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Improving Forehand and Backhand Strokes
Many starting players believe that forehand and backhand strokes are very easy to do because they are among the basic techniques in tennis. However, this common belief is a myth – they should be more properly called as “fundamentals” in tennis rather than “basic” techniques, as they are difficult to master. But, no worries! You will get better in doing these strokes as you play more often and improve in your training. For now, let’s talk about how forehand and backhand strokes should be executed.
The Forehand Stroke
Preparation: To properly execute a forehand stroke, you must train your body to achieve the “coil”. This element means that when doing a forehand stroke, you must turn your body sideways, with your torso turned and your left arm parallel to the imaginary baseline. To help you do this, turn your hands towards the ball.
Steps: When you are to hit the ball, you should bring your right arm and racquet just in front of your body. The face of the racket must then be perpendicular to the imaginary baseline with your wrist laid back and your arm bent a little bit while making contact with the ball. You can use a “loop” or a circular kind of movement of the racquet by remembering this pattern: Lift– Back– Hit, which means lift the racquet, then bring it to your backside to harness power, and then hit the ball on your side, about the height of your waist. Do the forward swing from a low position and end at a high position. The power must flow from your legs, to your hips, to your shoulder, to your arm and lastly, to your wrist
The Backhand Stroke
There are two kinds of backhand stroke: the one-handed backhand and the two-handed backhand. These two share similar principles and elements with the forehand stroke in terms of preparation and position or “coil”.
One-Handed Backhand Stroke
Preparation: The one-handed backhand stroke is a strong defensive tool, but it can also a potent offensive attack against your opponent. To execute it, twist your racquet from the ready position. Your racquet must be twisted according to the kind of grip you prefer. Prepare to do a back swing by executing the coil – turn your hips and shoulders sideways. To know if your turn is correct, your chin must be touching your right shoulder.
Steps: At first, your weight is on your front foot (outside foot). Shift your weight to your back foot (inside foot) by stepping forward to execute a forward swing. Focus on the ball approaching you, and aim to hit it on the level of your waist. Before the ball reaches your side, hit it while stepping your front foot, bringing your weight on it. Do not remove the weight on your front foot to maintain balance after the contact. Doing this will help in your follow-through as well as in recovery phase.
Two-Handed Backhand Stroke
The two or double-handed backhand stroke is now preferred over one-handed backhand by modern tennis players. The reason is that it provides ease of movement and returning the ball. However, it is more difficult to control the shot with the two-handed backhand than the one handed.
Basically, the shifting of weights on foot, the footwork and the body movements are the same as the one-handed backhand. However, the obvious difference is how you hold your racquet. If you’re a right-handed player, hold the racquet near to the top of the handle using your left hand, in an eastern forehand grip. Your right hand should be under your left hand in a neutral continental grip. Simply do the opposite if you are a left-handed player.