Backhand Open Stance
What are the benefits of an open stance two-hander and what's the correct technique?
Although most players still prefer to strike the two-handed backhand from a closed stance whenever possible,
the success of the Williams sisters is encouraging more and more players to use an open stance. Venus
and Serena use their tremendous leg and upper body strength to compensate for the loss of linear momentum.
The technique enables them to cope better when they're rushed into playing a shot (e.g. a service return) and
also to recover their court position efficiently by pushing off the outside leg to return towards the
middle of the court.
Let's consider the grip first. Although you may be able to hit an effective two-handed
backhand without moving your dominant hand from your forehand grip, you really ought to be
using an eastern backhand grip (or at least a continental grip) if you want to use topspin
and if you want to be able to hit the occasional one-handed shot. Your dominant hand really
only provides support - it's your non-dominant hand that should actually provide the power
for your two-hander and you should put it into the eastern forehand grip.
Load your weight onto your left foot (assuming you're right-handed) and coil your hips and shoulders
(as demonstrated here by Maria Sharapova).
The amount of backswing depends on what you want to achieve. Typically, a shorter backswing will facilitate more
control and a longer backswing will generate more power. Keeping your head as still as possible to control
the uncoiling of your hips and shoulders, extend your racket out towards your target for control and depth.
Complete the shot with a full wrap-around follow-through and push off to recover for your next shot.
If, like Venus and Serena, you have the required athleticism, you might want to make open stance
groundstrokes the basis of your game, but even if you don't, practise an open stance two-hander and you'll
be able to compensate effectively when you're rushed for time.
