The last few weeks we talked about the slice backhand, this week we drive it. Here are some mental cues to help you master the stroke.
- prepare with a closed stance (feet roughly perpendicular to the net)
- point your shoulder at the contact point (8″-12″ out in front of your racket leg)
- take the racket back to your opposite hip (like you are about to draw a sword)
- swing/drive through the ball with a low to high swing pattern
- the racket face should be roughly perpendicular to the ground at contact
- keep that shoulder pointed at the contact point until the ball is gone
As you master the stroke, you can add topspin by exaggerating the low to high swing path.
Video analysis is one of the best ways to learn a new stroke. Watch Roger Federer’s one handed backhand below and then practice, practice.
You can also video yourself and analyze your stroke in slow motion side by side with the pros, using the HudlTechnique app. Check it out below.