How To Hit A Backhand

The first thing to figure out in tennis backhand is which grip to use. Fortunately, if you are using the Eastern grip for your forehand, (as you should be) this is the same grip that you will be using in your back hand. If you're right handed and you want to have an Eastern grip, hold the racket out in front of you with your left hand. The racket face should be perpendicular to the ground. The large bevel on the top of the handle is called bevel # 1. You should place your right hand on the handle so that the "V" between you thumb and forefinger is on this bevel. Slide your hand down to the end of the bevel before you close your fingers.For leftys, just reverse the references to hands.

The Eastern grip is almost always used with the one-handed backhand and some coaches teach it for the two-handed backhand.

Now that you know which grip to use, let's get on with our game. Your opponent hits the ball and it's soon apparent that it's going to your backhand side. This is when you want to know how to hit a backhand. No, you shouldn't panic. In fact, once you master the backhand, you'll look forward to the ball going to that side.

The first thing you will do is run towards the ball with small steps rather than the long ones you'll be tempted to use. You need to use small steps so that you can better control your position. You don't want to overshoot your hitting spot.

While running to the ball, you need to keep both eyes on the ball so that you have depth perception.

While running to the ball, your shoulders and hips will be perpendicular to the net. This is the same position you want to be in to hit the ball.

For the following instructions, I'm just assuming that you're a right hander. Left handers make the appropriate substitutions.

Once you start to run, start bringing the arm holding your racquet across your body keeping your wrist straight and your arm slightly bent. The racquet should end up as far as possible to your left. Use your left hand to steady the racket as you bring it back.

As the ball arrives, let go with your left hand and swing the racket at the ball. It's very important at this point to keep your wrist strsight and slowly straighten your arm during the swing. The face of the racket should stay perpendicular to the ground during the entire swing. While swinging, rotate your body into the ball; this is where your power comes from. Don't swing the racket like you would a baseball bat during a swing. If using the two-handed backhand, 90% of your power should come from your rear arm with the front arm doing mostly steering.

Follow through with your swing even after you hit the ball. You should finish with your right arm still straight and the racket above your head to your right. If using the two-handed backhand, you should end your follow through with the racket behind your head.

Also very important, keep your eye on the contact point momentarily, even after you hit the ball.

No matter which of these two methods you decide to use, it is important that you practice for about five minutes every time you play. Don't be an eager beaver and try to practice for more than that. You might over due it. Scientists don't know why, but if you have a chance to sleep after learning a skill, for some reason you're usually better at the skill the next time you try it.

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