Backhand
A stroke played with the back of the hand facing the direction of the shot, on the opposite side to the racquet arm.
Definition
The backhand is the counterpart to the forehand in racquet sports such as tennis, table tennis, badminton and squash. It is played across the body on the non-dominant side, with the back of the hand leading through the swing, and can be hit with one or two hands depending on the sport and the player.
Many beginners find the backhand harder to control at first, so it is a common focus in practice. A reliable backhand lets a player cover both sides of the court and respond to shots aimed away from their stronger forehand.
Where you’ll hear “backhand”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Table Tennis
A fast, low-impact indoor racquet sport that sharpens reflexes and is easy to start.
Badminton
A fast indoor racquet sport played with a shuttlecock that rewards agility and touch.
Squash
A fast, high-intensity indoor racquet sport played inside an enclosed court where the walls stay in play.
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Equipment
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Table tennis batA small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- Badminton racketA lightweight strung racket used to hit the shuttlecock in badminton.
Skills
- Returning serveThe skill of reading and playing back an opponent’s serve to stay in the rally.
- RallyingThe skill of exchanging shots back and forth to build and win a point.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- BreaststrokeA swimming stroke using a symmetrical arm sweep and a frog-like kick, with the head lifting to breathe.
- Front crawlThe fastest swimming stroke, using alternating arm pulls and a flutter kick while face-down.
Techniques
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Table Tennis Forehand DriveA controlled attacking stroke in table tennis, played on the forehand side with a compact swing and light topspin.
- Tennis ServeThe overhead stroke that starts every point, hit from behind the baseline into the diagonally opposite service box.
- BackstrokeThe only competitive stroke swum on the back, using alternating overhead arm pulls and a steady flutter kick.
- Freestyle StrokeThe fastest swimming stroke, using alternating overhead arm pulls, a flutter kick and rhythmic side breathing.
Tactics
- Baseline playA patient tennis style built around rallying from the back of the court and constructing points with groundstrokes.
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Doubles formationHow a pair positions itself on court — one up, one back, or both at the net — to control space in doubles.
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.