Backhand return technique: footwork and contact point

What this lesson covers

The coach demonstrates how to improve the backhand return by focusing on the relationship between footwork and the contact point. A common mistake involves hitting the ball too far from the body while moving toward the center of the court. To correct this, the coach uses a drill where the player must stop the ball near the front foot, using the left leg as a stopper to ensure the impact happens in front of the body. This allows the player to maintain balance and recover position more effectively.

Progression starts by feeding balls directly at the player to force a compact setup. The coach then removes the use of the non-dominant hand to force the body to find its own balance toward the front. Finally, the player practices serves and returns, emphasizing the need to hit the ball as it begins to drop rather than on the rise. This approach helps the player choose between a cross-court or parallel return while maintaining the ability to move forward immediately after contact.