The USTA Newsletter for Tennis Coaches
·
2012
The USTA Newsletter for Tennis Coaches
·
2012
7
HIGH PERFORMANCE COACHING
VOL. 13, NO. 1
THE ONE-HANDED BACKHAND
SWING PATH
The path of the swing is a loop where the racquet moves in a
fluid manner above the hands as the body rotates to the side. The
racquet head then drops below the ball, the non-dominant hand
releases and the racquet accelerates through the point of contact
far enough away from the body so that the swing can extend
comfortably through the ball and toward the net.
GRIP
The player should use an Eastern backhand grip for a one-handed
backhand. The non-dominant hand is used to change the grip from
the forehand to the backhand during play.
PREPARATION
Preparation begins with an athletic ready position with the head
and eyes forward, knees slightly flexed and the weight on the
forward part of the feet. The racquet is held in front of the body
with the dominant hand in a forehand grip and the non-dominant
hand supporting the racquet at the throat. During the unit turn the
dominant hand moves to an Eastern backhand grip.
ONE-HANDED BACKHAND
(FOR LEFT HANDED PLAYER)
EASTERN BACKHAND GRIP
PREPARATION
UNIT TURN
LOADING
HITTING
CONTACT
EXTENSION
FINISH
Athletic ready position
Preparation with a square stance
and racket head above the hand
The swing path is a loop starting above the hand, dropping below the ball and
rising through the point of contact to extension
Player finding the Eastern Backhand grip during the
unit-turn using the non-dominant hand at the throat