How To Get Topspin On The Two Handed Backhand

Today I’m going to show you how to get more topspin on your two handed backhand. Getting easy topspin is something a lot of players struggle with, especially on the backhand side.

Luckily for you, there are five simple and powerful tips that can unlock that great spin you’ve been looking for.

Let’s take a further look at them.

Two Handed Backhand Grip

When I am coaching the two handed backhand, one of the first things I stress is using the right grip. In fact, there are a few variations on the two handed backhand grip. For instance, you can try to use a “strong” continental grip if you want to produce more spin.

This grip allows you to easily close the racquet face and brush up the back of the ball. You also can angle your hands, so that the trigger (index) finger is spread. Hence, you will have more feel in the hands and wrists.

Two Handed Backhand Swing Path

The swing path is another big key for creating easy topspin on your two handed backhand. You want to focus on swinging from low to high; therefore, your racquet head needs to drop below the ball.

Then, focus on swinging from low to high keeping your strings facing the net for as long as possible. As a result, you’ll be able to brush up the back of the ball with more confidence. Likewise, make sure to finish high above your shoulder to exaggerate this movement.

 Backhand Topspin Drill

There is a really powerful drill that can help you master this topspin swing path on the 2 handed backhand. First, get close to the net or the fence. Then, face it and swing up against it. Afterwards, focus on keeping your racquet face up against the fence or net for as long as possible.

This is called the Fence Drill or the Net Drill. It teaches you the feeling of keeping your strings facing the court for a longer period of time. This motion is crucial to producing the easy topspin you want.

Relax Your Hands For More Topspin

Another great tip to help you create easy topspin involves relaxing your hands at the end of your swing. Relaxation is key to all shots, especially when you want to hit topspin. Consequently, you need to learn how to use your wrists on the two handed backhand. If you don’t have loose hands, you won’t be able to produce much rotation on the ball.

In order to relax your hands properly, open your fingers at the end of your swing. Hold your finish and open your fingers, letting your racquet dangle more. This will remove all tension from your arms, and help you get that smooth topspin that you’re looking for.

Adjust Your Balance

If you still can’t figure out how to get topspin on the 2 handed backhand after trying the tips above, give this one a try. This little known tip could be just the trick for unlocking the right feeling required for generating topspin.

Focus on keeping your weight back when you’re hitting your 2 handed backhand. If you lean forward too much, you may block your hands from brushing up the back of the ball. This will prevent you from swinging low to high the way that is most efficient for hitting topspin. By keeping your body more upright, you’ll be able to swing up properly and create easy topspin.

There you have it, five powerful tips on how to get topspin on the 2 handed backhand. Now, your next step is to practice them consistently on the court. I’m confident that you’ll be able to fix your backhand topspin problems before you know it.

By Jeff Salzenstein, Founder Tennis Evolution

Jeff is a former top 100 ATP player and USTA high-performance coach committed to helping players and coaches all over the world improve.

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