- Joan Hahn
- February 27, 2022
- Last Updated on
The way you strike the ball can determine whether you will win on the tennis court or not. Learning how to hit a two-handed backhand is one of the best strategies you can use to achieve victory over your opponent inside the tennis court. But how should you do it?
Our team conducted extensive research to help you perfect the art of the two-handed backhand technique in just six easy steps.
6 Steps To Follow When Hitting A Two-Handed Backhand
1. Use The Proper Grip
Use the correct grip when striking the tennis ball. Utilize your dominant hand in gripping the bottom end of the racket. Your non-dominant hand should be in the place above it.
You may use the eastern-handed backhand grip for your upper hand and the continental grip for the lower part. The same grip requires many players to place their right hand so the base knuckle of their index finger will be on the first level of the racket.
A right-handed player must use their left hand as the backhand or vice versa. Observe the distance between your elbows and make your wrist slightly open.
2. Focus On Your Footwork
Two-handed backhands won’t be successful without proper footwork. Experts say that you should not make lots of steps when striking because it can affect your balance.
One of the ways you can perfect the two-handed backhand is through an open stance. Start by performing a split step, load, coil, and uncoil while swinging the racquet.
Another way is by using the closed stance. Unlike the first one, you need to pivot your front leg and step forward when doing the stroke. Pull your hips forward and align them with the baseline while putting your foot forward.
3. Learn The Basics of The Backswing
Racquet preparation helps generate the power to increase the speed of your racquet head.
However, be careful with the timing because it can affect how you will strike the ball.
One of the simple ways beginner players can do it is by making the racket parallel to the ground while pointing the tip of the racket head. Make sure to put your elbow close to your body and make it slightly bent as your arms extend backward.
4. Learn Racquet Drop At The End Of The Backswing
Drop the racquet head to swing up the ball for a two-handed shot.
Always point it to the ground before you swing it forward while letting your arm remain straight.
Do not let the racket break your body’s posture so you can continue to swing compactly. Right-handed players should also remain on the right side of their body even if the contender is looking from the opposite side of the net.
Your non-dominant hand must remain as your backhand to support your body when striking.
5. Make A Forward Swing
Players prefer making this swing move because of its simple execution. Aside from that, it increases your chances of hitting the ball. This move usually takes place once your racket has started to swing and point forward.
Avoid bringing your front shoulder forward immediately after you swing because it makes the power come from your arm instead of getting it from your body. Your wrist should also be in a 30-degree bend at the shoulders’ level.
Make sure to maintain this stance because losing it can make the racket head unstable, and you may lose control over the ball. Also, maintain the straightness of your back throughout the swing.
6. Assure A Proper Follow Through
Your follow-through is necessary to complete the gameplay. You might have heard this from your coach lots of times because this is quite essential.
The follow-through stage starts immediately after the ball hits your racquet. Hitting the point means putting in the necessary force resulting in a fantastic shot. The proper follow-through also protects you from injuries as it reduces the strain you may feel on your arms [1].
Your coach can teach you how to properly grip your racquet during a follow-through to help you avoid any strains or injuries.
Also Read:
Common Mistakes You Must Avoid
Leaning When Doing A Backswing
Not bending your knees enough when doing a backswing makes most players lean and lose their balance. You have to be careful with it because leaning can ruin the backhand strategy.
You can maintain a good shoulder turn to develop strength and avoid losing stability. Do not lean when striking because this will prevent you from coming up with the best response against your opponent. Learn how to play tennis for beginners here.
Lack of Rotation
Spin or hip rotation is fundamental when playing tennis. Some advanced players experience problems while doing forehand and two-handed backhand strokes because they use the upper part of their body (like the shoulders) and forget to use and swing the lower region.
Maintain the racquet at waist height and rotate forward when striking. Be careful not to bend your knees too much to avoid any injuries.
Foot Position Is Limited
Common mistakes include using the right foot as their front foot opening on the wrong side of the court. Sometimes, they use it as their back foot, which prevents them from recovering their balance after a series of steps.
Many players tend to use open or semi-open stances because this allows them to shift their body weight and put more force on their hips.
FAQS
It would be best to hit a two-handed backhand when you want to improve your accuracy and generate more power. Your dominant forehand enables you to give more force to the groundstroke. Use it if you aim to make a compact stroke with your left hand, as this allows you to hit the ball and gain a contact point in the field.
Yes, beginners can use two-handed backhand strokes. It allows the new tennis players to learn how to take control of their racquets and generate more power. Moreover, two-handed backhand strokes will let them make their racquets stable and reliable in making shots. Two hands are better in serving a powerful strike.
So, How Do You Hit A Two-Handed Backhand?
You can hit a two-handed backhand stroke in tennis by mastering the proper grip, footwork, balance, and hip rotation. Your dominant hand should either be an eastern backhand or a continental grip.
Keep in mind that your wrists should have enough power to make your strike stable during the game. Relax your shoulders to remain in control and avoid a lousy shot and create more topspin. Swing and transfer your weight to your back leg as you store energy in moving forward again.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5825333/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=141&v=29V3TYYfo-Q&feature=emb_logo
