IMPROVE YOUR GAME: AIR THE ARMPITS ON YOUR BACKHAND
At any level of the game, the goal is to keep balls out of the net. For newer players, this can often be more challenging on the backhand side. To keep more backhands in the court rather than in the net, think “air the armpits."
When you hit a two-handed backhand, finish with both armpits “aired” and your elbow of your non-dominant arm pointing across the net. For a right-hander, this is your left elbow. If you're a left-hander, this will be your right elbow.
By using this tip, it will force you to lengthen the follow through and, as a result, give you more height and allow you to clear the net with a comfortable margin.
Rita Gladstone is a head tennis professional at the USTA National Campus at Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla.
Related Articles
-
![Visit the Technique: Slice backhand page]()
Training with these activities can help add a slice backhand to your game. Read More -
![Visit the Smash Attack game page]()
Ready to work on being more aggressive and charging the net? Smash Attack is a game that can be played with four players or two where you quickly move from baseline, to volley, to overheads. Read More -
![Visit the One-handed backhand page]()
A quick tip for helping you improve the consistency of your one-handed backhand is to start your swing earlier because you'll be making contact with the ball further in front of your body. Read More
Sign up for our Newsletter
Download the USTA App
