The tennisforall Digital Tennis Book
by evvy

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Tennis Coaching Article:
One Handed Backhand: Part Three.

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The Waiting Game
Both players in the two previous articles are hitting the ball on the rise: they have timed their efforts to meet the ball, as it rises from the court surface.
For those who don't speak tennis language, they are hitting the ball as it bounces up from the court surface.
In this next sequence of images, we see Arazi—one of the most elegant, natural stroke players on the men's tour— back behind the bounce (and baseline), and he will make his connect as the ball drops back down towards the ground, after it has peaked (in height).
This waiting for the ball to fall usually requires more work, because you have to put in more steps to get behind the bounce, which gives the ball time and space in which to fall.
And the benefits?
There are many, especially for youngsters and less advanced players. Firstly, you get to learn patience. You also get used to working your way hard around the baseline, with much footwork. The worst reason for hitting the ball early is that you're too lazy to move: better to get out of the lazy game habit at the earliest age. It's also worth mentioning that on a one handed backhand, timing a perfect contact on a rising ball is pretty damn difficult and requires both practice and more strength than gangly youngsters often have.
Can I play with the buttons now?
Yes.
Hiccup...! That's not his real name, is it?
No. I couldn't spell his real name, so I thought Hiccup would do. Hiccup Arazi. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
Mmm. You're going to get some strange hits with that one.... the hiccup backhand!
I've had worse.
I'm not surprised, talking to yourself an' all.
Not true. There are two of us I tellya. But don't tell nurse when she comes to turn out the lights, ...'cause there's only supposed to be one of us in this padded cell. Now shut up and run the buttons.

GO HIC... Watch how the ball rises and falls. Hiccup...
I think it's Hicham...
...alright, Hicham has moved way back for this one, giving it time and space to drop. You can also get the shape of his turn and loop.

CCUP...
C-cup? I'd rather have a doube-D cup !
Behave....and run the buttons, because this is relevant for beginners. These four letters reveal a sawn-off stroke that beginners would do well to copy in simple practice situations. Starting from such a sideways position, with the racket already back, learners could do worse than practice hunting for the falling ball, swinging the racket head through to meet the ball when they feel it has fallen to the right height. And remember, the falling ball should always be forward of your hitting shoulder.
Good movement and correct reading of the flight path of the ball are all-important when hunting down a perfect contact, but it only comes together with much practice.

...UP GO
Watch how Hiccup flips onto the back foot at the end of the stroke, pushes himself into a controlled loss of balance and ups and goes.
What's a controlled loss of balance?
Sorda making use of your center of gravity... but we haven't got time, so it will have to remain one of myriad things left unexplained.
Shhh. I can hear nurse. Quick. Lights out.
And I'm not here, right?
No. You never were. And neither was I. Game over.