Nick Bollettieri – The One Handed Backhand and the Desire for Early Success
Nick Bollettieri explains why the one handed backhand is on the verge of extinction. It starts with junior players using a two handed backhand because of coaches, parents and players wanting early success.
Bollettieri believes that learning the one handed backhand, especially if the player is small and therefore not very strong, will take 3,4, or maybe 5 years.
He adds that with a smaller player, opponents will hit "loopy" balls and it will give the player problems until they fully develop and have the strength to handle high balls.
What interests me most is Bollettieri's next statement – "But if his daddy says don't worry Son, when you're 15, 16, that's when it counts, but most daddy's, mummy's and coaches – the coach to keep his job, he's gotta have success, the mummy and daddy want success right away so they can't do it."
I think this pattern of young players not doing something because they won't be instantly successful can be found in more areas than with the one handed backhand. I believe that the poor technique we see from the majority of young players, with an inability to volley and hit slices etc can also be linked to the need for early success. It is very difficult to make changes and it not effect your ability to win matches in the short-term. Parents, coaches and players don't want to make these sacrifices, they would rather have the child play with a technique that works well right now. A technique that usually is designed for putting as many balls back in play as possible.