How To Play Racquetball - Backhand Stroke Mechanics

[Mikehawks92]

I have alot of backhand problems in general I beg for it to be as good as my forehand

[racquetballtim]

@Mikehawks92 Put down your racquet and pick up a frisbee. Take the frisbee on the court and practice throwing it down the wall on the backhand side. Work on rotating your hips all the way through, flat and level, the frisbee should be straight and parallel to the ground.

Once you master this, pick up your racquet and use the same mechanics on your backhand. Flat and level, parallel to the floor.

Let me know how it goes!

[subway394]

This is the best video on backhand shot! 

[702sincitylv]

I want to learn how to play racquetball. I wish I could meet tim.

[racquetballtim]

@702sincitylv Well I live right here in Vegas so drop me an email any time if you'd like some racquetball lessons. My email is on my website or in my YouTube profile.

It's one of the best sports for beginners to play because it's incredibly fun and inexpensive to start.

[702sincitylv]

@racquetballtim ok that's cool, I also live in vegas on the east side a few blocks away from LVHS.

[perroncho3]

Great pointers! Thank you

[racquetballtim]

@perroncho3 You're welcome.

[armatold]

also havent heard from you i a while

[armatold]

i have been having an issue when i try to execute spats and pinches, both in practice and on game. i let the ball come to behind my foot almonst entering my hips area before i swing, but it seems i anyways drag the ball and send it DTL. otherwise i just send the ball to the floor imediately after it hits the side wall. help

[racquetballtim]

If you're swinging flat and level, you should start with a basic down the line shot. This is your default shot that you should build your other shots around. Hit a DTL with the contact at your lead foot, full extension. Hit 3 or 4 good ones, and then simply drop the ball further back in your stance, and take the EXACT same swing.

You'll hit a pinch or splat (depending on how close you are to the side wall). If you want to hit a cross court, drop the ball further FORWARD from your DTL.

[racquetballtim]

People make the mistake of "altering" their swing, and mechanics when hitting different shots. Check out my "contact points" video to see what I mean. You take the exact same swing for each shot, with the only difference being the contact point.

This will add deception AND consistency to your shots. For example, some people step toward the side wall (forehand) when hitting a pinch or splat. Easy to read, and it blocks off your hip rotation.

Remember, same swing, different contact point.

[armatold]

question: is you shot flat and level at chest high, how did the ball come down?

[racquetballtim]

I think what might be a bit confusing is the terminology "flat and level". It's impossible to keep your racquet completely parallel to the floor on every shot. It will be slightly angled down, or even up in some cases.

The key is to contact the ball AWAY from your body so that your swing is "flat" without any loops in it.

And when I say level, I don't mean 100% parallel to the floor, although in some cases that's what happens. You want to be as level as you can as much as you can.

[racquetballtim]

A good way to practice this type of swing is to look at the horizontal line where the front wall meets the floor. Try to keep swing and follow through travelling as close to that line path as possible.

If the ball is low in your hitting zone, you'll need to bend your knees more to do this, so that the racquet stays "flat" throughout the stroke. Otherwise it's pendulum.

Does that clear it up a bit for you?

[armatold]

yeah definitely, thanks.

[xmm2006mm2006x]

I cant get volume on this computer...do you discuss the use of your non-racquet hand...if you dont place it in front of you, you can not hit a good back hand...you agree? Someone just should be how to really hit a hard backhand and that was the first lesson. great video as usual!

[racquetballtim]

Thanks for the question and feedback. Yes, I discuss the non-hitting hand and how it's important to touch the back wall to find out where you are on the court. This lets you know if you have to go up to the ceiling with the ball, take it early, or take it off the back wall.

What you're talking about is the use of the non-hitting hand in relation to the swing itself. It's an extremely important aspect of the swing, and I'm going to reply again below so I have more space.

[racquetballtim]

The non-hitting hand (or arm) is so important to racquetball that I always cringe when I see players only stretching and warming up their hitting arm. They both play a role and should both be ready before you play.

On the backhand my non-hitting hand is used for balance and stability. It's a guide that I use to line up my racket and begin my swing. I don't necessarily agree that you can't hit a good backhand without having it in front of you, but it IS very important to the mechanics.

[joepaul365]

Tim great video, you always make it look so easy and with so litte effort. I can only imagine what mine will look like. See you on the court Monday.

[racquetballtim]

Thanks Joe. Have a great holiday and I'll see you on Monday.

[armatold]

So, flat is good, pendulum is bad? and is my arm supposed to be at full extention? my coach say it should be slightly bent, otherwise the shot is mostly arm an no rotation. please some help and advice

[racquetballtim]

Flat and level is what I recommend. In every sport there will be conflicting opinions on what is right, even from various instructors. I've learned from Fran Davis and Jason Mannino, 2 of the best instructors and racquetball players ever, and they teach the flat and level stroke.

Full extension is what allows baseball players to hit home runs, and in racquetball it gives us maximum power through the hitting zone.

[racquetballtim]

Oh, and armatold...I'm still waiting for the video of your backhand. 8-) You wanted me to review it. Let me know when it's up, and I'll take a look.

You'll be hitting harder and more accurately in no time.

Take care.

[armatold]

True, i will be taping it, and sendingit to you by Wednesday.

Happy Holidays

[armatold]

so is a pendulum swing bad?

[racquetballtim]

No, it's not bad. In fact there are some top players on tour right now who swing slightly pendulum. They've been playing a long time and that's what they were taught, so they've mastered it over time.

The flat and level swing gives you much more room for error. When you swing flat and miss, you miss side to side, and still hit the front wall. Pendulum swingers miss up and down, which leads to skips or shots that are way too high.

The pendulum swing requires exact timing.

Take care.

[1scottbird]

Thanks for sharing. But, I need more videos. They have helped a lot.

[racquetballtim]

You're very welcome. I need more time to make them. Between playing, teaching, and raising 2 amazing kids, video editing sometimes takes the back seat.

I'll definitely be making more though, and now that you've subscribed you'll get the direct email notification.

Take care.

[xmm2006mm2006x]

does your opponent ever get upset from these videos? You always seem to be spanking him is why I ask.

[racquetballtim]

LOL! He's actually a 16 year old Junior and is becoming increasingly difficult to beat. He's very fast, hits super hard, and has taken plenty of games off me.

But hey, this is my account so I get to show MY highlights, not HIS. LOL.

Thanks for the support. Take care.

[xmm2006mm2006x]

Nice video! Thanks again Tim.