Backhand fundamentals: contact and rotation

What this lesson covers

Building a reliable backhand starts with developing receiving skills. Players practice turning their bodies and catching the ball at a consistent height to avoid running toward the ball. Using the glass as a reference point helps players judge the incoming ball and adjust their footwork with small side steps. This preparation ensures the player remains on balance and on time for every shot.

To establish a proper contact point, players hold the racket in front of their body without swinging, feeling the ball out in front of the contact zone. The ready position requires feet at shoulder width to allow movement in any direction. The non-dominant hand holds the throat of the racket to guide it into the backhand slot, ensuring the racket head remains stable. During the swing, the non-dominant hand releases and moves backward as an opposing force. This movement maintains a sideways body position and allows the racket to travel in a straight line through the contact point.