Comprehensive Backhand Drill Masterclass

Key Points

• Hand feeding allows you to be closer to the player, build up rapport and speak in a more relaxed way
• It also forces the player to generate all the power themselves, using their legs from “the ground up”
• Placing a cone and recovering after each shot, helps develop great footwork
• To drive the ball properly on the backhand, the left hand should be out in front leading the stroke
• “A good backhand is really a left handed forehand”
• Drop the right hand off and leave the left hand in the same place
• Alternate between 2 left handed forehands and 2 backhands
• The key on any stroke is to hit the ball out in front
• Toss the ball from behind the player
• Set up facing the court, but turn your head a little so you can track the ball
• Switch back to tossing in front so the player can recreate the feeling of contacting in front
• Swinging volleys help you generate more topspin and hit through the ball
• Feed just below the shoulders
• Transition from hitting everything in the air, to then alternating 1 in the air and 1 on the bounce
• Hitting in the alleys helps you hit through the hitting zone in a clear and distinct way
• Count how many shots you hit in the alley and continue to play the ball if it’s just out
• To hit accurately, you can’t be too early or too late, so this drill can help you with your contact point