Why Your Backhand is Costing You Points: A Guide to a Reliable Shot

In the fast-paced, dynamic world of pickleball, a reliable backhand is not just an asset; it’s a necessity. Too often, players at all levels find their backhand to be a source of frustration, a glaring weakness that opponents mercilessly exploit. Unforced errors, weak returns, and missed opportunities stemming from a shaky backhand can be the difference between a triumphant win and a disappointing loss. If you’ve ever felt a sense of dread as the ball heads to your non-dominant side, this guide is for you.

This comprehensive post will dissect the common reasons your backhand is costing you points and provide a detailed roadmap to transforming it into a consistent, powerful, and strategic weapon. We will delve into the fundamental mechanics, explore the nuances of both one-handed and two-handed techniques, unlock the potential of advanced backhand shots, and provide you with a treasure trove of drills to solidify your newfound skills. It’s time to stop running around your backhand and start winning with it.

The Telltale Signs of a Failing Backhand: Identifying the Root Causes

Before we can rebuild your backhand, we need to identify what’s broken. Many players unknowingly sabotage their own shots with a few common, yet critical, errors. Recognizing these in your own game is the first step toward a more reliable stroke.

The “Slap” Shot: A prevalent mistake is “slapping” at the ball with a wrist-heavy motion, devoid of any real body engagement. This results in a weak, uncontrolled shot with minimal power. The root of this issue is a lack of shoulder turn and a failure to use the kinetic chain, starting from your legs and rotating through your core.
Poor Body Separation: A powerful and consistent backhand requires separation between your arm and your body. If your elbow is tucked in too close or your arm is glued to your side, you’re robbing yourself of leverage and a full range of motion.
Incorrect Paddle Head Drop: Many players fail to drop the paddle head below the ball before making contact. This often leads to hitting the top or back of the ball, resulting in shots that sail into the net or lack any penetrating power.
The Idle Non-Dominant Arm: For one-handed backhand players, the non-dominant arm often becomes a passive bystander. This is a missed opportunity for balance, stability, and generating rotational force.
Lifting Your Head and Eyes: The eagerness to see the result of your shot can lead to pulling your head and eyes off the ball at the moment of impact. This seemingly small error can cause mishits and a significant loss of control.
Faulty Footwork: Perhaps the most significant contributor to a poor backhand is inadequate footwork. Failing to get into the proper position forces you to reach, lunge, or hit off-balance, all of which are recipes for unforced errors.

Building a Bulletproof Backhand: The Fundamentals

A reliable backhand is built on a solid foundation of fundamentals. Mastering these core principles will provide the bedrock for a consistent and effective shot, regardless of whether you opt for a one-handed or two-handed technique.

The Grip: Your Connection to the Paddle

The way you hold the paddle is the first point of contact and significantly influences the outcome of your shot. For the backhand, two grips are most common:

Continental Grip: Often referred to as the “hammer grip,” this is a versatile choice that allows for quick transitions between forehand and backhand shots. To find it, hold the paddle as if you were shaking someone’s hand. The “V” formed by your thumb and index finger should be on the top of the handle.
Eastern Backhand Grip: This grip provides more stability and a naturally closed paddle face for drives. From a Continental grip, rotate your hand slightly so the base knuckle of your index finger is on the top bevel of the paddle.

The Stance and Ready Position: Be Prepared for Anything

Your readiness before the shot is paramount. A balanced and athletic stance allows you to react quickly and move efficiently to the ball.

Feet shoulder-width apart: This provides a stable base.
Knees slightly bent: This engages your leg muscles and keeps you agile.
Weight on the balls of your feet: This allows for quick and explosive movements.
Paddle up and in front of you: This reduces your reaction time.

The Swing: A Symphony of Movement

A fluid and efficient swing is the engine of your backhand. It can be broken down into three key phases:

The Takeaway: As you identify the ball coming to your backhand, initiate the swing by turning your shoulders and hips. Your non-dominant hand (for one-handers) can help guide the paddle back.
The Forward Swing and Contact: Drive the paddle forward by uncoiling your body, starting from your hips and shoulders. Make contact with the ball in front of your body, not beside or behind it.
The Follow-Through: The swing shouldn’t abruptly stop at contact. A smooth and complete follow-through in the direction of your target ensures proper deceleration and contributes to accuracy and control.

The Great Debate: One-Handed vs. Two-Handed Backhand

The choice between a one-handed and a two-handed backhand is a personal one, with distinct advantages and disadvantages to each.

The One-Handed Backhand: Reach and Versatility

Pros:
- Greater Reach: The ability to extend one arm allows you to cover more court and handle wide shots more effectively.
- Enhanced Slice: The one-handed backhand is naturally suited for hitting a slice, a crucial shot for changing the pace and trajectory of the ball.
- More Wrist Action for Finesse Shots: The freedom of the wrist allows for more delicate touch shots like dinks and drops.
Cons:
- Requires More Strength: Generating power with one arm demands more shoulder and forearm strength.
- Less Stable at Impact: The paddle can be more prone to twisting on off-center hits.

The Two-Handed Backhand: Power and Stability

Pros:
- Increased Power: The involvement of both arms and a more significant body rotation generates more paddle head speed and, consequently, more power.
- Enhanced Stability: Two hands on the paddle provide a more stable platform at impact, making it easier to handle hard-hit shots and volleys.
- More Control on Drives: The added stability often translates to greater control, especially on powerful groundstrokes.
Cons:
- Limited Reach: The two-handed grip restricts your reach, making it more challenging to deal with wide balls.
- Can Be More Rigid: The two-handed motion can sometimes lack the fluidity and touch of a one-handed backhand, especially for dinks.

Making Your Choice: Experiment with both. Your decision may depend on your physical strength, your background in other racquet sports, and your personal comfort. Many players find success by using a one-handed backhand for dinks and reach shots, and a two-handed backhand for drives and volleys.

Unleashing Your Arsenal: Advanced Backhand Shots

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can begin to incorporate more advanced shots into your backhand repertoire. These shots will add variety and deception to your game, keeping your opponents off balance.

The Backhand Slice: The Great Disruptor

The backhand slice is a versatile shot that imparts backspin on the ball, causing it to stay low after the bounce.

Technique: Use a Continental or Eastern backhand grip. The swing path is high to low, with the paddle face slightly open. “Chop” down and through the ball, extending your arm towards the target.
When to Use It: The slice is effective for returns of serve, approach shots, and changing the pace of a rally. It’s an excellent way to neutralize a power player.

The Backhand Roll (Flick): The Offensive Surprise

The backhand roll, often called a flick, is a quick, wristy shot used to attack balls at the net.

Technique: This shot is more about a quick snap of the wrist and forearm than a full arm swing. From a ready position at the kitchen line, use a short backswing and then “roll” your wrist and forearm over the top of the ball, creating topspin.
When to Use It: The backhand roll is a potent weapon for attacking high dinks or volleys close to the net. The topspin causes the ball to dip quickly, making it difficult for your opponent to handle.

The Topspin Drive: The Aggressive Groundstroke

A topspin backhand drive is a powerful offensive weapon from the baseline or mid-court.

Technique: Drop the paddle head below the ball and then brush up the back of the ball on the forward swing. This upward motion imparts the topspin. For a two-handed backhand, the non-dominant hand plays a crucial role in driving the paddle up and through the shot.
When to Use It: Use the topspin drive to hit passing shots, deep returns of serve, or anytime you have a clear opportunity to hit an aggressive groundstroke.

Drills for a Dominant Backhand: Your Path to Mastery

Reading about a better backhand is one thing; building one requires dedicated practice. Here are a series of drills designed to improve your consistency, power, and control.

Drill 1: Wall Ball Wizardry

Objective: To improve hand-eye coordination and feel for the backhand.
Instructions: Stand a comfortable distance from a wall and practice hitting continuous backhands against it. Focus on a smooth, compact swing. Try to control the height and depth of your shots. For an added challenge, alternate between forehands and backhands.

Drill 2: Cross-Court Consistency

Objective: To develop consistency and accuracy on your backhand groundstrokes.
Instructions: With a partner, stand at the baseline and hit only backhands cross-court to each other. The goal is to sustain a rally for as long as possible. Focus on proper footwork, getting your body into position for every shot.

Drill 3: The Backhand Dink Challenge

Objective: To master the soft touch and control required for backhand dinking.
Instructions: Stand at the non-volley zone line with a partner. Practice dinking back and forth using only your backhand. Focus on keeping the ball low and un-attackable. For a progression, try to move your partner around the kitchen with your dinks.

Drill 4: The Two-Shot Backhand Drill

Objective: To practice transitioning from a defensive backhand to an offensive one.
Instructions: Have a partner feed you two balls in succession to your backhand side. The first ball is a deep, challenging shot that you must hit a defensive slice or block back. The second ball is a shorter, easier ball that you can step in and hit an aggressive drive or roll. This drill simulates real-game scenarios.

Drill 5: Footwork Focus – The “Z” Drill

Objective: To improve your footwork and ability to hit backhands on the move.
Instructions: Set up cones in a “Z” pattern on your side of the court. Have a partner feed you balls to each cone. Your goal is to move efficiently through the pattern, hitting a backhand at each cone. Focus on staying balanced and using proper footwork (shuffles, crossover steps) to get into position.

By consistently working on these drills and being mindful of the common pitfalls, you can transform your backhand from a liability into a formidable weapon. Remember, the journey to a reliable shot is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, celebrate small improvements, and most importantly, have fun on the court as you build a backhand that will no longer cost you points, but instead, start earning you victories.