Match point: Backhand Proficiency

By Scott Berler

Tips for knowing right from wrong.

The backhand  is an essential element in your tennis game. With it, you add variety, flexibility, and potentially a weapon in your arsenal of shots. In this issue, as part of Private Clubs’ occasional series of tennis instruction articles, I will show you how to execute an ideal backhand stroke — from the preparation to the contact point to the follow-through. And I will show you some of the common mistakes that many players stumble into when using their backhand. Remember, balance is key.

PREPARATION:
Correct: First, notice my good shoulder rotation and balanced stance. The racket face is just above my wrist during the backswing. Also important: My body weight is evenly distributed, and my head is level.

Wrong: My stance is too closed and my body is hunched over. I’m bending at the waist instead of the knees, pushing my body weight too far forward and throwing myself off balance. The backswing of my racket is too big.

CONTACT POINT:
Correct: My body moves forward, following a smooth, low-to-high extension with the racket. The contact point is slightly in front, with my body balanced and my head level. My wrist position is firm, and the racket face is level for ball control.

Wrong: My knees are not flexed. Note that the racket is out of position — too far in front of my body and with an open face — due to a sloppy wrist position. This affects ball control. And, because of the closed stance during preparation and the lack of flexibility in my legs, my body is leaning too far forward, compromising proper contact point.

 
FOLLOW-THROUGH:
Correct: Notice, the racket is fully extended. As my shoulders rotate, my body is balanced and my head is level. I have a full range of motion, from preparation to follow-through.

Wrong: The racket is too low and I lack proper shoulder rotation. I swing from side to side, rather than from low to high. My body is too far forward, my range of motion is limited, and my body is off balance.

Scott Berler is director of tennis at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Following in the footsteps of past Mission Hills tennis directors, such as Tom Gorman, Dennis Ralston, and Tommy Tucker, Berler continues to create and grow the tennis facility into one of the premier tennis programs in the world. With a successful career at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to his credit, Berler coaches several top touring professionals and world-ranked juniors.