How to Hit a One Handed Backhand in Tennis

There are two primary ways to hit a backhanded: the one handed backhand, and the two handed backhand. Most tennis players are comfortable hitting either the one handed backhand or the two handed backhand (but not both). Here's how to hit a one handed backhand in tennis.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A tennis racquet
• Tennis balls
• Someone to play against or a ball machine

1. 
   One handed backhand grip

   In order to hit a one handed backhand in tennis, you need to start with your tennis grip. Start by holding your tennis racquet in your right hand (assuming you are right handed, if not just do the opposite of all these directions) like a hammer, or the continental grip. Next, with your left hand, turn the head of the racquet to the right, just slightly, so that the head of the tennis racquet is no longer perpendicular to the ground.

2. 
   Turn your body and pull back the tennis racquet

   Next, when you see a tennis ball coming to your backhand, the first thing you want to do is turn your body away from the ball so that your tennis racquet pulls back. Your shoulder should be squared away, such that they are facing the sidelines of the tennis court. When you pull your tennis racquet back, put your left hand on the throat of the tennis racquet as you pull it back. This will help steady the racquet when you hit the one handed tennis backhand.

3. 
   Make sure you follow through after hitting a one handed backhand

   Next is the most important part of hitting a one handed backhand in tennis: the swing. Make sure you keep eye contact with the ball, and drive your arm forward, hitting the tennis ball. As you hit the tennis ball, make sure you snap your wrist upward to get proper topspin on the ball. After you hit the ball, make sure you keep swinging your arm to get a proper follow through. Your follow through should end up with your arm pointing straight up at the sky.

4. After you hit the tennis ball, make sure you you keep your head down for a moment, as this will prevent your shoulders from opening up and mishitting the tennis ball. Now that you know how to hit a one handed backhand in tennis, go out to a court and try it!