Ultimate Fundamentals: The One Handed Backhand Slice

[jimlosaltos]

He did mention that Fed 5000 rpm slice in his video presentation on this topic. The Fed slice was the best ever. Grigor's looks about the same, but not quite as good as Fed's. Fed's was so good, and I loved how he could stick it deep or drop shot it with looked pretty much the exact motion.

Grigor uses his slice DTL to the forehand more than Fed, who as I recall rarely did that.

[stroke]

John also did a video showing what happened if you attempted to return today's topspin with the classic Don Budge slice backhand. This is a rare video where John did the hitting <g> using an $18,000 tennis ball machine that fed balls that replicated Rafa's pace and spin. He filmed it at his TPN tennis academy at his SF condo. The Budge style drives sent the ball over the fence into downtown SF streets.

Secondly, I believe the highest RPMs John ever measured wasn't on a forehand but 5,000 RPMs on a Fed slice backhand. That'll burrow a trench in your court.

This is through the haze of distant long-unused memory, so the actual fact may vary

He did mention that Fed 5000 rpm slice in his video presentation on this topic. The Fed slice was the best ever. Grigor's looks about the same, but not quite as good as Fed's. Fed's was so good, and I loved how he could stick it deep or drop shot it with looked pretty much the exact motion.

[jimlosaltos]

Yes it's interesting. Classic slice, as per wooden rackets, has the racket tip pointing to sky on conclusion of the stroke whereas the modern slice backhand the tip often ends up pointing at the ground, like Roger. Novak often (not always) executes with the classic finish. I guess modern slice is just a natural evolution of having to deal with quicker balls hit with heavy topspin.

John also did a video showing what happened if you attempted to return today's topspin with the classic Don Budge slice backhand. This is a rare video where John did the hitting <g> using an $18,000 tennis ball machine that fed balls that replicated Rafa's pace and spin. He filmed it at his TPN tennis academy at his SF condo. The Budge style drives sent the ball over the fence into downtown SF streets.

Secondly, I believe the highest RPMs John ever measured wasn't on a forehand but 5,000 RPMs on a Fed slice backhand. That'll burrow a trench in your court.

This is through the haze of distant long-unused memory, so the actual fact may vary

[stotty]

If you have ro choose one thing that separates the classic slice from the modern slice, it would probably be what JY pointed out about the racquet tip after contact. On the modern slice, the racquet tip immediately points to the court after contact. This certainly produces more spin(as JY pointed out) and a distinct combination of backspin and sidespin.

Yes it's interesting. Classic slice, as per wooden rackets, has the racket tip pointing to sky on conclusion of the stroke whereas the modern slice backhand the tip often ends up pointing at the ground, like Roger. Novak often (not always) executes with the classic finish. I guess modern slice is just a natural evolution of having to deal with quicker balls hit with heavy topspin.

[stroke]

If you have ro choose one thing that separates the classic slice from the modern slice, it would probably be what JY pointed out about the racquet tip after contact. On the modern slice, the racquet tip immediately points to the court after contact. This certainly produces more spin(as JY pointed out) and a distinct combination of backspin and sidespin.

[rysonliu]

Hello, John Yandell. I finished watching this video. My English isn't very good, so I used the browser's built-in English translation. After watching this episode, I'd like to discuss whether my understanding of the video is correct. Based on my interpretation and the video content: Is the difference between modern and classical techniques in the control of rotation?! I'm not sure if I've misunderstood anything. I hope to get your clarification.

[John Yandell]

Thanks DB I am making an effort!

[don_budge]

Fundamentally sound and fundamentally correct (FC). One must adhere to a paradigm when teaching. A philosophy. Fundamentals taught correctly teaches a game for a lifetime. Should a player wish to "evolve" into modern technique it is not a problem if there foundation is built upon sound fundamentals.

There are many take-aways in your video...excellent examples of the classic backhand slice with Ken Rosewall and Don Budge. Teaching cues. Super analysis regarding the follow through and how it is relative to mitigating factors.

All in all...another excellent issue of tennisplayer.net. Consistency is the hallmark of great tennis players and of tennis publications also. Month in month out one rarely sees a drop-off here on tennisplayer.net...if at all.

This quote from May 10, 2017. The comment regards tennisplayer.net consistency still stands. Keep up the great work. Another excellent series and all the rest.

[John Yandell]

Not really. The ball stops basically dead when it pockets in the strings. It doesn't continue to spin in the same direction until that is imparting by the strings. Go look at the ball racket interactions in the high speed archives if you are interested.

[denpen]

He talks about de-rotating the incoming topspin shot but if you are slicing an incoming topspin, you are adding to the spin not reversing it

[John Yandell]

DB,
Thanks for noticing! I try.

[don_budge]

Fundamentally sound and fundamentally correct (FC). One must adhere to a paradigm when teaching. A philosophy. Fundamentals taught correctly teaches a game for a lifetime. Should a player wish to "evolve" into modern technique it is not a problem if there foundation is built upon sound fundamentals.

There are many take-aways in your video...excellent examples of the classic backhand slice with Ken Rosewall and Don Budge. Teaching cues. Super analysis regarding the follow through and how it is relative to mitigating factors.

All in all...another excellent issue of tennisplayer.net. Consistency is the hallmark of great tennis players and of tennis publications also. Month in month out one rarely sees a drop-off here on tennisplayer.net...if at all.

[John Yandell]

If there is movement in the wrist, definitely a consequence...

[kenh]

Very good piece John. The pictures clearly showed the differences and good explanation why. The only other thing you might have brought up is the differences in wrist motion with the classic staying locked and the newer having (at least as it appears to me) some movement in the wrist going little finger to forearm side (sorry I can't remember the term for that). A question about the wrist movement. Is it intentional to stick the ball more or is it as a result of the drastic high to low motion and momentum of the racquet head in the newer swing pattern? Thanks

[John Yandell]

Would love to discuss my latest, "Ultimate Fundamentals: The One Handed Backhand Slice