Specialty Shots (Jumping Backhand)

You are playing someone who is tall, puts a lot of topspin on the ball and keeps hitting it to your backhand. The ball bounces up into the air and gets to you around your shoulders. You try to hit the ball into the air to get it back but it sets the tall guy up for more heavy spinning balls to your backhand. It’s time to be proactive. You jump in the air so that the ball is in your strike zone, then you hit a ball low into the court and the dynamic of the rally changes.

Some call it the scissor kick backhand. But if you like your backhand, this is the type of backhand addition that will put it on par with your forehand. It will help you hit higher backhands with more confidence and you will be able to hit balls that jam you by jumping sideways. It can be done with a one handed backhand as well. It is a bit of a flashy move but it works.

1. instead of taking a step across your body, lift your back leg forward as you backswing
2. As you move the racket forward the leg you lifted moves to the back in synch

Marat Safin (Russia). Former number one player. had a devastating backhand.

Since men are stronger than women typically, they do the scissor kick backhand a little better. Women usually bring the racket closer to their body for more strength. With that said, ANYONE can do this technique.