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This is a basic, one-handed backhand with moderate topspin, using an Eastern backhand grip.
Key points:
- Eastern backhand grip: Center the base knuckle of your index finger on the plane of the handle that is perpendicular to the plane of the string bed. The Modified Eastern backhand grip, which is easier for some players, moves that knuckle slightly clockwise for a right-handed player.
- Square stance: Align your feet so that a line from the back foot through the front foot runs parallel to the sideline.
- Forward, linear power production: Generate power by pushing forward and upward with your legs and swinging your racquet mostly in a line perpendicular to the net, forward and upward. Lift your body weight with your front leg during the swing, keeping little or no weight on the back foot.
- Small adjusting steps: Take at least three little steps before every swing to develop precise positioning. Take a larger final step toward the ball with your front foot to initiate your forward weight transfer.
- Second hand helps upper body turn: Holding the throat of the racquet gently with your other hand as you bring the racquet back gives you a consistent racquet position on the backswing and makes you turn your upper body to prepare for the swing. You should turn your upper body enough that you'll be looking over your shoulder at the ball. The more you turn your back toward the net, the more you will add some upper-body rotational power to this mostly linear stroke.
- Start low: To hit topspin, your racquet must brush up the back of the ball, so you must start your racquet below the ball. Here, the racquet's low point, directly in front of the rear leg, is roughly a foot below the ball.
- Finish high: A classic topspin backhand stroke is largely a lifting motion from the shoulder. Finish with your arm well above your shoulder.
- Point of contact: Meet the ball 1-2 feet forward of your front hip.
- Finish fairly square: The classic one-handed backhand uses the least rotation of any of the groundstrokes. Finish the stroke with your feet still square. How much your hips and shoulders rotate will depend on the force of your swing.
