Week 2 – Backhands (2 – 8 July)
Beginners
Course – Theme: Introduction to game/matchplay
Key Teaching points:
(a) Unit turn to position racket – turn toes and sholders to prepare the racket (rather than making a big arm movement)
(b) Correct backhand contact point - in front and with space to the side of the body
(c) Contact to extension – Compact forehand (abbreviated backswing) with essential extension forward lifting (waving) racket above the hand after impact
(d) Lengthen backswing ensuring butt of the racket facing ball prior to entering impact zone
Improvers
Course – Theme: Combination Hitting
Overview all TPs from previous lessons.
(e) Reading and reacting
(f) Added backhand shape is used (longer backswing at unit turn stage)
(g) Balance to the ball and recovery step used – FLOW
(h) Continuous shoulder and hip rotation should be becoming ingrained in the swings with an easy outside leg recovery position achieved (balanced!)
Intermediate
Course – Theme: Combination Hitting
Overview above key teaching points throughout the entire sessions. Added TP’s
(i) Essential backswing shape and footwork achieved with BALANCED (FLOW) movement skills
(j) Offensive shots played with variety of footwork patterns – Neutral and offensive backhands –Neutral – back leg ends up at the side of body, offensive back leg ends up forward/in front of body.
(k) Shot selection – when neutral- hitting with authority at realistic pace, when defensive – using correct footwork to maintain a balanced response (groundstrokes and volleys)
Advanced
Course – Theme: Hitting patterns and Footwork Patterns(Advanced)
(l) Understanding where on the court and what type of Backhands you like to receive from your opponent (strength)
(m) Understanding where on the court and what type of Backhand you struggle to receive from your opponent (weakness)
(n) How does this compare in a point situation?
(o) What pattern of play will lead to you using your strengths and what pattern will expose your weaknesses.
(p) What footwork patterns do you already know? Learn to use patterns that will help develop strengths and cover weaknesses.
Technique – the way you use your racket and body to execute the shot
Technical skill – the ability you have to make the ball do something in a given situation and time
Tactical decisions – that you make in relation to the four on court awareness elements Self – Ball – Court – Opponent (Advanced)
Lesson Plans
Beginner Lesson Program:
1. Backhand Tap-tap rallying for control (contact point explained )
2. Backhand progressions – Contact point – contact with extension – backswing, contact and extension
3. Rallying/modified rallying with ‘compact swings’ and full backswings
4. Rallying games and Gameplay
Weekly Clinic – Theme: Backhand basics as above
Improver Lesson Program:
1. Backhand rallying (spin used for control)
2. Backhand progressions – Unit turn – backswing shape, correct contact with extension
3. Rallying/modified rallying with full shape and and increasingly harder movement
4. Gameplay using correct technique
Weekly Clinic: As above
Intermediate Lesson Program:
1. Short court hitting with correct space and lifting the racket to position with spin and feel on Backhand practicing moving the ball around the box
2. Backhand progressions – Unit turn – backswing shape, correct contact with extension
3. Variation backhands – Neutral and short backhand differences
4. Rallying/modified rallying with full shape and increasingly harder movement
5. Gameplay using correct technique and shot selection
Weekly Clinic – Theme: As above
Advanced Lesson Program:
1. Competitive warm up – using backhands
2. Backhand players own analysis along with coach – strengths and weaknesses
3. Backhand hitting drill
4. Forehand Recap (remembering what was worked on for forehands) – combining this with the backhand they are now focusing on
5. Proceed to more open playing environment drill
6. Execution under match/game play conditions
