This is a great analysis Coach Nick. I really like that in this video you explained “sudden/ slingshot” versus “slower” acceleration and also left versus right arm dominance on 2HB in this video (right handed players in this case). Love how you gave the visual clue to tell if a player is more left or right arm dominant on their 2HB.
Reading some comments at a couple of other channels, I also see that there may be some confusion about what hitting on the rise and also hitting early really means (on backhands, forehands, and return of serves), particularly for those players who like to hug the baseline more. You are helping the tennis community (players and fans) with your in-depth dive into these topics.
And just after this video, Jannick Sinner plays a final with ZERO backhand unforced errors. Talk about consistency. Hey Nik, just saying, I love your videos. But clearly the Italian Redhead wanted to disprove you😂
The right-hand/arm vs left-hand/arm debate never ends and everyone gets it wrong by choosing a dominant side. Each side has dominant role depending on the stage of the stroke. TL/DR: When setting up for a two hander (and really all strokes) the first stage is "loading up". For a righty two-hander; the arm, shoulder and core needs to fully turn to the left to initiate the backswing. By turning your shoulders and core to the left and tucking the shoulder tight you are also loading-up your core/midsection. At this stage the body is fully loaded-up (Coiled up, ready to unwind). The entire right side of the body is where the energy is being stored (You can feel this by simply turning all the way to the left sitting or standing and then feel your abs on the right side, feel how tight they are?), then as you begin your forward swing the initial acceleration is being unleashed (un-coiling) from the core and shoulders. It's a very clear sensation that the entire right side of the body (Core, shoulders, arms) is generating the force by unleashing the stored energy from it's loaded state. This is the initial driving force that creates acceleration and momentum. The 2nd stage is related to the contact zone/impact area. It's in this stage where you are "Coding" the ball with it's final instructions (Spin, pace, trajectory, depth etc...). This stage is mostly determined by the hands, meaning hand speed and angle of attack. Like in stage 1, the right hand was likely loaded up (Notice how pros typically cock the racquet head upwards on the backswing, or how Sinner loads is towards the back fence). Then just prior to contact the right hand begins to uncoil, but then at impact and through impact the left hand is the controlling force as it's established behind the ball with the palm facing the same direction as the racquet face. The right hand while stronger, simply doesn't have the leverage in it's pull-position to "code" the ball with it's final instructions. Because of all the leverage and force generated by the right side of the body, the left hand is able to leverage all the momentum to impart pace, spin, and trajectory and it's why the left hand become ultimately most critical in determining the balls speed, target and RPM. A simple way to think of it is, the right side of the body is mostly providing the energy, momentum and stability, and the left hand is providing the final instructions to the ball. Because all righties have less dexterity and coordination in the left hand, it's common for coaches/instructors to teach the two hander as a lefty forehand. It's not wrong and it's not right, it's just not explained properly. What you are really trying to do is to improve hand speed and coordination between the loaded right hand and the left hand providing final code. (Background): Former futures/satellite player, coached at Bollettieri/IMG Academy, developed tennis teaching system, trained dozens of teaching professionals.
Thanks for this great video! He takes full advantage of the effects of angular momentum, the way the lag takes place and the legs/hips act reminds me of a medieval trebuchet. Even if the techniques on forehand and serve are different from what happens on the backhand here, the principal is still the same as that of the trebuchet or double pendulum, however as opposed to a trebuchet the kinetic chain on tennis strokes is longer, particularly on the serve (where all leads and ends in internal rotation of the arm bringing the racquet to contact, plus for top-spin on the kick serve ulnar deviation happening in this final phase of the kinetic chain is also important).
It’s his next gen stance + left hand dominance that allows him to conceal the inside out backhand, which imo has propelled him to a top 3 player. With his power now on both wings, he’s also hard to read because of his backhand directional variety.
Nice video. Have loved Sinner’s technique for years now. I do think that it’s not a left hand dominant but a balanced one. For Murray at contact point his left arm has already taken over for leverage, but for Sinner at contact point the leverage comes from both sides. The only reason the left hand overtakes the right after contact is the right arm is collapsed, limiting the extension. Does that make it a left dominant backhand? To me that is determined at the point of contact.
Thanks a lot for this great analysis. I do think that for Sinner his skiing childhood might have impacted the way that he pushes off the outside leg plus rotation: might explain why the take back on both forehand and backhand is shortened, because the power source is his low position and leg drive (by the way, in skiing you are not right or left-legged :-). This is why for me (coming from a competitive skiing background but without much tennis experience until my daughter started playing) it makes a lot of sense that he would try to use the power source of his legs in symmetry and as a consequence also the left hand to dominate on his backhand.
Hi Nick, can you make a video about breathing during the training and the match, I think is little considered generally but is very important for arrive to the ball with the right air in you, sorry for english, ciao from italy!
Whether its due to one hand being more dominant over the other, I see this being similar to different the types of forehands. Feder, Nadal extends the arm, stalls and lets the wrist break and sling the racket forward, whereas the roddick type keeps a bent arm and utilizes more of the core body rotation.
Sinner’s short backhand swing makes him more accurate on contact. Less margin for error due to short backswing. And faster too since he doesnt need to make the loopy arm movement
What do you think about compactness on the BH side for fast reaction, playing deep balls on the rise, etc? Does next-gen style handles such situations better than Djokovic or Zverev style? Or is it quite easy to just abbreviate the takeback, use open stance?
@@IntuitiveTennis yeah, sure. The question is whether one does it more efficiently - hitting rising balls fast without loosing power? Like what “ATP” style did for forehands, allowing to play faster, take balls rising, with full RHS, minimal loss compared to “full” preparation. While classic WTA long backswing players - yes, did also abbreviate the swing when needed, and managed to adjust, but usually lost quite a bit of juice in such cases.
I would put *Marat Safin* at #1 in terms of sheer power on the two-handed backhand. Andy Roddick named Safin, Agassi and Hewitt as the top 3 guys who could return his 1st-serve with any interest...
I think with Hewitt, he stood in close and took the ball early. I don’t think he had the pure power of those other guys, but it basically felt the same to the server when the ball suddenly landed at his feet.
Would you agree it's harder to time the next Gen sinner style backhand? The smoother / slower build up of the modern backhand looks easier to time to me. The decreased wrist action (racket angle staying more consistent through and after contact, a la djokovic, vs that sinner wrist flip and left arm dominance) also looks easier to time to me.
There is another theme for dominant or nd left hand: the grip. If you have a continental grip for right hand is very difficult that right h. is dominant...
Hi Nick. I watch your almost every videos. But I have a question that most of the player ,such as Zverev, Djokovic said they use most of their force on the left hand when they play backhand. Is that still correct to say they are right-dominant ?(I know they didn't do as much as Sinner) THX.
I don’t understand. Isn’t the raquet going over handle more dependent on how much wrist movement is involved in the swing? If you put more energy into the left arm, but keep your wrists steady during the finish, the tip of the racquet doesn’t go over the handle, right?
I am looking for a racket that allows me to send the ball exactly where I want it. Since I have strong power, I am focusing solely on control. I aim to hit the ball hard and accurately, like Marat Safin or Sinner. Is the Prestige Pro the most suitable racket for me among the models currently on the market? or Prestige tour? I am currently using the TF40 18x20
It's style vs. fundamentals. Compare Zverev, Djokovic, and Sinner. They all have fundamentals but different styles. Which style is better? It's impossible to say. One day, Zverev might win crosscourt BH battles against Sinner, and other days, he might not. The same goes for Djokovic. At that level of proficiency, it's beyond technique, and many other factors are at play.
If you ever want to make a video of the worst two handed backhand in the history of the game of tennis. I am your guy, my friend. Great job on the video Coach and I truly appreciate your hard work on your channel my friend. Happy Easter my friend and may YWHW bless you and yours my friend.
@@IntuitiveTennis if you want to laugh I Download my practices. I just started playing tennis about 9 months ago, before that time, it was 22 years since I played tennis. I have lost 45 pounds since then and I am getting better, I also practice everyday for about 2 hours. I love tennis because there are a lot of separate parts of tennis that we strive to master and there is always something new to learn about tennis. Thank you Coach and Happy Easter
In murrays case, i think the physics make it almost impossible to stop the racket head from passing the handle, as his racket has a lot of mass in the head, similar to Rafas forehand finish. Im not saying that technique doesnt cause these things, just stating that the racket you use shapes your technique to an extent.
i agree on everything but the fact that you say that he hits a relatively flat backhand…that’s not true: in my opinion he hits one of the most ‘top-spinny’ BH on tour, of course without giving up pace and penetration ( unlike for example RUUD’s BH)
Hey Nick Its fellow tennis coach Jackob. I wanted to buy Saber for my tennis students but the racquet prize is a lot at this point for me. May I have 10% discount that u were giving in codes some time ago, I would really appreciate it. I tried to use the old ones but they expired... Best wishes from Poland
"left hand non dominant"??? Are you sure? Zverev says that the twohanded bh is just like an left hand forehand... This is a video about a lesson for twohanded bh by Zverev th-cam.com/users/shortsB6WtMYV0jaw
*You'd have to be a complete schizophrenic to invent such a super awkward two-handed backhand.* *The one-handed stroke is anatomically perfect, which means it is easier, more efficient, more versatile.*
Dominate with left or right arm on your two-handed backhand?
👉 th-cam.com/video/ie_Roysw9sE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=reqMsEpEB6Mkhl98
Coach Nick has absolutely dissected the technique.
💯
This is a great analysis Coach Nick. I really like that in this video you explained “sudden/ slingshot” versus “slower” acceleration and also left versus right arm dominance on 2HB in this video (right handed players in this case). Love how you gave the visual clue to tell if a player is more left or right arm dominant on their 2HB.
Reading some comments at a couple of other channels, I also see that there may be some confusion about what hitting on the rise and also hitting early really means (on backhands, forehands, and return of serves), particularly for those players who like to hug the baseline more. You are helping the tennis community (players and fans) with your in-depth dive into these topics.
Thank you. I have a video coming soon on taking the ball early
And just after this video, Jannick Sinner plays a final with ZERO backhand unforced errors. Talk about consistency.
Hey Nik, just saying, I love your videos. But clearly the Italian Redhead wanted to disprove you😂
Haha his bh is amazing!! I said Nole’s was a tad better ✌️
Great analysis, thanks Nick!
The right-hand/arm vs left-hand/arm debate never ends and everyone gets it wrong by choosing a dominant side. Each side has dominant role depending on the stage of the stroke.
TL/DR: When setting up for a two hander (and really all strokes) the first stage is "loading up". For a righty two-hander; the arm, shoulder and core needs to fully turn to the left to initiate the backswing. By turning your shoulders and core to the left and tucking the shoulder tight you are also loading-up your core/midsection. At this stage the body is fully loaded-up (Coiled up, ready to unwind). The entire right side of the body is where the energy is being stored (You can feel this by simply turning all the way to the left sitting or standing and then feel your abs on the right side, feel how tight they are?), then as you begin your forward swing the initial acceleration is being unleashed (un-coiling) from the core and shoulders. It's a very clear sensation that the entire right side of the body (Core, shoulders, arms) is generating the force by unleashing the stored energy from it's loaded state. This is the initial driving force that creates acceleration and momentum.
The 2nd stage is related to the contact zone/impact area. It's in this stage where you are "Coding" the ball with it's final instructions (Spin, pace, trajectory, depth etc...). This stage is mostly determined by the hands, meaning hand speed and angle of attack. Like in stage 1, the right hand was likely loaded up (Notice how pros typically cock the racquet head upwards on the backswing, or how Sinner loads is towards the back fence). Then just prior to contact the right hand begins to uncoil, but then at impact and through impact the left hand is the controlling force as it's established behind the ball with the palm facing the same direction as the racquet face. The right hand while stronger, simply doesn't have the leverage in it's pull-position to "code" the ball with it's final instructions. Because of all the leverage and force generated by the right side of the body, the left hand is able to leverage all the momentum to impart pace, spin, and trajectory and it's why the left hand become ultimately most critical in determining the balls speed, target and RPM.
A simple way to think of it is, the right side of the body is mostly providing the energy, momentum and stability, and the left hand is providing the final instructions to the ball. Because all righties have less dexterity and coordination in the left hand, it's common for coaches/instructors to teach the two hander as a lefty forehand. It's not wrong and it's not right, it's just not explained properly. What you are really trying to do is to improve hand speed and coordination between the loaded right hand and the left hand providing final code.
(Background): Former futures/satellite player, coached at Bollettieri/IMG Academy, developed tennis teaching system, trained dozens of teaching professionals.
wow cool I ain’t reading all that
I’ll make a 7 second TikTok for you 🤪
Best tennis advice on the net .
Thanks for sharing,
Great efforts
Thanks for this great video! He takes full advantage of the effects of angular momentum, the way the lag takes place and the legs/hips act reminds me of a medieval trebuchet.
Even if the techniques on forehand and serve are different from what happens on the backhand here, the principal is still the same as that of the trebuchet or double pendulum, however as opposed to a trebuchet the kinetic chain on tennis strokes is longer, particularly on the serve (where all leads and ends in internal rotation of the arm bringing the racquet to contact, plus for top-spin on the kick serve ulnar deviation happening in this final phase of the kinetic chain is also important).
My favorite tennis teacher
💯
It’s his next gen stance + left hand dominance that allows him to conceal the inside out backhand, which imo has propelled him to a top 3 player. With his power now on both wings, he’s also hard to read because of his backhand directional variety.
Nice video. Have loved Sinner’s technique for years now. I do think that it’s not a left hand dominant but a balanced one. For Murray at contact point his left arm has already taken over for leverage, but for Sinner at contact point the leverage comes from both sides. The only reason the left hand overtakes the right after contact is the right arm is collapsed, limiting the extension. Does that make it a left dominant backhand? To me that is determined at the point of contact.
Thanks a lot for this great analysis. I do think that for Sinner his skiing childhood might have impacted the way that he pushes off the outside leg plus rotation: might explain why the take back on both forehand and backhand is shortened, because the power source is his low position and leg drive (by the way, in skiing you are not right or left-legged :-). This is why for me (coming from a competitive skiing background but without much tennis experience until my daughter started playing) it makes a lot of sense that he would try to use the power source of his legs in symmetry and as a consequence also the left hand to dominate on his backhand.
Hi Nick, can you make a video about breathing during the training and the match, I think is little considered generally but is very important for arrive to the ball with the right air in you, sorry for english, ciao from italy!
I talked about breathing here
th-cam.com/video/mjUL6HP1uHA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=4N_AU1YSWTXZxKS-
Whether its due to one hand being more dominant over the other, I see this being similar to different the types of forehands. Feder, Nadal extends the arm, stalls and lets the wrist break and sling the racket forward, whereas the roddick type keeps a bent arm and utilizes more of the core body rotation.
@@bournejason66 The wrist break vs holding the angle shows the difference in how one powers the swing, regardless of when the wrist break happens
Sinner’s short backhand swing makes him more accurate on contact. Less margin for error due to short backswing. And faster too since he doesnt need to make the loopy arm movement
Do you know Jannik Sinner's 2HB left and right hand grips?
Thank you for the video.
Conventional 2-h bh grips th-cam.com/video/WEMbmDurvNk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=woXmilC04mXTbe0Z
What do you think about compactness on the BH side for fast reaction, playing deep balls on the rise, etc? Does next-gen style handles such situations better than Djokovic or Zverev style? Or is it quite easy to just abbreviate the takeback, use open stance?
All styles abbreviate their backhands in those situations.
@@IntuitiveTennis yeah, sure. The question is whether one does it more efficiently - hitting rising balls fast without loosing power? Like what “ATP” style did for forehands, allowing to play faster, take balls rising, with full RHS, minimal loss compared to “full” preparation.
While classic WTA long backswing players - yes, did also abbreviate the swing when needed, and managed to adjust, but usually lost quite a bit of juice in such cases.
I would put *Marat Safin* at #1 in terms of sheer power on the two-handed backhand.
Andy Roddick named Safin, Agassi and Hewitt as the top 3 guys who could return his 1st-serve with any interest...
I think with Hewitt, he stood in close and took the ball early. I don’t think he had the pure power of those other guys, but it basically felt the same to the server when the ball suddenly landed at his feet.
Would you agree it's harder to time the next Gen sinner style backhand? The smoother / slower build up of the modern backhand looks easier to time to me. The decreased wrist action (racket angle staying more consistent through and after contact, a la djokovic, vs that sinner wrist flip and left arm dominance) also looks easier to time to me.
Next gen is extremely difficult to time
Excellent. Off to my match now fully inspired 🎾🏆
There is another theme for dominant or nd left hand: the grip. If you have a continental grip for right hand is very difficult that right h. is dominant...
Greta video and great Nike kit
Can alcaraz learn a single handed backhand or hit like Medvedev to deal with Dimitrov's low defensive slices especially on low bounce condition
Single backhand and slice is not only a safe shot....but good for tactical purpose.....
Double backhand sometimes sits up, and easily attacked !
Hi Nick. I watch your almost every videos.
But I have a question that most of the player ,such as Zverev, Djokovic said they use most of their force on the left hand when they play backhand.
Is that still correct to say they are right-dominant ?(I know they didn't do as much as Sinner)
THX.
Thank you. Zverev is left arm dominant on almost all backhands. Djokovic is right arm dominant except in defensive situations and high balls.
I don’t understand. Isn’t the raquet going over handle more dependent on how much wrist movement is involved in the swing?
If you put more energy into the left arm, but keep your wrists steady during the finish, the tip of the racquet doesn’t go over the handle, right?
I am looking for a racket that allows me to send the ball exactly where I want it. Since I have strong power, I am focusing solely on control. I aim to hit the ball hard and accurately, like Marat Safin or Sinner. Is the Prestige Pro the most suitable racket for me among the models currently on the market? or Prestige tour?
I am currently using the TF40 18x20
Great vid Nik! Is Sinner’s next gen backhand more stylistic or actually better technically than the modern backhand?
It's style vs. fundamentals. Compare Zverev, Djokovic, and Sinner. They all have fundamentals but different styles. Which style is better? It's impossible to say. One day, Zverev might win crosscourt BH battles against Sinner, and other days, he might not. The same goes for Djokovic. At that level of proficiency, it's beyond technique, and many other factors are at play.
@@IntuitiveTennis thanks for the response Nik! Either way I still can win a game from them. :)
Most tracking sites seem to place Sinner's backhand as the heaviest spin on tour? If anything it has the most topspin on it
Good Morning Sir
Good morning
Right handed player here with two handed back hand should I get my left hand as close as possible to my left or just at the start of the grip tape?
th-cam.com/video/WEMbmDurvNk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=y9M7u6aUg_9PIa0Q
If you ever want to make a video of the worst two handed backhand in the history of the game of tennis. I am your guy, my friend. Great job on the video Coach and I truly appreciate your hard work on your channel my friend. Happy Easter my friend and may YWHW bless you and yours my friend.
Happy Easter and thank you. Your bh will get better and I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think it is.
@@IntuitiveTennis if you want to laugh I Download my practices. I just started playing tennis about 9 months ago, before that time, it was 22 years since I played tennis. I have lost 45 pounds since then and I am getting better, I also practice everyday for about 2 hours. I love tennis because there are a lot of separate parts of tennis that we strive to master and there is always something new to learn about tennis. Thank you Coach and Happy Easter
The more one uses the left non dominant hand the more topspin one can generate and with that comes more control.
0:03
I’ve noticed that years ago with Murray and I’ve wondered if players that hit that kind of left-arm-dominant-backhands are ambidexter?
In murrays case, i think the physics make it almost impossible to stop the racket head from passing the handle, as his racket has a lot of mass in the head, similar to Rafas forehand finish. Im not saying that technique doesnt cause these things, just stating that the racket you use shapes your technique to an extent.
@@donmikanValid point but Djokovic also plays with a heavy racquet.
@@JacObi-Wan-KenObi yes i agree, technique still maters and Nole combines the best sides of a heavy frame and suberb body movement.
i think rafa is also left arm dominant
Sinner is pretty consistent.
i agree on everything but the fact that you say that he hits a relatively flat backhand…that’s not true: in my opinion he hits one of the most ‘top-spinny’ BH on tour, of course without giving up pace and penetration ( unlike for example RUUD’s BH)
He flattens it out especially when hitting hard down the line, his rally bh has a more NADAL style vertical swing path.
I think he has a slingshot forehand too
Hey Nick
Its fellow tennis coach Jackob. I wanted to buy Saber for my tennis students but the racquet prize is a lot at this point for me. May I have 10% discount that u were giving in codes some time ago, I would really appreciate it. I tried to use the old ones but they expired...
Best wishes from Poland
That was a Black Friday only deal if I remember correctly try dming functionaltennis, I don’t have access to codes
Thx for the Answer I will try it ❤
De Minaur has a similar movement
"left hand non dominant"??? Are you sure? Zverev says that the twohanded bh is just like an left hand forehand... This is a video about a lesson for twohanded bh by Zverev th-cam.com/users/shortsB6WtMYV0jaw
th-cam.com/video/xcxo2s0W-_Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Mp-_jgZKxi-VmU8s
@@IntuitiveTennis I think Zverev is little more skill...
Non-Baston accent was def. better, BRO
You can see Djokovic doing the slingshot thing as well tho...
Then, this is his new technique.
Show sinners serve analysis
th-cam.com/video/goyDsjy1Ia4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=nAQlTf94epXRV_hJ
*You'd have to be a complete schizophrenic to invent such a super awkward two-handed backhand.*
*The one-handed stroke is anatomically perfect, which means it is easier, more efficient, more versatile.*
gj
Doesn't Rune have the best two handed backhand of today's players?
Hell no
He has the best whine
he has a very good and solid two handed backhand, but you can’t say it’s the absolute best…for sure it’s among the top tier
He's got the best legs and shortest shorts
That's about it.
😂
@@livingtribunal4110nah, best legs belongs to Raonic and Karatsev. No homo