Let’s be honest.If your opponent hits to your backhand, do you immediately start thinking about how to get back to your forehand?
A lot of recreational players do.
They run around the backhand, reach for the ball, or try to hit it as quickly as possible just to get it over the net.
The problem?
You’re not giving your backhand enough chances to become reliable.
You don’t need to turn it into your best shot overnight.
You just need to stop treating it like a weakness.
Your backhand may not actually be “bad.”
It might simply be less practiced.
Think about how often you probably practice your forehand compared with your backhand.
Your brain naturally trusts the shot you’ve hit thousands of times.
So when pressure comes, you run toward what feels safe.
That’s normal.
But confidence doesn’t come from avoiding your backhand.
It comes from using it.
1. Prepare Earlier
One of the easiest ways to make your backhand feel better is to give yourself more time.
As soon as you recognize the ball is coming toward your backhand:
Turn your shoulders. Get the racquet back. Move your feet.
Don’t wait until the ball is almost on top of you.
Late preparation often leads to a rushed swing, poor contact, and the feeling that your backhand simply doesn’t work.
Early preparation gives you options.
2. Find Your Contact Point
Your backhand becomes much easier when you consistently meet the ball in a comfortable position.
If you’re too close, you’re cramped.
Too far away, and you’re reaching.
If you’re constantly hitting late, your contact point is probably getting pushed behind you.
Instead, work on getting your body into position so you can make contact out in front of you.
Don’t just chase the ball with your racquet.
Move your body to the ball.
3. Stop Trying to Hit It Only With Your Arm
This is a big one.
When players don’t trust their backhand, they often try to muscle the ball with their arm.
That usually creates tension.
Instead, use your whole body.
Get your legs involved.
Rotate your shoulders.
Stay balanced through contact.
Your legs help you get into position, while your body rotation helps create a smoother swing.
The goal isn’t to swing harder.
It’s to swing more efficiently.
4. Stop Running Around Every Backhand
There are times when running around your backhand is the right tactical decision.
But if you’re doing it every time because you don’t trust the shot, you’re creating another problem.
Your opponent will notice.
They can start targeting that side.
And suddenly you’re running farther around the court just to avoid one shot.
Give yourself permission to hit the backhand.
Even if it’s not perfect.
Even if you miss occasionally.
You’re building the shot every time you use it.
5. Build Confidence Through Repetition
You don’t become confident because someone tells you to “just believe.”
You become confident because you’ve done something enough times that it starts to feel familiar.
Try this during practice: 10 minutes. Just your backhand.
Start with easy feeds.
Focus on:
- Early preparation
- Balanced footwork
- Consistent contact
- Smooth acceleration
- Getting the ball deep
Then gradually increase the pace.
Don’t chase winners.
Don’t worry about making the shot look impressive.
Your first goal is simple:
Make your backhand boring.
Reliable is better than flashy.
Your Backhand Doesn’t Need to Be Your Best Shot
Here’s the mindset shift:
Your backhand doesn’t need to win every point.
It needs to be good enough that your opponent can’t automatically target it.
Once you trust it, you’ll stop panicking when the ball comes to that side.
You’ll have more time to recover.
You’ll stay more balanced on the court.
And you’ll stop giving your opponent an easy strategy.
So the next time you see a ball heading toward your backhand, don’t immediately run away from it.
Set your feet. Prepare early. Trust the swing.
One backhand at a time.
That’s how a weakness starts becoming a weapon.
