How to Hit the Jump Two-Handed Backhand
Former world No. 1 Marcelo Rios introduced this technique and Marat Safin and Sebastien Grosjean continue the tradition today. Instead of moving their feet to get into better position on a high backhand, they choose to compensate by jumping off the court to hit the stroke. The technical or strategic advantages are questionable, but you may find that you get more explosive power into the shot or create a better angle by raising your strike zone. Most coaches prefer a less lazy brand of footwork, but it’s flashy and, on some occasions, a necessity.
When you’re on the move and the ball is going to be at your shoulders, jump off your front leg while raising your back one up. It’s virtually the same form you’d use to shoot a layup with your nondominant hand in basketball. You start your swing as you come off the court and make contact with the ball at the top of your jump. While still in the air, complete the stroke with full extension before you land back on the court and start to move for your next shot.
Article by Rick Macci, Photo By Al Bello/Getty Images – Tennis.com
Very interesting blog post thanks for sharing I have added your site to my bookmarks and will check back.
While we are talking about 2 handed backhands, I would like to find out what grip Rios used for both his hands on a 2HBH. I think it’s interesting to note that he most likely holds his dominant (left) hand in a semi-western forehand grip, while his upper hand is in a semi-western also. They seem to cancel each other out and result in a sort of continental-type flat shot and maybe the reason he has such a compact and powerful backhand. There is no grip change from forehand to backhand, the only thing may be that he closes the racket face inwards on the 2HBH in order to produce some topspin, otherwise the shot would be unreliable. This makes for a quick baseliner! This makes some kinda sense considering his 2HBH looks like continential push with forearm/shoulders through (aka Sampras forehand), rather than a regular 2hBH with extreme grip, topspin and body rotation.
Just my theory, but as I’ve tried to copy his 2HBH the above grip seems to produce the closest result.
Regards,
Sam