This is an outstanding analysis Ryan. Only a couple of things I would add: -> I prefer "unit-turn" to "racket take-back" because it communicates getting shoulder and entire upper body turned. Sometimes players hear "take-back" and they simply reach back with their racket without turning shoulders. -> Racket should stay high in unit-turn, and the next move in the swing is for the butt of the racket handle to drop to the left knee (Novak shows this). The drop is what creates momentum and starts racket head speed. Steve really doesn't drop his racket at all, so he ends up "pulling" across to create racket head speed, and you can only pull so hard. -> Another benefit of the inside-out swing is allowing the player to swing on a path that is significantly more on the line of the target (more north-south as opposed to Steve's east-west swing). This elongates the hitting zone and increases clean hits and accuracy of shots. You can see Novak stays on the target line significantly longer. Steve's racket is off the target line instantly after contact, no doubt a major cause to the amount of miss-hits on that wing. -> And I think you maybe touched on this, but in order to swing inside-out the racket face MUST close. If it stays on edge it's literally impossible to swing inside-out. I love your final comments about how we should be allowed to criticize pro players' swings. SO many people freak out when you say something critical about a pro's game--like you're offending them personally or something, haha. But it's true, no player has an absolutely perfect swing (altho Novak's 2-hander is close), and there are inefficiencies that can always be found. Nadal admittedly says he is always trying to improve his game... Again, great analysis!
Okay that was fricking amazing. I was litteraly doing shadowswings this morning wondering why I couldn't get topspin consistentlu on my bh, and why my wrist would sometimes hurt. And why I struggled to use my hips. Simply taking my racquet further behind my back and doing the drop behing me seems to give much more power (from the noise through the air), feels better for my arm, and I can push on my back leg and use my hips easily now. It was litterally a silver bullet. Still need to try it out on the field but I'm sure I had a breakthrough thanks to this video. 2 big take aways, the rest is a consequence : 1) preparation way behind your back 2) let the racquet drop BEHIND your hip, not next to you Awesome
THAT WAS THE MOST INFORMATIVE and EXCELLENT INSTRUCTION OF HITTING the TOPSPIN DOUBLE HANDED BACKHAND!!! I HAVE WATCHED MANY MANY VIDEOS on This EXACT STROKE AND YOU SHOWED ME MY PROBLEM using STEVIE’s example of too close to the ball Resulting in a SIDE SWING and THEN YOU GAVE ME THE SOLUTION using Novak ‘s swing !!! A MILLION THANKS !!! 🎾🎾🎾🙏🙏🙏 #PERFECTExplanation 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an amazing video for players like me who doesn't have the confidence hitting double backhands, which I almost always result in slice backhands to make sure the ball stays in. Thank you Coach Ryan
such a great video, the backhand never quite made much sense to me which is why I always seemed to frame it. This video has given me a clear indication of how to execute the swing correctly. Thank you!
Hi coach ryan another excellent comparison analysis. As a fellow pro i use the same visual to show the difference in linear swing up to contact compared to a rotational swing up to contact (as mentioned inside out). I would ask my student to visualise a door closing action.. The preparation to be able to achieve these inside out swings also require thr player to prepare the inward shoulder turn correctly spaced and timrf to allow the right leg to present a stopper for inside out swing to contact..
Thanks! On the forehand, I use my non-hitting arm to gauge my distance so that I’m not too close-to/far-from the ball. Tell me how to do that for my backhand, please?
Great video. For me a huge part of this is the interaction of the grips of the top and bottom hand. Steve J's grip interaction limits his ability to get the strings facing down so he ends up with the strings facing sideways and has to swing across to square the face into impact. How i deal with this is to loosen my top hand until the bottom hand gets into the right position (stings down) and then i steady my top hand. It is then "easy" to execute the through swing from there (as if it were a left handed forehand, steadied by the top hand). That means i don't need to extend my top hand's grip as much as you do, which i find easier on the wrists.
I think the main difference between the two strokes starts from their different stances. Novak is in closed stance: this means he won't be able to clear his hips during the swing so he has to create momentum through the takeback and the path of the swing itself. Stevie on the other hand is in semi-open stance therefore he can clear his hips for easier power (this is the easiest way to learn the 2HBH). What Novak gets in spin and control Stevie lacks in exchange of much less work to execute the swing. Bottomline: Novak's 2HBH is obviously the state of the art but, as any club player knows far too well, also the most difficult to imitate for obvious reasons. This is why you'll find lots of "Stevies" on court while there's just one Novak. Ciao!
Bravo Bravo. I am a table tennis player. I am looking for Novak back posture videos post back pain recovery. So I got to see frame analysis on his back posture which is impecable. Open chest, stability and everything. Ironically since I focus on my Novak posture and less on the ball my shots are more clean and accurate.
Thank you very much I was watching your representative for hand technique now I wash your backhand technique thanks a lot I love it very professional very usable and machine is excellent that tool for the top speed ball very nice
Thanks for the support. Today I’ll be doing alcaraz vs djoker. I can only use videos I have permission to use. So if I can find a good Kyrgios backhand that I’m allowed to use then yes, definitely.
Shows what kind of a competitor Steve Johnson is to have such a solid pro career over a decade and the ability to beat some of the best players in the world despite such a weakness. Couple nice wins at Indian Wells so far this week.
Hello ryan, some good points i get here as im currently learning 2HBH... But i have some questions regarding your analysis. 1. Novak makes the contact further from body, but isn't it because of his grip allows him to? With eastern left hand, he'd always hit the ball more the side of his body than in front? 2. With his eastern grip left hand, i don't understand how he could make the racket face down because when i tried it, my right wrist seemed strained. 😣
Nice comparison and explanation :) And I dont know what kind of house you live in, but the white one across the street is gorgeous :D Seems like a very nice neighbourhood!
I’m sure you will. Your situation in life typically reflects your personal development. Work on yourself, improve yourself, and you’ll see your situation improve as well. Thanks again!
@@2MinuteTennis Ps; Actually thank you! SInce Ive been out the game for several years due to some injuries (not related) I'm planning to get back in and your videos help me remind again how to play and to check if I still have my moves correctly! :)
@2minutetennis Is there any trick to figuring out the right distance to position yourself to the ball for the backhand so that you don’t end up being jammed as pointed out in video?
Me, too! Maybe overcorrect by positioning ourselves further than we think we should and see what happens? I’d almost bet we’d find very few instances where we couldn’t reach the ball! I’m going to try this tomorrow.
can add to the differences the head angle position just after contact. Novak's head is angled more out toward the left net post where Steve is facing the net.
This is a great analysis, very helpful for amateurs like myself who are struggling to produce consistency or topspin. But for established players such as Steve Johnson I'm not sure he needs to swing exactly like Djokovic. Andy Murray also swings more across his chest, similar to Johnson. Medvedev has a very shallow racquet drop comparing to Djokovic. The point is, people should be encouraged to experiment. And if one can not swing like a Djokovic, swinging like a Murray or a Medvedev may not necessarily be a bad thing.
The problem is that in Steve’s take back his arms are completely extended and stiff which is preventing him from shoulder turning completely. You want 90 degree bend in his elbows at contact point. You get top spin through extension. But his problem is that he’s already extended from the very beginning of his take back. If I was his coach, I’d have him relax, bend his elbows, bring them closer to his body during take back.
String tension is relevant here. Tighter strings (Novak) = need to drive more through the ball. Looser strings (Steve) = need to flick the wrist more. If Steve makes Novak’s swing, the ball will go long.
I don’t think he’s concerned about developing a top spin backhand because he’s going to slice the ball 99% of the time. Actually, ATP Americans don’t use their backhands as a weapon. It’s a big serve and forehand and that’s they hardly ever win any tournaments.
@@rafaellozada2544 yes , there a lot of players like that !! That’s why the big 3 are so good . They control every stroke. But you don’t need all strokes to become a top100 player and make big money
next time please teach about flat twohanded BH and high ball BH of Novak. In this video i think he dose not hit true topspin BH but it's add some flat on his stroke also and if the hitting point near the body,it 's hard to lift racket up above the head.
Def wasn’t trolling him. His backhand troubles are well documented. I wouldn’t win one point against him. But how he hits is similar to many Rec players who struggle with their BH’s.
Why do u say 2 minute tennis when your videos are super long. Just get to the point and make real 2 minute videos. Perhaps I should find other 2 minute videos. Hmmm
Novak Djokovic vs Steve Johnson | Topspin Backhand Comparison
Hi Ryan, great analysis, do you use one or two handed backhand? Would love a video that focussed on return of serve with both of these.
th-cam.com/video/1JcBXgKeAS8/w-d-xo.html
this might be a better backhand to compare
so in conclusion, Johnsons backhand is very weak because he did not go further back with the swing right?
Great video Ryan! You're a fantastic teacher. This video is again a great analysis.
This is an outstanding analysis Ryan. Only a couple of things I would add:
-> I prefer "unit-turn" to "racket take-back" because it communicates getting shoulder and entire upper body turned. Sometimes players hear "take-back" and they simply reach back with their racket without turning shoulders.
-> Racket should stay high in unit-turn, and the next move in the swing is for the butt of the racket handle to drop to the left knee (Novak shows this). The drop is what creates momentum and starts racket head speed. Steve really doesn't drop his racket at all, so he ends up "pulling" across to create racket head speed, and you can only pull so hard.
-> Another benefit of the inside-out swing is allowing the player to swing on a path that is significantly more on the line of the target (more north-south as opposed to Steve's east-west swing). This elongates the hitting zone and increases clean hits and accuracy of shots. You can see Novak stays on the target line significantly longer. Steve's racket is off the target line instantly after contact, no doubt a major cause to the amount of miss-hits on that wing.
-> And I think you maybe touched on this, but in order to swing inside-out the racket face MUST close. If it stays on edge it's literally impossible to swing inside-out.
I love your final comments about how we should be allowed to criticize pro players' swings. SO many people freak out when you say something critical about a pro's game--like you're offending them personally or something, haha. But it's true, no player has an absolutely perfect swing (altho Novak's 2-hander is close), and there are inefficiencies that can always be found. Nadal admittedly says he is always trying to improve his game...
Again, great analysis!
I ran to get my racket and started to do these shadow swings! Brilliant explanation!
So glad the video made you excited to practice. Thanks!!!
Quite insightful Ryan & my backhand now gets much topspin & a lot more consistent, Tnx Ryan
The comparative (correct & incorrect) analysis is so insightful and helpful. Thanks
Okay that was fricking amazing. I was litteraly doing shadowswings this morning wondering why I couldn't get topspin consistentlu on my bh, and why my wrist would sometimes hurt. And why I struggled to use my hips. Simply taking my racquet further behind my back and doing the drop behing me seems to give much more power (from the noise through the air), feels better for my arm, and I can push on my back leg and use my hips easily now. It was litterally a silver bullet.
Still need to try it out on the field but I'm sure I had a breakthrough thanks to this video. 2 big take aways, the rest is a consequence :
1) preparation way behind your back
2) let the racquet drop BEHIND your hip, not next to you
Awesome
this is exactly what happened to me. I couldnt get topspin, my wrist would hurt with the normal grip, and i couldnt get power with my hips.
Excellent analysis, thanks!
THAT WAS THE MOST INFORMATIVE and EXCELLENT INSTRUCTION OF HITTING the TOPSPIN DOUBLE HANDED BACKHAND!!!
I HAVE WATCHED MANY MANY VIDEOS on This EXACT STROKE AND YOU SHOWED ME MY PROBLEM using STEVIE’s example of too close to the ball Resulting in a SIDE SWING and THEN YOU GAVE ME THE SOLUTION using Novak ‘s swing !!!
A MILLION THANKS !!!
🎾🎾🎾🙏🙏🙏
#PERFECTExplanation
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Fantastic video. Learnt so much
This is an amazing video for players like me who doesn't have the confidence hitting double backhands, which I almost always result in slice backhands to make sure the ball stays in. Thank you Coach Ryan
This video is amazing. Very helpful analysis, thank you!!
I’m a 5.0 player that has the same issue. This is a great video. Well done.
such a great video, the backhand never quite made much sense to me which is why I always seemed to frame it. This video has given me a clear indication of how to execute the swing correctly. Thank you!
Great well explained
❤ love this video!! thanks Coach 🙏
Hi coach ryan another excellent comparison analysis. As a fellow pro i use the same visual to show the difference in linear swing up to contact compared to a rotational swing up to contact (as mentioned inside out). I would ask my student to visualise a door closing action.. The preparation to be able to achieve these inside out swings also require thr player to prepare the inward shoulder turn correctly spaced and timrf to allow the right leg to present a stopper for inside out swing to contact..
Yes! Please someone send this to Johnson! Thanks for the video Ryan!
Thanks so much Jeff!!!
Amazing video Ryan. Shows how the start of the swing determine the whole swing. Thanks for the great analysis.
Great analysis, thank you!
Thanks! On the forehand, I use my non-hitting arm to gauge my distance so that I’m not too close-to/far-from the ball. Tell me how to do that for my backhand, please?
Very practical explanation.
I'll try that the next time im on the court. Thanks idol
learn a lot today. very good video
Great video. For me a huge part of this is the interaction of the grips of the top and bottom hand. Steve J's grip interaction limits his ability to get the strings facing down so he ends up with the strings facing sideways and has to swing across to square the face into impact. How i deal with this is to loosen my top hand until the bottom hand gets into the right position (stings down) and then i steady my top hand. It is then "easy" to execute the through swing from there (as if it were a left handed forehand, steadied by the top hand). That means i don't need to extend my top hand's grip as much as you do, which i find easier on the wrists.
I completely agree with you Scott!
Steve Johnson is one of the run-of-the-mill players in tour, but I like his slice.
I think the main difference between the two strokes starts from their different stances. Novak is in closed stance: this means he won't be able to clear his hips during the swing so he has to create momentum through the takeback and the path of the swing itself. Stevie on the other hand is in semi-open stance therefore he can clear his hips for easier power (this is the easiest way to learn the 2HBH). What Novak gets in spin and control Stevie lacks in exchange of much less work to execute the swing. Bottomline: Novak's 2HBH is obviously the state of the art but, as any club player knows far too well, also the most difficult to imitate for obvious reasons. This is why you'll find lots of "Stevies" on court while there's just one Novak. Ciao!
You are absolutely correct. Go out and try duplicating Novak’s backhand!! If it was that easy of an adjustment, everyone would be doing it.
@@GeneralRock114 Agreed. That's why I belong to the other "group" 😉
Bravo Bravo. I am a table tennis player. I am looking for Novak back posture videos post back pain recovery. So I got to see frame analysis on his back posture which is impecable. Open chest, stability and everything. Ironically since I focus on my Novak posture and less on the ball my shots are more clean and accurate.
Thank you very much I was watching your representative for hand technique now I wash your backhand technique thanks a lot I love it very professional very usable and machine is excellent that tool for the top speed ball very nice
Ryan- Great analysis! Could you do a similar backhand analysis and side by side comparison between Novak and Kyrios?
Thanks for the support. Today I’ll be doing alcaraz vs djoker. I can only use videos I have permission to use. So if I can find a good Kyrgios backhand that I’m allowed to use then yes, definitely.
Shows what kind of a competitor Steve Johnson is to have such a solid pro career over a decade and the ability to beat some of the best players in the world despite such a weakness. Couple nice wins at Indian Wells so far this week.
Very much agree with you. Thanks!!
Great stuff, as always. Dont know about Stevie, but the neighbor's dog is taking notes.
Haha true. Thanks Jawad!
Stevie just filed a law suit against you..lol..Btw, I learnt more from stevie's errors than Djokovic's perfect backhand in that video
Novak sinks more and gets better push with his legs/hips too.
could you do the same for one handed backhand thank you
Hello ryan, some good points i get here as im currently learning 2HBH... But i have some questions regarding your analysis.
1. Novak makes the contact further from body, but isn't it because of his grip allows him to? With eastern left hand, he'd always hit the ball more the side of his body than in front?
2. With his eastern grip left hand, i don't understand how he could make the racket face down because when i tried it, my right wrist seemed strained. 😣
Nice comparison and explanation :) And I dont know what kind of house you live in, but the white one across the street is gorgeous :D Seems like a very nice neighbourhood!
Thanks for the support. Yes all the houses look similar to that. We are blessed to live in an amazing and wonderful neighborhood. Thank you!!!!
@@2MinuteTennis Living in the centre of a big city in Europe (which is nice too) we could only dream of this for our future xD
I’m sure you will. Your situation in life typically reflects your personal development. Work on yourself, improve yourself, and you’ll see your situation improve as well. Thanks again!
@@2MinuteTennis Ps; Actually thank you! SInce Ive been out the game for several years due to some injuries (not related) I'm planning to get back in and your videos help me remind again how to play and to check if I still have my moves correctly! :)
excellent video! I've learned so much! thanks!
So glad you liked it!!
@2minutetennis Is there any trick to figuring out the right distance to position yourself to the ball for the backhand so that you don’t end up being jammed as pointed out in video?
Me, too! Maybe overcorrect by positioning ourselves further than we think we should and see what happens? I’d almost bet we’d find very few instances where we couldn’t reach the ball! I’m going to try this tomorrow.
Common Stevie, get with the program!!!
can add to the differences the head angle position just after contact. Novak's head is angled more out toward the left net post where Steve is facing the net.
You are 100% correct!!
This is a great analysis, very helpful for amateurs like myself who are struggling to produce consistency or topspin. But for established players such as Steve Johnson I'm not sure he needs to swing exactly like Djokovic. Andy Murray also swings more across his chest, similar to Johnson. Medvedev has a very shallow racquet drop comparing to Djokovic. The point is, people should be encouraged to experiment. And if one can not swing like a Djokovic, swinging like a Murray or a Medvedev may not necessarily be a bad thing.
Poor Steveeee!!
More space at contac = more spin and control
Great analysis
EXCELLENT ANALYSIS RYAN. DOES THIS INSIDE OUT APPLY TO A ONE HANDED BACKHAND ALSO? KEEP THE CONTACT POINT AWAY FROM THE BODY? 👏👍🎾
Yes, every groundstroke is inside out.
Did you analyse both forehands also ? You Will see that Johnson use way more his hips rotations that Djokovic on his forrhand
I didn’t. Yes, his forehand is great.
The problem is that in Steve’s take back his arms are completely extended and stiff which is preventing him from shoulder turning completely. You want 90 degree bend in his elbows at contact point. You get top spin through extension. But his problem is that he’s already extended from the very beginning of his take back. If I was his coach, I’d have him relax, bend his elbows, bring them closer to his body during take back.
String tension is relevant here. Tighter strings (Novak) = need to drive more through the ball. Looser strings (Steve) = need to flick the wrist more. If Steve makes Novak’s swing, the ball will go long.
I take off the top panel from Topspin Pro as it is impractical in teaching younger children hit high balls.
in steve defense, he hardly use his double backhand. this is why he doesn't even get near the quarters.
The reason he doesn’t use it is because he doesn’t trust it.
@@2MinuteTennis btw i love all your videos. pls don't stop, its easy to follow and understand
I don’t think he’s concerned about developing a top spin backhand because he’s going to slice the ball 99% of the time. Actually, ATP Americans don’t use their backhands as a weapon. It’s a big serve and forehand and that’s they hardly ever win any tournaments.
That shows that even with a bad backhand you can become nr 21 in the world and making 6.5 million dollars 😳😳
Yea, but he could have made top 10 and $13 million with a better backhand.
You'd need his forehand and athletic ability. Only that and the $6mil are yours
@@rafaellozada2544 yes , there a lot of players like that !! That’s why the big 3 are so good . They control every stroke. But you don’t need all strokes to become a top100 player and make big money
with a backhand, he could quadruple that.
Dude this is like comparing Michael Jordan's jumpshot to Nerlen's Noel's jumpshot. Exactly. LOLLLLLLLL
Novak has exaggerated weight transfer too
next time please teach about flat twohanded BH and high ball BH of Novak. In this video i think he dose not hit true topspin BH but it's add some flat on his stroke also and if the hitting point near the body,it 's hard to lift racket up above the head.
I didn’t know Stevie was even capable of hitting a topspin backhand. I thought he only hit slices 😂
Haha I know. If he made these changes his backhand would improve greatly.
Feel this video could have been done without trolling Steve.
It’s not trolling if it’s educational
Def wasn’t trolling him. His backhand troubles are well documented. I wouldn’t win one point against him. But how he hits is similar to many Rec players who struggle with their BH’s.
Why do u say 2 minute tennis when your videos are super long. Just get to the point and make real 2 minute videos. Perhaps I should find other 2 minute videos. Hmmm