The One-Handed Backhand:
Balance Checkpoints

Welby Van Horn

Let's examine the basic progression for a classic one-handed backhand.

In previous articles we've talked about the general principles of balance on the groundstrokes. (Click Here) We've also presented the balance checkpoints for the forehand (Click Here) and the two-handed backhand.(Click Here).

Now let's do the same for the one-handed backhand. These checkpoints give you the basic building blocks for learning the one-handed backhand within my system. A special thanks to my old student Joe Brandi, fine player and great coach, for demonstrating them for us, just as he learned them so long ago in Puerto Rico where I taught for most of my career.

The progression below is for developing a classical one-handed backhand with an eastern backhand grip. This is the grip John Yandell identifies as a 2 /1 grip. It's a mild, natural topspin drive. If we look at the top players in the world, we can see them using the same elements presented here in these teaching progressions. This includes players like James Blake and Roger Federer.

You will also see many of the same elements in the extreme grip players. Mastering this progression lays a foundation for developing a world class backhand whether you stay with a classic grip or progress to a more extreme grip over time. It gives the club player or the beginner a superb foundation for developing the same shot at any level.

Joe Brandi demonstrates the basic one-handed backhand drive in my teaching system.

As with the other strokes, t he checkpoints presented here will help you solve the jigsaw puzzle we call the game of tennis. It's one thing to talk about a stroke, another to learn to execute it. This is what my system will allow you do. I've proven it over decades with hundreds and hundreds of players from the beginning to world class levels.

For this reason, it is critical to study the checkpoints, memorize them, and learn them physically. This means being able to describe the checkpoints accurately in words, and execute them with precision. Just reading this article is not enough.

To master the checkpoints physically, it is very important to practice them in front of a mirror and to use slow motion practice. In fact this may be the most powerful way to teach yourself to really remember the checkpoints.

If you cannot verbalize the checkpoints and replicate them accurately when you swing without the ball, then you have not really learned them. It will be impossible to execute them in play. You will not have the proper foundation, and will be very unlikely to develop good balance and sound technical strokes.

 

1. Ready Position Checkpoints:

The player faces the net.

The knees are slightly bent and the back slightly crouched in an athletic stance.

The feet are spread comfortably apart in a posture of readiness.

The racket hand is at waist level.

The fingertips of the non-racket hand cradle the racket at the throat.

The Ready Position
    


 

From:

The Ready Position

To:

The Start of theTurn Sideways
The sideways turning motion.
    

 

2. Start of Turn Sideways


Checkpoints:


The player has turned the racket hand counter-clockwise to create the backhand grip.

The racket has moved back as part of the body turn. The racket arms do not move independently of the turn.

The left hand continues to cradle the throat of the racket.

The shoulders are at about a 45 degree angle to the net.
The Turn Sideways
    


 

From:

The Start of the Turn Sideways

To:

The Completion of the Turn

Sideways
Completing the turn.
    

 

3. Completion of the Turn Sideways

Checkpoints:


The feet are now sideways and the shoulders and hips have continued to turn back.

A line drawn through the players two feet would be perpendicular to the net.

The hips have completed their rotation back: they have turned 90 degrees from the ready position.

The feet are slightly less than shoulder-width apart.
Completion of Sideways Turn
    

 

From:

The Completion of the Turn Sideways

To:

The Step Forward and the Beginning of the Forward Swing
The step forward and the start of the body rotation.
    

 

4. Step Forward and Beginning of Forward Swing

Checkpoints:

The front anchor foot steps towards the net in a square or neutral stance.

The step is after the ball bounces but before the racket starts swinging forward.

The front feet literally anchors the body, keeping it on balance.

The step starts the weight transfer forward. The swing starts forward.

The finger tips of the non-racket hand drop off the throat and the left hand stays behind the body for balance.
The Forward Step and beginning of the Forward Swing
    

 

From:

The Step Forward and the Beginning of Forward Swing

To:

The Contact Point
The movement to contact.
    

 

5. The Contact Point

Checkpoints:

The hips have rotated slightly forward from the sideways position. The weight is fully on front foot.

The back foot starts to pivot with and the heel starts to rise.

The contact point is at about waist height and in front of the front anchor foot.

The significant other arm and hand have stayed back acting as a counter balance.

The head is steady, eyes focused on the ball.
The Contact Point
   

 

From:

The Contact Point

To:

The Continuation of the Forward Rotation
From the Contact, the Forward Rotation continues.
    

 

6. Continuation of Swing After Contact

Checkpoints:

The hips and shoulders have rotated slightly further forward.

The pivoting of the adjustment foot continues with the sole of the foot continuing to turn and rise.

The racket moves forward in the direction of the line of the flight of the shot. The racket is also moving upwards indcating that it has imparted topspin.

Non-racket arm continues to stay back.
Continuation of the Forward Rotation
   

 

From:

The Continuation of the Forward Swing

To:

The Completion of the Forward Swing

The hips and shoulders finish their rotation and the racket reaches the finish.
   

 

7. Completion of Forward Swing

Checkpoints:

The hips and shoulders finish only slightly past the perpendicular position to the net.

The sole of the back foot points behind the player. The left side of the body is slightly higher reflecting the weight shift forward.

The racket finishes in front pointing ahead at approximately 1 o'clock.

The racket hand is at shoulder height. The racket and arm form an L shape.

The butt of the racket is slightly ahead of the tip.

The non-racket arm and hand are held back for balance. The body is fairly erect with knees slightly bent.

Completion of Forward Swing
   


So that's it for the progression on the basic topspin drive. In the next article we'll look at the lost art of the slice drive. Stay tuned!

The legendary Welby Van Horn is one of the few top players in tennis history who also went on to become a great coach. In 1939, Van Horn became the youngest player ever to reach the finals of a Grand Slam at Forrest Hills, at the age of 19. Turning pro, he competed successfully against the likes of Jack Kramer, Pancho Gonzalez, Don Budge, and Bobby Riggs. In 1951, he moved to Puerto Rico for his health and began an amazing career in which he developed over 100 nationally ranked American junior players, including Charlie Pasarell who became the top American player. Now 82, Welby lives in the Palm Springs area, where he is Tennis Pro Emeritus at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Over the years, Welby's students were easily recognized by the fluid classical style and all court play that were hallmark's of his teaching. He is shown here with Katarina and Marina Raiscevic, two successful Southern California junior players he developed who prove that his distinctive style is alive and well in the new millennium.

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