How to Develop Heavy Topspin One-Handed Backhands

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Tallon Griekspoor has one of the best serves on the ATP tour. Here’s what you can learn from it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKG7c2qZpbmMa7Msi=rza35mcmITXQNI0H

[@yakzivz1104]

thank you so much for showing these drills for the 1hbh!!!!

[@lawpilot8526]

5/1/2024 - All tennis players have “one of the best serves.” Tell us who has the best serve and what place is Griekspoor’s serve? Second best? Third? If you can’t answer that question, then your comment is completely unintelligible because as I’ve said, all tennis players have “one of the best serves.” Think about it.

[@sdh2110]

This video has the most practical, systematic explanation of one handed backhand topspin i've ever seen on youtube. great one.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Wow, thanks!

[@k0-litigates225]

Agree. For years I've asked comp guys, even a former atp tour guy, to break it down and explain what all needs to happen on contact for better topspin technique like he does in this video. "Do I need more wrist? Less wrist? Do I even need wrist?" Without fail they would all take a practice swing and say "just hit it like this man."

[@yourtube9224]

I am new to Tennis, 40 yo took the racquet first time in 2023. You have no idea how much you have helped me improve my game, just won my first match against another intermediate player yesterday.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Glad to hear that 💯🙏🙌

[@younggwillis]

Another winner right here. For someone with a 1 hander, some would say " PeRfect " instruction. Clean and simple. And all things aside, what a beautiful private court lol.

[@Supertico-zj7sg]

This is extremely useful. Great lesson for us with a 1hbh.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@R3T41L]

I wasnt about to watch the vid as i play 2 handed backhand but seeing Shamir on thumbnail was a must click ! I hope you two are still working together because i really enjoy the vibe you two are sharing, having fun, those small talks and his enthusiasm for tennis. Videos with both of you are the best on this chanel imo !

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you so much. Yes we are working once a week since January and Shamir is playing matches. He is back in business 🪜4.5 🙌🙌

[@randominternetuser2]

love lessons with my guy Shamir!

[@jonizefox]

Congrats Nik,👌🙌 absolutly a great lesson here. THE video I neeeded ! I have exactly the same issue : I trust a lot in my slice, only a few "real" backhands in a match, and often played too slowly, because of the "not fault" pressure. And when I want to accelerate I finish really too low (not more than my torso). "Trust" "smack" "accelerate" "tip low to high" and "hold the torso" are the keys. For top spin I tried to lower the tip of the racket but I did it with a wrist break (typically at 29:31). I understand here that it's a mistake. The finishing and follow through of Shamir at the end is beautiful (federesque I'd say).

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌🔥

[@timesworks]

This is a great video, with clear instructions and good exercises to improve the one hand backhand, Im starting to play tennis again after 20 years, and defenitly will help my backhand to be back in shape and stop being afraid to hiting the ball faster, Thanks for this tutorial.

[@kiklop1984]

Great vid, Nic is really exceptional coach with very detailed explanations

[@brettmoloney109]

Best backhand tutorial I’ve seen I’ve a issue with opening up my hip and leaning back on my one handed backhand

[@CentaurusRelax314]

I like the student's feedback, questions, and quibbles. Him 'pushing back' against the instruction actually makes this more informative. Better than just having a robotic, non-verbal response to each instruction. His questions spur the coach to explain the rationales.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Every student is different. Shamir likes to repeat what I say and it works for him. I cut most of it out, bc it get boring for the viewer. But key is for the student to understand the instruction. Some get it right away, others need some time to comprehend it.

[@Anton.Arkhipov]

I did this kind of drill (no momentum), but with a bit more room. In actual stroke you do this part from before to after contact, not from where contact begins. So it’s ok to set just a bit more below the ball. Actually when you Nick demonstrate, notice how you drop below the ball initially - and you force Shamir not do it… it’s natural, and in full swing you uncoil, and then you go up and across into the ball, not exactly from first impact (impossible). With more experience and pace, once ingrain, he may bring it that close to actual impact, but it’s not that crucial. It’s important to have that racquet head coming over with arm going up and across - the presence of the move. Otherwise it should be long enough, fluid, fast but not jerky 👍

[@Cleveland_Rocks]

this is a good observation. I noticed that too.

[@jamsjerfy]

same. i was going to say "nick drops DOWN before contact, but shamir is starting from absolute zero." it made sense to not let him go BACK, but there's something to be learned from going DOWN and brushing more. i am an old beginner (54 and one year in) and these videos have been absolutely brilliant for my progression.@@Cleveland_Rocks

[@steeel]

Samir reprent all of us. Great lessons. THis is exactly what my problem is.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌🙌

[@Navigata1]

Super helpful!!! My 1 hand is nice, but now I can choose between rotation of the torso and the sideways upward whip for heavy spin!

[@SuperDutzzy]

Great job Shamir!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌

[@milanvincic9668]

Yes!! Exactly what I need and like. One handed bachand talk and practice with Shamir Fantastic video guys. Remaining sideways is very demanding on the OHB, more so than on the forehand. It is simply hard to resist rotation as soon as you htt the ball. Holding the torso, yeah. Good tip Nick. What I observe with my OHB is that I often find it difficult to find the right balance between "accomodating the swing path" and lifting too early, which can result in the loss of power and control. Does that make any sense?

[@saeedafsharpour9300]

I always use one hand backhand and that was very helpful for me i love that thsnks.

[@jeannogueira5859]

Jamir is fun guy to watch. Good job guys

[@vijaynarsapur147]

This guy is incredible... Shamir. Subjecting himself to such scrutiny. But improving so much.

[@JohnFaalogo-j2t]

Nice demo,will try it out today! Thanks for showing it!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏🙌

[@MrHitthespot]

I am 66. Just started playing 2 1/2 years ago. I Absolutely love the game. I play 3 to 4 times a week. Nothing has given me more trouble than the one handed back hand. Thanks for the video.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Keep going 🔥🔥

[@bhabyasingh1285]

Switch to 2 hand there’s no point to stress. It’s proven that 2 hand is more effective

[@MrHitthespot]

@@bhabyasingh1285 it might be more effective, however I have tried it a number of times. Nothing feels more unnatural to me than the two handed backhand. The one hand just feels right. It will get better. At my age improvement is slow, some say improbable; however, I am getting better every week.

[@farid1406]

We really need more coaches who properly understand how to teach, "low to high" swing paths like Nic. Would save thousands of players YEARS of wasted effort and tens of thousands of dollars easy.

[@valentinpanduru1488]

Another great lesson Nick, ..bookmarking it 😁

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌🙏

[@domclarke8182]

Great video! I slowed down the video to 0.25 to ensure Shamir didn't start "wristing" the ball, as that isn't stable contact and leads to injury. Bending the legs and loading will help encourage that vertical swing path. Top spin means you have more dynamics around the one hander and can trust the shot more. It took me a while to figure out the "feel" for this, as we're not all lucky enough to have great coaches. Looking forward to seeing his progress and long live the OHB!

[@trippwestbrook9827]

This is just what I needed this morning!

[@sarkology]

That’s a crazy improvement in one lesson. Amazing. My 2 cents … you both seem to be too focused on the finish and don’t have enough racquet speed before contact. Almost guiding into contact then applying extra effort into the finish. Looks like the racquet is accelerating after contact. I used to do this. Lots of balls go long that way. Abbreviating the finish and focusing on racquet speed before contact helped me correct it and get way more power spin and consistency. Finish should be a consequence of the effort before contact just like you explain so well for the FH.

[@carmy1878]

the best couple in the net!!!! You guys remind me with my coach...... It;s really nice to see Sameer's enthusiasm. Greetings from Abu Dhabi

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you 🙌🙏

[@petrtamler4484]

This is exactly what needs, one has to be even little bit turned with back towards net when initiating backhand topspin,so that right shoulder stays in front after finishing rotation, once you are not in this perfect position it is better to slice, on top of that you may not have enough time to change grip especially when returning serve , this is reason why vast majority of players play two handen backhand, when left hand grip can be easy in good position on the grip automatically and you can easy play in semiopen position what is nearly impossible with one handed backhand, of course left hand gives more security to the shot, even Roger played lots of slice backhands, this is why single handed backhanders have to develop very good and aggressive slice, because unless you are exceptionally athletic, you can't get always into good position to topspin onehanded backhand, for kids I would always recommend to start playing with double handed backhand

Excellent coaching. Thank you.

[@janimolin8767]

Super video and analysis! Heavy (too heavy) racket came to my mind initially when you pointed out that Shamir is inclined to hit backhand slice over backhand drive. Slice being easier to pull together more quickly as heavier racket is easier to swing down than up. To get real topspin, your tip to get under the ball is key - I find that if I use the non-dominant hand to lift the racket high behind be and then push the racket down when starting the stroke you get some crazy topspin but to time it consistently is difficult.

[@otaviopaiva2274]

Nice one!! Cheers from Brazil!!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌🙌

[@markchan006]

I am not a 1HBH player but really appreciate Nick's understanding of the different swing paths of 1HBH!

[@wearetemporary]

Age will make 1HBHers of us all-just a matter of time :).

[@FMD023]

@@wearetemporaryya and when I see old recreational players swinging with one hand I cringe because most don’t hit with the rigut from. I used to have a 2 handed backhand. I wish I still could but in my junior days I was small and skinny. I bulked up when I joined the army so now my chest is puffy and I have short arms n somewhat bulky. My chest feels tight holding it with two hands. Also feels weird on my follow through. I definitely would choose to have a 2 handed BH. You can get away with a lot more especially with timing.

[@FMD023]

Coach Nick would definitely beat me in a tennis match but I can say confidently my one handed BH is better than his. This is coming from someone who started playing again after taking off tennis for more than over a decade.

[@markchan006]

@@FMD023 yeh flexibility is very important for a fluid 2HBH! that's why very muscular men or older people prefer 1HBH

[@FMD023]

@@markchan006 yes that’s the word that perfectly describes it for me. My flexibility is definitely gone. My one handed backhand is good enough to keep a good rally going with a partner now and also could hit it much harder now. But the flip side to having a one handed Bh is I play further behind the baseline because I need time to set up my BH correctly. Playing back about a foot or more is something I had to get used to. It’s either that or I have to practice more on taking the ball on the rise. But in the days I played near the baseline

[@manfredchong2783]

Great progression for Samir!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@yellowdued]

best lessons there is on youtube

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🫶

[@sunnyyau6950]

Excellent video- I have the same exact issues with my one hand BH

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏🙏

[@nedh.8792]

Excellent content. Why does hardly anyone teach Steffi Graf's backhand technique, which I think of as an attacking slice backhand? After Federer, I think she had the 2nd best one-handed backhand in tennis. Not only did the angle and bounce create problems for her opponents, but it seems that her style would be much easier for intermediate players to replicate than Federer's, as his technique and timing were so unique. And her backhand, even as a slice, wasn't a passive shot either. Thoughts?

[@piercevaughan7566]

Excellent coaching.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@sean-gmcc]

Yep, I have the same problem. Working on it, too. You're not alone Shamir, haha.

[@garethcole5281]

Please do same for double backhand

[@yakzivz1104]

he already did

[@lolynnnn]

Link please

[@johnwoodstock1893]

After 2 years starting tennis I had develop a strong one handed backhand... Powerful and spin together... Clean technique.. and since last summer I completely lost it... Now I lost the correct swing path... As you show to shamir I apply a wrong follow through and it lead to balls long.. no spin.. horrible... Very frustrated thing .... After seeing this video I'm more likely now to find again the good fundamental.. thanks again Nicolas

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏💯🙌

[@Thibstho]

What a beautiful place right next to the lake!

[@jacnella2419]

Fabulous content as always. I am surprised you didn't address his knee bend which seems too shallow and hence preventing getting under the ball. His style of leaning over down to get the ball surely is a prohibitor of more effective backhand, namely as he has less ability to a) get under the ball and b) little room to rise up to the toes with the swing path. As he's already practically upright. I appreciate that can be a lot of information to teach in one sitting although my first coach grilled it into me that knee should almost be scraping the ground in drills when we started out, to develop the habit.

[@stevenhowie4219]

Awesome lesson

[@444destiny]

I gotta try this!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@dingdongcat]

I love this session. So much I learnt from this. Student Coach chemistry is really cool. During recalibration it maybe useful to pull down on the racket head so Samir doesn’t have to generate the initial upswing. I’d love a coach who would get into and explain all the details, rather than just saying bring racket down more. Or start with racket head below or above x y x. No context or sense of timing or positioning.

[@alimortezai4639]

Great insight

[@ssenssel]

Best topspin 1HBH is Richard Gasquet. That's why he rarely hits a slice, even with low balls.

[@nightowldickson]

agree completely - without question Gasquet has best top spin on 1HBH

[@yakzivz1104]

thank you for saying this. Honestly Dimitrov and Musetti are not too far behind either

[@ssenssel]

@@yakzivz1104 Agreed

[@sarkology]

Totally. And so overlooked because people just look at match and career results to assume who has the best groundstrokes. I would say Guga was up there as well.

[@franciscomanrique4979]

Gracias Intuitive 🇪🇦🇪🇸

[@petshop7248]

this guy is a damn good teacher!!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@antonboludo8886]

Tennis is a beautiful sport.

[@TVUntilTomorrow]

Question coach have you ever thought about traveling to play Felix or Winston or Coach Dylan? Would be really cool to see! Love the videos,my friend is in middle of backhand change 🔥

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you. LA or UK is going to be tough, but if any of those guys are in my area, I’m game.

[@gdwlaw5549]

Brillant and thanks.

[@sentret]

drills aside, the analysis of the pros was just spot on!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@timleelim9930]

Watching this after watching Grigor- Carlos Miami match 😊

[@knotwilg3596]

Always curious when I observe an apparent inconsistency: why is practicing kick serve from a chair wrong (not full range of motion) but practicing topspin backhand from kneeling position okay?

[@rohitrathi4552]

What a great concept: trust the stroke!! Give me a drill with a basket of balls and I am the king of the one hander. Put me in a rally situation alternating between forehand and backhand, up and down, and I am the worst pauper. I am caught wrong footed, sometimes too close, sometimes too late, always cutting down the backswing and finish due to lack of trust. 😢

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I got a vid coming soon how to balance practice and match play…

[@saeedafsharpour9300]

Thanks to coach

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@Otet7]

Awesome video

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thanks!

[@KobbyListowel]

Very interesting

[@ethanhan7402]

Nick why you gotta post this vid when ive already mastered (well not really mastered) and also took me 3 years with a bunch of research along with self-teaching😭. If you had post this video 4-5 years ago, i didnt have to go through all that mess to get the backhand that shamir has right now 😂

[@ethanhan7402]

also i think you can make them understand better by referencing it to a pendulum swing because thats what made me get the feeling of the wrist and the forearm mimicking like a whip :)

[@rkmedury]

Excellent

[@genadinikolajev9340]

The best tutorial I've seen!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌

[@Cherdik-Cherd]

Спасибо за Викторию Азаренко!

[@lrebsten7155]

I learned a one handed topspin backhand in the 80’s as a female kid. When most women were hitting with two. One sentence improved my topspin backhand and it naturally looks like Federer. I actually had the Federer backhand before he was even playing in the ATP. (Think 1982). One thing my coach told me after a couple of weeks of exasperation of me hitting flat and him telling me to, “hit up the back of the ball”. He finally said, “Hit your backhand like you are slapping your boyfriend.” 😂😂😂 “Backslap your boyfriend.” 😂😂😂 I don’t know what it was - maybe the violence of the 80’s. 😂😂😂 But I always thought of back slapping the side of someone’s face. (Coming up the side of someone’s head. Who would have thought). Kinda think Smith loading up against Chris Rock backhand style with the Mother of all backhanded wind ups. 😂 😂😂 When people ask me how I got such an awesome topspin backhand, I tell them my motivation is, “Politically incorrect in today’s times”.😂 Maybe we were a violent bunch in the 80’s, but as soon as my coach told me that one phrase - I got it - no other instruction was necessary. Maybe it was seeing all those old fashioned slap stick 50’s and 60’s comedy movies where all those actors would wind up big and B-tch Slap the other actor across the face and everyone would roar with laughter. And when you think about it, no one is going to SLOWLY B-tch Slap someone. You are going to do it quickly and fast and run for the hills before they can get after you. And when I teach teenagers … they get it in an instant … especially the girls. 😂 And amazingly very few people do slappy backhands when I tell them what to imagine. (And guys, I tell them to imagine slapping their boss or much hated male teacher). 😂 And also later on there was that Vogue song, “Strike a pose.” So telling people to strike a pose helps in the beginning and then when they start to become flat footed and posing keeps them from recovering from a shot … then you can move away from the “Strike a Pose Technique”.

[@JokerCat9]

Locking the foot position is genius.

[@vladinosky]

Shamiiiiiir! The return of the prodigious child :D

[@FMD023]

He looks like he is using his wrist upon contact or too loose of a wrist at the beginning. His wrist should be firm and be in more of an L shape on contact. But I must say that drill is a GREAT way to teach you to remind sideways over opening up to fast on a one handed BH. I might have to run some drill like that but with a knee pad. Roger also stays more upright if you watch his Bh in slow motion. Stan plays lower to the ground and leverages that hip to get those massive bombs. Roger also has his racquet head tilted at almost a 45 degree angle while Stan is more straight up and down.

[@yakzivz1104]

let's not forget about Dimitrov and Musetti's bh!!! Musetti has really good spin on his bh.

[@timothy8997]

What camera are you using to film? Also the camera holder as well.

[@omar.ovi.m]

buen entrenamiento

[@dalef84]

Could you explain the blister? My girlfriend had it and I want to help her out

[@whuang03]

I would say Richard Gasquet has the best topspin 1hbh, Federer maybe second.

[@MisterKolargol]

21:21 FedEx Backhand Support 😊

[@rafaolek158]

Great drills and tips. But how to deal with high, topspin balls?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

High 1-h bh kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqPUpqKLncikisksi=w__OwZtuZlutxpIq

[@farid1406]

Do you have an opinion on whether the off hand should be "pulling" the racket w/1HBH? I hear this a lot, but it feels weird to do on mine, as opposed to stabilizing and maybe guiding.

[@mikebikekite1]

Years ago, I used to practise my one handed backhand as I came down the fire escape stairs in the building I worked at the time. I was the only person that ever used the stairs and I found the practise quite useful. Unfortunately I was in full swing as a young guy came round the corner. It didn't go well and the poor guy disappeared back down the stairs :(

[@johnames6430]

Anyone know what area of Florida this is? It's really nice

[@Cherdik-Cherd]

Даша, поздравляю с успешной игрой и выходом в финал!

[@amehta3988]

Where do you teach?

[@petershort936]

Gasquet's is a better topspin bh than Federer's.

[@Vajra1021]

Shamir is going pro soon with all this practice 😅

[@thedungeon1288]

I have trouble with top spin on both the 1 hand and two hand backhand top spin when the ball is high

[@Grumpykit]

no semi-final preview for Miami? 😥

[@thehandseesall]

Gasquet has the best backhand topspin, but I would still prefer to have Federers backhand. it just looks so slick and ergonomically perfect...

[@jimmac6367]

I think anyone can hit a topspin BH getting low on a ball that's coming in below the waist. But the standard topspin BH becomes problematic above the waist and impossible at chest or shoulder level. I just can't swing up and get on top of a high ball. The only topspin BH technique that works for me for higher balls is to keep the racquet face pointing forward through and after contact in a near windshield wiper fashion. Lots of topspin and I can hit it from knee height to shoulder height.

[@petershort936]

Not easy to get good racquet head speed with a 330g racquet...just saying!

[@TheBlessedLion]

Where is this great court in Florida…?

[@Dubinski2382]

One thing to consider is seeing the ball into the racquet. It can be hard to track the ball on the one hander if your non dominant eye is the one closer to the incoming ball (which is often the case on the backhand side).

[@Mewborne89]

I really feel like that racquet is too heavy for his one hand BH. He can’t whip and maneuver it very well. That and his confidence when hitting the one hander.

[@maxxbenzz7842]

I could never get used to two hander.. felt like I was trying to hit it with my left arm which is not my dominant arm

[@sumankumarrr]

I am not coach but I observed that the guys leg movement is not proper and struggling to make the base for the backhand shot. Just see the Federer shot and his movement to make solid base for the shot which is very important to execute the shot with desired speed and accuracy. Needs great improvement. However learned a lot from the coach. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@martindeleon9863]

Can you make a video on how to apply a proper backhand to your haters?

[@Famouss]

I wish to take a private class too

[@wishyrater]

his racquet's too heavy

[@maxxbenzz7842]

Did you weigh it?

[@Dan1elAndrade]

Perhaps, but wouldn't that force him to hit well with time?

[@nappytimes6738]

Is that someone's home court?

[@al1976-v7m]

It's pretty for sure.

[@wildflower7574]

Racquetvto heavy for small guy. Better with the precept 97. Scrap the h model.

[@Eddie-hn5hp]

At least he's not teaching on a SOAKING WET COURT!!! GOOD VIDEO!

[@DEForce-fm8rt]

He mentally “tells” himself how to swing as opposed to swinging away without him truly being conscious of a purposeful intention of the stroke as well as being a witness of the whole process and an active participant of its intentional execution of its natural unfolding

[@Anton.Arkhipov]

If all the “better” stuck up, he was almost top10 level! Cannot break into top10 anymore though with OHBH, unfortunately.