You hit a solid forehand crosscourt, your opponent scrambles and floats back a short ball—and then you do the one thing that lets them off the hook: you aim straight for the middle. Sound familiar? If you want to build points with purpose, stop treating the backhand as a magic weakness and start using it as a destination. The goal isn’t simply to hit there. It’s to make your opponent answer the same uncomfortable question until the reply gives you something to attack.
That’s the difference between “playing to the backhand” and actually constructing a point. One is a direction. The other is a plan: move your opponent, vary the height and pace, recognize the reply, and take the opening when it appears. Here’s how to do it without becoming predictable—or feeding a player who loves that wing.
First, find the backhand that breaks down
Don’t assume a backhand is weak just because it looks less elegant than a forehand. Watch what happens under pressure. Does your opponent shorten the swing when the ball gets deep? Do they float a slice when you send a heavy ball above shoulder height? Can they handle pace but struggle when you take speed off? Notice whether their backhand is a reliable rally shot, a defensive escape, or a weapon.
Two-handed and one-handed backhands can invite different tests, but neither type comes with a guaranteed flaw. A two-hander may handle pace well yet dislike a high, heavy ball. A one-hander may drive through a waist-high ball beautifully but find a high bounce more awkward. Some players are excellent at redirecting crosscourt and less comfortable changing direction down the line. Your job is to observe, not guess.
Look for patterns in warm-up, early rallies, and especially the score pressure moments. A rushed backhand at 15–15 might be fine; the same shot at break point may produce a safer, shorter reply. And remember the obvious but vital exception: plenty of players have a backhand that is every bit as strong as their forehand. Novak Djokovic, for example, is renowned for using his backhand to absorb and redirect pressure. Against that kind of player, repetition alone is not a strategy.
Build the point with shape, depth, and patience
The classic pattern is simple: establish a crosscourt rally to the backhand, then use a shorter ball or a change of direction to open the court. Crosscourt gives you more room over the net and a longer diagonal target, making it a dependable way to build pressure without flirting with the sideline on every shot.
Depth matters as much as direction. A ball that lands near the baseline pushes your opponent back and makes it harder to step in and take control. Add topspin when the bounce can climb into an uncomfortable hitting zone. Rafael Nadal’s famous forehand pattern against Roger Federer showed how effective this could be: Nadal repeatedly sent heavy, high-bouncing forehands toward Federer’s one-handed backhand, then looked to attack the shorter reply. That was not a universal recipe; it worked because the height, spin, depth, and target suited the matchup.
You don’t need Nadal’s forehand to borrow the idea. Use the heaviest, safest ball you can control and aim with margin. If your crosscourt shot is landing short, you may be helping your opponent step forward and dictate. If it is drifting long, you are giving away points before the pattern has a chance to work.
Make the next ball do a different job
Once you have pinned the backhand side, don’t keep sending identical balls just because the first few worked. Change one feature at a time and watch the response.
- Heavy and high: Push a player who prefers contact around waist height into a higher strike zone.
- Deep and firm: Take away time and make the opponent hit while retreating.
- Shorter and lower: Draw them forward and see whether they can attack with the backhand or are forced into a defensive slice.
- Slower with more shape: Disrupt a player who is timing your pace comfortably.
- Occasional change of direction: Go down the line when you have a balanced position and a clear target—not simply because you are bored of crosscourt.
That last point is crucial. Changing direction from a stretched or off-balance position is a common way to turn a strong rally into an error. When you are late, use height and depth to recover. When you are balanced and the ball is shorter, you can press forward or redirect with more confidence.
Attack the reply, not just the backhand
The payoff may not be a clean winner. Often, the backhand target produces a shorter ball, a high ball sitting up, or a slice that lands in the middle. Be ready to recognize it. Move forward behind a strong approach, take the next ball early, or attack the open court. If your opponent’s reply is still deep and solid, stay patient and rebuild.
Think of the point as a sequence: create a predictable pressure, read the response, then choose the right finish. A player who keeps recovering toward the middle may leave space down the line after being pulled wide. But going behind them can be smarter if they are already moving toward the open court. The best direction is the one that makes their next recovery hardest—not the one that looks most spectacular.
Also pay attention to court position. If you have dragged your opponent wide to their backhand, a ball back behind them may be more effective than a risky winner into the far corner. If they are deep, a well-timed shorter ball can bring them forward. Avoid dropping short simply because you have heard that backhand players dislike low balls; a short ball that sits up is an invitation to attack.
Stay unpredictable enough to keep the pattern working
If every rally follows the same script, a good opponent will adjust. They may step around the backhand to hit a forehand, take the ball early, or use the line to stop you from settling into the crosscourt exchange. Keep your basic plan, but occasionally serve or return to the forehand, hit through the middle, or change the rhythm. Those choices can make your backhand target more effective because your opponent cannot lean toward it before you strike.
Use the serve to start the pattern, too. From the deuce side, a wide serve can pull a receiver away from the middle and create space for your next shot; a body serve may jam them and limit a comfortable forehand. The best serve depends on the receiver, your own strengths, and the score. Don’t serve wide automatically if it leaves you exposed to a strong return.
In doubles, be especially careful about sending predictable balls to a backhand that the net player can poach. A deep, well-placed crosscourt shot is usually more useful than a soft ball that travels through the middle at net height.
Practice the pattern, not only the target
Here’s a useful drill for a partner. Rally crosscourt to their backhand for four balls, then play the fifth ball anywhere. Your partner’s job is to defend and recover; your job is to recognize whether the fifth ball is attackable. Start at a comfortable pace, then add a rule: you can attack only if your balance and court position are good. That trains decision-making, not just aim.
For a solo version, use a wall or ball machine and alternate deep crosscourt targets with a shorter ball. Set a generous target area at first. Track whether you can repeatedly produce depth and recover to a useful position, rather than counting only winners. In match play, give yourself a simple cue—“heavy to the backhand, then read”—instead of trying to remember a complicated shot sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always target my opponent’s backhand?
No. Target it when your observation and court position make it a useful pressure point. If the opponent is comfortable there, attacks your predictable crosscourt ball, or runs around it to hit a forehand, change the pattern.
What is the safest way to attack a backhand?
For most players, a deep crosscourt ball with controlled topspin is a dependable starting point. Aim with margin, recover after the shot, and wait for a short or weaker reply before going for a sharper angle.
How do I handle a backhand slice?
First, notice whether it stays low, floats short, or lands deep. Use your legs to get low, and don’t rush into a winner from an awkward height. A deep reply can push the slicer back; a shorter ball may let you approach if you can reach it in balance.
How can I tell whether the backhand is actually a weakness?
Watch several rallies for repeated signs: shorter contact, defensive replies, trouble with high bounce, or difficulty changing direction. A single miss proves very little. Test the wing with different heights and speeds, then compare the quality of the replies.
Final Thoughts
Targeting the backhand works best when you treat it as the start of a conversation, not a command to hit the same shot forever. Find the response your opponent dislikes, build pressure with depth and shape, and stay alert for the ball that lets you take control. Then be willing to change the plan when the evidence says it isn’t working. That’s point construction: not forcing a weakness, but patiently creating the moment your opponent can’t cover everything.
