Backhand Tactics to Accumulate Wins in Tennis

Backhand tactics are an essential part of your arsenal of weapons. The backhand can be a lethal shot to own and use against your opponents. The cross court “roll form” is most needed when your opponent gets the ball to your backhand. No sense in changing the direction of the ball unless they are looking for the cross court.

The slice backhand is a great shot to have in your repertoire. It takes practice to be precise with its use, but all the effort will be worth it. The shot has its own specific uses and it is critical to execute. It’s like a specific piece in the game of chess...it needs to be used at certain times and in specific ways.

The slice can be used to change the rhythm of the rally. Tennis is not all about banging every ball. The game is about playing certain shots to throw off or disrupt the flow of your opponent. This shot is a rhythm changer. It keeps your opponent guessing and off balance. Work on mixing things up in practice—then go out and apply these tennis backhand tactics in a match.

Another use of the slice is the low biting ball that doesn’t come off the ground. Make your opponent dig out your shot off the court. It’s difficult for your opponent to hit over that ball with topspin, so be ready for the slice to come back at you. When you approach on this shot there is a good chance you will get an easy high volley.

The lunge slice on the run should be hit to the three quarter angle cross-court target. This way the point is neutralized, and you have a chance to get control of the point. You don’t want to hit the lunge slice back down the middle of the court to your opponent. You want your opponent on the run to the next ball…not the other way around.

I hope this tactical information on the backhand helps you. The variety of this tennis instruction gives you some ideas on how and when to apply the various shots to your own game. Let me know what you like about these and the other tennis tips. And let me know of any benefit you derive from the tactical play of the backhand.

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