Backhand Smash

[KennyNguyen]

What should I do when I have a chance to perform a backhand smash? I'm not sure whether to use a continental grip or a semiwestern backhand grip. I haven't tried it a lot, but it seems like a semiwestern backhand grip for a backhand smash is more like the continental grip you would use on a forehand smash, but a continental grip is what you would have already when at the net, so it would be faster. My coach jokingly said I should just run around it, but I think it's possible. Thanks for any help.

I tried to make the post understandable, tell me if it's not. Thanks again.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Movement is crucial:

- drop your weight (as you do after a split-step), this will allow you to move faster and pivot easily
- load your right foot (but keep it on its ball/toes, in order to pivot easily)
- pivot immediately on your right foot and get back your left foot
- then start shuffle or crossover steps, while keeping the ball at all times in your sight and on the side of your right shoulder
- keep the racket in both hands (this is something different from what I recommend on the FH overhead)

moving sideways allows you to be faster than moving backwards

Now this is something which might be peculiar to the way I'm teaching this:

right before hitting the ball, prepare by raising the racket to your left shoulder; I think its tip being towards the ground and the handle being upwards will help; thus the racket is ready and armed in your hands, but hanging upside down; this puts some muscle tension in your right shoulder in order to store some energy

hit low to high from that position, going for a time with the buttcap towards the ball, then bringing the racket face to contact by the action of your right shoulder and arm, explode with your legs too

you need a strong right shoulder; use surgical tape and weights to condition it.