Racket Positioning

Hi Alois,

When you backhand, does your racket move a little to provide more wrist movement or is it supposed to be completely in place and in the same position as when you do a forehand stroke. For example, after I do a backhand topspin and i try to forehand, my racket is positioned differently in my hand and it's really weird. I think my racket's position moves a little as i bend my wrist more when i backhand. I'm unable to bend my wrist comfortably if i keep my racket in the position the same as my forehand, it kind of feels tense if I try to keep it in the same position. I believe when I backhand, my racket gets positioned into where only my thumb and pointer fingers are holding it, so when I forehand it's really off since my whole hand isn't really holding the racket. Am I able to just backhand with my racket changing position in my hand and adjusting it when i get back to my ready position or do I have to somehow train myself to backhand without the racket moving positions in my hand at all? Also, if I backhand and bend my wrist without the racket's position being changed in my hand, my elbow sticks all the way out and I'm unable to do my backhand stroke properly, please help! Thanks!

Hi Gabriel,

It sounds like your racket is moving too much.  Try to keep it in the same position but keep your hand more relaxed.  this will allow some flexibility with the bat.  Having the hand more relaxed will also allow you to use your wrist better and this will allow better strokes on both sides.

You need to make sure your fingers are still holding onto the handle of the racket as well otherwise you will lose control of the racket head and therefore your strokes.

Focus on relaxation in your finger, wrist, forearm and this will lead to more relaxation in the rest of your arm and a better stroke.