How to Stop Running Around the Backhand Too Often
Walk onto any tennis court and watch a few rallies. Chances are, at some point, a player will move several steps to their left to hit a forehand instead of playing a backhand. This tactic, Running Around the Backhand, is a common feature of recreational and competitive play. The forehand feels natural, generates power, and inspires confidence. The backhand often feels less reliable.
The habit of running around the backhand is hard to break. It becomes automatic, driven by a preference that often overrides tactical decisions. But overusing this tactic creates predictable patterns that opponents can exploit. The player who always runs around their backhand eventually gets caught out. Learning to control this tendency makes for a more complete and less predictable game.
Why Do Players Prefer Running Around the Backhand
The forehand stroke offers more natural mechanics for most players. The motion of the forehand feels comfortable and allows for a full swing. Power comes more easily from the forehand than from the backhand. The open stance and body rotation generate racket head speed without much thought.
Confidence in the forehand builds over time. Players practice the stroke more, hit it more often in matches, and get comfortable using it in pressure situations. The backhand, by contrast, receives less attention. Many players view it as a shot to get through rather than one to attack with.
Comfort and habit play a larger role than most players realize. When a ball comes to the backhand side, the instinct to move around it kicks in. The player moves across the court, sometimes covering extra distance, to set up that forehand. That pattern becomes ingrained through repetition and reinforces itself over time.
What Are the Consequences of Overusing This Tactic
The court opens up on the side the player leaves behind. Moving around the backhand exposes a large space on the forehand side of the court. An opponent who recognizes the pattern can hit into that space and win points easily. That pattern becomes more obvious as the opponent watches the player move.
The body uses more energy with each run-around. The player covers extra distance to get to the ball, then recovers after hitting. Over a long match, that extra movement adds up and creates fatigue. A player who runs around regularly may tire earlier than an opponent who does not.
| Consequence | Short-term Effect | Long-term Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Court exposure | Open space on the other side | Opponents exploit the pattern |
| Energy use | Extra movement each point | Earlier fatigue in matches |
| Predictability | Opponents anticipate the move | Easier to game plan against |
| Backhand neglect | Shot does not improve | Gap between forehand and backhand grows |
Predictability makes the player easier to read. Opponents know the next move before it happens. A player who always runs around the backhand telegraphs their intention early. That predictability allows opponents to position themselves favorably.
The backhand does not get better when it never gets used. A shot that rarely appears in matches stays at the same level. The gap between forehand and backhand widens over time, making the player more one-sided.
How Does Footwork Contribute to the Habit
Footwork serves as the foundation of shot preparation. Players who move into the correct position early have more time and options. Players who arrive late often default to whatever gets them to the ball fastest.
Those who take small adjustment steps create better spacing for both the forehand and backhand. Those small steps allow the player to position exactly where needed. Big, rushed steps often land the player too close to the ball or off balance.
Early preparation makes a difference. A player who turns the shoulders early knows what shot they intend to hit. A player who delays the decision often defaults to the safer shot. In many cases, the safer option means trying to get around to the forehand.
What Technical Improvements Make the Backhand More Reliable
A reliable backhand does not require a heavy shot. Consistency and depth matter more than power. A backhand that stays in court and lands deep keeps the point going.
The grip and stance provide a foundation for the stroke. Finding a grip that works for the player and sticking with it builds muscle memory. The stance, whether closed or open, should feel stable and allow for good weight transfer.
The non-dominant arm contributes more to the backhand than many players realize. That arm guides the racket and helps maintain the swing path. Engaging the non-dominant arm actively improves control and feel.
Repetition builds confidence over time. Practicing backhands in drills and rally situations creates familiarity. The more the player hits the shot, the more comfortable it becomes in match play.
How Can Court Position Reduce the Urge to Run Around
Where a player stands on the court shapes what shots they can take. A player positioned too far to the forehand side leaves room for the backhand to get crowded. That cramped position encourages running around because the backhand feels tight.
Moving closer to the center of the court gives the player equal access to both sides. The backhand has room to swing, and the forehand remains available when needed. That balanced position reduces the urge to run around because both options work.
The recovery position after each shot matters. A player who recovers toward the center of the court stays ready for the next ball. A player who recovers too far to one side puts themselves in a position that favors a forehand. That positioning encourages the run-around habit.
- Centered positioning allows access to both forehand and backhand
- Recovery toward the middle keeps options open
- Position off center favors one shot over the other
- Court position shapes shot selection before the ball arrives
What Drills Help Break the Habit
Breaking a habit takes deliberate practice. The backhand needs repeated use to feel natural in match situations. Certain drills build that comfort and reduce the automatic response of running around.
Crosscourt backhand drills start the process. Two players hit backhands diagonally across the court. That focus forces the backhand to work without the option of running around. The repetition builds feel and confidence.
Shadow swings help with the mental side of preparation. The player practices moving to the backhand position without a ball. The movement pattern gets reinforced through repetition. That pattern then transfers to live ball situations.
Live ball drills create match-like conditions. The coach feeds balls to the backhand side and the player responds. The player must hit backhands rather than running around. The drill continues until the response becomes automatic.
| Drill Type | What It Does | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Crosscourt backhand | Builds backhand feel and consistency | Practice sessions |
| Shadow swings | Reinforces movement to the backhand side | Before practice or matches |
| Live ball backhand | Creates match-like response | Training sessions |
| Backhand only points | Forces shot selection | Practice matches |
Backhand only points remove the option entirely. The player can only hit backhands during those points. That constraint forces the player to find ways to win using the shot they have avoided. The experience often reveals that the backhand works better than expected.
How Does Shot Selection Affect the Tendency to Run Around
Shot selection determines how the point unfolds. A player who hits aggressive shots takes control away from the opponent. That control reduces the number of times the opponent can force the backhand.
Deep shots push the opponent behind the baseline. A deep ball takes away the opponent's ability to angle the ball wide. That limitation means the ball comes back to a more central position. The player then has more options on the response.
Attacking the opponent's weakness shifts the pressure away from the player. A player who hits to the opponent's backhand repeatedly makes the opponent uncomfortable. That discomfort reduces the quality of the incoming ball, which gives the player more time.
Passive shots invite pressure. A short ball gives the opponent time and space to attack. An attack to the backhand side of the player often follows. The player then responds by running around because the shot feels urgent.
When Is Running Around the Backhand Actually Useful
Running around the backhand works as a tactic in certain situations. The key involves using it deliberately rather than automatically. When the player chooses the moment, the tactic becomes a weapon rather than a default.
Short balls on the backhand side present an ideal opportunity. The player has time to move around and hit an inside-out forehand. That shot goes to the opponent's backhand and puts pressure on that side. The extra time makes the run-around manageable.
A weak opponent shot gives the player control. The ball sits up and the player can step in. Running around to hit a forehand from that position creates a strong attack. The opponent struggles to defend against the aggressive forehand.
- Short balls on the backhand side allow time to run around
- Weak opponent shots give the player control
- Inside-out forehands can be effective weapons
- Selective use keeps the opponent guessing
The inside-out forehand creates different angles. That shot from the backhand side goes to the opponent's backhand with sharp angle. The spin moves the ball away from the opponent and opens up the court. That pattern works well when used selectively.
How Does Mental Approach Change the Tendency
The mental approach to the backhand shapes the willingness to hit it. A player who approaches the shot with dread will avoid it. A player who accepts it as a normal part of the game will use it more readily.
Acceptance of the backhand starts with realistic expectations. The backhand does not need to match the forehand for power. It needs to stay in play and maintain the rally. That lower expectation reduces the pressure around the shot.
Confidence builds through success. Each backhand that clears the net and stays deep reinforces the belief that the shot works. That belief grows over time and reduces the fear associated with the shot.
The willingness to miss matters too. Players who fear missing on the backhand side will avoid it. Players who accept that misses happen will keep using the shot. That acceptance allows the backhand to develop through match play.
Stopping the habit of Running Around the Backhand involves technical, tactical, and mental adjustments. The preference for the forehand feels natural, but overuse creates predictable patterns that opponents exploit. Addressing the habit improves both court coverage and shot selection.
Footwork and court position support better backhand use. Good footwork gives the player time and space for the backhand. Good positioning keeps both sides available and reduces the need to run around. Those improvements work together to reduce the automatic response.
Technical work builds backhand reliability. Repetition in practice and match play builds comfort with the shot. Drills that force backhand use develop the shot and break the habit. The more the player uses the backhand, the more natural it becomes.
Running around the backhand remains a useful tactic in the right moments. Short balls and weak opponent shots provide opportunities for aggressive forehands. The key involves choosing those moments deliberately rather than reacting automatically.
The goal involves becoming a more complete player. A balanced game makes the player harder to read and more difficult to exploit. The forehand remains a weapon, but the backhand becomes a reliable partner to that weapon. That balance makes the player less predictable and more effective on the court.