10 Backhand Tips

Here are some backhand tips that are in no particular order. To break things up a little I have included the first five backhand tips in this module and the last five in the next module.

1) Take small steps. The ball will rarely be hit to the ideal spot so you'll have to run to the ball. You have to take small steps when you run to the ball so that you don't overshoot.
2) Keep both eyes on the ball as it approaches. You have to see an object with both eyes in order to have depth perception. If you only see the ball coming with one eye, you are much more likely to have a problem.
3) Keep your racket face perpendicular to the ground as you swing. When you meet the ball, your racket face should also be parallel to the net. You should meet the ball about a foot forward of your body position.
4) Practice, practice, practice. You need to practice your backhand every time you play, but only for about five minutes at a time. You don't want to over due it. Remember the "sleep on it" rule. In the "sleep on it" rule, your brain will actually perform a skill better the day after practicing that skill.
5) Relax; your best results will only happen if you are loose and relaxed. Keep your knees bent even after you hit the ball.

Here are the last five backhand tips.

6) Keep your arm slightly bent while pulling it back and then gradually straighten it out as you swing, keeping your wrist straight in the meantime. Keeping your wrist straight will help prevent injuries to your wrist. I know I'm doing something wrong when after playing tennis for awhile my wrist is numb. Keeping the wrist straight will also result in the racket being at the proper angle to the arm. This is the correct hitting position.
7) Momentarily keep your eye on the spot where the racket hit the ball before you look up to follow it's trajectory.
8) If you find that you need more power, try the two-handed backhand. Be careful with this though; make sure your feet are planted before swinging. If you are chasing after a ball, go ahead and use the one-handed backhand. I always assumed that in the two-handed backhand, both arms were providing an equal amount of power to the stroke, but I found out this is not true. The front arm is providing 10% of the power and most of the steering while the rear arm is providing 90% of the power and also steering just a little bit.
9) Follow through after hitting the ball. Your racquet should end up above your head with your arm still straight.
10) The foot that is forward should be at about a 45 degree angle to the rear foot.

In the next two modules I wil use a couple of YouTube videos to help show some backhand tips.

These backhand tips should get you started towards improving your backhand. For more information on backhand tips, please check out Tennis Backhand Videos at the link below.