Backhand problems.

Why the backhand feels so hard

Ask ten tennis beginners what their weakest shot is, and nine will say: the backhand. The backhand doesn't feel intuitive — you're hitting on the side of your body furthest from your dominant hand.

Good news: almost all backhand problems stem from a handful of recurring mistakes you can fix.

Mistake 1 — Hitting too close to your body

You let the ball come too close before hitting. Your arm is cramped, your swing blocked, and the ball goes into the net.

The fix: get into position early. Turn your shoulders as soon as the ball comes to your backhand side. Keep the ball slightly in front of your body axis.

Mistake 2 — Your arm leads, not your body

Many beginners hit the backhand with arm only — little power, lots of inconsistency. Power comes from rotation: hips and shoulders turning through the shot.

The fix: think of opening a door. Let your whole upper body lead and your arm will follow naturally.

"The backhand is not an arm shot. It's a full body shot — your arm is just the final link."

Mistake 3 — No follow-through

You hit the ball and stop your swing. This kills topspin and consistency.

The fix: finish high — with a two-handed backhand the racket finishes over your shoulder. Exaggerate this deliberately in practice.

Mistake 4 — Indecision on one or two hands

For beginners the answer is clear: choose the two-handed backhand. More control, more power, fewer errors.

The best drill

Stand 2–3 metres from a wall and hit backhands. Focus on:

• Turning early — shoulders rotate as the ball comes
• Keeping space — ball in front of your body axis
• Following through — racket finishes high

Ten minutes a day for a week. Your backhand will no longer be your weakest shot.

"Every pro once had a bad backhand. The difference is they kept practising it until it became their deadliest weapon."