Full Semiwestern one handed backhand

This backhand was influenced by watching Kuerten's takeback and finish. This is only an approximation of what I observed.

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Comment by Tim Prapong on December 30, 2011 at 5:00pm: Yeah, you're right. I turn my shoulders squarely for the shot against a big hitter. When I hit with 3.0s (seniors), 3.5 or 4.0s, I won't turn all the way around, because often times, they hit the floater and I don't want to get scared of my windup.

The Kuerten backhand sometimes starts with the racquet face to the sky. Really helps on the high balls. I know it looks like a slice prep, but it has save me countless times. Plus, I'm all ready for a slice drive too.

Comment by Meags on December 30, 2011 at 4:43am: Actually Tim, just looking at my bh.... my take back is slightly squarer on with racket face facing side fence and then the racket goes over my left shoulder like you. I was slightly confused cos your take back reminds me of a slice but actually there are a lot of similarities in how we prepare for both shots.

Saying all this when you are hitting off the ground you just go through with the shot, theres no prep time, so in a rally situation your shoulders will prob turn squarely in preparation for your shoulder roll and shot.

Comment by Tim Prapong on December 29, 2011 at 10:05am: When you say flatter to the fence, you mean the side fence then, right? Yeah, then I see what you mean. I have a shoulder roll where as you go straight through with the full Western swingpath. I developed the shoulder roll because I am 5'7'' and the balls will be over my shoulder more often than not. Laver had a great shoulder roll on his backhand, did he not?

Comment by Meags on December 29, 2011 at 3:42am: The semi western looks really natural to you tim, for me I find it really uncomfortable.
If I understand you right (below) then yes I think so....I'm less loopy on the take back ala guga and guasquet, I'm higher than you on this vid, kinda flatter to the fence, ala wawrinka and federer and less over the shoulder ala you and guga. With it being a western bh thru the strike zone and the follow thro feels like guga. Infact my fh looks a little like kuerten's too. I'm kinda his body shape and height (6 ft 3) and he seems to have a flexibility that I have which can get me into trouble ha lanky and flexy, less robotic than a lot of modern younger players.

Comment by Tim Prapong on December 28, 2011 at 7:54pm: Sounds great! I used to hit it more closed but then sometimes, I would be late and spray the ball to the left. So do you maintain the cocked wrist and stay shoulder bladed and closed with the hands at 6 o'clock (back fence)?

Comment by Meags on December 28, 2011 at 4:07pm: Hi tim, re: our bh chat, I would say my bh is more closed than this.

Comment by Tim Prapong on December 9, 2011 at 4:05pm: Aiming for the forehand corner. :)

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