Today, I’m gearing up to give my girlfriend a lesson in perfecting her backhand. Now, I’ve seen her swing a racket a few times during our casual outings, and while she can manage to keep a rally going, her backhand definitely needs some polishing. I’ve got high hopes though, considering she’s shown decent control in her overall game. So, I’m eager to see how we can fine tune her technique and get that backhand up to par with her forehand.
The Mistakes:
Upon reviewing Claudia’s backhand technique, it’s clear that there are some areas that need attention. First off, her swing appears very jerky, lacking the smooth flow that’s crucial for consistent shots. This inconsistency is reflected in her limited control over where the ball ends up on the court. Additionally, her elbows seem to stay uncomfortably close to her body throughout the swing, which can hinder both power, control and accuracy. These observations point to some key adjustments that we can work on together to refine her backhand shape and improve her overall performance on the court.
Drill 1:
Alright, for our first drill, we’re working on extending those arms through contact. This adjustment is particularly crucial for Claudia, as it will help stay clear of hitting too close to her body, which has been a recurring issue. Already, with this tweak, we’re starting to notice a more consistent shape to her backhand.
But, there’s more to it. As we delved deeper into the mechanics, I noticed something else—Claudia wasn’t lifting her back heel during her swings. Now, leaving that back heel planted can really put a damper on engaging the hips and shoulders effectively. So, we decided to tackle that too. Once she started lifting that back foot, the transformation was remarkable. Suddenly, her whole body was coming into play, which will eventually allow her to add more power down the line. It’s amazing how such small adjustments can make a world of difference on the court.
Drill 2:
Now, onto our second drill, and we’re taking things up a notch by moving to the baseline. Here, we’re continuing to focus on extending those arms through contact, but I’m emphasising to Claudia the significance of her top hand as she strikes through the ball. It’s crucial for her to really feel that non dominant hand doing the heavy lifting during the extension, and this goes for all of you that use a double hander.
I can’t stress enough how vital these extensions are. It’s something the pros incorporate into their game constantly. Sure, when you watch them, it might not be immediately obvious because they’re blasting shots with such power and speed. But believe me, it’s happening, not just on the backhand, but also on the forehand.
Drill 3:
Now, moving on to our next drill centered around perfecting those extensions, we’re aiming to fire the backhand straight down the alley. This drill serves as a litmus test for both control and accuracy while highlighting the importance of hitting through the ball rather than swinging across the body.
Let me tell you, it’s a tougher challenge than it appears to find that tramline consistently. It requires not just power, but finesse and precision. For beginners like Claudia, even managing to hit the alley three times out of ten would be considered a commendable achievement.
But here’s the beauty of it: every attempt, successful or not, is a learning opportunity. It’s about understanding the mechanics, honing the technique, and gradually building that muscle memory. With each swing, Claudia is refining her skills and inching closer to mastering this crucial aspect of her backhand game.
So, as we embark on this drill, we’re not just aiming for perfection right away. We’re embracing the journey of improvement, celebrating every step forward, no matter how small. And trust me, those small victories add up to significant progress over time.
Drill 4:
Now, let’s take it a step further and add that follow through to her backhand. In this drill, we’re breaking down the backhand stroke into two parts, allowing Claudia to focus on each component separately.
First up, we’ve got the extension through contact. Claudia will swing through the ball, ensuring she’s reaching out and making solid contact as we’ve been doing so far. But here’s the twist: she’s going to hold that extended position for just a moment. Then comes the second phase: the actual follow through itself. As soon as the ball bounces on the opposite side of the court, Claudia will wrap her racket around to complete the stroke.
One key tip I’m emphasising is the importance of finishing the follow-through with the elbow slightly across the center of the body. This seemingly small detail actually plays a significant role in maximising movement from the hips and shoulders. Failing to do so could limit the power and range of motion in Claudia’s swing.
Drill 5:
Now, it’s the moment we’ve been working towards: putting it all together and examining the complete stroke in one fluid motion. I’m asking Claudia to play the shot at a moderate pace, ensuring she incorporates all the technical pointers we’ve discussed thus far.
And let me tell you, she’s doing remarkably well. As she swings, you can clearly see both arms extending through contact, a crucial element we’ve been focusing on. But that’s not all—there’s also noticeable separation between her elbows and hips, indicating a significant improvement in her technique. It’s these small details that make all the difference.
What’s more, Claudia has now started lifting her back foot on the finish, allowing her to engage her upper body more effectively. This integration of the entire body into the swing is essential for generating power and control, and she’s executing it beautifully.
At this stage, it’s all about repetition and reinforcement. We want Claudia to get comfortable with this refined stroke, to the point where it becomes second nature. Only then will we progress to more challenging drills and feeds on the opposite side of the court.
Drill 6:
Now, let’s talk about the next challenge we’re facing, which definitely ramps up the difficulty level. In this phase, I’m feeding the balls from the opposite side of the court, and it’s clear from the footage that Claudia is encountering more inconsistencies in her stroke.
The main culprit here? Reading the bounce. You see, Claudia is still in the early stages of her tennis journey, and her ability to anticipate and judge the trajectory of the ball isn’t as finely tuned as it would be for more experienced players. As a result, her technique is taking a bit of a hit, with instances of overrunning the shot and making contact late.
But here’s the thing—it’s all part of the learning process. These struggles are not only expected but also essential for growth. As Claudia continues to spend more time on the court and gain more experience, her anticipation and judgment skills will undoubtedly improve. It’s just a matter of time and practice.
Drill 7:
Alright, now it’s time for a bit of regression—a step back to focus on a fundamental aspect of Claudia’s technique. While this won’t immediately solve the timing and judgment issues she faced in the previous drill, it’s a crucial step in the right direction.
Our goal here is to get Claudia to familiarise herself with the correct contact point. By honing in on this key aspect, she’ll develop a better sense of when she’s executing the stroke correctly and when she’s not.
In this exercise, I’ve placed a ball in front of the net. She must remain behind this ball indicating when reaching out and making contact with the net, helping her establish and understand a consistent point of contact.
We then repeated the exercise, this time incorporating the follow-through as well. By combining these elements, Claudia is not only refining her technique but also reinforcing the muscle memory needed to execute the stroke effectively.
Sure, Claudia may have been a bit late on her hits in the previous drill, but this exercise serves as a valuable reset, allowing her to focus on the basics and build from there. It’s all about taking those incremental steps towards improvement, and I’m confident that with persistence and practice, Claudia will soon find her rhythm and timing on the court.
Drill 8:
Now revisiting those racket feeds from the opposite side of the court, it was truly gratifying to see Claudia’s progress. While her performance might not have been flawless, there was a noticeable improvement compared to before.
Summary
Claudia demonstrated resilience and determination throughout the session, tackling each drill with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Despite the challenges she faced, she maintained a positive attitude and showed a genuine commitment to mastering her backhand technique.
Now, as we look ahead to the next phase of her development, the real test awaits: performing the correct technique in a rally. This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. It’s the ultimate challenge, requiring not just technical proficiency but also mental fortitude and adaptability.
Rallies introduce a whole new level of complexity, with the added pressure of responding to a moving ball and anticipating your opponent’s shots. It’s a dynamic and unpredictable environment that will push Claudia to apply everything she’s learned in our lessons so far.
I have no doubt that this phase will be the most challenging yet, but I also believe it’s where Claudia will truly shine. With her determination, dedication, and the solid foundation we’ve built together, I’m confident she’ll rise to the occasion and continue to grow as a tennis player.