The backhand is one of the most important shots to learn in tennis. It is often used to set up other shots and can be a powerful weapon when used correctly.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the basics of hitting a backhand, as well as advanced techniques for experienced players.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, you’ll find something here that will help you improve your game, says the tennis enthusiast Dr. Samuel Bride.
The Basics of Hitting a Backhand
Before you start working on mastering your backhand, it’s important to understand the basics.
- When hitting a backhand, your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, and your body should be facing sideways toward the net.
- Your dominant hand should be at the top of your racquet handle (for right-handed players), and your non-dominant hand should be at the bottom.
- You want to make sure that your swing follows through across your body and across the court. This will allow you to generate more power while still maintaining control over where the ball goes.
Developing Power & Control Through Grip & Stance
The key to developing power and control with your backhand is in your grip and stance. The ideal grip for a backhand shot is an Eastern Forehand Grip; this allows for maximum control over where the ball goes without sacrificing power.
As for stance, it’s important to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground while you swing; this will ensure that all of your energy is being transferred into the shot instead of being lost due to poor balance or footing.
If you can master these two elements, then you will have no problem hitting powerful yet accurate backhands every time.
Advanced Techniques for Experienced Players
Now, let’s take a look at some advanced techniques for experienced players who are looking to take their game to the next level.
- One technique that can help increase power and accuracy is called “twisting”; this involves twisting at the waist during your swing, which helps generate additional force while also allowing you to maintain control over where the ball goes by keeping it closer to your body throughout its trajectory.
- Another technique is called “dropping”; this involves dropping down slightly during your swing, which helps increase accuracy by allowing you to hit lower shots with greater precision.
- Finally, there is “following through”; this refers to completing your follow-through motion after making contact with the ball so that all of your energy has been transferred into it before it leaves your racquet head.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, mastering a reliable backhand shot in tennis requires practice, patience, and dedication.
By following these tips and techniques outlined above—from basic fundamentals such as proper grip and stance all the way up to advanced techniques like twisting, dropping, and following through—you can become an expert in no time!
Take some time out of each session on the court dedicated solely towards improving upon different aspects of executing a successful backhand shot; soon enough, you’ll see improvement not only in terms of power but also accuracy! Good luck on your journey to becoming a tennis enthusiast and player!
