Racquetball Tutorials
-Forehand Grip, Backhand Grip, Stroke Mechanics
Similar to some other racquet sports, the way a player holds the racquet for the forehand differs slightly than that of the backhand. This is because of where your hitting arm is situated for each type of stroke.
On a forehand shot your hitting arm is closest to the back wall, while on the backhand it is closest to the front wall. However, the contact point for each stroke remains the same. When you hit a forehand shot your hitting arm has to reach all the way across your body in order to reach the contact point. But, when you hit a backhand the contact point is directly in front of your hitting arm. It is for this reason that the grip must change. Otherwise the angle of the racquet would be incorrect at contact point.
Many new players ask how it is possible to switch from the forehand grip to the backhand grip during a fast paced game such as racquetball. While it is not necessarily easy to do so for beginners, over time and with practice it becomes a very natural transition that you won’t even have to consciously think about.
On a forehand shot your hitting arm is closest to the back wall, while on the backhand it is closest to the front wall. However, the contact point for each stroke remains the same. When you hit a forehand shot your hitting arm has to reach all the way across your body in order to reach the contact point. But, when you hit a backhand the contact point is directly in front of your hitting arm. It is for this reason that the grip must change. Otherwise the angle of the racquet would be incorrect at contact point.
Many new players ask how it is possible to switch from the forehand grip to the backhand grip during a fast paced game such as racquetball. While it is not necessarily easy to do so for beginners, over time and with practice it becomes a very natural transition that you won’t even have to consciously think about.
Forehand Grip
The forehand grip is very easy to learn. Simply hold the racquet’s handle in the same manner as you would reach out and shake someone’s hand. Then just curl your fingers around the racquet.
If you’ve done it properly there will be a slight space between your fingers and meaty part of your palm. If the fingers are touching the palm you may want to consider a larger grip. Grips typically come in two sizes: 3 5/8 and 3 7/8.
Hold the grip at the base of your fingers, not deep in your palm. This gives you more maneuverability and wrist action.
If you’ve done it properly there will be a slight space between your fingers and meaty part of your palm. If the fingers are touching the palm you may want to consider a larger grip. Grips typically come in two sizes: 3 5/8 and 3 7/8.
Hold the grip at the base of your fingers, not deep in your palm. This gives you more maneuverability and wrist action.
V Shape
There should also be a “V” shape on the racquet grip between your thumb and index finger. The end of your thumb should rest on the tips of your fingers between the middle and index finger.
The index finger is the “trigger” part of the grip and is located highest on the racquet
The index finger is the “trigger” part of the grip and is located highest on the racquet
Angle of Racquet - No Hammer Grip
Try to grip the racquet as low as possible without moving your fingers off the handle. This lengthens the part of the racquet that isn’t in your hand.
If you “choke up” on the racquet (hold it higher and toward the strings) you will lose power. However, it is often beneficial to choke up during certain serves. (See the section on lob serves for more information).
Notice the racquet is angled away from the hand. If the racquet is angled up (90 degrees) and it perpendicular to your arm, you are holding a "hammer" grip, which makes it more difficult to swing flat and level. When you extend your arm away from your body, ensure that you are not holding the hammer grip.
If you “choke up” on the racquet (hold it higher and toward the strings) you will lose power. However, it is often beneficial to choke up during certain serves. (See the section on lob serves for more information).
Notice the racquet is angled away from the hand. If the racquet is angled up (90 degrees) and it perpendicular to your arm, you are holding a "hammer" grip, which makes it more difficult to swing flat and level. When you extend your arm away from your body, ensure that you are not holding the hammer grip.
Backhand Grip
The backhand grip is easy to learn but hard to master. First grip your racquet in the proper forehand grip as previously mentioned.
To properly grip the racquet in the backhand grip you need to turn the racquet 1/8 of an inch clockwise. This is done by slightly releasing your grip on the handle and rotating the racquet. Do not move your hand while doing this, only the racquet. Once the racquet has been turned 1/8 of an inch, reassume your grip on the handle.
To properly grip the racquet in the backhand grip you need to turn the racquet 1/8 of an inch clockwise. This is done by slightly releasing your grip on the handle and rotating the racquet. Do not move your hand while doing this, only the racquet. Once the racquet has been turned 1/8 of an inch, reassume your grip on the handle.
Proper Angle of Racquet
If you hold out your arm to full extension the racquet will now be slightly angled toward the ground. This is the proper backhand grip.
Note: Some players, including myself, find it beneficial to turn the racquet slightly more or less than 1/8 of an inch in order to keep the racquet square at contact point. This is just a general number that is used as a guide.
Note: Some players, including myself, find it beneficial to turn the racquet slightly more or less than 1/8 of an inch in order to keep the racquet square at contact point. This is just a general number that is used as a guide.
Forehand Stroke Mechanics
Having good stroke mechanics in racquetball is such a huge advantage due to the nature of the game. At certain points in any rally you will have an opportunity to end the rally with a properly executed shot. If you have good stroke mechanics, this opportunity will be much easier to execute consistently.
Poor stroke mechanics will lead to missed opportunities, longer rallies and more chances for your opponent.
At its basic level, racquetball is a game where you hit shots that force your opponent to hit weak returns and give you the opportunity to end the rally with a kill or pass. Having proper stroke mechanics is the key to making this happen.
Poor stroke mechanics will lead to missed opportunities, longer rallies and more chances for your opponent.
At its basic level, racquetball is a game where you hit shots that force your opponent to hit weak returns and give you the opportunity to end the rally with a kill or pass. Having proper stroke mechanics is the key to making this happen.
Baseball Comparison
There is a strong comparison with the racquetball forehand and a baseball swing. Take a look at this picture of myself and Albert Pujols, the All-Star baseball player from Major League Baseball. (click for larger view)
Notice the hips fully rotated at the point of contact. Hip rotation is one of the best ways to generate power in your swing. Baseball players drive their hips through the zone as their bat lags behind, snapping through the zone at the last second. This is very similar to the whipping motion that racquetball players use with their forehands. The hips rotate as the racquet lags behind, snapping through the zone at the last second for maximum power. It's very much like cracking a whip, the larger portion of the whip leading the way as the smaller portion lags behind, snapping through in the end.
Notice the hips fully rotated at the point of contact. Hip rotation is one of the best ways to generate power in your swing. Baseball players drive their hips through the zone as their bat lags behind, snapping through the zone at the last second. This is very similar to the whipping motion that racquetball players use with their forehands. The hips rotate as the racquet lags behind, snapping through the zone at the last second for maximum power. It's very much like cracking a whip, the larger portion of the whip leading the way as the smaller portion lags behind, snapping through in the end.
- Stand facing the side wall with your hitting arm closest to the back wall (so you hit the ball toward the front wall). Your feet should be a little more than shoulder width apart, and your knees should be a little more than slightly bent. Your feet, knees hips and shoulders should all be square to the side wall.
- Elevate your arm to the ready position. To do so, hold your racquet up level with your elbow which should also be level with your shoulder. From an overhead view your forearm and upper arm should be perpendicular. Make sure you hold the racquet straight up in the air.
- Your left arm should be in front of you and somewhat relaxed. It is an important function of the overall swing so don’t take it for granted.
- To begin the swing from the forehand side take a short step with your lead foot directly toward the front wall. As your foot lands the swing motion will begin. You do this by leading with the elbow of your racquet hand. It is important that the elbow leads into the swing to ensure proper power and control. The wrist lags behind slightly as your elbow maintains its momentum toward the hitting zone.
- As you continue the swinging motion your hips should be rotating and your back foot should pivot. Try to imagine that you are squishing an insect with your back foot.
- Also happening simultaneously to the motion of the racquet is your non-hitting arm is “pulling” you forward. Imagine that you are moving a pesky bush out of the way with it. Do not bring your non-hitting arm up to your chest as you swing. This is a very common error.
- Continue leading with your elbow as you approach the contact point. The contact point for a straight-in shot (directly toward the front wall) from the forehand side is exactly off your front foot and full extension away from your body. Just before you reach the contact point snap your forearm and wrist through the hitting zone and follow all the way through so that your racquet is wrapped around your torso and pointing toward the back wall. Try to contact the ball at a height that is below your knee.
- You should finish the swing with your belly button facing the front wall, and your upright torso directly over the ground between your front and back legs, evenly distributing your weight.
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Forehand Stroke VideoHere is a video example of the forehand stroke that I've outlined for you.
Notice how I contact the ball at full extension away from my body. This is absolutely paramount to achieve maximum power and a flat swing. |
Backhand Stroke Mechanics
Having a good backhand in racquetball is what separates the average player from the best players. When you play against someone with a good backhand it becomes extremely difficult to decide where to hit the ball to them, where to serve and where to hit ceiling shots.
Against weaker players it's easy to exploit the left side of the court, knowing they will give you weak returns due to their weak backhands. But against players with strong backhands your options are much more limited. Wouldn't you rather be that player that people feared? Read on my friend...
Against weaker players it's easy to exploit the left side of the court, knowing they will give you weak returns due to their weak backhands. But against players with strong backhands your options are much more limited. Wouldn't you rather be that player that people feared? Read on my friend...
- Stand facing the side wall with your hitting arm closest to the front wall (so you hit the ball toward the front wall). Your feet should be shoulder width apart, and your knees should be a little more than slightly bent. Your feet, knees hips and shoulders should all be square to the side wall.
- Elevate your arm to the ready position. To do so, hold your racquet arm up in front of your torso, your forearm slightly inclined toward the back wall. Make sure you hold the racquet straight up in the air. Do not curl your wrist. Your non-hitting arm should be slightly relaxed.
- To begin the swing from the backhand side you take a short step with your lead foot at a 45 degree angle to front wall. As your foot lands the swing motion will begin. You do this by leading with the elbow and shoulder of your racquet hand. The wrist lags behind slightly as your arm maintains it’s momentum toward the hitting zone.
- As you continue the swinging motion your hips should be rotating and your back foot should pivot. Try to imagine that you are squishing an insect with your back foot.
- As you approach the contact point your wrist and racquet will snap forward. The contact point for a straight-in shot (directly toward the front wall) from the backhand side is exactly off your front foot and full extension away from your body. As your racquet snaps through the hitting zone follow all the way through so that your belly button is facing the front wall and your racquet is pointing toward the back wall.
- You should finish the swing with your upright torso directly over the ground between your front and back legs, evenly distributing your weight.
It is important to understand your follow through and what it can mean. For example, if you follow through your swing and finish with your racquet arm high in the air, you didn't swing level (parallel to the ground). That is, you swung your racquet down toward the ground and followed through up toward the ceiling. This is commonly known as a pendulum swing. A pendulum swing keeps your racquet in the hitting zone only for a short time and can lead to a high amount of inconsistency. Always swing level.
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Backhand Stroke VideoHere is a video example of backhand stroke mechanics in action.
This video covers the splat shot from deep in the court. |
