Master the Tennis Backhand
The backhand divides players into two camps — two-handers and one-handers — and both have produced world-class results at the highest level. The two-handed backhand offers stability and is forgiving under pace, while the one-handed backhand allows for greater reach, variety, and disguise. Whichever you play, the principles are the same: early preparation, a full shoulder turn, and a clean contact point in front of your body are what separate a reliable backhand from a liability your opponent targets every point.
Key Fundamentals
Grip
Two-handed: dominant hand in an Eastern backhand grip, non-dominant hand in an Eastern forehand grip. One-handed: Continental or Eastern backhand grip. Both grips should feel firm but not tense at contact.
Shoulder Turn
Turn your shoulders completely sideways — your back shoulder should point at your target as you prepare. A full shoulder turn is the single biggest source of power on the backhand. Partial turns produce weak, arm-only shots.
Swing Path
Like the forehand, the backhand swings from low to high to create topspin. The racquet should drop below the incoming ball and then brush upward through contact, sending the ball over the net with plenty of margin.
Contact Point
Make contact in front of your hip — not alongside it, and certainly not behind it. Letting the ball get past you collapses the shot entirely, robbing you of both power and direction.
Extension
After contact, extend through the ball toward your target before finishing up. This is especially critical on the one-handed backhand, where a short follow-through leads to a lack of control and power.
Top Video Tutorials
Curated from the best tennis coaches on YouTube.
Perfect Two-Handed Backhand in 3 Steps
A concise, effective breakdown of the two-handed backhand from Perfect Tennis — ideal for players who want a quick, clear reference.
Perfect One-Handed Backhand in 3 Steps
The companion guide to the two-hander, focused on the one-handed backhand's unique demands — extension, timing, and wrist position.
Modern One-Handed Backhand in 3 Steps
How today's pros hit the one-handed backhand differently from the classic technique — topspin, high contact, and aggressive follow-through.
Insane Backhand Transformation in One Lesson
A before-and-after lesson from Top Tennis Training showing exactly which technical changes produce the biggest improvement in the shortest time.
Common Mistakes
Not rotating through the shot
Using only your arms on the backhand produces weak, inconsistent shots. Your shoulders, hips, and legs are the engine — your arms are just the delivery system. Rotate and drive through the ball.
Late contact
Letting the ball get too close to your body before swinging is the most common backhand error at every level. Use early footwork to get in position, and start your swing before the ball is on top of you.
Passive wrist on the one-hander
On a one-handed backhand, your wrist should be laid back (extended) at contact, creating a firm, stable platform. A loose or scooping wrist leads to a ball that goes high and short, giving your opponent an easy attack.
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