Along the same lines of a forehand, the backhand is very similar. The difference between the two is instead of starting from the right side of your body and finishing over your left shoulder, you are starting from the left side and finishing over your right shoulder (saying you are right handed). The backhand can be one-handed or two-handed. Most beginning players prefer the two-handed because two hands makes it much easier to guide the ball than one. Now because the dominant hand "pulls" into the shot, the backhand lacks the power and consistency of the forehand, and is usually considered more difficuly to master.

One-Handed Backhand:

1. Allows greater reach for the ball.
2. Are able to hit low balls with more pace and penetration.
3. Are generally more powerful.
4. Lets players move into the net with greater ease.

Two-Handed Backhand:

5. Are easier to hit most high balls.
6. Can be hit with an open stance, where as one-handers usually have to have a closed stance.
7. Are more accurate, due to having two hands on the racquet.

How To Hit A Two-Handed Backhand:

1. Take your racquet to set your grip. Assuming you are right-handed, place your right hand on the top of the base of the racquet grip. Looking down at your hand, you will see a V from your thumb to pointer finger facing ground with the racquet face. Grip with your left hand just above the right hand, with the base of the left cradled against the right facing upward the sky.
2. As the ball is coming, bring the racquet back below your waist. Do this while you are moving into position with your feet. You want the racquet face starting below the level of the ball, so drop it as you bring it back, pointing it toward the ground.
3. As you swing toward the ball, feel your weight transfer from the back foot from the front foot. Maintain your balance and keep your feet grounded. As you shift your weight, you will impart power on the ball generated from your legs and hip rotation. As all this is happening, you are swinging your racquet from the low position through the ball.
4. To complete the shot, complete the transfer of weight to the front foot while your follow through curls around your head.