How To Handle High Balls In Tennis (Forehands And Backhands)

[@2MinuteTennis]

How To Handle High Balls In Tennis (Forehands And Backhands) TopspinPro Affiliate Link topspinpro.com/ref/2minutetennis/

[@TheDrakulie]

you are a genius

[@2MinuteTennis]

@@TheDrakulie def don’t agree with that but I appreciate the kind words

[@tesladiesel2420]

Hitting that TopSpin Pro like THAT - without it tipping over or falling off the table - takes a lot of control. I know bc I have one of those… great Job Ryan thanks for the tips!

[@slowdownandbreathe]

The high ball forehand is by far the most difficult shot for me (3.5, trying to move up to 4.0). Thank you for the tips!!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Appreciate your support Cliff! Thanks so much!!!

[@chasepetersen9978]

No, the high backhand

[@rbrianharris]

Yup. And when we get these balls we whine that it's a "pusher" when really it's simply a shot we don't have, don't practice, and can't hit. I'm drilling myself to death with these lately.

[@DF-xs7ov]

Thank you thank you thank you! what a lightbulb moment for me. you've really made me a better player over the last year. I can't wait to use this! keep up the strong work!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Thanks D F. Appreciate you my friend. You got this!!

[@flyboybrkn]

I became addict to your videos. And everytime I watch them I find something for myself, wether a correct thing or a mistake that I make. Really thank you from Turkey!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Wow thank you B D. I appreciate the support!

[@AndyLoughman]

This is one of your very best videos Ryan!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Wow thank you Andy!!!!

[@yipingpeng4408]

This is my biggest problem,谢谢你

[@joshuatran3667]

:) Thank you for the honesty and not editing out your mistakes. We're all human after all.

[@nabirum]

Ryan you are on innovative fire. I have the topspin pro, but with a table I can now practice high balls, and if I take that gaurd off I can practice short sitter balls too! The concept of spacing for the shot is soooo good. You must either film on the court, or this amazing patio you have. So beautiful. No more driveway!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Haha we just got the patio done last week!! So no more driveway! Yeah!! Hahahha thanks so much. So glad to help you and make videos. Just made/uploaded two new videos this morning that’ll drop at 9am (nyc time) and 3pm today. Thanks so much!!! You got this!!!

[@mwenyamubanga4328]

Great tips

[@jbc-3975]

So many thoughts Ryan: 1. as others have noted, love the new patio & great bucolic setting. We have tiny lots in most is SoCal so very jealous of your beautiful neighborhood. 2. When talking about hitting the high and low ball - I'm thinking you should have focused on the angle of the racket at contact that allows you to contact the ball at a more comfortable distance from our body. In short, you can/ should raise or lower the racket head rather than trying to get the arm parallel to the contact point which results in a very awkward low power swing on high FHs. Most people do this easily/ naturally on low balls (angle the racket head down), but can't/ don't do it on high balls (angle the racket head up) because they use an old school pendulum swing where gravity assists the power equation on low balls - rather than a modern throwing motion that allows power generation thru a much wider contact zone - including when angling the racket head up and hitting across the body on a high ball and when going backwards and sideways. The foregoing is what largely separates those who can play well in match situations where you are pushed all over the court and have to handle high/low/slow/fast/short/wide and deep balls and balls hit with a variety of spins. in contrast, most club players find that they only feel like they can get in a groove when they are getting medium paced balls with a consistent spin, depth and height fed to them by a ball machine or teaching pro or advanced hitting partner. Modern/ throwing motion FHs - especially the ATP vs. WTA FH are much more adaptable and release much less on perfect footwork, timing & weight transfer. There's a reason why most all top men players can crush high balls and generate power and spin when moving backwards, and on the run going sideways or forward vs. old school FHs that can only do so when getting balls at a consistent pace and depth where they can get their weight transfer timing down perfectly and make contact at waist height or lower. 3. I also think you are emphasis on the offhand is misplaced. It's what results from core rotation and release thru contact; it's not the cause of same. What's important is the core rotation/ unwinding which naturally results in the off-hand ending up on your left side (assuming you're a righty) and somewhere between mid-chest and shoulder height when you 'release' and unwind. Your emphasis on moving the hand over to the left and 'waving' makes people think that's what causes/ allows the core to unwind & the hips to release, but it's the end result of that action - not the cause of same. Don't believe me?? Stand looking straight ahead with our elbows back & your forearms straight & your hands bent slightly upwards. Now rotate your core and come back to neutral. Congrats, you've just demonstrated the basic move for a modern, open stance FH (elbows back & hands out in front) and you'll notice that your arms, elbow & hands barely moved independent of your core rotating. Pretty much all you need to add is just a bit of a sidearm throwing motion with your right arm/ elbow & shoulder as part of the core unwind and you've executed a modern FH stroke. But even the shoulder throwing motion and follow-on elbow & forearm pronation and wrist snap with your right arm is really pretty subtle and your left arm, elbow and hand hardly move at all .. they pretty much just go back to neutral - allowing you to naturally catch the racket on the follow-thru. It's also worth noting when your doing this how your right/ racket hand barely moves out of the contact zone. On a modern ATP FH swing, your right elbow moves back a bit, but your right hand and wrist barely move behind your right hip which is why you can be so quick with your set up and swing w/ a modern ATP FH. Yes, your racket head lags behind and snaps back thru the contact zone (when using a throwing motion vs. a traditional push/ pull/ pendulum swing), but your right/ racket hand doesn't really move that much until the forward throwing motion is initiated which results in wrist & racket head lag (from a normal throwing motion) and then power & spin as the racket head very naturally snaps back thru the contact zone. The foregoing is a big reason why modern ATP FHs are so consistent. A modern throwing motion allows for easy generation of power and spin so it's easy on the arm and it's much easier to time balls and adapt to a variety of incoming spins, placements and speed because the throwing motion is very quick in the preparation phase & thru contact and you don't have to have perfect balance or weight transfer to generate power/ speed and/or spin. Of course, when you add the throwing motion plus the weight & centrifugal force generated by a tennis racket, your right elbow and hand will naturally come a bit past neutral as part of the deceleration. Catching the racket with your left hand aids in the deceleration process for most folks allowing it to occur more quickly & with less loss of balance. You'll see Fed and other top players almost always catch their racket on the follow thru when warming up but not always when hitting full out. Note that If someone is too focused on the left/ off-hand staying on the left side or being the cause vs. the result of your core unwinding/ releasing thru contact you'll either fail to properly rotate/ wind up your core in the 1st place or if you do rotate your core and then focus on initiate the unwind by moving your left arm & hand to the left - you'll screw up your timing & kinetic chain and inevitably open up too early, i.e. ahead of contact. 4. I think you should also let folks know that when one uses a modern/ throwing motion on one's FH your FH swing path on high balls with the racket head angled up at contact, the swing path is not low to high and is instead often across the face of the ball (creating some sidespin) with the racket head often ending up slightly down at the end of one's follow-thru. Of course, one can also use the Nadal bolo swing which will result in a follow thru over one's head and not catching the racket head with your left hand. As to this last point, it's important for folks to understand that - just like it's difficult to generate pace/ power & spin on high balls with traditional pendulum FH swings (racket back & then swing while transferring your weight by stepping through/ forward) it's difficult to execute bolo FHs like Nadal if you are wedded to a traditional old-school FH swing that eschews a wind-up/ throwing motion to generate power and spin. You just don't generate enough racket head speed and end up just pulling or pushing the racket thru the contact zone instead of generating a whip action via a throwing motion. Again, a modern/ throwing motion FH is just much more adaptable to incoming pace, spin, placement and ball height which is why you don't see any McEnroe FHs anymore.

[@NicoleK71]

Since I started watching you, I have gained confidence and winning most my matches!!!

[@kevincywu999]

Thanks!

[@mattlau95]

The jam you mention around 2:00 is a huge big issue of mine- thanks for the advice!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Yep so common. Gpa dyne video will be helping you!!

[@halilbolayrl8838]

Excellent demonstration. You're a genius of a teacher !

[@2MinuteTennis]

Wow thank you so much!!!

[@lynnbucknam6607]

THANK YOU!!! I've always had trouble with short high balls, ya know the ones you should easily put away. I'm always jammed. Your demonstration of the distance needed when hitting a high ball vs low was the eye opener for me. I'm forever grateful! 🎾 🤗

[@rbrianharris]

Weird thing is (and several coaches have said this), it's NOT an easy put-away. Sure seems like it should be but it's more technically demanding than it seems.

[@gastondeveaux3783]

Brilliant explanation. Returning a high ball with my forehand is really wonky for me. I'm going to use these tips.

[@JetsetJive7]

This is the best video on high balls ... having watched about 10 of them from various channels. Thanks !

[@MP4Ever2020]

Great technique Ryan!!! Love all your tips!!!! Really helps my daughter improve better and better!!! Thanks again!!!

[@2MinuteTennis]

So glad you like the videos Mitul. Have a great day!

[@ftllum]

Please include one handed backhand demonstrations in your future videos. Thanks!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Yep! You’re right! I forgot to include it. One hander is the same when it comes to the shot selection and distance to stand but the closed stance works well with the one hander on high balls

[@anneg1536]

Great explanation and visual on why you need to keep more distance between you and the ball when they are higher. Thank you!

[@IgorBomtempo]

great video Ryan, it's the best I've seen about handling high balls!! Thanks!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Thank you so much Igor!!!

[@IgorBomtempo]

@@2MinuteTennis Hey Ryan! I sent you an email with a video of my serve! Did you receive it?

[@cristianm-uv9up]

Very helpful. This shot is the most frustrating miss in my game. I always noticed that I am too close to the ball but did not realize why. That circle radius idea explains it.

[@2MinuteTennis]

So glad this video helped your high balls. Thanks for trying it and for letting me know it helped!

[@SAllen-gi6jk]

2 simple yet very critical tips in this video. Thanks Ryan!

[@paddlepower888]

"2minutetennis" means I know I've found a great lesson within two minutes, not "each video is two minutes long" Thank you!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Wow thank you!!! Appreciate the supportive comment. Have an awesome day Jeff. You got this!

[@mdewet4632]

Such useful tips Ryan, all your video clips are extremely helpful in sharpening my game! Thank you 😀

[@Jordan-ws6jy]

Thank you Ryan for all your tips! Super helpful as always 👌👌

[@2MinuteTennis]

Here’s my link. Thank you so much topspinpro.com/ref/2minutetennis/

[@victorfroese]

Very helpful information, Ryan. Explains a lot of the errors I make when I try to hit high balls back.

[@johnupton8297]

Excellent point about why we end up too close to the balls. I never realized why that was happening! I don't know if you've ever addressed this in a video previously but it would be interesting to hear which part of the bounce you recommend we try to hit the ball--going up? at the top? going down? Thank you.

[@olafsrensen9578]

This is the greatest vidio I have watch on spacing on high or low balls. Christal clear explanation.Will youse the advices on sunday and tell my students how great your channel is. Bedst fron Copenhagen Denmark.

[@BhaskerRathi]

Great video Ryan! Can you please demo hitting high ball with single-hand backhand? Thanks

[@dl0903]

You definitely point out the problem for about 3.5 level players! Good content!

[@steveswen]

First time thought about the contact ball to body distance being different for low & high balls. Thanks for the light bulb moment.

[@sparkmanuk]

This guy does the best tennis vids

[@2MinuteTennis]

Wow thank you so much!!!

[@sparkmanuk]

@@2MinuteTennis I mean it, I got into tennis about 3 years ago, I’m 47 now so not starting young it can be an unforgiving game, what you do well is remembering what it’s like from the beginners point of view, a good thing I learnt was from a book called the inner tennis about the phycology of the game but it could be for any sport, to stop being judgemental on shots don’t punish yourself for bad shots and don’t be to excited about good ones, as you can try and formalise your movement that created the good shoot, and start to analyse it too much instead of letting the natural movement take place for the desired results.

[@FBVenom]

This was one my biggest problems. I feel extra comfortable right now thanks to this amazing tutorial.

[@twinwankel]

What a beautiful neighborhood you live in. Looks almost like a living across a golf clubhouse. These are nice tips. I play close to the baseline and typically hit all high balls (and everything else) on the rise unless they were sitters and so I hit down into the court. Thanks

[@TopspinPro]

Excellent tips!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Thanks so much!!!!

[@applesforakbar]

This was fantastic Ryan. Learned alot from this one, cheers!

[@2MinuteTennis]

So glad to hear that!!!

[@alondrahleap7676]

Love your videos man. Can you do a video on how to hit high balls to a one handed backhand? You'd help me alot since that's my biggest struggle atm haha.

[@Jeff-Cao]

Good video Ryan! Thanks. I just have this problem recently. All the high balls I hit went to either out the boarder or under the net. Right on time!

[@michelferes4718]

Hi coach! Thanks so much for your tips! I have a very hard time with high balls...and when they come to me in top spin mode I am big trouble...I recently bought the topspin pro device and I will practice the way you said on the video. Lets see how it goes. Thanks a lots again! Greetings from Brazilian's fans!

[@mib910]

Thanks for your tutorials. I need to fix my high balls technique. Also, the 7 steps serve tutorial really helped my first and second serve. So much value there and great way of explaining.

[@jag3384]

Ryan, man you've got the best looking stroke production I've ever seen....including Fed!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Wow I’m not sure if you’re being serious but thank you so much!!!

[@jag3384]

@@2MinuteTennis Was being serious, you're stroke production looks really great.

[@jamescardenosa5717]

Definitely the tip to put in practice this weekwnd in my tennis matches. Great video and I love the simplicity of the explanation and all the analysis behind the technique. Thanks a lot Ryan . PS, I would say the heavy breathing is because you put a lot af enthusiasm and pasion on the video. It is a good indicator 👌

[@milanvincic9668]

I just had an AHA moment while watching the video. Thank you Ryan for this insighful video. Awesome!

[@johnfaalogo9305]

Awesome demo Ryan! I got this!!

[@2MinuteTennis]

So glad you liked the video. Hope it helps in high balls.

[@krishnar3493]

Thank you, Ryan. Great work, sir.

[@lindemi1680]

Like the way that you use top spin pro to demonstrate it!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Thank you so much Lin Demi…appreciate egos commenting and letting me know! Have a great week!

[@gafur1511]

Hey Ryan. This is a great video thank you so much👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@steernorth3567]

I receive a lot of high balls to my backhand I usually feel 'out of position' and cant work out why. I shall try your tip about distance. Thank you very much.

[@2MinuteTennis]

It’ll work perfectly for you. Thanks!!!

[@ranjanjha1044]

Amazing demonstration

[@jasmine55000]

Great tip. Thanks coach Ryan!

[@2MinuteTennis]

Happy to help you!!

[@timlee5661]

Great video....those short balls are difficult but can win you many points....I definitely need to practice staying further away. Nice property btw.

[@2MinuteTennis]

Thanks so much Tim!! Good luck with the short high ball. Yes, staying farther away will make a big difference.

[@joshuatran3667]

One thing I was looking for was the contact point. Is it on the side of the body or in front of the body? If in front then how much? What is the path of the swing if you move into the ball?

[@jamesyoh1373]

Stop holding your breath. You are doing great. Thank you.

[@2MinuteTennis]

Glad you like the videos. Thanks!!!

[@jamesyoh1373]

@@2MinuteTennis Love it. You have vastly improved my game.

[@2MinuteTennis]

@@jamesyoh1373 so happy to hear that James. Thanks so much!!!

[@jamesyoh1373]

@@2MinuteTennis If you guys have a tennis clinic around New York, please let me know.

[@munishkhanduja2405]

Great advice I was making the same mistake playing yesterday and I just couldn't hit more winners

[@b4real116]

Gold tips. Thanks

[@2MinuteTennis]

So happy to help B!

[@keithsum9414]

Love your video, will try it next time on court

[@ruggierojerolli]

Take it. More distancie than usual on high balls. The greater radius of the arm makes full sense. Would you mind referring to the 45° degree contact point "idea"? Due to some coaches are strong advocates for having a double 45°: the first is your 2 hips aligned in 45° while simultaneously looking for making contact with the ball with the arm at 45° forward. They say that at 45° is the best biomechanical position to impact the ball with least effort and the greatest power ( hips involved of course). They say scientific studies endorse that. What do you make of? Thank you man. Your're among the most interesting tennis channels!!!

[@johnfaalogo]

Always informative tips for me to work on Ryan! I think I will get this once I practice it cheers 😎👌

[@tfjzz]

thank you exactly the information I was looking for!

[@hxvideo]

such a great topic to cover

[@sadhananarendar2992]

Very well explained. Thanks for the video.

[@nayboy1000]

Thank you very good video made with great effort to explain the moves thank you again.

[@filippovecchiarelli1144]

U r very good teacher man. Thx

[@kylebrown6688]

i love this channel!!

[@Rintintinsudaca]

Nice tip, I'll try it ✅

[@pikseloyunlar6913]

hi thanks for video , ihave big problem high ball that falling directly baseline and if i not hit early they jump so high...i hope u can make a tut for this thanks

[@omaraadi9851]

Thanks you so much for this video 📹 💗.

[@Mickey_McD]

Thanks, Ryan! When you "lift" the ball do you try to make contact slightly toward the underside of the ball? Or is it that you try to hit the back of the ball, just dropping the racquet lower below the ball?

[@remedypath5941]

Incredible video - you rock!

[@rds4629]

thanks this is really helpful. Btw, with the topspin pro, how would practice a rally ball vs. hitting a short dipper (like a passing shot).

[@2MinuteTennis]

Take the top panel off and hit more through it. 👍

[@mdfinance1897]

What grip did you use? Semi western or eastern? And btw, I'm literally in shock at the advice of staying far from the high ball. I've been playing for 20 years and have always struggled with high balls. Now I know exactly why! Thanks coach!

[@FranckAncelinCompositeur]

2 Minutes tennis, thanks for this video! Personally i do one-handed backhands, and I often have trouble positioning myself and making the right decisions before hitting the ball on the backhand. My ball often ends up behind the opponent's baseline or in the net. Would you have an exercise to suggest to always be in a stable position before hitting the ball with a one-handed backhand, left hand?

[@stephen4763]

Good stuff - exactly my problem. Both sides of the ball.

[@bdwar2354]

thank you so much , Coach. Really works

[@tavomagno5]

Where should i Aim cross or down the line ? When a go back or when i go forward?.whats the correct combination?. Ie if the ball is deep hi to my forehand and im going back ?

[@hermtm2]

Hi Ryan, What I understood from your video is that the long ball is bounced over the baseline. During the double match, I faced the high ball situation many times, so I normally try to hit a topspin ball. Could you give a little more explanation for the short ball? I hope to play more offensively.

[@punikse]

So good thank you Ryan for this great content 😊

[@giovannileone9365]

On high balls I impart more side spin because the racket is obliques to the ground and travels from right to left. Is that ok?

[@Stan-B]

Great tips, thanks, coach. By the way, such a nice neighborhood! :)

[@spunks8906]

I find it hard to create racket distance from high ball on fore & backhand when the ball is coming high & fast right at you. The ball is right on top of me before I can create distance.

[@WingedLionVE]

Great video! You're the best

[@MJ-us4gw]

very clear！thanks！

[@branem.2254]

I have a question though. Wouldn't u want to catch those weak balls down low on the gr😮und , when the ball is rising?😮

[@stevebyfield1595]

Brilliant thank you

[@2MinuteTennis]

Glad you liked it Steve!

[@TheDrakulie]

What about 1-handed backhand ? can you demonstrate that also ?

[@rbutthamilton]

Ryan, does your racket make contact with the top flap of the Topspin Pro when you have drive your forehand because of the flatter swing path? Would be good to have a side view in slow mo.

[@2MinuteTennis]

Hey thanks for the question RB. when practicing the forehand drive you simply remove the top flap. Takes 3 second to remove and allows for the flatter swing path that’s needed. If you’d like to get one it would mean the world to me if you used my link: topspinpro.com/ref/2minutetennis/

[@innoasuncion7628]

have never known i need to be further from the ball for a high ball lol amazing ty!

[@2MinuteTennis]

@@innoasuncion7628 yep! It’ll make ALL the difference in the world. Thanks!!

[@decon4510]

Parabéns pelo vídeo! 🎾🎾🎾👏👏👏🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 Nice tips!!!

[@JerrysTennisTips]

I Like many of your KZbin Videos but this one I feel is a little off. You are correct about an open stance, and transfering weight from right to left, If you place your racket at a waist high point of contact and then raise the racket to meet a high ball, head height, you will see the racket face will now be more open. That's the reason many people swing up for a high ball, trying to got topspon,, only to send it high and out, If the rachet starts outside and below the ball, the racket path will be more like 5 to 11 or from 4 to 10 o'clock., that allows you to keep your swing speed and follow through so your body doesn't get in the way. Try tilting your apparatus on an angle....that will give some ideas.

[@henryye1373]

what if you're trying to hit a low ball but time it wrong and the ball bounces higher than you expect it too, how are you supposed to move to away from the ball in time and in a controlled manner and not in a rushing manner

[@jbbaile3]

Great video

[@szcssz]

Thanks Ryan:)

[@davidfonseca855]

Awsome. Where van I bought that tool flor practice the top spin? Thank you

[@emilianogiachello9915]

I use a (super classic) continental grip for my forehand 🙋‍♂️that allows me to deal with a high ball even using a chop forehand. Is that a good alternative ?

[@2MinuteTennis]

Yes it is. Chipping the high ball makes dealing with it quite easy. Thanks!!

[@johnswanson6790]

So Ryan, I bought a Topspin Pro on your recommendation and find it helpful. I do note that you are able to hit against it very deftly, without ever mis hitting or hitting the frame of the unit. Is there a way, or could you (have you) cover how to hit smoothly against the Topspin Pro. Sometimes I make smooth contact and the ball spins like mad. Other times, I strike too hard and don’t feel I made optimal contact. Help!!

[@systemx4]

Good video, what would you suggest with a single handed high backhand, slice it?

[@2MinuteTennis]

High ball for one hander it’s a good idea to slice. Yes. Thanks!!

[@EskoTV-VIDEO]

It is hard to know early enough, how high the ball is going to jump. I refer to the positioning compared to the ball. Distance.

[@dominiquelegendre3612]

Hi Ryan I have a one hand backhand can I use an open stance ?

[@2MinuteTennis]

Open stance is usually for two hander.

[@misterss929]

saya ingin beli alatnya dimana ya

[@initialize21]

Does the Billie Jean Eye Coach work the same as the TopSpinPro, and/or can it be used for the same practice techniques?

[@2MinuteTennis]

Yes should be the same. I’ve never used the BJ eye coach before but it looks the same in its basic purpose. Thanks!!