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Backhand drive

Table tennis / Popular

Play a controlled backhand drive from in front of the body.

What coaches agree on

  • Make contact with the ball out in front of your body, at a comfortable middle distance — not crowded against your stomach and not reached out at arm’s length.
  • Contact the ball right at the top of its bounce, as it peaks.
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  • Finish the stroke with the racket pointing toward your target, generally around chest height and just to your right side.

Common mistakes

  • Letting the elbow swing or drift during the stroke instead of holding it steady as a fixed pivot.
  • Snapping or wobbling the wrist sideways to power or steer the shot instead of keeping it firm through contact.
  • Pushing the ball flat and straight instead of brushing up and over it to create topspin.