Backspin
Backward rotation on a ball that makes it float, stay low, and check or stop on the bounce.
Definition
Backspin, or underspin, is rotation in which the bottom of the ball turns forward while the top spins back, against the direction of travel. It generates lift that keeps the ball in the air longer and produces a low, skidding bounce; on some surfaces it makes the ball check, stop, or even spin back toward the striker — notably a golf ball biting on a green.
It is produced by an open face moving high-to-low under the ball: the tennis slice, the table-tennis chop, the golf wedge shot. Players use backspin to slow the pace, keep the ball low and hard to attack, and gain stopping power on soft surfaces. It is the opposite of topspin and is the spin most associated with slices and chips.
Where you’ll hear “backspin”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Golf
A precision target sport played across an outdoor course, blending skill, strategy and a long walk in the open air.
Table Tennis
A fast, low-impact indoor racquet sport that sharpens reflexes and is easy to start.
Padel
A sociable, doubles-first racquet sport played in an enclosed court where the walls stay in play.
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Playing surfaces
- GrassNatural turf grown on soil — the traditional surface for many field sports and, in tennis, a fast court with a low, skiddy bounce.
- ClayA soft, granular racquet-sport surface of crushed brick, stone or shale that slows the ball, gives a high bounce and lets players slide into shots.
- Hard courtA rigid acrylic, concrete or asphalt court that gives a true, consistent, medium-paced bounce — the standard multi-use outdoor surface.
Techniques
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- VolleyA shot played near the net by blocking the ball out of the air before it bounces, using a short, firm punch rather than a full swing.
- Volleyball DigA defensive contact that keeps a hard-driven ball in play by passing it up off the forearms, usually from a low position.
- 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.
- Jump ShotA basketball shot released at the top of a vertical jump, letting the shooter get the ball over a defender with a soft, arcing release.
People
Movement patterns
- BackpedalControlled backward locomotion performed while facing forward, staying low and pushing off the balls of the feet in short strides to stay reactive and keep play in view.
- Shuffle (Lateral Shuffle)A low, athletic side-to-side stepping pattern in which the feet never cross, used to reposition and stay balanced and reactive while keeping the shoulders square to a target.
Equipment
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- Golf clubA shafted club with a specialised head used to strike the ball around a golf course.
- 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.
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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