This exercise prepares the active function of the second hand in the two-handed backhand. The racket is guided with the non-dominant hand – for right-handers, with the left hand. The opposite person feeds the ball in a controlled way.
After the bounce, the ball is pinned between the free hand and the string bed. It is then dropped in front of the body. After another bounce, the ball is played back to the partner with a short, controlled forehand movement of the non-dominant hand.
The pinning and the subsequent stroke are initially two clearly separate actions. This leaves time to organize the distance to the ball and prepare the return shot. The focus is on a centered contact in the string bed, a contact point in front of the body, and controlled racket movement forward. For right-handers, the movement corresponds to a left-hander’s forehand and therefore prepares the later function of the upper hand in the two-handed backhand.
Training Goal
- Use the non-dominant hand as the active hitting hand
- Pin the ball in a controlled way between the free hand and the string bed
- Organize distance and contact point in front of the body
- Strike the self-dropped ball in a controlled way after the bounce
- Prepare the function of the upper hand in the two-handed backhand
Coaching Keys
- Guide the racket with the second hand: The non-dominant hand takes over the stroke movement. The free hand supports the pinning.
- First pin securely: After the bounce, take the ball as centrally as possible between the hand and the string bed.
- Drop it in front of the body: Release the ball so that there is enough space for the stroke after the second bounce.
- Play short and forward: Execute a compact movement with controlled racket guidance to the partner.
- Return it softly: Dose the pace so the partner can reach the ball well and prepare the next repetition.
Possible Corrections
The ball is not hit centrally when pinning:
Simplify the feed method and toss the ball more slowly. Use small adjustment steps to get into a favorable position to the ball.
The pinning is skipped:
First separate the sequence deliberately: pin, control briefly, drop it, and after the bounce play it back. Direct return play only comes as the next progression.
The ball is dropped too close to the body:
Release the ball farther in front and adjust the distance before the stroke with small steps.
The ball is thrown instead of played with the racket:
After pinning, simply let the ball drop. Only after ground contact does the stroke movement with the non-dominant hand follow.
The stroke movement becomes too big or too hectic:
Reduce the backswing movement and let the ball bounce calmly. Guide the racket forward in a controlled way.
The ball is played back too hard:
Reduce the stroke pace and choose a target area that is easy for the partner to reach. Control and a centered contact are the priority.
Progressive Build-Up
1. Secure the pinning
Pin the fed ball between the free hand and the string bed after the bounce. Distance and centered control are the focus.
2. Pin, drop, and return
After pinning, let the ball drop in front of the body. After the second bounce, play it back to the partner in a controlled way with the non-dominant hand.
3. Play directly after the bounce
The pinning is omitted. After the bounce, the fed ball is returned directly with a short forehand movement of the non-dominant hand.
4. Add the dominant hand
Add the dominant hand at the lower part of the grip. The non-dominant hand is positioned above it and brings the movement developed earlier into the two-handed backhand.
5. Apply the two-handed backhand in a cooperative rally
Develop a calm rally from a controlled feed. Choose distance and pace so that contact point and racket guidance can still be controlled securely.
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