Based in Hinsdale, Illinois, tennis professional Roger Clarke teaches learners of all ages, emphasizing the link between broader life success and tennis skills. At Hinsdale Racquet Club, Roger Clarke instructs his students in fundamental strokes that include the backhand.
The one-handed backhand offers the benefit of superior reach and is ideal for shots that come into the body and require flexibility in the angle used. The two-handed backhand has advantages in terms of control and stability and can help when reaching for high shots.
For both types of backhand, a key is not to shorten the backswing, as this can make the return shots weak and without sufficient range to clear the net with accuracy. This can be accomplished with the two-handed backhand through ensuring that the non-dominant hand is used at least as much as the dominant hand. This helps to lengthen the extension as you follow through.
In addition, proper balance is essential, with shots anticipated and leaned into whenever possible. The savvy opponent will seek to exploit any weakness in the backhand until you prove that you can return equally effectively from any position.
