Game version
Rally game: a pair rallies backhands and tries to beat its own longest rally, then swaps feeders.
Shadow Backhand Swings
Swing your backhand slowly in front of a mirror to see the turn, swing and finish.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand side-on to a mirror in your ready position.
Core: Medium. Beat your own longest rally.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 6 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Racket, mirror or window
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Backhand
The steps
How it works
- Stand side-on to a mirror in your ready position.
- Turn, swing slowly and freeze at the finish.
- Check your racket ends high over your shoulder.
- Do 25 slow swings.
Coaching point
Slow and smooth.
Safety: Use the ball and court for your age: red ball on a short court at 8 and under, orange at 9 to 10, green at 10 to 12.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (soft balls, close), Core (medium), More (cross-court targets). Beat your own longest rally.
Story
You are playing the last rally of a final.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own longest rally. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free tennis week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.