The Backhand Part 2: Single Backhand

The single backhand is not as popular as it once was in professional tennis, but that does not mean that it should go away.

Roger Federer is a single backhand user and he is considered one of the greatest tennis players ever. That is in part do to his phenomenal backhand. Stan Wawrinka is another notable single backhand user. Coincidentally both players are Swiss. The Swiss may have a few tennis secrets worth sharing.

Here's a breakdown of the steps to perfecting a single backhand:

How to: Single Backhand

Step 1: Grip
Grip the bottom of the racquet with your dominant hand. The other hand will act as a guide when preparing to hit the ball. The non-dominant hand can lightly touch the frame when gripping.

Step 2: Foot Placement
As the ball approaches step forward with your dominant foot. Your foot should point in the direction of the ball.

Step 3: Shoulder Turn
Turn the shoulder enough to look over your dominant shoulder to the incoming ball and slightly bend your knees (the turn will bring your racquet back as well).

Step 4: Racquet Placement
Drop the racquet head below the ball. The handle end should be facing the ball.

Step 5: Accelerate
Accelerate the racquet forward into the ball in a forward and upward motion.

Step 6: Follow Through
Follow through contact, your dominant arm should finish high. When following through, your non-dominant arm should be held back to keep the shoulders sideways.

Step 7: Prepare
Prepare for the next shot by going into an open stance (body facing the net).

Roger Federer demonstrates the single backhand with ease. It may be tough for beginning players to execute each step, but this video is great when trying to see where any mistakes are being made.

The Forehand

Imagine picking up a tennis racket for the first time. Your hitting partner hits a tennis ball your way and you decide to swing at the ball with your dominant hand.

You may return the ball inside the court or, more likely, it's now bouncing into another court. What you just attempted was one of the fundamental ground strokes of tennis known as the forehand.

Most beginner players will learn this stroke first because it follows a natural swing pattern. While the development of a forehand is personal to the style of the player there are a few key steps any good forehand will require.

How to: Forehand

Step 1: Position

With every stroke you will have to prepare for the ball coming at you. Without preparation you will be out of position and make a mistake while hitting.

You want to have an open position, meaning your body is facing outward toward the net. As the ball approaches, you will want to move until you are in place to receive the ball on your dominant hand.

Step 2: Bend the Knees

As the ball approaches you will want to bend your knees. The bending motion will help generate power in your stroke and keep the ball low so it doesn't go out.

It may seem that all the power in a forehand is generated from the arm, but it is a combination of bending the knees, hip rotation and swing pattern.

Step 3: Shoulder Rotation

This step is almost synchronous with the bending of the knees. As you bend the knees you will naturally begin moving your arm to strike the ball.

The most efficient way to begin the swing is by rotating the shoulder back and then straightening your arm out into a lock position.

Step 4: Forward Motion

Now that you're in the lock position you will begin to pull your arm forward to complete the ground stroke. As you swing forward be sure to keep your arm loose but firm.

Make contact with the ball where the racket is completely parallel to the ground. If the racket is tilted too high it will go very high, known as a lob, or very low into the net if the racket is tilted downward.
Once contact is made the stroke is not over. You  must follow through with your arm just as if you were hitting a baseball or throwing a football.

A general rule of thumb is when you swing and your elbow now faces forward you have successfully followed through.

Step 5: Hip Rotation

Once you have followed through you will rotate the hips and extend your knees. Now you will need to prepare for the next shot.

Check out Novak Djokovic's forehand technique. He is currently the world number one in tennis. The video shows his forehand during practice, so there will be a considerable change in power.