Smash positioning: backhand versus forehand

What this lesson covers

The backhand player carries the primary responsibility for the smash because the court geometry provides a significantly larger target area. From the backhand side, a player has approximately four meters of glass to aim for, allowing for a full sideways body rotation and a natural swing path that generates high kick. This setup makes it easier to drive the ball out of the court.

Conversely, the forehand player faces a restricted target of only two meters. Attempting to rotate fully sideways on the forehand often leads to hitting the side wall or fence. Instead, the forehand player must maintain a more square body position to ensure control and precision. The motion requires a more composed, controlled swing rather than pure power. While the forehand player should still develop a reliable smash, the backhand player remains the main aggressor in the air game due to these physical constraints.