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.

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How much should I be spending on a Racquet?

Tennis Companion

Low-end Racquets

If you've looked online for prices of tennis racquets you may be shocked at how pricey some of them can get. This can be intimidating if you're a  beginner looking to buy your first racquet.

Don't be too alarmed though because there are low-end racquets that may not be the best in quality, but are great for anyone just starting out.

 If you visit your local Wal-Mart or Target you'll find a tennis section with some of the most affordable racquets on the market. They can range anywhere from $15 to $40.

These are stepping stone racquets. You can learn the bare basics and get the hang of hitting, but you'll want to go with racquets a bit more expensive as your skill improves.

Mid to High-end Racquets

Dick's Sporting Goods has a variety of racquets to choose from once you've decided to go with a higher end racquet more suited to your playing style. Read my previous post on types of racquets to decide on what type will suit your needs.

For intermediate players you'll probably still want to buy pre-strung racquets. At Dick's you can get a decent racquet for as little as $40, but as cost goes up the quality normally does too.

A great source for making selections would be referring to customer reviews for a specific racquet you're looking at. Dick's hosts a number of top tennis brands including Wilson, Head, Prince and Babolat.

If you find that you want to try out other brands like Yonex and Prokennex you'll have to go to a local racquet shop or check them out online. If you're a recreational or club player buying a racquet between $60 - $100 will suit your needs just fine.

High-end Racquets

Advanced players will most likely have a feel for what type of racquet they like and how much they'd be willing to spend on a racquet, but this can be used as a reference for future purchases.

At this level of play pre-strung racquets are still a great option, but to optimize your playing style you may want to buy an unstrung racquet and choose the type of string and tension you'd like for your racquet.

There are a host of different strings to choose from, but that is the subject of another blog post. Tension is how loose or tight you want the strings.

As a general rule of thumb looser strings offer more power and tighter strings offer more control. Un-strung racquets can range anywhere between $90 - $230. Keep in mind that this price will go up with the cost of string and stringing of the racquet.

Choosing the Right Racquet

Choosing the right tennis racquet can be a daunting task with the many different types available. The range of racquets can be categorized into three main types.

There are power, control and tweener racquets. While these are the three main racquet types there is a vast amount of customization that can go into choosing the perfect racquet for a player.

 Brands like Wilson, Head, Babolat and Yonnex all offer racquets that fall into the three categories. The following descriptions are common characteristics of each racquet type.

Tennis Warehouse - Over-size, Mid-size, Small head

Power Racquets

• Over-sized head
• Longest of the three
• Lightweight build
• Recommended level: beginner, intermediate 

Power racquets allow for easy generation of power. The over-sized head offers players a larger sweet spot. This is the center of the racquet head.

The length offers more maneuverability and the lightweight construction allows for an easier swing. Power racquets are great for beginners because they offer more consistency when skills are lacking. 

Control Racquets

• Small racquet head
• Shorter length than power racquets
• Heavier build
• Recommended level: intermediate, advanced

Control racquets are for players who have developed their ground strokes and footwork. The smaller head means less power from the racquet, so the player must generate power from their swing. This allows the player to have better control over the depth and height of a ball. 

Tweener Racquets

• Mid-sized head
• Mid-sized length
• light to mid-weight 
• Recommended level: beginner, intermediate, advanced

These racquets are a middle ground for tennis racquets. They offer a combination of power and control to suit the needs of various playing styles.

They are great for players who want a well-rounded racquet. Due to the versatility of the racquet any level of play can benefit from using a tweener racquet.

You can check out a more in depth racquet choosing guide at this link from Tennis Warehouse. 

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.