One-Handed Backhand - Topspin and Slice

Key Points

• Place the knuckle on top with the thumb along the back of the grip
• Get the back of shoulder behind the ball and turn it in and through the ball
• Unwind your shoulder into the shot and let the racket go
• The shoulder rotates from back on to side on; not from back on to open, like the 2 hander
• Step across with the left foot, and then down the court with the right foot
• Use more topspin when hitting crosscourt to get a sharper angle
• Practice moving forward and back so you don't get trapped hitting half volleys from the back of the court
• Watch the flight of the ball and try and recognise the ball coming deep
• It’s ok to hit off the back foot on deep shots
• Turn the shoulders with the racket tipped up
• Start moving the weight towards the ball before you hit it “leaning towards the ball”
• “High, low and through”
• Tuck the back foot in behind the front foot when hitting
• Learning an effective slice is important to add variety to your game
• Use the slice on approach shots, defensive shots or when disguising drop shots
• If you don’t turn the shoulder around far enough you’ll lack power
• Stepping across with your front foot ties up your hips and blocks rotation into the shot
• Step across with the left foot and down the court with the right foot for the topspin and slice