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Writer's pictureAuthentic Tennis

Backhands For Beginners

Struggling to hit backhands? Then this episode is for you.

Backhands are the one shot most players will try to avoid the most. The amount of times I've seen people run around there backhand just to hit a forehand is unbelievable. Yes, it's good to have a weapon like your forehand, but don't avoid backhands completely. It goes back to what I always say about practice!! If you practice more frequently you will see better results. My question would be in a 60 min session with your friends, how many forehands do you think you played? Now, how many backhands did you play? 9 times out of 10 people will say they probably hit 80% more forehands then backhands. This just means that your forehands will improve 80% more than your backhands.


Now you know why your forehands are improving significantly more than your backhands. However, I'm hear to offer a little bit of help for your backhands. Using these 3-4 simple steps, will improve your backhand (so long as you practice frequently).


Firstly, make sure you get the right grip. Easiest way to check is by holding your racquet infront of you with strings facing straight to the opposite side of the net. Put your dominate hand on the bottom of the grip and non dominate at the top. Next you want to position yourself side on to the court/net. This way you can have a long fluid swing across your body.


For the swing, always make sure you are starting lower than the ball. The reason for this, is to hit the ball up and over the net. If you are noticing you're hitting the net a lot, then bend you knees and get your racquet below the ball to start with.

Next step is to meet/contact the ball out in front of your body (arms at full extension). At the contact point you also want to keep your strings facing directly forward to your target.

Lastly, this is the hard part. Swing upwards through the line of the ball (keeping your arms at full extension). DO NOT GO OVER YOUR SHOULDER!!! If you are bending your arms at any point after contacting the ball you're most likely not hitting through the ball properly. You will also notice a lack in power and control if you are bending your arms after contacting the ball.


I am completely aware that you are supposed to swing over your shoulder when you do the full swing properly. Key word "properly". When you hit any shot in tennis, you must hit through the ball. If you are bending straight after contacting the ball, there's a high chance your loosing control and falling off the swing, rather then striking through the ball.


My advice for beginners and even intermediate players, forget about finishing over your shoulder to start with. Focus on extending your arms through the contact point and finishing with full extension. When you can do this comfortably, you will be ready to move to the next step of finishing over the shoulder. If you want to hit backhands with good control and power, this is a must.


Check out the vid below to see how it's done. Practice frequently and you'll see your results.

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