Spread your arms for balance on your backhand

Spread your arms for balance on your backhand

Do you often find yourself either falling forward or leaning backward after you hit a backhand?  Chances are you're ignoring a critical aspect of a good backhand: balance.  If you're not properly balanced, you simply cannot execute the shot correctly, and you pay the price in accuracy. Take a tip from a tightrope walker.  As he makes his way across the wire, he keeps his arms spread to maintain perfect balance.  Do the same when you hit your backhand.  Once you begin your swing, your nonracquet arm should swing out in the opposite direction from your point of contact.  As you finish the stroke, both arms should be extended equally from the shoulders, with your weight on your front foot.  By maintaining better balance, you'll have better control on the backhand, which could lift your game to new heights.