Strategy
Strokes 
Serves
Serve Return
Doubles

Primer

Variety

Resources

Notebook

Powerful Backhand Stroke
 

Top ranked IRT Pro, Sudsy Monchik, shows you how he uses the five fundamental steps to hit his backhand at over 175 mph!
 

1. Grip Change. You need to change your grip by moving your hand one eighth of a turn toward your body and now the “V” is on the “corner” of the handle. This is to facilitate the racquet face hitting the ball flat and level.
   
    
2. Early Racquet Preparation (ERP). Upper body rotation consists of your back facing the front wall and your right shoulder is pointing toward the sidewall for the powerful coiling effect. Non-hitting arm is up and rotated naturally and upper body is erect. The lower body has your belly button facing the back left corner for that coiling effect again. Knees are bent. Feet a little wider than shoulder width apart. Weight distribution is relatively even, with a slight shift to the back foot.
   
    
3. The Swing. Racquet head drops to below shoulder level and your back is facing the right side wall and right shoulder is pointing toward the front wall. Non-hitting arm is coming through for balance. Upper body is erect. You step at a slight 45 degree angle and the weight shifts to a more even distribution and my belly button is now facing the side wall. Knees are bent. Feet a little wider than shoulder width apart because of the step, back foot starts to pivot and back leg is at 90 degree angle.
   
    
4. Contact. Your shoulder continues to come through and begin opening to the front wall. Racquet is at full extension to body, flat and level and contact is made knee high or lower. Non-hitting arm is in front of the body for balance. Upper body is erect. You hip rotation continues to come through and your belly button is now pointing to the front left corner. Back foot continues to pivot and back leg is still at a 90 degree angle.
   
    
5. The Follow Through. Your shoulders are completely through and are facing the front wall. Racquet is completely through and pointing to the backwall, not pointing toward the ceiling. Non-hitting arm is completely around. Upper body is erect and uncoiled. Hip rotation is complete and hips are facing the front wall. Back foot is completely pivoted and bears 40-50% of the weight. Back leg is at a 90 degree angle. Balanced up. Uncoiled and power released.

Source: Racquetball Magazine. March/April 1999. Sudsy’s Magic Show. Pages 34-39.

Home I About Us l Search

Velocity Racquetball ®