| The Right Grip | | | | Stance is also important. In tennis there are open |
| One of the most important tips for good tennis | | | | stances and closed stances. For a backhand you |
| backhands is that you must have the proper grip. The | | | | should have a closed stance. The shoulders should be |
| grip you use will vary depending on whether you use a | | | | perpendicular to the baseline as you begin your |
| one-handed or two-handed grip. The grip on the | | | | backswing. It is important to establish position early if |
| one-handed backhand is the Eastern grip. For the | | | | possible so there is less margin for error in the actual |
| two-handed backhand, you will use different grips. | | | | stroke itself. |
| Your dominant hand should use the Continental grip | | | | Using Topspin |
| and you non-dominant hand should use the | | | | Using topspin in your backhand can be a powerful tool |
| semi-western grip. So, for example, on the two-handed | | | | to keep your opponent off guard. Without learning how |
| backhand for a right handed player, the right hand | | | | to use topspin (and slices) you will not reach the next |
| should be in the Continental grip and the left hand | | | | level as a player. To use topspin, the racket should be |
| should be in the semi-western. See my lens on serving | | | | in a closed position. You should start with the wrist firm |
| for an illustration of the Continental grip and my lens on | | | | and the elbow bent. With the racket starting low, swing |
| forehands for information on the Eastern grip. Pictured | | | | it forward from a low to a high position, brushing up |
| here is the semi-western grip. | | | | and over the back of the ball. This is where the topspin |
| Striking The Ball | | | | comes from. As you swing, you will also be |
| Where you hit the ball is always important in hitting an | | | | transferring the weight onto the front foot. This |
| effective tennis shot. Without the proper contact point, | | | | momentum, along with the shoulder rotation will give |
| you may find your shot landing out of bounds or being | | | | you the power for the shot. Make sure that you keep |
| easily returned by your opponent. The contact point (or | | | | your eyes on the ball all the way through the swing up |
| where the racquet strikes the ball) should be slightly in | | | | until the point of contact. Glancing around the court at |
| front of the body. Generally about a foot in front of the | | | | your opponent is a sure way to increase errors in the |
| body is good. | | | | timing and execution of the shot. |