You’ve found it: the backhand that lands short, floats under pressure, or suddenly sprays wide when the rally gets fast. Now comes the fun part—not hitting every ball there and hoping for a mistake, but building a point that makes that weakness impossible to hide. A smart singles player turns an opponent’s vulnerable backhand into a map: where to serve, how to shape the rally, and exactly when to attack the open court.
The key is patience with a purpose. If you keep feeding the same ball to the same spot, a decent opponent can adjust—or use your predictability against you. Instead, test the backhand, learn what kind of ball troubles it, then use that information to take control. Here’s how to do it without turning your match into a one-dimensional backhand drill.
First, find the backhand that actually breaks down
“Weak backhand” can mean several different things. One player may struggle with high, heavy topspin. Another may handle pace but miss when stretched wide. A third may have a solid two-handed drive yet dislike low slices or short balls. Your first few games are reconnaissance. Pay attention to the quality of the reply, not just whether the shot goes in.
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Watch the contact point. Does your opponent make contact late, jammed close to the body, or with the ball dropping below the knees?
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Notice the recovery. After a backhand, do they regain the middle quickly—or stay leaning, stumble, or leave the next ball exposed?
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Look for a change in technique. A defensive slice, a rushed block, or a sudden attempt to run around the backhand can reveal discomfort, especially if it happens repeatedly.
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Compare situations. A backhand may look reliable in a relaxed rally and fall apart when your shot arrives deep, close to the sideline, or at an awkward height.
Don’t label a shot weak because of one miss. Look for a repeatable pattern across several points. A useful scouting question is: “What ball makes this player’s backhand produce a shorter or less accurate reply?” That answer is far more valuable than simply deciding to hit there all day.
Build the rally around the right backhand target
Once you have a clue, choose a pattern that brings out the problem. Crosscourt is often a dependable starting point: the diagonal gives you more court to work with, and the ball can travel safely over the middle of the net. But the goal isn’t to admire your own crosscourt rally. It’s to make the opponent hit a backhand that lands short, sits up, or opens the court.
Use height, spin, depth, and direction as separate tools. A heavy, high ball can push a player back and make a one-handed backhand especially uncomfortable. A low slice can force a player to lift from below the net. A flatter, faster ball may rush someone who needs time to set up. Try one change at a time so you can tell what is working.
Depth matters just as much as direction. A safe-looking ball that lands near the service line may let your opponent step in and take the backhand early. Aim to push them behind the baseline or stretch them toward a sideline. If your shot is short, recover quickly: you may have just offered them an easy attack.
Use serve patterns to start on your terms
The serve can create the first backhand before the rally even begins. Against a right-handed opponent, a serve toward the backhand side can be useful when it pulls them wide or jams their body. But don’t treat “serve to the backhand” as a magic phrase. A serve that lands comfortably in the strike zone may let them tee off on the very shot you hoped to exploit.
Mix the location, speed, and spin. A wide serve can stretch the backhand; a body serve can take away a clean swing; a kick serve can push the contact point higher. Then be ready for the next ball. If the return comes back short, attack the open court rather than automatically repeating the same direction.
For example, a right-hander serving from the ad court might pull a right-handed returner toward the backhand corner, then use the next forehand to the opposite side. A left-handed server can create different angles, so adjust the pattern to the players’ handedness and the court side. Think “serve, read, respond,” not “serve and guess.”
Change direction at the right moment
The classic pattern is to rally crosscourt into the backhand, then change direction when the ball is short enough to attack. That final condition is crucial. Trying to redirect a deep, fast ball from a stretched position is a great way to donate an error. Wait for a ball you can reach in balance, then send it down the line or into the space your opponent has just abandoned.
After changing direction, recover toward the likely reply—not blindly to the center mark. If you hit down the line, your opponent has a sharper angle crosscourt. Be prepared to move. The attacking shot is only half the play; your positioning determines whether you can handle the counter.
A useful point pattern might look like this: deep crosscourt to the backhand, another ball with extra height, then a shorter ball into the same corner. If the opponent replies short, step in and go to the open side. You have made them defend two different depths before asking them to cover the full court.
Choose the pattern that fits the weakness
| Backhand problem you notice | Ball to test it | What to look for next |
|---|---|---|
| Struggles with high contact | Deep, heavy topspin | A shorter reply, late contact, or a defensive shot |
| Struggles when stretched | Wide crosscourt ball with safe height | A weak reply or slow recovery toward the middle |
| Struggles with low contact | Low slice, followed by a deep ball | A floating lift, a short ball, or difficulty changing direction |
| Gets rushed by pace | Firm, deep ball near the body or backhand hip | A jammed block, reduced control, or a ball left short |
These are starting points, not rules. Some players love pace and hate spin; others use a slice brilliantly when stretched. If your chosen ball keeps producing a confident attack, stop feeding it. The plan is to exploit a weakness, not to prove you were right about it.
Stay unpredictable—and protect your own court
Repeatedly targeting the backhand can be effective, but a visible pattern gives your opponent a chance to camp on that side or run around the ball to hit a forehand. Change the height, depth, and angle. Occasionally send a neutral ball elsewhere, then return to the backhand when they’re less prepared. A small variation can make a familiar pattern dangerous again.
Also notice what your target leaves open. If you pull your opponent wide to the backhand, the opposite side may be exposed—but they may also be able to redirect down the line. Recover with that possibility in mind. And if you’re dragged wide yourself, prioritize a high, deep defensive reply over a low-percentage attempt at a winner. You can restart the pattern once you’re back in the point.
This approach echoes a familiar feature of elite tennis: players build points by applying pressure to a preferred target, then attack the space that pressure creates. Heavy forehands into a one-handed backhand, for instance, have long been a recognizable pattern at the highest level. But elite players also adapt when an opponent counters it. Copy the idea, not a professional’s exact shot choices; your own speed, spin, and control should shape the tactic.
Make the adjustment during the match
Give yourself a simple between-points checklist: Which backhand ball caused trouble? Was the reply short, defensive, or inaccurate? What is my next safe pattern? This keeps you focused on evidence rather than frustration. If the opponent starts improving, change the recipe: aim deeper, add height, use the slice, or serve to a different location before attacking the backhand again.
At recreational and club level, consistency often beats a complicated plan. Pick one reliable rally ball, one variation, and one clear attacking trigger. For example: heavy crosscourt until the reply lands short; then move forward and attack the open court. A simple plan you can repeat under pressure is better than a clever pattern you can’t execute when the score tightens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hit to my opponent’s backhand on every shot?
No. Repetition can help establish pressure, but it can also make you predictable. Test the backhand, vary the ball, and use the open court when the reply gives you a good chance to attack.
What if my opponent runs around the backhand?
Notice when and where they do it. A run-around can leave the backhand corner open, but it may also bring a strong forehand into play. Use depth and angles to move them, then target the space they leave only when you can do so with control.
How do I exploit a backhand without making lots of errors?
Start with a crosscourt target that gives you net clearance and court space. Build with depth and spin, and change direction only when you’re balanced and the ball is attackable. Don’t go for a winner simply because you reached the backhand side.
How many points should I watch before deciding the backhand is weak?
There’s no fixed number, but avoid drawing a conclusion from one miss. Look for the same problem to appear several times—especially under similar conditions, such as high contact, wide stretch, or pace through the body.
Final Thoughts
Exploiting a weaker backhand isn’t about mindlessly picking on one corner. It’s about spotting the kind of ball that unsettles your opponent, repeating it with enough variation to stay unpredictable, and attacking only when the opening is real. Read the reply, keep your feet moving, and make every shot serve a purpose. That’s how a simple target becomes a winning singles strategy.
