All too often, players hit to the backhand side as a basic strategy for winning a point (A great idea when playing against an opponent with an evidently weak backhand). Statistically speaking, over 70% of players depend on this strategy the entire match!
If you understand that 70% of players will intentionally hit to the backhand side, it is easy to recognize the benefit of developing the backhand groundstroke as a weapon.
To develop the backhand groundstroke as a weapon, there are simple things you can do:
1. First and foremost, make sure you are hitting your backhand properly; minor adjustment to your swing, your timing, or your confidence could be all it takes.
2. Stop running around your backhand! As beautiful as your forehand is...the only way to develop your backhand is to use it more frequently. Running around the backhand will only hurt you in the long run.
3. Hit every first ball on your backhand side. This can be the most important advice I can give. When your opponent feeds the ball into play, make the return shot a backhand. Returning all the feeds on the backhand side will build your confidence for match play. Before you know it, the repetition will have put together a steady backhand. (Also, try feeding the ball with your backhand groundstroke).
4. Develop a backhand “down the line” by using the shot frequently during warm up and practice. Out of all the forehand and backhand shots, down the line backhand is the hardest. You must wait on the ball just a second longer and pull the trigger the same way you would otherwise.
Work on the slice (up the line). Slice backhands are a good way to throw off your opponent. Backspin keeps the ball low and your opponent off-balance. A good backhand slice could keep you out of danger and in the point.
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