How To Hit Your Backhand Like Stan Wawrinka - Tennis Backhand

How To Hit Your Backhand Like Stan Wawrinka - Tennis Backhand. The one-handed backhand in tennis is one of the hardest tennis shots to master, many club players really struggle with the single-handed backhand yet ATP pro and former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka makes it look so easy.
In this video lesson, tennis coach Simon Konov of Top Tennis Training will analyse the Stan Wawrinka backhand and break down exactly what Wawrinka does with his one-handed stroke that makes it so good.
The first thing to mention is that Wawrinka uses an eastern backhand grip for his tennis backhand. This grip is the most effective one to use for a one-handed backhand as it allows you to deal with high balls, medium height balls and low balls. Certain grips will allow you to deal with one type of ball really well but then other types of balls become an issue.

Step One
The first step to the Wawrinka backhand is his early unit turn and coil with his upper body. This fast preparation creates time and ensures that Wawrinka is always ready to hit the ball out in front of his body, even if the ball bounces funny. By coiling his upper body, Wawrinka helps initiate the swing without having to move his arms independently.

Step Two
Lift the racket head above the grip. A lot of club players will prepare for their one-handed backhand with the grip and racket head level. This destroys their chances of creating leverage in the arm and racket but also limits the space they have to truly accelerate the racket head. Wawrinka lifts his racket head directly above the grip as soon as he starts the swing, this creates massive leverage (which later translates into force over the ball) and gives him plenty of space to speed up the racket during the swing without having to lift his arms too high.

Step Three
Reaching a good power position. Wawrinka reaches a perfect power position on his single-handed tennis backhand. There are three main things you want to focus on doing in the power position which are - your body turned side on to the net with your chin resting above your right shoulder (left shoulder for left-handers), your racket head above the grip and the non-hitting hand holding the throat of the racket. In this position, Wawrinka also loads up his body weight on the back leg whenever times permits him to do so, he'll then use a heel to toe action with his front foot and transfer his body weight during the contact zone.

Step Four
Racket lag and contact point. Wawrinka drops the racket down behind his left hip and releases the left hand off the throat of the racket just prior to the racket lag position. His racket head will now lag behind the grip of the racket and the butt-cap will lead the way towards the ball. Wawrinka makes contact out in front of his body and when he does, his knuckles are facing up towards the sky and his palm is facing the ground. Wawrinka will get behind the ball whenever he has the chance to do so which will give him the opportunity to transfer his body weight forwards during the stroke. Often at club level, players will reach for the ball and make contact on side of their body which destroys the power and stability of the shot.

Step Five
The follow-through and finish. Wawrinka has great extension through the contact zone and really stays with the ball much longer than most players. He allows the racket to travel towards the intended target and then finishes with his palm opening up towards the sky. Wawrinka's left-hand stays back, close to his left pocket which secures his body stays in a side-on position and blocks the shoulders from opening up too early. Wawrinka releases his hips and lets them uncoil when he has the time to do so resulting in massive power from the coil-uncoil cycle.
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Видео How To Hit Your Backhand Like Stan Wawrinka - Tennis Backhand канала Top Tennis Training - Pro Tennis Lessons