The Backhand Drive in Table Tennis
Updated: Apr 8, 2023
Layla Sun (Translated by Kyra Tsen)
The backhand drive is an attacking technique in table tennis which utilises a small amount of topspin. It is one of the basic strokes that beginners should master. It also forms the basis of more advanced backhand skills, such as the block, the loop, the flick, and the punch. If you fail to learn the backhand drive, you will find it more difficult later on when you try to block with your backhand or play a more aggressive topspin stroke. Furthermore, having a good backhand is essential in table tennis matches nowadays. Unlike 20 years ago when you were able to become a good player with only a one-wing style. But with new trends and the change of table tennis ball, the quality backhand shot has become more important.
Backhand Drive Step by Step
The backhand drive, like the forehand drive, can be viewed in four parts. This breakdown allows you to understand how you can master the technique step by step. The following explanation applies to right-handed players, while left-handed players do the opposite.
The Stance (Ready Position) : Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Bend your knees slightly and lean forward, with your arms out in front of you. For detailed instructions, please refer to The Ready Position of Table Tennis.
The Backswing: Before hitting the ball, bend your arms naturally at about 90 degree, and keep your racket slightly closed (face of the racket slightly facing the top of the table). Bring your racket back and down to the position in front of (slightly to the left) your belly button.
The Strike: When the ball approaches, the arm moves forwards, to meet the ball, and slightly up, to produce a little topspin. Your racket should be facing the direction of the ball and the racket angle remains closed throughout the shot. Utilize the opponent's force to hit the incoming ball forward.
The Finish (Follow Through) : Continue the movement of your stroke, and finish the backhand drive with your racket pointing towards the target. It is best to have your arm slightly bent instead of completely straight. Always return to the ready position after every shot.
Backhand Drive in Slow Motion
The following are slow motions clips of players using different types of grips to play a backhand drive. (For the introduction of different types of table tennis grips, refer to Three Types of Basic Table Tennis Grips: For Beginners)
1. Shakehand Grip | Chinese player Ma Long & Kong Linghui
Shakehand Grip Backhand Drive - Front View (Ma Long)
Shakehand Grip Backhand Drive - Side View (Kong Linghui)
2. Reverse Penhold Backhand Grip | Chinese player Wang Hao
Reverse Penhold Backhand Grip Backhand Drive - Front View
Reverse Penhold Backhand Grip Backhand Drive - Side View
3. Penhold Grip | South Korean player Ryu Seung Min
Penhold Grip Backhand Drive - Front View
Penhold Grip Backhand Drive - Side View
🔔 Reminder for Beginners Level
Read the following section regarding common errors and my suggestions for improving the backhand drive for more information.
Avoid Too much Wrist Movement
We suggest beginners avoid movement of your wrist when playing a backhand drive. Keep the details of the step-by-step movement in mind and play the backhand drive with a complete movement of the arm and body.
Common Grip Mistakes of the Beginners
Pay extra attention to your grip while playing the backhand drive. Many beginners who use the shakehand grip will make the following mistakes during their repetition practice - for example, the thumb unconsciously slides up to the center of the racket and the index finger is folded on the backhand side of the racket. It might seem easier to play backhand drive rally in that way, but on the other hand, using mainly the thumb to add power is actually very restricting (especially for adding spin). And the placement of the thumb and index finger will also make hitting any type of forehand stroke very uncomfortable and awkward.
Which Foot to Step Forward when Playing the Backhand Drive?
General speaking, since we are more coordinated using our dominant hand and foot, we will find it more stable to step the right foot forward during a backhand drive rally. We recommend that beginners take this step with the right foot when hitting the backhand in the early stages (for right handers). Further, when shifting from a backhand to a forehand, try to complete the full movement with a clear transfer of weight. This helps you establish the rhythm and timing of hitting the ball. Later, when you are more proficient and able to play stable and continuous rallies, you can try to play a backhand with your right foot slightly further backward than your left foot. (A demonstration of this practice can be seen in the video below.) Now your overall movement would be similar to those of the players, and you have laid a good foundation of weight transfer.
Backhand Drive Tutorial
Here's a short video for beginners where I demonstrate how to play a backhand drive and some ways to practice good weight transfer. You can watch it a couple of times and read this article again to capture the detailed information required to improve your practice. Find a partner and start to practice the backhand drive!
