Your Strokes: Shooter McMarco: Backhand

The Shooter’s backhand: good elements and some that need work.

This month we’ll take a look at the one-handed backhand of Tennisplayer subscriber Shooter McMarco. But, before we start, a request. I hope the perception isn’t that I’m being too hard on the guys I’ve analyzed so far (am I?). But we need more videos of strokes for upcoming months! So everyone else out there, do not fear–this is your chance–check the details in the Your Strokes section and send something in. (Click Here.)

The Shooter’s backhand is interesting because of his combination of sound elements and fundamental technical problems. He has a fairly strong grip–an Eastern backhand with his knuckle partially on top of the frame. This is a grip for power and topspin. There is a pretty good player who uses it or something close, Roger Federer.

The Shooter has the grip but what about the rest of the stroke?

Because the contact point is further in front than with milder grips, hitting a drive requires impeccable preparation and very good timing. I have a feeling the Shooter rips some pretty good backhands at times, but the shot is probably not consistent–particularly when he is forced on time,…