TennisOne Lessons

The Backhand Overhead

David W. Smith, Senior Editor TennisOne

Often said to be one of the most difficult shots hit in tennis, the backhand overhead is indeed one of the most often missed, or at best, one of the weakest shots many players are faced with hitting – but it doesn't have to be.

Many feel that the shot, because it is mishit so often, is technically very difficult. I argue that because of two fundamental situations many players employ when hitting the backhand overhead, the shot is not technically difficult. However, I don't agree. It can—and will—be hit with better results if a player recognizes and develops the patterns associated with hitting the shot successfully.


Hear Dave Smith discuss some of the virtues–and common pratfalls–of hitting a backhand overhead.

The first problem is that the shot is not hit very often in match play and it is practiced even less. Tell the truth, when was the last time you went out on the court to specifically work on this shot? I thought so! So, because we don’t see the shot a lot in match play or practice very often, it naturally feels foreign and unfamiliar when presented to us in competition.

The second issue is related to the grip. Many players use the wrong grip for the volley and thus, end up using a less-than-ideal grip for the backhand overhead.

The Grip

Let’s look at the backhand overhead from the most basic–and probably most abused–foundation: The grip.

Players who use the more rudimentary eastern grips on the volley are not only limited in hitting more effective and skilled volleys as they progress, but because of these grips, the backhand overhead becomes nearly impossible to hit with any consistency. If a player uses an eastern forehand grip, he will have such a poor wrist and forearm position he may risk injuring the wrist as well as missing the shot! If a player shifts to an eastern backhand grip, the racquet will be so far away from the target line that the timing of the shot becomes much too critical.

In fact, a comparison can be made between a player using an eastern backhand grip on the backhand overhead to that of a beginner tennis player using an eastern forehand grip on the serve. The “waiter’s position” is a natural result of both strokes (however, it is ‘palm down’ on the backhand side where it would be ‘palm up’ in the waiter’s position on the serve).

The continental grip sets up a player to hit the backhand overhead with optimal swing mechanics. But, just like I’ve said in many articles, players who first learned with the less skilled grips must understand that learning more effective technique involves more than just a grip change. Changing a grip change for a particular stoke also effects the optimal stance and swing path for the stroke.

For example, if a player has been using an eastern grip for the backhand overhead and now attempts to learn the more effective continental grip, several other elements come into play in order to hit it successfully. (One of the reasons so many players revert back to old, familiar grips is because of this concept; the player fails to adjust the other elements, fails in the attempt, says, “this isn’t working, and proceeds to revert back to old, familiar grips!)

Position

Click photo: As with any shot, simplicity and economy of movement are important. Using the continental grip, keeping the wrist free but not floppy, and a good preparation with a sideways stance are key.

Like moving from the eastern forehand grip to the continental grip on the serve, the player hitting with the continental grip on the backhand overhead, after using an eastern backhand grip, must adjust his position relative to the court, ball, and target. Players using an eastern backhand grip will tend to face the net on the backhand overhead. (Just like they do on the backhand volley with the same grip.) With the continental grip, the player will need to turn more sideways, leading the dominant arm’s shoulder at the target. But, in addition to this initial position, the player must resist the urge, (or the habit), of rotating the shoulders during the stroke.

Finish

One of the tendencies of players hitting the backhand overhead is the sense of needing to “flick the wrist.” This movement, while arguably creating a faster racquet head speed, minimizes the hitting zone. Instead, use a combination of the arm moving smoothly through the stroke and a solid wrist. As players tend to hit this shot better, a more fluid movement is usually achieved naturally. But, because the tendency to flip the wrist and racquet are so common for beginners, I recommend a more dynamic, intentional stroke at first.

Options

Click photo: Marion Bartoli hits two hands on both sides, including this backhand overhead. Following her approach shot, she covers the backhand overhead using minimal wrist, good extension of her arms (some would argue two hands limits reach, this shows how
minimal the reach is compromised with two hands!), and an economy of motion.

One reason you see so few pros actually hitting a backhand overhead is because there is a better choice – hitting a conventional overhead. This simplification of the explanation is achieved by two things the pros (and skilled players) do: One is that they challenge the lob by immediately turning and leaning back. Recreational players notoriously look up and evaluate the lob first, losing precious time in getting into optimal position. In other words, pros react so quickly, that most of the time they can avoid this shot.

Second, with the continental grip on the overhead, you can come over your head hitting many balls with an overhead even though they are well over the backhand side. Badminton players have mastered this shot in their sport and are usually blessed with incredible overheads from that sport’s experience.

Conclusion

 

As with all shots in tennis, an identifiable and sequential series of steps or movements can be seen among skilled players and the backhand overhead is no exception.
 
While I usually recommend that players try to position themselves early enough to try and hit a conventional overhead, there are times a player must go up and hit the backhand overhead. Here is a recap of the technique and tips in hitting a successful overhead:

  1. Challenge the shot. Don't look up and try to evaluate the shot. Immediately turn your body sideways and establish the continental grip.
  1. Get your hitting arm up, elbow as high as possible.
  1. Don't let your racquet flop back. Use the off hand to stabilize the backswing as long as possible. For most players, try not to let your racquet lay back past a horizontal backswing. (More advanced players can indeed take a larger cut at the backhand overhead, but not by a lot!)
  1. Maintain the integrity of your body and the stroke. Don't open up the shoulders or hips during contact. Drive the racquet in a stroke, not a flip. Maintain the wrist within the contact phase.
  1. Strive to place the backhand overhead. Because you won't generate the kind of power as a conventional overhead, you will do better to work on setting up the next shot by placing the overhead in a strategic location as opposed to trying to win the point outright with the shot.

Like hitting a good backhand overhead, hitting any shot in tennis that produces both consistency and effect, requires skilled technique. For every player that uses questionable stroke, grip, and footwork patterns and hits relatively well, there are a hundred players who simply play well below their potential and ability because they use inferior methods.

Preparation, footwork, body position, swing pattern, and proper grips all contribute to a skilled and successful shot’s execution. The backhand overhead is sort of a ‘microcosm’ of this concept. Using flawed grips, strokes and positioning will almost always result in players failing to execute the shot effectively.

So go out on the court and practice, practice, and then practice some more. Over the course of your playing career, consider such learning as an investment in a lifetime of more skilled play!

Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about Dave Smith's article by emailing us here at TennisOne .

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Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about this article by emailing us here at TennisONE.

David W. Smith is the Director of Tennis for the St. George Tennis Academy in St. George Utah. He has been a featured writer in USPTA's magazine ADDvantage in addition to having over 50 published articles in various publications.

David has taught over 3000 players including many top national and world ranked players. He can be reached at acrpres1@email.msn.com.