The backhand is one of two vital ground strokes (the forehand is the other) in tennis and is usually executed from the baseline. Here are the fundamentals which provide the proper way to hit a backhand.
(Step 1)
Shoulder turn and racket preparation
Prepare the racket with a shoulder turn and try to get away from taking the racket back without a shoulder turn. The end of the racket should be pointing toward the target and the racket face should be pointing down.
(Step 2)
Contact point
Drop the racket head on forward swing and have consistent contact in front of the body, or even with the front foot.
(Step 3)
Follow through
Swing the racket toward the target with an emphasis on left arm extension (for right-handed players).
(Step 4)
Finish
Keep the left elbow high and pointed at the target. The racket should end up over the right shoulder (for right-handed players).
Demonstrating each step is Elmhurst resident Stephanie Ruff, who will be a senior at Nazareth Academy this fall.
Source: Greg Spencer, tennis professional for Courts Plus in Elmhurst
photos.chicagosuburbannews.com/298636 Staff photo by Kate Dougherty