Backhand in LiteBall

The Eastern grip is the most common for the backhand. It requires little wrist adjustment on a vertically positioned racket before making contact with the ball. This grip allows you to align your forearm and hand in a protective position, preparing for impact and providing more strength for a one-handed backhand. To adopt this grip, start by holding your racket with an Eastern grip for the forehand, then rotate your hand 90° to the left. Your thumb and index finger should form a “V” on the top bevel of the racket handle, with the knuckle of the index finger pointing upwards. Place your thumb diagonally along the handle. Experienced players may prefer to wrap their thumb around the racket, requiring more strength at the point of contact.

As with any tennis stroke, the player must prepare before positioning and hitting the ball. For a shot from the baseline, preparation involves bringing the hand and racket to the “zero position.” This is the point where the hand stops moving backward and starts moving forward toward the hit.

For a baseline shot, it is advisable to maintain the forehand grip. This grip is similar to that of a one-handed sliced backhand. The left hand, positioned near the heart of the racket, helps to make a slight rotation to achieve the final grip. While a semi-closed grip is often recommended, a “hammer” grip allows for easier racket head movement at impact. The wrist is used in its full range of motion in flexion and extension.

Relaxed arms are crucial for fluidity in a stroke. In the ready position, the arms should be relaxed, slightly bent in front of the body. The opposite hand holds the heart of the racket to facilitate a forehand grip.

Starting from the ready position, preparation begins with trunk rotation at the waist around the spine. The hips remain facing forward, and the head looks ahead to track the ball’s trajectory. This rotation allows you to switch from the forehand grip to the hammer grip.

The shoulders and hips move the body to the side. Rotate the shoulders as soon as you see the ball approaching your backhand. The fixed grip angle is 90° and remains constant throughout the stroke. The racket head should come back to shoulder level, higher than your wrist during the shoulder rotation. The elbow is bent, and the guiding hand is tucked in. The right forearm is almost parallel to the ground. Shift your weight onto your left foot, pointing outward. The shoulder rotation should conceal your upcoming shot. The racket is placed well below the ball before the forward motion.

Keep the wrist almost immobile throughout the movement. The shoulders and arms pull the racket back. Maintain the wrist angle and the racket’s vertical angle. Lower the arm and drop your body to prepare for an upward motion. Keep the wrist fixed at the moment of impact.

The backward movement gathers energy for a compact stroke. Before moving forward, rotate the hips inward and turn the shoulders outward. The racket head and net can be more than 180° apart, creating distance that will increase speed at the moment of the hit. The sensation of hitting a backhand is more natural than that of a forehand.

Step forward to keep the ball at a 45° angle. Move toward the left net post with your left foot, shifting your body weight forward. With open stances, the supporting foot is the left foot, angled to the side.

The wrist, forearm, and racket are symmetrical concerning the point of contact. The end of the backhand stroke involves only a third of a turn. Unleash power and stand upright. Be aggressive and meet the ball well in front of your right foot. Keep your racket vertical and follow through after impact. The left arm helps control your movement as you reopen your shoulders and hips, balancing the movement and the speed of your right arm.