

How to Improve Your Tennis Serve
Master your tennis serve with our expert tips! Discover techniques to boost power, precision, and consistency. Improve your game today!
HomeBlogTennis CoachingHow to Master the Backhand in Tennis
Let’s take a moment to study this unsung hero of tennis strokes – the backhand. Yes, in the quirky world of tennis, the backhand is all about taking things in stride and turning them into powerful, unsuspecting masterstrokes.
While it may seem to be a shot to fall back on only when need pushes, the truth is having a firm backhand can be a game-changer.
Why, you may ask? In your early years of tennis, an opponent’s strategy may involve targeting your presumed weaker side – the backhand. But imagine the sentiment of triumph when what they assume is your weakness is actually your secret weapon. The importance of a solid backhand amplifies because it’s this stroke that very often is used to disrupt the opponent’s game plan. It adds an extra layer of unpredictability to your game, making you a less readable player and thus, a more formidable opponent.
The tennis backhand is mainly categorised into two types:
Depending on your style, power and the situational demand of the game, you may utilise either of these backhand types.
Renowned players, like Swiss maestro Roger Federer, opt for the one-handed backhand due to its range and fluidity. On the other hand, contemporary champions like Novak Djokovic prefer the two-handed backhand for its additional power and control.
So you’re keen to improve your backhand, and you’re wondering exactly what you need to focus on. Let’s break it down together.
First off, let’s talk about the “ready” stance. Remember, each shot begins before you’ve even hit the ball. A good ready stance provides stability and anticipation abilities. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart with knees slightly bent. You should be on the balls of your feet to aid movement, and your racquet should be held out in front of you, waiting to spring into action.
Now, the “grip”. For a one-handed backhand, the commonly used grip is the Eastern backhand, where the base knuckle of your index finger is placed on the first bevel of your racquet handle. For a two-handed backhand, the top hand typically uses an Eastern forehand grip, whereas the bottom hand adopts a Continental grip.
As far as footwork and body rotation are concerned, these are what can turn a good backhand into a killer. Sidestepping to the incoming ball and pivoting your back foot as you swing will allow your lower body to generate much of the power. Meanwhile, your upper body should be rotating towards the net during the swing, guiding the ball’s direction.
Understanding the perfect point of contact is another instrumental facet. For one-handed backhands, the usual point of contact is slightly in front of your lead foot. However, for the two-handed backhand, it’s right beside your lead foot. And here’s a golden thumb-rule – always keep your eyes on the ball.
And finally, the follow-through. After striking the ball, the direction of your swing upwards and forwards helps dictate the ball’s trajectory. Your racquet should finish high above your shoulder, showing that you’ve added enough topspin.
Want to get some deep insights into these techniques? Websites like “tenniscompanion.org” offer some invaluable analysis and tips on perfecting your backhand.
Remember, as with everything in life and tennis, practice makes perfect. Each one of these steps is important, so give them all the attention they deserve.
Ace your tennis backhand by indulging in continuation drills, machine-fed practice or solo wall drills that would help you strike the ball with more power and precision.
Starting with coordination drills, these exercises are the true building blocks for accuracy. The most straightforward drill involves a tennis partner and a ball. Stand a few metres apart and lob the ball back and forth, aiming to maintain a continuous volley only using backhands. Adjusting the distances, force applied and even introducing movement can increase the complexity of the drill but stick to the basics until your consistency sharpens.
Next, “wall practice” is a classic and versatile drill that acts like an all-weather tennis buddy. All you need is a flat wall, a tennis ball, and boundless determination. Direct a series of backhands towards the wall and let the ball bounce back for the next. As both, your tennis partner and opponent, the wall relentlessly throws back whatever you hurl at it, thereby enabling you to gauge and fine-tune your ball control, stroke mechanics and reaction times. Your spatial awareness and timing skills are honed as the rhythm of the rally persists relentlessly.
Finally, let’s talk about machine-fed drills, overlooked by novice players yet irreplaceable for their seasoned counterparts. You may have seen them on tennis courts, those boxy machines spewing balls in quick successions. These devices offer a disciplined drill to iterate your backhand motion relentlessly. The machine’s consistent pace and trajectory help isolate your stroke and strip away any unwanted habits. The ace in the machine’s repertoire is its ability to modify speed, direction and spin on the balls – casting your backhand into the forge for improvement.
We, at “Active Away”, are committed to fuelling this hunger for knowledge. We strive to provide valuable insights into every nook and cranny of the game, from expert analysis and coaching tips to in-depth articles on strategies and equipment choice. We know from experience that you can always tinker with your game, find new strengths, work on your weaknesses, and squeeze that extra bit of performance from your efforts.
From understanding the concept and the two main forms of tennis backhands, applying key techniques such as the ready stance, correct grip, body rotation and footwork, to the strategic and accurate follow-through. All these essential techniques assimilate to shape a mind-blowing backhand!
Progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum or overnight. In fact, Thomas Edison famously quipped, “Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration.” Hence, taking up constructive drills and consistently practising are the ‘perspiration’ part of making a superb backhand.
Lastly, in the grand theatre of tennis, continuing to learn and evolve can elevate your game to soaring heights. Mastering the backhand is just one act of the play, there’s still an entire repertory to delve into. Let this be a stepping stone.
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