If you want to become a well-rounded tennis player, you must spend some time adding defensive shots to your arsenal. After all, nothing is worse than losing to an opponent because they discovered a weakness in your defensive strategies. One of the most important shots to develop along these lines is the defensive backhand, as you will probably have to use it in match play more often than you would like. You know the shots I’m talking about… those you have to hit while on the run, or those being fired at you like a bullet while you’re up at the net.
If you’ve been having trouble with attack shots being hit to your backhand side, put the following three tips to work to help you improve your defensive backhand.
Focus on improving your footwork.
Have you noticed that pros such as the current World No. 1 Iga Swiatek seem to be everywhere on the court simultaneously? How is it that they can be so quick to get to the ball no matter where it lands? The answer can be summed up in one word: Footwork.
You can have the most powerful backhand shot in the business. Still, without good footwork, you will struggle to get into a decent position to return your opponent’s attack shots. Try incorporating footwork drills into your training to improve your speed and agility. Don’t shy away from jumping rope either, as it’s a great way to improve your coordination and timing.
Here’s a great video from tennis coach and fitness trainer Gabi at Fit in Tennis. In it, she demonstrates a footwork “workout” with a Bosu ball that will help you improve your movement on the court. Visit her website at fitnintennis.com for more awesome fitness and tennis instruction, follow her on Instagram at @fitintennis, and subscribe to her YouTube channel, Fit In Tennis.
Practice early ball recognition.
Learning how to quickly recognize the speed, direction, and trajectory of your opponent’s shots will keep you from being surprised on the court. When your opponent’s racquet makes contact with the ball, you should zero in on the ball’s flight path to know how to prepare for your defensive backhand shot.
Try hitting with a partner, and focus on hitting a variety of attack shots to your backhand side. The more unpredictable, the better because you want your practice sessions to simulate real match play as much as possible. Don’t have a hitting partner? Use the wall. The wall makes a great hitting partner, as the ball doesn’t always bounce back where you expect it. This automatically puts you in defense mode.
Perfect your backhand slice.
When you hit a backhand slice, give it a downward chopping or cutting motion to “slice” it a little (hence the name) as you execute the stroke. This will slow down the speed of the ball, causing it to basically float back over the net.
This defensive backhand shot is very off-putting to your opponent because they’re having to transition from assuming a more aggressive attack posture to basically trying to chase the ball down. Not all backhand slices have to produce a floating shot, however. With enough practice hitting the slice with the racquet face only slightly open, you can better control the speed and direction at which the ball rebounds off your racquet and really turn your slice into a weapon.
To properly execute this stroke in the heat of battle, you must practice the timing of your backhand slice. This includes properly taking the racquet back as your opponent’s shot is making its way toward you. Turn your body sideways so that the shoulder of your hitting arm is squarely facing the ball. As you swing (or “slice”) down with your racquet, shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot.
Try practicing your backhand slice with a hitting partner. Don’t be afraid to experiment with tilting the racquet face at different angles to see how the ball responds.
Here’s an excellent video from our own Jane Forman that teaches the fundamentals of the slice backhand. Use these tips to learn or tweak your backhand slice, and you’ll have a new weapon in your tennis arsenal! Be sure to follow Jane at Team Forman Tennis on YouTube for nearly 200 (and counting) instructional videos that will take your game to a whole new level!
In summary:
Having a well-developed defensive backhand shot can save you from many a lost point during match play. Put the above tips into practice, and practice often. Turn what was formerly a weakness into one of your most effective weapons on the tennis court!
