How to Perform a Backhand in Tennis

How to Perform a Backhand in Tennis – A backhand is a tennis stroke used to hit a ball that is behind the player. It can be tough to master, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a powerful tool in your arsenal. This blog post will teach you how to perform a backhand in tennis.

Introduction

The backhand is a tennis stroke used to hit balls that are too close to the net for a comfortable forehand stroke. It can also be used as an offensive weapon when your opponent is caught off-guard by its speed and placement. The backhand can be hit with one or two hands, but most people prefer the two-handed backhand. This stroke is relatively easy to learn, but takes practice to master. Follow these steps and soon you’ll be hitting backhands like a pro!

Step One: The Grip

The backhand is often considered one of the harder strokes to learn in tennis, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little practice, you can master the backhand and use it to your advantage on the court. Here’s how to do it:

Step One: The Grip
There are two main grips for a backhand: the eastern grip and the continental grip. The eastern grip is more commonly used by beginner and intermediate players, while the continental grip is more common among advanced players.

To grip the racket with an eastern forehand grip, start by holding the racket in your left hand (for right-handed players) with your palm facing up. Then, place your right hand underneath the racket so that your thumb and first two fingers are touching the white bevel on the underside of the racket head. Curl your right hand around until your thumb and fingers are gripping the bevel on top of the racket head. Your palm should now be facing down.

To grip the racket with a continental forehand grip, start by holding the racket in your left hand (for right-handed players) with your palm facing up. Then, place your right hand underneath the racket so that your thumb is touching the white bevel on the underside of the racket head. Curl your right hand around until your thumb and fingers are gripping the bevel on top of the racket head. Your palm should now be facing down.

Step Two: The Backswing

After you’ve positioned yourself and your racket, it’s time to take a backswing. A backhand is a two-handed stroke, so both hands should grip the racket. For a right-handed player, the left hand will be at the bottom of the racket handle, and the right hand will be at the top. The grip for a backhand is different than for a forehand; for a backhand, you’ll want to use an eastern or continental grip

To take a proper backswing, start by cocking your wrists and then swinging your arms back until the racket is at shoulder level. At this point, your elbow should be pointing away from your body and your wrist should be cocked. From here, you can either chose to keep your wrist cocked (a semi-western grip) or uncock it so that your hand is closer to perpendicular to the ground (a western grip).

Step Three: The Forward Swing and Follow Through

Now that you’ve positioned your body and racket for the backhand, it’s time to swing. As with the forehand, start the racket back early--but not too early. Bring it back until it’s just past your hip, and then accelerate through the ball. Remember to snap your wrist as you hit the ball; this will give additional topspin and make sure the ball clears the net.

As you follow through, keep your racket up so that you’re prepared for your opponent’s next shot. You may want to hold your finish for a second or two to make sure you don’t leave yourself open; if you find yourself doing this often, it may be an indication that you’re starting your backswing too late.

Tips for Improving Your Backhand

If you want to improve your backhand, there are a few specific tips you can follow. First, make sure you are using the right grip. The continental is the most popular grip for backhands, as it allows you to hit the ball with more power. You should also focus on hitting the ball in the sweet spot, which is the area of the strings that provides the most power. Finally, make sure you keep your elbow close to your body during your swing to generate more power.