To help or improve your tennis backhand, first you need to know the correct mechanics and then be able to pinpoint any flaws in your stroke. This might take the trained eye of a professional. Once the problem areas of your stroke have been identified, you must spend a lot of time practicing with the proper technique. To make your backhand more of a weapon, you also should incorporate exercises in your training to improve the power behind your shots.
Step 1
Take private lessons from a certified tennis teaching professional. If you don't know of any in your area, you can locate a professional through the United States Professional Tennis Association website. If your budget will allow it, take a private lesson weekly. If not, supplement the private lessons with more affordable group lessons.
Step 2
Practice against a backboard, or hitting wall, after each lesson. Spend 30 minutes on your own to continue working on the instruction you received during your lesson. Plan to practice on the backboard three times each week. This will help to strengthen your arm and improve your consistency and rhythm.
Step 3
Rent a ball machine as another method for practicing. Many tennis clubs and tennis centers rent ball machines on an hourly basis. If you have a friend or a hitting partner who also is working on his strokes, consider sharing the machine. This helps keep the rental fees to a minimum and while you are hitting the other person can be picking up the balls, and vice versa.
Step 4
Practice hitting forehand strokes with your non-dominant hand if you play with a two-handed backhand. With a two-handed grip the non-dominant hand is positioned above the dominant hand as you grip the racket's handle. Remove your dominant hand and keep your non-dominant hand in place while you practice forehands. Your non-dominant arm and hand play a big role in the two-handed backhand. If they are weak, this technique will help to strengthen them.
Step 5
Aim higher over the net. If your shots are consistently going into the net or landing short, raise your sights. If you hit with topspin, you can afford to have a higher net clearance because the spin of the ball causes it to dip down into the court as it crosses the net. Visualize the ball clearing the net by three to four feet.
Step 6
Set up an exercise program to strengthen your leg, core, shoulder and arm muscles. There is no need to join a gym. Many beneficial exercises can be done at home with the use of small hand weights and resistance bands. Plan to exercise three times each week.
Things You'll Need
- Backboard
- Ball machine
- Small hand weights
- Resistance bands
Member Comments