If you’ve ever watched a match and seen a player absolutely nail a backhand drive that no one can return, you might be wondering: “How can I do that?” Well, you’re in luck. Let’s break down the essentials of hitting an unreturnable two-handed backhand drive.
We’ll cover everything from the grip to the follow-through, with practical tips to make it second nature.
1. The Grip – The Foundation of a Solid Shot
Here’s Coach Tanner Tomassi showcasing the ideal grip for a two-handed backhand drive:
Your grip is the cornerstone of a powerful two-handed backhand. For this, you want to:
- Hold the paddle with one finger on the back. Extending the finger on the paddle gives you better control over your shots, helping to generate both power and precision.
- Avoid squeezing too tightly. Grip the handle firmly but not with a death grip—imagine you’re holding a tube of toothpaste without wanting to squeeze any out.
Pro Tip: Make sure both hands are comfortable on the paddle, with your dominant hand below and your other hand supporting. This grip helps generate more stability and power.
2. Footwork – Stepping into the Shot
The key to any great backhand drive is your footwork:
- Step into the shot. Don’t just stand stationary; move forward, getting your weight behind the ball. This allows your entire body—not just your arm—to generate the power.
- Stay balanced. When you step into the shot, ensure your shoulders stay level, avoiding any unnecessary leaning that could throw off your accuracy.
Practical Tip: Think about stepping with purpose. This means you’re positioning yourself ideally, whether you need to move sideways, forward, or back, so you’re never reaching awkwardly.
3. Extend Your Arms, Don’t Whip
Unlike a forehand where you might flick your wrist or whip your arm, the two-handed backhand relies on extension:
- Extend your arms fully on contact, and follow through smoothly. This creates a more controlled yet powerful shot, rather than a wild swing that lacks accuracy.
- Finish over your shoulder. Visualize answering a phone over your shoulder—that’s the motion you want to achieve.
Pro Tip: Resist the temptation to “snap” your wrist. This shot is about stability, which means keeping your wrists quiet and focusing on a controlled swing.
4. Get Low with Your Legs
Footwork isn’t just about stepping—it’s also about getting under the ball properly:
- Bend your knees and get low to scoop the ball up and generate topspin. If you stay upright, you won’t have the leverage needed for a powerful shot.
- Exaggerate getting underneath the ball. Good backhand drives often depend on how well you can use your legs to adjust the height and angle of your swing.
Practical Tip: Think of your legs as the engine of the shot. The more you can use them to push up into the ball, the more consistent power you’ll generate.
Advantages & Disadvantages of the Two-Handed Backhand
Learning this shot isn’t just about technique; it’s also about understanding when and why to use it.
Advantages:
- Topspin: With a two-handed backhand, topspin becomes your best friend. Topspin allows you to hit aggressively while keeping the ball in play, often dipping it into challenging spots for your opponent.
- Consistency: The two-handed approach provides a consistent arc over the net, reducing the risk of net errors or pop-ups.
Disadvantages:
- Reduced Reach: Two hands on the paddle can limit your range, especially when reaching for volleys or dinks.
- Difficult to Flick: You lose some of the ability to flick quickly with one hand, which is useful in those tight situations where you need to attack quickly.
Practical Tip: Many players find the two-handed backhand more consistent but trade-off flexibility. One way around this is to practice both styles—switching between a one- and two-handed backhand depending on the situation, like how Ben Johns masterfully switches in his games.
Pro Tips for an Unreturnable Shot
- Mix It Up: Don’t rely solely on power. Incorporate topspin dinks, drops, and surprise speed-ups. The unpredictability makes it harder for your opponent to read you.
- Controlled Follow-Through: Focus on a steady and controlled follow-through. This ensures your shot stays on target and helps maintain balance for quick recovery, giving you an edge during extended rallies.
- Practice in the Kitchen Line: Your backhand isn’t just for drives—learn to use it effectively in different areas of the court. Short backhand dinks, especially cross-court, are great for keeping your opponent guessing.
Pro Tip: When playing from the kitchen, keep your motions small and controlled. A slight lift of the arms is all you need to keep the ball low and accurate.
How to Practice the Two-Handed Backhand Drive
To master this shot, try these practice drills:
- Crosscourt and Down-the-Line Drills: Practice both crosscourt and down-the-line backhand drives to improve accuracy. Hold the paddle in the direction you want to hit for as long as possible.
- Topspin Rolls: Practice generating topspin by coming around the ball slightly and curving it crosscourt. This helps add variety to your backhand.
- Speed-Up Practice: Work on backhand speed-ups off the bounce by looking for your opponent’s weaknesses, such as aiming at their body or crossing to their weaker side.
Practical Tip: Don’t rush it. Work through each element slowly and build consistency. Remember, it’s about good form, not just brute force.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re just starting, start with the basics—focus on the grip, footwork, and getting comfortable with the shot. From there, work on integrating it seamlessly with your other skills. Trust me, it’s a journey worth taking, and once you hit that unreturnable shot, it feels incredible.
Bonus Tip: Incorporate visualization techniques to mentally rehearse your perfect backhand drive—seeing yourself succeed can significantly improve your performance on the court.
Now, grab your paddle, hit the court, and start working on those two-handed drives. Your opponents won’t know what hit them!
