How To Hit A Topspin Backhand

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A Topspin Backhand Will Fool Your Opponent

If you use a topspin backhand, it's because you want the ball to make it over the net, but then fall onto your opponents side of the court as close to the net as possible. You most likely would want to do this because he is clear back by the baseline, so he'll have to run to retrieve a shot that lands close to the net. This shot is important to have in your arsenal because your opponent just hit the ball to your backhand side, so he's not expecting much of a response from you. If you can execute a good topspin backhand he might be totally surprised and unlikely to handle your shot. Or at least that's what you hope.

The Start Of The Topspin Backhand 

Start With The Right Grip

The topspin backhand starts out just like the regular backhand, except that instead of holding the racket with the Eastern grip, you will be using the Continental grip. In the Continental grip, the base of your forefinger and the heal of your palm will be on bevel # 1 of the grip, but all the way to the left of this bevel. This would be just to the left of where you would be holding the racket with the Eastern grip.

Execution Of The Topspin Backhand 

The Follow Through Is Important

As soon as you decide to use your topspin backhand, you should pivot so your shoulders are roughly perpendicular to the net. With your first step forward, bring your arm holding the racket back across the body in preparation for the hit. Keep the arm slightly bent and the wrist straight just like you would for a regular backhand. The difference will be that you should bring the racquet back to a low position, much lower than the ball's trajectory; you might even have to bend your knees to get down low enough. This will force you to be swinging up when it's time to hit the ball. Follow through just like you would for the regular backhand and you want to end up with your arm straight and the racket above your head. Don't forget to keep looking at the contact point even after the ball has left.

A Nice Topspin Backhand 

Here's a slow motion video of Roger Federer's topspin backhand. Notice how he's doing the things that I talked about. In particular, look at where he's looking after he hits the ball.

Roger Federer - Slow Motion Topspin Backhand Closeup

Roger Federer hitting a topspin backhand closeup in super slow mo.

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Two-Handed Backhand With Topspin 

Here's a demonstration of a two-handed backhand.

How to Hit Basic Tennis Shots : Tennis Shots: Topspin Backhand

Tilt tennis racket as hitting the ball to produce topspin. Learn how to hit a topspin backhand tennis shot in this free tennis lesson from a tennis instructor. Expert: Elisabet Mateos Bio: Elizabet Mateos moved to the U.S. from Barcelona, Spain to accept a scholarship to play tennis in college. She has been teaching tennis for ten years. Filmmaker: MAKE | MEDIA

Runtime: 56
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curated content from YouTube

The Goal of The Topspin Backhand 

Keep It Away From Your Opponent

The end result of the topspin is that the ball is spinning in such a way that it curves to the ground. Hopefully, you have it high enough that it first clears the net. Then it will dive to the ground. If your opponent is on the baseline when this happens, he will have to run fast to have any hope of getting to the ball. This kind of stroke is how you score points against a good opponent.

If you would like to find out more about the topspin backhand, please follow the link below.

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