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 Backhand Part 1: Double Backhand

The backhand is a tennis stroke you will most definitely add to your arsenal of shots. The two methods of executing a backhand are the single and double backhand. This is a matter of preference.

Tennis has transitioned from being predominantly single backhands to a modern game where the double backhand runs supreme.

Eight out of the top ten currently ranked tennis players in the world use a double backhand.

How to: Double Backhand

Step 1: Grip
Grip the bottom of the raquet with your dominant hand and place your other hand above.

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 elbows should finish high and you will be looking over your non-dominant shoulder.

The follow through should end with your arms bent in an "L" (refer to the video for a visual).

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

Juan Martin Del Potro demonstrates this technique with each incoming ball. The trajectory of the ball changes, but his technique remains mostly the same. 

There are subtle tweaks that can be done to change power and distance. The key is finding a balance between shoulder rotation and racquet acceleration.

.