Tennis One-Handed Backhand Drive

Tennis One-Handed Backhand Drive

1.    Grip

a.  Use Semi-Western Backhand (8) for high balls

b.  Use Eastern Backhand (1) for waist-high balls

c.  Use Continental (2) for low balls

2.    Initial Preparation (before the incoming ball bounces)

a.  When the opponent hits the ball, do a split step toward the ball. 

b.  If you decide that this is a backhand drive, immediately execute the following preparation steps:

c.    If you want to hit the ball straight ahead, aim for 6 o'clock on the ball. For the left, aim for 5 o'clock on the ball. For the right, aim for 7 o'clock. These adjustments are best made by setting up the stance slightly left or right before executing the stroke.

d.    Watch the ball and decide to hit it with a backhand drive and prepare for the Closed Stance or Open Stance

e.    In Closed Stance, load up the back leg (70% back, 30% front), with the front foot pointing at 45 degrees and the right at 90 degrees. Make sure that the back foot is 3 inches behind the front foot!

f.    In Open Stance, load up the left leg (70% left, 30% right), left foot pointing 90 degrees

g.    Bring your left arm back. The racket tip should be pointing up.

h.    You should visualize the height and direction of the returned ball

3.    Backhand Drive

a.    When the incoming ball bounces, breathe in and start the backhand stroke

b.    Be sure to accelerate gradually (not suddenly) and build up maximum racket speed when about to hit the ball. You may need to initiate strokes earlier than you're used to. Making the noise of "vrrrooooom" will help you to achieve this new timing.

c.    As you move the shoulder 45 degrees back (with the back pointing to the ball), the right arm drops down, with the racket lagging and the butt cap pointing parallel to the baseline. The racket should become parallel to the ground.

d.    Kick off with the back leg, rotating the hips clockwise

e.    Rotate the shoulders

f.    The longer the swing from low to high, the longer the flight path of the ball

g.    Breathe out and hit the ball with the right arm fully extended at waist level (the ball should be a few feet in front)

h.   Your head should be as still as possible during the backhand stroke, with the eyes tracking the ball. Do not move the head to look where the ball is going!

4.    Completion

a.  Finish the stroke with the right arm pointing up, with the butt cap pointing forward

b.  The left arm should be going backward (counter-balance)

c.  Pivot on the left leg and step forward with your right leg after hitting the ball. Forward momentum is critical for maximum power transfer

d.  The chest should be facing forward on completion

e.  Move your head to observe the ball

5.    Refinements

a. A more vertical swing adds more topspin

b. Larger knee bend (and straightening out the front leg) adds more power and topspin