Correcting A Two-Handed Backhand Tennis Stroke - What's The Mental Image

www.feeltennis...
Since I rarely work with beginners I spend most of time correcting stroke techniques instead of teaching and developing them from scratch.
And today I want to show a very simple method of diagnosing the cause of technique problems using a two-handed backhand.
Players namely have a certain mental image of the stroke and it can happen quite often that their stroke mechanics are incorrect because they actually imagine the stroke incorrectly.
So it's essential that both the player and the coach realize this problem before they start correcting the technique of the stroke otherwise there may not be much progress as the player will keep executing the stroke as they imagine it.
I will use a two-handed backhand example in today's video article to show you how this method works but it can be applied to any stroke.
You'll see a comparison between a recreational and professional two-handed backhand stroke and what they key differences are.

[@catholicanimationchannel]

Who else thinks that this is one of the best backhand tutorial ever? Tomaz you are one of the best. Thank you.

[@R3T41L]

i agree. this is most helpful video in certain phase. am playing tennis for almost 2 years and i've made a huge progression but i found out that occasionally i have to come back here and start from the roots. i manage to have very good forehand, making a lot of winners but on backhand i dont have same feeling of control. by recording myself and analyzing my game i come to coclusion that on forehand am much better in ball approach and getting into the shots. on the other hand, am playing backhand much better when the opponent play faster balls into my body because i dont have much time to move and am hitiing it much closer to myself. therefore, when am behind the ball am much more leading the ball and getting into shots . when i have time am approaching balls more from a side and am loosing so much power and control. thats's why am here. thank you Tomaz

[@TheIndianCelticsShow]

The GOAT amongst online tennis coaches🙏

[@renos77]

yes great tennis tip

[@billionairelivesmatter]

I watch a lot of them, and I came upon Thomas first. His videos are definitely the most enjoyable to watch. He makes you feel like you are right there with them. You could watch these videos even if you didn’t play 🎾

[@jassay6435]

I have to admit that you're the greatest and most helpful guider since I seek a lots online about backhand, eventually I come to you again. This mindset explains so awesome, and make prefect sense to me. The problem makes me annoying for serval years but I can not understand ever. Sideway orientation make arm suffer, getting the ball behind generates more power by hip rotation!!!

[@pr4nk5tr]

Tomas is one of the few coaches who's very good at addressing problem root causes instead of just curing symptoms.

[@nawasnychzasadach]

Can you recommend also other channels with same quality?

[@iamshadowbanned699]

@@nawasnychzasadach Jorge Capestany is also a great one.

[@EP-77o]

This is all about Gallweys Inner Game of Tennis. The External Reality (how the stroke is executed) vs the Internal Reality (how the player imagines the stroke). Great vid Tomasz.

[@ezekial1925]

Yea, I met him at a tennis camp in the 1970's. Great series of books. The only downside was my guilt over wanting to win to satisfy my ego rather than play my best tennis in the "zone" or the "inner game", lol!

[@markoheystek]

I have watched hours of backhand content on KZbin, this is by far the best.

[@scottsheck]

That is the best backhand advice I’ve heard. Especially the part about how movement is generated from the bottom up. I naturally do that on the forehand but didn’t realize I wasn’t doing that on the backhand. I hear about rotating hips and shoulders, it the bottom up advice was the key tip for me

[@katkenny8490]

Per usual, Tomaz nails it! This is absolutely true, that my mental image was sideways before and not ‘behind’. Brilliant backhand video. In order to fix the stroke you have to correct the mental image. I don’t see many coaches with this keen observation and insight. He is the best instructor without a doubt.

[@maxzagor6446]

Agree. I wish I was near Slovenia. He is the most effective online coach. It just solved a problem I had with my backhand and wasted a lot of money on useless live coaches.

[@michelhabib3471]

Great coaching. He has a very deep understanding of the game and a deep understanding of teaching. Very technically minded. Thank you sir

[@jimgreen104]

Great piece of advice: engage the lower body first and let the upper body follow. I've been playing tennis for 3.5 years now and it's still difficult for me to grasp the importance of integrating the lower body into the shot, be it forehand or backhand. I have a strong upper body and I naturally want it (upper body) to do all of the work. This will only get you so far in competitive tennis. Legs (i.e., lower body) are so fundamental to consistent tennis shots. Excellent video!

[@krishnatejachavali]

The mental image correction is great. I always wonder why I revert to old ways of hitting even after watching tonnes of KZbin videos. I will try to correct my mental image first and the corresponding new technique later. Thanks for the great video.

[@ripleypipe]

Fascinating technique Tomaz, you got him to rethink his stroke without even hitting a ball, great work! Gordon

[@MA-dw2yl]

Although I am not a beginner, I learned a lot about the basic concept on two-handed backhand stroke. What he explained is the picture of the very basics I should draw when I hit the ball with the backhand.

[@YevgeniyNakonechniy]

Words of wisdom: “first to set your mind, then technic”. This is a ground of every single exercise and every single practice

[@Pastarastaman100]

This is precisely my problem with my backhand! Excellent video, I cannot wait to get back on the court and make these changes.

[@chrisc2439]

Did it address your issue?

[@Emolga6274]

This is the best video on two handed backhand . Changed my whole game .

[@JohnRaaf]

Really really good video on hips/arms turning in sync.....thank you! It's amazing how so many people who have been told to turn sideways to hit a ball don't see how important it is to get behind the ball so that the hips can turn.

[@Me-xd7bd]

Tomas you are a master teacher and very creative unlike many other channels. Everyone avoid essential tennis they are unoriginal and all flash without any substance, real substance is Feel Tennis!

[@jmrf6280]

Every Feel Tennis video with Tomas is gold. Never a bad one. Always helpful.

[@Me-xd7bd]

@@jmrf6280 You can tell he is really teaching unlike other channels who sell first, teach later. Stay away from essential tennis, they are despicable people.

[@horstkoston7104]

@@Me-xd7bd lol no they are not. what makes you use the word despicable when referring to essential tennis?

[@AnilKumar-ds9do]

Superb sense of getting to the bottom of the problem

[@chrisc2439]

No pun intended

[@zacharywan2004]

1000% agree on the mental image. I managed to improve fast because of doing self-mental image of what my fav tour player looks like. Or at least come close to it. It helps you progress a lot trust me!

[@medigapoptions]

Tomaz, this video and your explanation nailed it for me. I could be the student in your video. I can't wait to get out on the tennis court. Thank you for all you do! You are the GOAT of online coaches, and probably one-on-one as well.

[@sarvasiddhantaservicespltd1493]

Absolutely Wonderful video ! Just couldn't understand what I was doing wrong with my double handed backhand - Now I know..still practicing and hope to get there....Thanks Tomaz ! You are the best!!

[@McNickolson]

I hope I had a teacher like him in my area. Congrats from Greece!

[@flanker909]

Good video. I ask my students to make contact at 10 o'clock (2 o'clock for lefties). 9/3 o'clock is a very common mistake.

[@jdrjpr007]

Great coaching style. I always felt this when my son took the coaching lessons from the coaches. Not sure why most of the coaches do not prefer to create the “pictures” in the mind of their students before tossing the balls to them for practice. Thanks coach for posting the video. I’ll surely take a few tips from this to improve my backhand

[@desigulal]

In my country we touch the feet of an elder person out of respect :). You are THE man, Please bless me - you are the Guru (teacher) I always wanted. !

[@chrisc2439]

One of the most insightful videos I've ever seen

[@bassmann666]

I Am 41. More than 35 Ys. Playing tennis, can’t believe you are completely right, thats why i cant hit “heavy” backhands

[@andreagassi7413]

Very Good instructions, the next step Will be how the gentleman hold his racket at the backswing, and the rotating from down and up at the same time as the hip is rotating. And the right foot should be forward to help rotating, but I must say this coach know whats he’s talking about. 👍😊

[@thicKarYT]

With the 2HBH what you mentioned here, using the arms instead of the body to initiate the stroke, and not keeping the racket face stable the three biggest mistakes I see. Transformed my bh.

[@feeltennis]

Great to hear! Stay tuned for more two-handed backhand videos in the near future...

[@baomichael]

great explanation he has lots of patience

[@siddharthm4248]

Eye opener!!.. my backend had very much improved after watching this (both stroke wise & power wise)

[@kaisigel6644]

Just opened my eyes...could have been the guy in the video! So great!!

[@Geeliowl]

I had exactly the same issue as the player in the video. Got it now. Thanks!

[@EduardoPlatais]

Hey, Tomaz! As you may have noticed, I am kind of a big fan of yours. I've probably watched all of your videos, and many of them more than once! I really appreciate your job. Thanks! I was then wondering, if you could post any videos in complementation with this one, giving more of your great tips regarding the correction of Two-Handed Backhands (namely footwork, positioning, unit turn, and racquet path - or hip rotation). Thanks in advance for this, and congratulations on the great job you've been doing!

[@feeltennis]

Thanks for the kind feedback! Yes, both one- and two-handed backhand major technique videos are planned to be released soon so stay tuned!

[@maxvey3856]

Eye-opening! I love how you tackle the problem, it's very clear and easy to understand.

[@cesarfernandezlopez2209]

I haven't mastered my tennis yet , but looking at Thomas , teaching must very fun too 😂, thank you 👍🏻❤️

[@oworren]

Hi Thomas, I have seen most of your videos, love them, great explanations, great logic, awesome!! Norway

[@gregorybuck2306]

Thanks for the lesson. I struggle with my backhand so much. Gonna try to get behind the ball...

[@mauriciopeterlevitz8902]

Best teacher on the web no doubt about it

[@christophermangrum5905]

Tomaz, you need more lessons on single and two-handed back hand strikes. Love your video lessons!

[@anneneville6255]

Very good explanation!!! I have been struggling with my backhand lately! Thanks for the tip!

[@leebr2010]

Another eye-opening lesson from Tomaz! You've demonstrated in a short video what other coaches could not. I will keep the mental image of getting behind the ball next time I line up to hit a ball. Thank you so much Tomaz!

[@tr3der]

Tomas. Great stuff! My 14 year old son is in process of upgrading from a 3.0 to 4.0 player. The issue is instruction overwhelm (move your feet, more top spin, split step, etc.)! How do you suggest how to learn without being overwhelmed?

[@EVworldnews]

This is a great video. The push on his strings demo is an awesome idea. I see the step across as a common issue. I feel too many right handers load on that right foot way too soon. I spend a lot of time teaching how to drive with the left foot in an open stance to maximize the hip turn.

[@jesoby]

That makes sense, we naturally load up on back foot with forehand but not so with backhand. I’ve got a strong game apart from two hander so I slice 95% like Steve Johnson. Coach had me concentrating on extension of follow through but that didn’t make a lot of difference, I think he missed the bottom up chain aspect.

[@beautyinc1990]

Very very good helpfull and informative video in theory and practise.. I also been strugling with getting on the side of the ball and now it all makes sense that I havde to get behind to get max control and Power.. Thank U very mich for this video Tomaz.. Game One🎾

[@seshavamsidhar5626]

Awesome..sometimes I do the same mistake and wonder why I am not getting power..great tip coach.

[@ezenwachijioke5919]

This is the ist time I am watching your recent video upon the fact that I subscribed long ago. Well done Tamaz

[@rectim34]

Great video! I’ve been having an issue with hitting my backhand since I’ve started playing a lot more. Hopefully I can start mentally preparing myself like this before hitting.

[@hsiehiche]

I find it very useful for both backhand and forehand.

[@chessbrilliance8783]

5:20 the way the guy moves and behaves is too comical. He should see at this video. 🤣🤣🤣

[@jassay6435]

Very great point even we watch it after couple of years !! Can I basically explain that we need hit the ball in front of body rather than in the sideway?

[@feeltennis]

Yes, more in front than most players imagine. A simple guideline is that the contact point is at around 45 degrees in relation to the body.

[@jassay6435]

@@feeltennis Thank you Tomaz, btw, I read your most articles about tennis mindset in your website, I very like that part ! Also "The inner game of tennis" is a good book.

[@K4R3N]

When covid is finished first trip I'm making is to Slovenia to learn from this master

[@jemps9607]

Help! Played through tennis elbow and somehow adjusted my backhand to avoid the pain. Now, I can't get back to my old bh. When I make contact, the racket is slightly open somehow so that I drive with a lot of side/under spin. I can't generate top spin. I want to go back to my old two-handed bh in which the racquet face is square to the ball. Any tips???

[@junrylcambio908]

Thank you sir i have so much Learning from you, because easy to understand your explaining and teaching correctly during tutorial

[@riotmode666]

This is such a good Trainer, i want to train with him.

[@manama9119]

Makes alot of sense to me, I am having the same issue. Thanks alot coach!

Mind blowing! Thank you Tomaz, the GOAT

[@Tech_Publica]

you are a f*ing monster at tennis coaching! I wish I had the privilege to have you teach me a little bit! ps> you gotta tell that guy to bend his knees, or he' ll never be able to turn his hips without falling :)

[@quantumjoss]

why does the animation in the beginning put backspin on the ball?

[@timw6914]

Thank you very much for this video. I have adjusted the mental picture I have of a successful backhand and am going to whack it out there next time!

[@Pakodilalala]

Following your lessons long time.They have helped me immensely. Thanks a lot. Please suggest something on racket and strings. There are thousands and is really difficult to choose one. All are good. What to do?

[@Islamrulzzz]

Brilliant approach man! Thanks

[@jowsiff]

1,000,000 likes! Perfect instruction!

[@janericcabunilas1175]

This is absolute gold! Thank you 🙏 for the lesson

[@nicholassymon4152]

I need the one handed backhand version but I can't find it! Can someone link me?

[@weixiangwong2227]

Hi Tomaz, do you normally teach your students to hit two-handed backhands left-dominant or right-dominant? I do understand that former pros like Agassi and Nalbandian have a more right-dominant or balanced backhand and keep their wrists set throughout, whereas now people like Djokovic tend to hit a bit more left-dominant and break their wrists a little more. Any thoughts on which you prefer?

[@billionairelivesmatter]

Thomas, you don’t like that back leg coming forward ever, after you hit the shot? What about if you want to hit a flatter shot?

[@ezekial1925]

Yea, I thought it is supposed to come thru to pll the shoulder thru.

[@Xavier-kh2qt]

Wow this is totally my problem. Thanks a lot!

[@K4R3N]

Legendary coaching

[@joh2744]

Amazing lesson!

[@hamzaettaleb5025]

Thank you Thomas ! Very good advice

[@AlexanderGr8]

Great stuff Tomaz.!

[@umutkara739]

Well done. Good job. You are very well.

[@osteouk]

Tomaz my boy, genius stuff.

[@markbuckholz3184]

This is outstanding

[@jupiter7x7]

Excellent video. Very informative!

[@TheDarklordHimself]

Great video Tomaz! Thanks a lot!

[@patrickt.4121]

This tutorial is so good that I wish I had a two-handed backhand! 🤭

[@tennis47]

Great coach all the time !

[@belmirovalente984]

You are the master!!!

[@mervatameen646]

Great lesson! Thanks!

[@bbogdanmircea]

The first guy is really hitting and looking like myself . My backhand is either too long or in the net, I can't hit it constantly in the middle of the court . Probably same error hitting late and sideways and no hip movement

[@Jon_Dang]

Timing and proper stroke is absolutely key for consistency and placement, yes. But for depth the first thing that comes to mind is racquet face angle at contact AND racquet path. If you have nice fluid power and enough topspin then you can get a good consistent deep shot.

[@walterkasper467]

Awesome lesson

[@omarsultanov362]

Genial Great Though might be much much smoother if the student were told making splitstep first

[@AlexanderGr8]

Tomas your the best !

[@mauriciopeterlevitz8902]

Wow excelent lesson

[@dakid3002]

You are great, thank you

[@yushengwu7714]

Thank you very much for the video!

[@nawasnychzasadach]

Perfect! Today my tennis partner is going to be surprise :D

[@reyara]

So glad I'm subscribed here :)

[@LoveSetMatchTennis]

great job Tomaz I always enjoy these videos! wanted to share my podcast too and hope I can interview you for it someday soon! search for TennisPAL Chronicles!

[@vntnnguyen]

Great info, thank you.

[@ministerofjoy]

Thank you.

[@kabangilakasuba2355]

“If you’re on your side, your hips cannot help you” 🤣

[@haritsaxena1023]

thanks a ton

[@hocean4306]

excellent

[@levu1970]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@AnhNguyen-he5gb]

I really want to switch to a two-handed backhand. It's so hard after you're so used to the one-handed

[@ampecsu]

start w/ very very compact back swing (but do NOT tuck elbows close to body) but use complete follow through putting the racquet in your "backpack"

[@whiteonblondecoffee4583]

practice hit with your left hand or the opposite hand of your forehand

[@cakarbilal]

Outstanding