands from going over the shoulder and instead finishing with them out in front.
Use the Lansdorp finish when you get a low ball to the 2 handed backhand for maximum extension and drive.
Click here to discover another powerful 2 handed backhand lesson.
It is a nice concept but some players can have problems with generating enough spin to make the ball over the net with decent speed
This is true, Marcin. It takes practice to use the wrists more and get under the ball.
I love the simplicity of this stroke, will be easy to teach it to my students! Thanks Jeff, you’re the man
Thank you, Zac!
Because of back issues I’ve switched to two hands recently. I’m cracking it, but I almost always finish this way – arms out toward target. Am I missing out by not finishing over the shoulder on waist high balls?
David, If the ball is in your strike zone the Lansdorp finish can work. You might get in trouble on high balls where you don’t finish.
I find this very effective, I like to call it a ” block swing”, I think people get in trouble with the backhand in general by not extending through the ball and pulling up too soon. This focuses on a more linear path with the racket while going low to high. Also it forces one to modulate their swing which gives them better contact!
I agree, Joe!
Hello — I have am a lefty with a one handed backhand. Is there a reason you qualify this for a two handed backhand only?
Hi K Wilson, You can stop the finish on low balls as well:)
Ok. This is a great “tip” to fix jamming into the ball…
Thinking of this follow through forces one to get full extension…
What if you have more than one flaw in your backhand? Well – wait for the next tip that would be applicable… And again: tips are more about “how it feels” rather than “what it really is”…
In general: tennis strokes are relatively complicated movements from pure mechanical point of view… Unless you are:
1. Kid under 10 years of age, so that ability to copy someone’s without thinking has not been lost or
2. Physicist, inclined to figure these things out ( and talented enough in sports to translate your understanding into you movement…)
You will be bound to fix your technique “one tip at a time”… How long would it take?
Well, it’s not about time… It’s about fun:) is not it? :):):)
Start with the finish and watch what happens:)
Great tip Jeff. Thanks.
I noticed your student across the net played a great BH slice (00:41) to give you that low ball and followed it up with an impressive buggy whip forehand. All your good work in coaching him? 🙂
I can’t take credit for that:) Maybe he was just modeling someone!