When you swing the racket with the back of your hand you are using a Tennis Backhand Grip. There are various types of Tennis Backhand Grip. It depends on your choice whether you use one hand or two hands, hit a slice, topspin, or flat shot. To be honest, there is nothing better than watching a good backhand down. With their backhands Wawrinka, Federer, Nalbandian, Djokovic, Agassi, and Guga gave us highlights. But, most individuals find the Tennis Backhand Grip to be a challenging shot. When playing in a club, most players view it as their weaker side.
Are you a beginner in Tennis Backhand Grip? If you are so this article is only for you. Read this blog post till the end. It will boost your backhand knowledge. Let’s come toward the topic without wasting time. As someone who has built a career out of his backhand skills. I’ve decided to impart my Tennis Backhand Grip knowledge to you.
We will go over all you need to know to have a proper backhand in this article. You will learn the definition of a backhand and how to hit one step-by-step for beginners. For those of you who read more complex material, focus on the basics. Building a stronger foundation for your groundstrokes will always benefit you. There are different types of backhands like one-handed hit a slice, topspin, or flat shot. We will discuss the Tennis Backhand Grip in detail.
When a player hits a backhand, they swing the racket with their backhand in the stroke’s direction. The backhand swing for a right-handed player starts on the left side and finishes on the right. It is the opposite for lefties. One or both arms are often used to execute this motion. The options are One-handed backhand and Two-handed backhand. This article will address both backhands.
But, this is no longer the case in modern tennis. Tennis Backhand Grip was often thought to be the weaker shot. Since it is usually tougher to create as much power as on the forehand side. These days, players must have strong backhands.
Two-handed Tennis backhand Grip
Although the two-handed backhand has been around for a while. Its popularity grew in the 1980s during the Bjorn Borg era. His technique of using both hands to make contact with the ball on the racket. Nowadays, the majority of players use two-handed backhands. Since it takes less strength from them and is easier for kids to master.
Like other tennis strokes, having a strong backhand requires building a strong base. I’ve divided it into six steps:
Step 1 The Grip
Step 2 The Feet Positioning
Step 3 Downswing
Step 4 The Takeaway
Step 5 The contact
Step 6 The Follow-through
1 - The grip
The two-handed Tennis Backhand Grip requires both hands to grip.
- The pulling hand (the one you use to hit the forehand) should be at the bottom of the grip.
- The pushing hand should be at the top.
We examine each of them in detail;
Bottom hand
The player’s most powerful hand is the bottom hand. You must use a Continental Grip to hold the racket with this hand.
The knuckle on the index finger should be between bevels #1 and #2. The continental is the norm. But, you can experiment a little to determine what feels most comfortable for you. Hitting a two-handed backhand will become more challenging if you hold the racket.
Top hand
The player’s least dominant hand is the top hand. It controls the racket’s face and propels the racket through the shot, akin to a forehand. The most crucial part of the two-handed backhand is the top hand’s grip on the racket. This hand handles pushing the racket head through the ball faster. Then it gives you greater control and power. With a two-handed backhand, you become more proficient with your non-dominant hand. You can use two different grips with your non-dominant hand.
Eastern grip
The index finger knuckle for the eastern grip should lie between bevels 7 and 8. For two-handed backhands, the eastern grip is most utilized.
Semi-western grip
Your index finger knuckle for the semi-western grip should be between bevels 6 and 7. Because it gives players better control and topspin while hitting their backhands. The semi-western grip has grown in favor.
2- Feet position
After selecting a suitable grip, you must learn to place your feet and legs. Neutral, open, and semi-open stances are the three primary stances. The backhand foot placement depends on the shot that you hit. You can select one of the stances once. It determines where the ball will land. Backhand foot placement is a must for Tennis Backhand Grip.
Backhand Neutral stance
The most common leg positioning on the backhand side is the neutral stance backhand. Your front foot is exactly in front of your back foot in this position. Because the front leg bears the majority of your body weight. Payers can turn around the ball with great force.
The Open Stance is more utilized on the forehand side of the game due to its speed. Whereas the neutral stance is most employed on the backhand side. Players can rotate more and make more contact with the ball in front of their bodies. However, it is less utilized on the two-handed backhand. The neutral posture is useful for both aggressive and neutral backhands. An open stance is a legal position in a Tennis Backhand Grip.
Backhand open stance
You use the open stance backhand on strokes where you are in a defensive position. This time, your feet should be parallel to the baseline rather than in a straight line. The right leg is for left-handed players, and the left leg is for right-handed players. The outside leg should support your entire body weight. Novak Djokovic is a virtuoso at backhands in an open stance. He demonstrated to the world that they could use this stance as a weapon. You can use it most often when your opponent strikes the ball far away and deep. Hitting an open stance has the benefit of extending the player’s reach for defense.
Semi-open stance
The least used stance is semi-open, yet it still requires skill. When your opponent hits a shot that is too deep and fast for you to react you must use it. As your opponent is pushing you back in this situation, you should use the semi-open stance. It Will put more distance between you and the ball so that you may hit a more potent shot. It is a successful method of changing from a defensive to an offensive or neutral posture. When you make the shot, your weight will shift from your rear foot to your front foot.
3 - The Takeaway
One of the most basic tennis strokes is the takeout on the two-handed backhand. The easier it is to understand, the better. Concentrate on rotating your shoulders and hips from the neutral posture. Act as though you are wearing a belt with a big buckle. The buckle will be facing forward at the beginning of the takeout. When the belt buckle points to the side fence your torso has turned.
Keeping the racket tip up, my body and shoulders will rotate to position the racket. It must be up, moved away from my body, and moved in a circle. The takeaway is good step in Tennis Backhand Grip.
4- downswing
You should concentrate on two things;
- Body’s rotation
- And your arms’ rotation.
Arms rotation
I usually instruct my students to draw the letter “C” through the contact. To make contact from low to high, the racket head should descend below the ball.
Body rotation
Do you still have the belt buckle on? It is pointing toward the side fence at this point, correct? It is good for the belt to turn back as your arms begin C formation. Keep in mind that the power in your backhand originates from your core and legs.
5- The contact
The picture shows you that the point of touch should be ahead of your body’s line. Having a solid backhand requires you to make touch in front of yourself. Your eyes, even though mine aren’t, should fix on the ball. Furthermore, avoid raising your head before making contact. To clear the net, you need to position the racket face flat behind the ball as it goes from a low to a high position.
Ensure that, you are pushing the racket through your non-dominant hand. In this instance, power is only enhanced by the nondominant hand, not the other way.
6- The follow-through
The left arm of the player stretches, rises, and goes to the right side of the body. After making contact with the ball (for right-handed players, we started on the left side). Your belt buckle will turn back toward the net, so keep turning it. Always keep in mind not to swing from high to low unless you are attempting to hit into the net.
Advantages of Two-handed Backhand Tennis Grip
- More stable on returns
- Easier to hit above the shoulder
- Easier to take balls earlier
- Second-hand helps in hard shots
Disadvantages of Tennis Backhand Grip
- Less topspin
- Less reach
One-Handed Tennis Backhand Grip
It is a way by which you can hold the racket with your dominant hand. One of the most striking strokes in tennis is the one-handed backhand. Observing an executed one-handed shot is difficult to dislike. One-handed backhand players are still successful on the professional level. Despite the Two-handed backhand being more widespread in modern tennis. It is simpler for beginners to get. One-handed players like Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas, show their best.
Step 1 The Grip
Step 2 The Feet Positioning
Step 3 Downswing
Step 4 The Takeaway
Step 5 The Impact
Step 6 The Follow-through
1- The grip
The one-handed backhand is well played with one hand as the name shows. So, players can use a few different grips for the one-handed backhand.
Eastern, Tennis Backhand Grip
It’s a pretty good grip for the racket. Put your knuckle on or between bevels 8 and 1. Over the past 15 years, pro players have become fond of the Western Tennis Backhand Grip. Because it can produce a lot of topspin from the backhand side.
Players like Roger Federer, Justine Henin, and Carla Suarez often use Western grips. Navarro, Stan Wawrinka, Richard Gasquet, and Justine Henin also use it. They may forgo diversity in favor of power. But when it comes to hitting one-handed backhands, they are still unmatched.
2- Feet position
The one-handed backhand and the two-handed backhand share similarities in foot placement. You will use the same three postures, semi-open, open, and closed. But, there are a few modifications you should be aware of to hit a solid one-handed backhand.
Brain stance
If you want to hit solid backhands that are one-handed, this is the place you should call home. You can use your entire body weight to propel yourself through the shot if your stance is neutral. Why does this matter? You can’t strike a hard backhand without the help of your body because you are using one arm.
Make sure your weight is on the front leg first. You can be more explosive with your body when you circle the ball if you load weight on the front leg.
Open stance
Once more, the majority of uses for the open stance position will be defensive ones. The guidelines for the two-handed backhand remain the same.
But take note that you will use this stance more when balls hit you hard. When these are high, force you to go backward. This is crucial to remember this condition. Because if the ball is above your shoulder, it is difficult to hit a one-handed backhand with topspin. As a result, you must retreat and give the ball some time to descend to a proper position.
Semi-open stance
The semi-open posture is often used in a manner akin to that of the two-handed backhand. When shots come you don’t have time to change into a neutral stance. Then you will adopt this stance more. Use this stance to get back to the point. Because your goal is to negate the offensive shot that took against you.
3- Takeaway
Start the takeaway with the dominant hand on the grip and the non-dominant hand on the V of the racket. Adopt the same stance and point the belt buckle toward the side fence as in the two-handed. You’ll be able to turn the ball if you can twist as much as possible with your upper body and shoulder.
Your upper body should feel like a “coil”. The more you rotate it, the more energy you build up.
4 -Downswing
Lean on your front foot and let the racket descend as you begin to swing forward. During the action, your arm should straighten. Your belt buckle should point to the fence when your shoulders are starting to turn. This is the point at which you begin to release the non-dominant hand. Make sure you are not only using your arm but your entire body as you swing.
5- The contact
Your arm should be straight as you approach the ball. Your racket should be traveling from a low to a high trajectory. Your shoulder and arm should be moving together now. Touch the ball that’s in front of you. Must that you hit the ball ahead of your body line. This is where the rotation of your belt buckle will begin. This is a crucial matter. Many beginners in my observation, swing with their arms, which results in a bad swing path.
6- The follow-through
To produce topspin, the racket should follow an upward, diagonal trajectory. It should be to the side, opposite the starting point of the swing after making contact. Lift your arm and spin your body as you continue to rotate your shoulders. Examine the belt buckle with care. Your body should not limit your shoulder turn. If you act as a team, you’ll achieve amazing outcomes. Furthermore, extend your non-dominant arm behind you in a straight posture. You’ll have better steadiness as a result.
Advantages of One-handed Tennis Backhand Grip
- Adds more variety
- Powerful when hits proper
- More reachable
Disadvantages One-handed Tennis Backhand Grip
- Hard to hit above the shoulder
- Needs more power
- Difficult to return
- Less stable for beginner
Difference between One-handed and two-handed Tennis Backhand Grip
One-handed backhand Two-handed backhand
- Players hold the racket in one hand Players Grip the racket in both hands
- It is more elegant Less elegant
- It allows better reach Less reach for low balls
- Ideal for slice shots Less effective slice shots
- Producing topspin is difficult Easy to generate topspin
- It is less stable More stable
- Generate low power Generate more power for shots
- Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka Novak Djokovic and Serena use famous use it.
How to Improve Your Tennis Backhand Grip
Tennis backhand technique improves through practice, concentration, and attention to detail. These pointers will help you improve your backhand:
Footwork and Positioning
Stance
A balanced stance and feet-shoulder balance are important for a good start. Shoulder position is important in Tennis Backhand Grip.
Sideways Position
Stand to the net, with your non-dominant shoulder facing it. Sideway position is crucial for Tennis Backhand Grip. Weight should transfer on time during Tennis Backhand Grip.
Weight Transfer
Shift your weight from the back foot to the front foot during the stroke.
Grip
One-Handed Backhand
If you use a one-handed backhand, grip the racket with your dominant hand. Set to your non-dominant hand on the racket’s throat.
Two-Handed Backhand
For a two-handed backhand, grip the racket with both hands, keeping them close together.
Swing Mechanics
Backswing
Take the racket back early and keep it close to your body.
Contact Point
Aim to make contact with the ball in front of your body.
Follow-Through
Extend your arm after hitting the ball.
Topspin and Slice
Topspin
To generate topspin, brush up on the ball with a closed racket face. Topspin is perfect in Tennis Backhand Grip.
Slice
For a slice backhand, use a more open racket face and cut across the ball. Slice is the favorite shot in Tennis Backhand Grip.
Practice Drills
Wall Hitting
Practice against a wall to work on consistency and timing. Practice improves your Tennis Backhand Grip to perform on a large scale.
Shadow Swings
Visualize hitting backhands without a ball to reinforce muscle memory. Shadow swings are also helpful for Tennis Backhand Grip.
Live Ball Drills
Rally with a partner or coach to simulate match situations.
Watch Professional Players
Observe top players’ backhand techniques. Pay attention to their footwork, grip, and swing.
Analyze slow-motion videos to understand the mechanics better.
Fitness and Strength
Strengthen your core, legs, and upper body to improve stability and power.
Flexibility exercises help with a fluid backhand motion.
Mental Focus
Stay positive and confident. Believe in your ability to execute a solid backhand.
Visualize successful shots before hitting them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Tennis Backhand Grip is the best and essential for big matches. Both types of one-handed and two-handed backhands have their importance. Such as the two-handed backhand has been around for a while. Its popularity grew in the 1980s during the Bjorn Borg era. During the two-handed backhand, players Grip the racket in both hands. These are less reach for low balls and less effective slice shots. But they are more stable and Generate more power for shots.
So, in a one-handed backhand players hold the racket in one hand. It is more elegant and provides more reach for the best shots. Producing topspin is difficult with the one-handed backhand. It is Ideal for slice shots. Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka are famous to use it. In short before selecting a grip you should check its history and uses. Fitness, mental focus, drill practice, feet, and side positions are important. Tennis Backhand Grip is perfect grip for high competitions.
