Ask ten tennis beginners what their weakest stroke is, and nine say: the backhand. The good news: almost all backhand problems come from a few recurring mistakes you can fix. This guide shows you how.
The basics and all the strokes are in learn to play tennis; play smart with the tactical tips.
Why the backhand is so tricky
The backhand doesn't feel intuitive: you hit the ball on the side of your body furthest from your dominant hand. That makes your arm get stuck and your swing blocked. The fix is almost always in your timing and rotation, not in more power.
The right grip
For the two-handed backhand you grip at the bottom with the continental grip (dominant hand) and above it with an eastern forehand grip (non-dominant hand). That non-dominant hand steers the stroke and gives stability.
See the mistake on video
Short video about a common backhand mistake and how to fix it:
The 4 most common mistakes
1 — Hitting too close to your body. You let the ball come too far toward you; your arm gets stuck and the ball goes into the net. Fix: get into position early and keep the ball slightly in front of your body axis.
2 — Your arm steers, not your body. Hitting with just your arm gives little power and lots of inconsistency. Fix: let your hips and shoulders turn — think of opening a door; your arm follows automatically.
3 — No follow-through. Stopping after contact costs you topspin and control. Fix: finish with your racket high, over your shoulder on a two-handed backhand.
4 — Dithering between one or two hands. Fix: as a beginner, choose the two-handed backhand — more control, more power, fewer errors.
"The backhand isn't a stroke of the arm. It's a stroke of the whole body — your arm is just the last part."
Drill
Stand 2-3 metres from a wall and hit backhands. Focus on turning early (rotate your shoulders as the ball comes), keeping space (ball in front of your body axis) and following through (racket finishes high). Ten minutes a day for a week — you can practise much of this against the wall on your own.
Reliable sources
Learning technique visually? See the video above and the lessons in our article on Patrick Mouratoglou. The official rules are at the ITF. All basic strokes are in learn to play tennis.
Frequently asked questions
One or two hands for beginners?
Two-handed. It gives more control, more power and fewer errors; the non-dominant hand steers the stroke.
Which grip do you use for the backhand?
On a two-handed backhand, grip at the bottom with the continental grip (dominant hand) and above with an eastern forehand grip (non-dominant hand).
Why does my backhand keep going into the net?
Usually because you're late or let the ball get too close. Turn early and keep the ball in front of you.
How do I practise my backhand alone?
Against a wall at 2-3 metres: turn early, keep space and follow through. Ten minutes a day already makes a difference.
How long until my backhand improves?
With focused repetition you see a difference within a few weeks; keep practising and your weakest stroke becomes your strongest.