Hitting Tennis Backhands from the Side

Video Transcript

"Okay, continuing on, hitting the ball from the side. We're now going to demonstrate why it's important in the backhand. So, Darren is going to show us. We're going to do a one handed top spin backhand and we're going to do a one handed under spin backhand. And we're going to do the two handed backhand. So, for example, Darren, I want you just to try to hit this ball. So, you see I threw it right into him and he was able to hit it, but it's not going to be a really effective shot. So, if you're the opponent, trying to hit the ball into a guy's body is a very good tactic. But, Darren is now going to hit a one handed top spin backhand. And notice how he's going to be lined up. He's going to hit the ball from his side, about right there. So, that's how he can use the whole body to hit it. If he was here, that's going to be a very weak shot. If it was in back, it's a very weak shot. So, here is a one handed backhand. Okay, so you see how he was able to get his hips and shoulders turned and hit through it. Here's an under spin backhand, and it's going to be backed up a little bit. So instead of hitting it more in the front, he's going to be hitting it more off the front foot. Under spin, good. And then Darren is going to demonstrate a two hander. Now, it's very nice of Darren, because he's a one handed backhander. But he's going to demonstrate the two hander. And he's going to hit it more in the middle of his stance, but it's still going to be away from his body. So, two handed, good. Okay. So, that's the idea, is to be able to use your body to turn. So, if you're too close to the ball, as you can see if you do this. So try to imagine you're hitting this ball Darren. See when it's that close, you can't hit it. So, that's why its very important to stay to the side of the ball."