Use racquetball ceiling ball shots to move your opponent out of center court. The ceiling ball forces them into one of the back corners of the court and allows you time to take the vital center court position.
Ceiling shots are also one of the best returns of service. And a good ceiling ball player can wear their opponent out by pinning them in the back corners on every rally. Then as soon as they miss a ceiling ball return, you end the rally with a down the line or pinch shot.
It is very easy to practice ceiling balls on the court by yourself. Start off hitting 10 to 20 in a row.
Another great way to practice ceiling balls is by playing a ceiling ball game, allowing only lob serves and ceiling balls. If you miss the ceiling, you lose the rally.
These videos by Rocky Carson, Mary Hogan, John Ellis, and Shawn Royster go over the how/why for hitting ceiling ball shots.
Please explain the forehand and backhand grip with a little more detail. You say wrap the fingers around the grip more in the fingers but it looks like the your turning the racket opposite. It looks like the backhand and forehand grip are the same. Are They?
Take a look at the following video which explains in detail why the forehand and backhand grip are different.
Forehand and Backhand Grip
Looks like I didn’t explain my question properly. I understand the difference between the forehand and backhand grip. But I am questioning the way John Ellis in the above video recommends modifying the standard grips when he is making a backhand and forehand ceiling shot.
It sounds like he takes a modified backhand grip for the backhand ceiling ball. But he fails to say exactly how he changes it except to say that he grips up higher on the grip. My guess is that he takes a slightly weaker backhand grip. In both forehand and backhand ceiling balls, he is really trying to slide the racquet strings under the ball and get some backspin. This is accomplished by opening up the racquet face a bit a swinging with a shallow motion. This is not an easy thing to do for novice or intermediate level players.
I am trying this and it seems to be working. I am taking a neutral grip half way between a backhand and forehand. Also with his backhand it looks like John swings very flat (shallow) cutting across the ball putting spin on it. I noticed that his arm and racket are not straight out at impact like it would be when hitting a low shot. It looks like the racket and his arm form a L shape at the top of his swing and keeps that L shape until after impact. (no wrist snap) Looks like he starts the swing with the racket Handel pointing at the spot on the ceiling he wants to hit keeping that L shape at impact. After one hour of practice and 2 hours of play I’m sold on this. Note I also tried this with my backhand and forehand lob serves down the left and right side of the court. It would be good if someone could contact his sponsor and have John explain his tip with a little more detail in a new video.