Ivan Ljubicic's High Backhand - Article by Jimmy Arias
Even a tricky high ball is no match for Ivan
Ljubicic's backhand.
Perhaps the most difficult shot for players with one-handed backhands is hitting a ball up around the shoulders. There are three options to use in order to return it: You move in and take it early and on the rise, before it gets too high; chip it defensively with slice; or return the favor to your opponent by looping it back. Here we see Ivan Ljubicic going for the last choice, and doing it very well. With early preparation, spot-on timing, and impressive shoulder strength, Ljubicic returns a tough shot with relative ease.
Perhaps the most difficult shot for players with one-handed backhands is hitting a ball up around the shoulders. There are three options to use in order to return it: You move in and take it early and on the rise, before it gets too high; chip it defensively with slice; or return the favor to your opponent by looping it back. Here we see Ivan Ljubicic going for the last choice, and doing it very well. With early preparation, spot-on timing, and impressive shoulder strength, Ljubicic returns a tough shot with relative ease.
1. As
he prepares for his backhand, Ljubicic pulls his racquet back with his left
hand while keeping a loose grip on the handle with his right. It’s smart to
bring the racquet back with your off hand because it promotes a good shoulder
turn. And by not strangling his racquet, Ljubicic can easily switch to his
backhand grip and keep his hitting arm relaxed.
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2.
Since the ball is coming in high and deep, Ljubicic is retreating with
crossover steps to get himself in good position. His racquet comes up
slightly, and he doesn’t rotate his body yet, as his primary goal is good
footwork. Ljubicic has time to run around his backhand, but because of his
confidence in the stroke, he is content to hit it rather than a
forehand.
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3. With
all the time Ljubicic has, he continues on to an exceptionally full shoulder
turn. You can practically see his back. His body weight is almost completely
gone from his front foot and has shifted to his left leg. Notice his body
composition—his legs are bent and low while his back is straight. The only
thing you want the upper body to do is rotate.
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4.
Ljubicic starts to rotate back as his racquet drops well below the ball. This
shot is going to have ample topspin. His legs continue to straighten as he
starts to jump off the court. Instead of bringing his weight through the
shot, his momentum is actually going upward, which will result in a high,
looping return.
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5. At
contact you see Ljubicic way off the ground and the ball still above his
shoulders. This causes the racquet to be more at an angle rather than level
as he rotates his wrist up to meet the ball. To coordinate a swing of this
speed with all this movement takes great timing. It also requires plenty of
shoulder strength and wrist action to power a ball from this height.
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6. Even
though he’s airborne, Ljubicic still manages a nice full finish to his
stroke. His left arm stays back, keeping that side from coming around
prematurely and allowing him to stay sideways and extend through the shot.
Ljubicic doesn’t overswing and bring his left side around; he maintains solid
mechanics throughout.
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