One of the most deep rooted problems that many people have when learning the backhand technique, is that the motion of the backhand swing is unfamiliar to them.

The more familiar forehand swing

The motion of swinging on the forehand side of the body can be related to many other sports and activities such as:

• throwing a ball under-arm
• rolling a hoop in gym class
• bowls and 10 pin bowling
• golf swing
• cricket
• rounders

etc.

If there was an empty drinks can on a table and you decided (in your wisdom) to knock it off the table, instinctively you would swing your arm forehand style using your hand as an imaginary racquet. You would not swing your arm like a backhand and use the back of your hand to knock off the drinks can. In other words, from an early age, the backhand motion is more unnatural and less instinctive.

Frisbee throwing is one activity that utilises the backhand motion, but there aren’t many others.

As a result of this lack of familiarity with the backhand swing, there is generally a confidence hurdle to address, along with the learning of the action.

The backhand swing can become more natural than the forehand

What many people begin to realise when progressing with their backhand tuition is that the backhand technique can begin to feel easier than the forehand, due to the natural shoulder turn and simple racquet path. Many players also have a problem feeling comfortable with their non-racquet hand when hitting a forehand, whereas on the backhand, the non-racquet hand takes on a more obvious counter-balance role (see Backhand balance and that other arm!).

Good coaching and plenty of practise in the early days of learning can soon overcome the lack of familiarity with the backhand swing. The backhand is not a ‘black art’ and before you know it, you could well become one of those many players who actually prefer the shot!

backhand motion, backhand swing, the unfamiliar backhand swing