Further Tennis Tips: The Back Hand Drive And How To Play It
(By "Service") So many players lack confidence in playing the back hand (that is, the drive to the left of a righthanded player) that it is an almost universal practice to play to the back hand. . Yet it is certain that everyone can with a litle perseverance, learn to play this stroke accurately and confidently. Most of the world's champions since 1920 have been stronger on 4 the backhand than on the forehand.
Grip: The back hand is hit with the opposite face of the racquet from the forehand. To allow freedom for the wrist, the head of the racquet must always be kept up. The thumb is behind the racquet, pointing towards the : strings, the flat of the hand is on top, and the fingers wrapped round the handle. The racquet is thus in a straight line with the forearm.
Feet: To be able to play a free stroke, the body must face the sideline. The right foot is three or four inches nearer the sideline than the left.
Swing: Swing the racquet well back, allowing the elbow to bend and pivoting your body from the hips so that your back almost faces the net. Your weight is now on the left foot. Then swing body and arm forward, the arm straightening to hit the ball at full stretch as the weight moves on to the right foot. Swing parellel with the ground; hit the ball with the full face of the racquet; allow the racquet to follow through well in front of you, and turn the hitting face forward slightly to apply topspin. The right leg should be firm throughout the stroke—don't lose power by pushing the hip forward. Your golfing friends will see how this corresponds with golfing form. If your back hand is weak, you can improve it tremendously during the winter by swinging regularly at odd times; but get somebody to check your grip first. Finally—if the ball is low, bend your knees to bring your racquet down to it; don't on any account drop the head of the racquet.
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 30, 16 March 1948, Page 5
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357Further Tennis Tips: The Back Hand Drive And How To Play It Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 30, 16 March 1948, Page 5
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