The One-Handed Backhand Grip
Latin America's top tennis coach Fabián "Fab" Nuñez Seixa explains the one-handed backhand grip and its use in tennis. Watch this VideoJug film and you too will soon be able to master it.
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Step 1:
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The grip
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Start by holding the racket straight out in front of you with your left hand, just below shoulder height.
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Place your right hand on top of the racket grip, taking care to keep the wrist straight.
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Close your right hand. You are holding the racket in the one-handed backhand grip.
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Left-handed players do the same, but with left and right hands reversed. The same is true for the following steps.
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Step 2:
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The correct body position
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Start facing the net as normal, and put your right foot in front of the left, turning your whole body to the left so that feet, hips and shoulders all point in the direction you are going to hit the ball.
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Support the neck of the racket with your left hand. This takes some weight off the right hand, so it can relax slightly and doesn't get tired.
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The racket should rise to meet the ball, so keep its head low as you prepare for the shot.
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You are now ready to hit the ball
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Step 3:
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The shot
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If your position and timing are good you should hit the ball at hip height, just before it comes in line with your body.
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Swing at the ball so you meet it with your right arm fully extended. At the same time, put your left arm out behind you for balance.
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Always hit with the swing of your arm, never from your wrist. Your arm should make a constant right angle with the racket throughout the swing.
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Unlike in a forehand drive, there is no need to move your body when hitting a backhand shot. Just shift your weight forward onto your right foot as you take the shot
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After hitting the ball, swing through with your right hand so you finish with racket, arms and hands all in a line with your shoulders.
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The racket head should end up at shoulder height. If it is above your shoulders, you will hit the ball too high, losing power and accuracy
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If the racket head finishes too low, you may hit the ball into the net.
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If the ball is coming in too high, simply move backwards until it drops to the correct height.
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To play a low ball, bend your knees to drop your hips to the height of the ball. Make sure you don't stand up until you have hit the ball.
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Once you have got the hang of using the one-handed backhand grip, try some of the other shots explained in our tennis series.