The backhand is the shot most club players secretly try to hide. They run around it, reach awkwardly for it or block it back without thinking. Get it right, though, and it becomes one of the steadiest shots in your game. Here is a practical guide to hitting a reliable padel backhand.
Start with the grip
The continental grip is the foundation of almost every padel shot, and the backhand is no exception. Hold the racket as if you were shaking hands with it, so the edge leads and the face is roughly perpendicular to the ground. This grip lets you switch smoothly between forehand, backhand and volley without fumbling, which matters in fast net exchanges.
If you play with two hands, your dominant hand sits at the bottom in the continental grip and your other hand rests above it, closer to a forehand grip on that top hand. Keep the grip firm but not tense, because a tight forearm kills touch.
One-handed or two-handed?
Both work, and you will see both across Manchester courts. The two-handed backhand is very common in padel because the extra hand gives control, stability and a shorter, tidier swing. That suits the enclosed court, where compact, accurate shots beat big swings. Many players find their two-hander far more reliable than a one-hander under pressure.
The one-handed backhand offers greater reach and is easier to use for the backhand volley and for scooping low balls out of the corners. Plenty of strong players use two hands for drives and one hand for volleys and defensive digs, switching depending on the ball. If you are unsure, start two-handed for control and add the one-hander for stretch shots as you improve.
The groundstroke backhand
For a backhand off the bounce, turn your shoulders early so your body is sideways to the net. Take the racket back with a short, compact preparation rather than a long tennis-style swing. Meet the ball out in front of your body, brush slightly up the back of it for control, and finish with a controlled follow-through towards your target.
Keep it low and deep. In padel you are usually trying to keep opponents pinned at the back, not blast a winner, so depth and consistency matter more than power. A backhand that lands deep and stays low gives the net players nothing to attack.
The backhand volley
At the net, the backhand volley is a punch, not a swing. With a continental grip and a firm wrist, take the racket back only a little, keep the face slightly open and block the ball forward with a short, downward push. Aim to volley the ball in front of you and step in as you make contact.
Many players find the backhand volley easier than the forehand because the arm sits naturally across the body. Trust it. A tidy backhand volley into the open court or towards the feet is one of the most effective shots in the game. For more on the shot family, see our shots explained guide.
Playing the backhand off the glass
When a ball passes you and rebounds off the back or side glass, the backhand often has to do the rescue work. The key is patience. Let the ball come off the wall, watch it all the way, and give it time to drop into your hitting zone. Position yourself a step further from the glass than feels natural so you are not cramped.
Open the racket face and lift the ball back deep, aiming high and central to buy yourself time to recover to the net. Reading these rebounds is a skill of its own, and our guide to reading the glass will speed up your learning.
Common faults to fix
Three mistakes crop up again and again. First, swinging too big, which wrecks timing on a small court. Shorten it. Second, hitting late, so the ball is beside or behind you rather than in front. Prepare earlier. Third, standing too close to the glass on rebounds and getting jammed. Give yourself room. Fixing these three alone will transform most players' backhands.
The fastest way to groove a backhand is repetition with feedback, so book a session with a coach through our coaches page and put in the reps at one of the sessions on our events page. Keep our cheat sheet and glossary nearby while the terms bed in.
FAQ
Should I play a one-handed or two-handed backhand?
Most players find the two-handed backhand more controlled for drives, while a one-hander helps with reach, volleys and low balls. A common approach is two hands for groundstrokes and one hand for volleys and stretch shots.
What grip should I use for a padel backhand?
Use the continental grip, holding the racket as if shaking hands with it. With two hands, the top hand moves towards a forehand grip for extra control. The continental grip lets you switch shots quickly.
Why do I keep hitting my backhand late?
Late contact usually means slow preparation. Turn your shoulders and take the racket back as soon as you read the ball, then meet it out in front of your body rather than beside it.
How do I play a backhand off the back glass?
Be patient and give the ball room. Let it rebound and drop into your hitting zone, stand a step further from the wall than feels natural, then lift it back deep and high to recover your position.