tennis-backhand-it's-a-love/hate-thing

Tennis skills: the backhand - it's a love/hate thing

There was a time when running around the backhand to hit a forehand was all the rage. It was pretty much a law of tennis a few years ago.

"Run-around forehand! Run-around forehand! ", our coaches told us over and over. The backhand was always seen as a player's weak point. But things have changed, and now it's an essential stroke. Watch any elite-level match these days and you'll see a lot of well-grooved backhands. Like the forehand, it's a stroke that can dictate rallies and help build points. One hand or two? It doesn't matter. Just get hitting that backhand.

To start off with, let's take a look at the differences between these two backhands.

The one-handed backhand:

• Advantages: Greater angle and spin on the ball, touch, style

• Disadvantages: You need to be stronger to control the racket with one hand

The two-handed backhand:

• Advantages: Accuracy, helps compensate for poor positioning (thanks to the second hand), power

• Disadvantages: You need to be fast on your feet and precise

Why the need to choose between one backhand or the other?

The top four players in the world in 2015 are a microcosm of the debate that has raged in the tennis world since the emergence of the two-handed backhand. Two of them use the one-handed backhand and two the two-handed backhand. It's become such an issue that national federations are not always sure which type of backhand to teach their best young players.

So what's the answer? Unfortunately, we don't have it. All we can suggest is that you choose one of them and make it an essential part of your game.

Hitting your backhand properly

The good news? It doesn't take natural talent or a gift; just a little bit of technique.

As Nicolas Escudé says, players will sometimes target their opponent's backhand. They see it as a strategy for winning a game. The more at ease you are playing it, the more confident and relaxed you will be hitting a backhand in a rally. Ready?

Here are a couple of videos that can help you improve or fine tune your backhand.

1. The one-handed backhand

2. The two-handed backhand

Damien's tip: Want to work on your weaker hand? Here's a very simple drill: If you're a right-hander, hit a backhand and take your right hand away. Then, without changing your left-hand grip, hit shots without using your dominant hand (do the reverse if you're a left-hander).

Want to find out more?

The supination of the right wrist (for a right-hander) is vital when playing a backhand. Supination is a movement that involves the wrist moving from a palm-down position to a palm-up position.

That's why it's important that the racket head moves below the ball and then comes up.

You now know everything you need to know to make your backhand an extra weapon for disarming and overcoming your opponent. So stop worrying about your backhand and get working on it with the aid of these two drills.

Tennis skills: The backhand - it's a love/hate thing

Simon

Author

I'm a tennis enthusiast who shares tips from the Artengo team to help you up your game.

You may like these tips

how-to-do-a-good-two-handed-backhand

Tennis skills: Hitting a two-handed backhand

In this video, our technical partner Nicolas Escudé reveals how to do a good two-handed backhand.

Skills tennis-two-drills-for-working-on-your-backhand

Two drills to improve your backhand

Check out two tennis drills for working on and improving your backhand and turning it into a real weapon. Here's how your backhand can become a strength

Tennis skills: how-to-do-the-perfect-lob

Tennis skills: how to do the perfect lob

The lob is a very precise defensive play. If it's too short, it'll make your opponent look good and give them a confidence boost. If it's too long, it's really annoying as "there was enough space". So how do you do the perfect lob, whether backhand or forehand? That's the question Nicolas Escudé and Damien Caby answer here. After this video, your lobs will always hit home! 

Tennis Technique: perfecting-your-offensive-backhand

Tennis Technique: perfecting your offensive backhand

When do you hit an offensive backhand? do you need to shift? we'll answer all your questions!

all-about-the-backhand-slice

Tennis skills: all about the backhand slice

The backhand slice has several uses.

tennis-skills-how-to-do-a-defensive-backhand

Tennis skills: how to do a defensive backhand

Slice, topspin or counterattack? We reveal all about the defensive backhand.

Tennis technique: the passing shot

Tennis skills : The passing shot

Find out how to play the perfect passing shot, one of the hardest in tennis. Former ATP Tour player Nicolas Escudé tells you how to play it and win the points that matter.

how-to-hit-a-good-backhand-passing-shot

Tennis technique: how to hit a backhand passing shot

Everything you need to know about the backhand passing shot. How to hit it?Flat, with slice or with topspin?