2HBH Counter: Ski the Tracks, Don’t Reach-and-Stab
Summary
Jilly B coaches her wife Kristin’s two-handed backhand counter from a “reachy stabby” 3.5 into a trustworthy high-level shot. The breakdown shows up when the ball is crosscourt and she has to cover middle — she goes armsy, loses the turn, and tips over (“teapoty”) instead of rotating as a unit.
Cues that clicked: ski in my tracks for the footwork path, finish through the proper shoulder line (not short), coil/wind-up so contact stays out front, and for high balls keep posture instead of stabbing up. Posture-first (“tarantula” low base) beat trying to muscle a 2-inch punch that turns into a reach.
Key takeaways
- Crosscourt → middle coverage is where reach-and-stab shows up
- Ski-in-my-tracks footwork; rotate as a unit — no teapot tip-over
- Finish through the shoulder line; contact out in front with a real coil
- High balls: posture first — don’t stab up at them
Action items
- Shadow 20 counters saying “ski the tracks, finish through”
- Partner feeds crosscourt → middle: film whether you tip over or rotate