Playing Short Balls With a Two-Handed Backhand Drill

One of the problems that players with two-handed backhands face is their inability to play short balls offensively.

Because the ball is often farther out in front of them and is hit at a lower contact point, players with two-handed backhands often attempt to either hit the ball with slice, or use their two-handed shot to get under the ball and flip it up.

In either case, this produces an error or a weak ball which allows opponents can attack. If you ask your players with two-handed backhands why shorts balls are so difficult for them, they will inevitably begin to discuss the different grip or stroke mechanics these types of balls require them to use. Your simple answer as their coach should be, “Then don’t play short balls in front of you!”

Explain to your players that except for drop shots or balls hit with short angles when they are on the other side of the court, most short balls can be played using the same mechanics the player uses from the baseline, if the player learns to position herself better for these shots.

You and your player will notice that many players with two-handed backhands simply attempt to get in front of and behind the ball, but not into and to the side of the ball. This results in players either getting too close to the ball, or trying to hit the shot with outstretched arms.

One problem for players with two-handed backhands is that they are often baseliners who are not willing to move too far forward, and so they hit balls from a position that allows them to get back easily (and therefore precludes the player from moving into a shot).

The simple drill that follows will not only help your players with two-handed backhands play short balls better, but will also help your team members practice taking advantage of opponents with two-handed backhands who don’t know how to play short balls.

Step #1 — Feeding from the service line or deeper, feed deep balls to player with two-handed backhands to warm up their backhands. Prior to beginning the drill, do not discuss with the player any mechanics or discussion of footwork and positioning. Simply tell players, “We’re going to work on helping you learn to play short balls to your backhand.”

Step #2 — After approximately six or more feeds, begin throwing in short balls to see how the player plays these. Feed a ball deep and to the player’s forehand, then feed a ball short and crosscourt to make the player run both sideways and forward. Make the feeds realistic, with players returning to the center of the court after each stroke, just as in a match. If you (or other teams members feeding) have the control, feed from your baseline to theirs.

Step #3 — If players with two-handed backhands are having trouble with short balls, ask them to explain why. If they discuss mechanics and grips, explain to them the role of positioning when hitting groundstrokes, and that this is their problem. They will immediately see that the reason they are changing grips and strokes is that the ball is either too far out in front of them, or too close to their bodies.

Step #4 — Have players go back to the baseline and feed them six or more deep balls, this time having them observe their position to the ball on the normal, deep groundstrokes, as well as contact height.

Step #5 — Begin feeding players only short balls which they take from a starting position at the baseline. Have players now play the shots, attempting to duplicate the positioning and bounce height that they normally use, if possible. Feed balls until the player begins to make the positioning adjustment and begins hitting the ball in the same way they do from the baseline.

Tell players to attack the net after hitting the short ball to ensure that they get into proper position to hit short balls. This will eliminate the major problem associated with hitting short balls: not getting close enough to the ball and letting the ball play you, because you are eager to get back to the baseline.

Step #6 — Begin alternating feeds, with deep forehand and backhands interspersed with short balls to the backhand.

At the high school level, players should either be looking to force errors or to produce short balls which they can attack. Working on playing short balls in practice will pay huge dividends for players in matches, by turning a once-defensive situation into an opportunity to bring a devastating weapon into play.