The backhand is where many beginners struggle — but it becomes reliable fast once you pick the right style and drill the fundamentals. One-handed or two-handed, the basics of grip, turn and contact are what make the shot repeatable. Here is how to choose, what to focus on, and the drills that groove a dependable backhand.

Which Backhand Is for You

Choosing your style: the the-two-handed-stability (the two hands giving more control and power for most beginners — the easier-to-learn; the the-common-choice), the the-one-handed-reach-and-style (the one hand offering reach and slice but more difficulty — the more-demanding; the the-classic), the the-strength-factor (the two-handed helping if wrist and arm strength are still building — the support-from-two-hands), the the-slice-and-variety (the both able to slice, the one-hander doing it naturally — the shot-variety-later), the the-try-both-early (the testing each to feel what is natural before committing — the experiment-first), and the reframe (the backhand choice as two-handed-for-most-beginners, one-handed-for-reach-and-style — pick what feels controllable and drill it).

The Fundamentals That Build a Reliable Shot

The repeatable basics: the the-grip (the correct backhand grip as the foundation — the a-coach-or-guide-sets-this; the the-starting-point), the the-early-turn (the turning the shoulders and preparing the racket early from the footwork logic — the the-unit-turn; the prepare-early), the the-footwork-to-the-ball (the stepping in and setting a stable base from the footwork-drills logic — the get-there-set), the the-contact-in-front (the meeting the ball out in front, not late — the the-contact-point; the in-front-wins), the the-low-to-high-swing (the brushing up for topspin and control — the the-swing-path), the the-follow-through (the finishing across the body for a complete stroke — the finish-the-swing), and the the-watch-the-ball (the eyes on contact through the hit — the see-it-in).

The Drills to Groove It

Building the shot: the the-shadow-swings (the practicing the motion without a ball for the pattern — the grooving-the-path), the the-drop-and-hit (the self-feeding a bounce and hitting for controlled reps — the the-basic-drill), the the-wall-rally (the hitting against a wall for volume and rhythm — the reps-build-feel), the the-fed-balls (the a partner or coach feeding to the backhand for consistency from the footwork logic — the repetition-grooves), the the-target-practice (the aiming at cones or zones for control — the direction-and-depth), the the-slow-then-speed (the control first, pace later — the smooth-before-hard), and the frame (the tennis backhand as a chosen style built on grip, early turn, footwork and front contact, grooved with drop-hits, wall rallies and fed balls — a reliable shot in weeks. Pick two-handed or one-handed, prepare early, meet the ball in front with a low-to-high swing, and drill the pattern until it repeats).

The backhand frustrates many beginners but becomes reliable fast once you pick a style and drill the fundamentals. Two-handed offers more control and power and is easier for most beginners; one-handed gives reach and natural slice but is more demanding — try both early and choose what feels controllable. The repeatable basics are the correct grip, an early shoulder turn, footwork to set a stable base, contact out in front, a low-to-high swing for topspin, and a full follow-through. Groove it with shadow swings, drop-and-hit reps, wall rallies, fed balls and target practice — control first, pace later. A dependable backhand comes in weeks, not years.

See It in Motion

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