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The USTA Newsletter for Tennis Coaches
·
2012
8
HIGH PERFORMANCE COACHING
VOL. 13, NO. 1
THE TWO-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 a grip close to Eastern for the top hand
and a grip close to Continental on the bottom hand. The non-
dominant hand on the throat of the racquet is also used to
change the grip from the forehand to 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.
TWO-HANDED BACKHAND
(FOR LEFT HANDED PLAYER)
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 has taken the right hand off the throat and has
both backhand grips set as he begins the unit turn
Eastern Grip on top Continental on Bottom