Basic Skills (Backhand)

Basic Skills: Backhand

Prepare Position

Get in proper position to play the ball. Proper positioning enables you to move quickly on the ball and then return to a comfortable position during the intervals between shots. As you get ready to return your opponent's shot, your initial movement should be a split step. The split step is performed by jumping an inch or 2 as your opponent prepares to make his shot, and landing on your toes. This keeps you off your heels and able to make an explosive movement to the ball. After making your shot, move to an advantageous spot on the court and return to the proper ready stance.

·      Bend slightly at the knees with your feet shoulder width apart.

·      Lean forward slightly with your weight on the pads of your feet.

·      Hold your paddle out in front so you can return shots on either side of your body.

·      Keep your head straight and your shoulders parallel to the net.

·      Feet Parallel in line with the shoulders, paddle resting on your left hand, aligned with the chest (avoid lowering the paddle).

·      Turn shoulders, pointing your right shoulder towards the ball, both hands are in contact with the paddle, bringing the paddle back without changing the position of it (the edge of the paddle should point to the back wall). The feet are placed sideways, the right foot forward and your weight slightly on the back foot.

Impact

·      After being in the ready position, we need to transfer the balance from the back leg to the front leg and hit the ball in front of your body,(the face of the paddle will tell you the direction of the ball). The left arm is moving backwards to get a better balance of your body.

Termination

·      You need to finish the stroke with the paddle in the same high as the opposite shoulder, pointing with the paddle border to the net and the left arm or non dominant hand is pointing back to the wall.

Most comment mistakes

1.   Not hitting the ball sideways.

If we hit the ball facing the net, we wont control the contact point, and the ball will go higher, making an easy return to the opponent.

2.   Having the right shoulder up.

3.   Do not bend your knees

4.   Hitting too late (pay attention to the contact point)

5.   Getting too close to the ball.

6.   Hitting the ball with loose wrist

7.   Do not follow the movement with the body.

8.   Don’t stop before you hit.

9.   Finishing too low or too high