The Backhand Drive Tutorial
At the time of writing this tutorial, December 2024, world class players are using the backhand drive as an offensive shot to angle opponents off of the table and even "hit through" them if enough force is applied. The backhand drive is an essential tool in training light top spin strokes on the backhand side of the table. and serves as a steppingstone to learning the more aggressive backhand loop
Understanding the Backhand Drive
The backhand drive is a light top spin, powerful, flat shot used to redirect the ball with speed and accuracy. It's typically used to return a topspin ball or a flat hit and allows you to dictate the pace of the game
Stance
Basic table tennis stance is discussed in detail during phase one of our Free Beginner to Intermediate Table Tennis Lesson Plan
Position to Table
To learn the basic backhand drive, stand an arm's length away from the table and position yourself to the backhand corner. Stand with your feet and shoulders square to the path of the ball. In the situation of learning the stroke, that means facing diagonal across the table
Technique
Backswing:
As the ball is about to bounce on your side of the table, tense up your core, turn your backhand rubber towards the ball, and hold the paddle just in front of your chin. Similar to how you would hold a book in front of your face.
Forward Swing:
As the ball approaches, further tighten your core and slightly hunch your shoulders down and forward towards the ball
Allow your arm to extend forward into ball while maintaining the paddle angle
Contact Point:
Hit the ball at the height of the bounce, ensuring the racket face is angled forward about 70 degrees to add topspin.
Your wrist should be relaxed but firm at the moment of contact. When driving you should hear the ball engaging the wood with a light cracking sound
Follow-through:
Continue the forward swing allowing the wrist to gently roll just above the back of the ball. The arm does not end at full extension, more like 135 degrees at the elbow. Your arm should follow forward trajectory and end in front of you, not out to the side
Stay loose and begin your backswing quickly to repeat the process
Practice Drills
Shadow Practice:
Without a ball, practice the motion of the backhand drive. Focus on your stance, grip, and follow-through in front of a mirror
Basic Drill:
Stand opposite a partner and both of you focus on hitting consistently with good form at a slow to moderate pace. Only pick up the speed when you can both continually hit diagonally across the table to each other without messing up
Movement Drill:
Have a coach or partner block to your backhand and middle. You use small lateral shuffle steps to move into position to backhand drive back to the blocker. You are moving, but the blocker is blocking from a static point on the table
Match Play:
Integrate your backhand drive into practice matches. Focus on using it strategically against your opponent's shots and try to place it to different areas of the table
Common Mistakes
Using Way too Much Force: Focus on technique over power. A well-executed shot often beats raw strength. A good contact happens when you allow the ball to sink into your rubber and rebound off the wood blade beneath. A bad contact happens when you hit the ball so quickly that you can’t recognize the feeling I just explained
Forgetting Footwork: Always be ready to move. Don't reach for the ball. Proper footwork is essential for effective striking wherever the ball may land. Watch where your opponent is hitting the ball and get your body behind its' path to execute clean technique every time
Racket Angle: Ensure your racket angle is correct at contact. Most people open up the angle too high or close it too downward. For the backhand drive the paddle angle is only very slightly angled forward to assert light topspin while making a thick contact with the ball
A backhand drive takes a time to master. Once you do you will thank yourself as you realize that the backhand drive is a stroke that helps to develop high level feeling for the ball, and truly is the base movement for more advanced backhand strokes
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