Game version
Rally game: a pair rallies backhands and tries to beat its own longest rally, then swaps feeders.
Towel Backhand Shadow
Shadow a slow backhand holding a small towel: unit turn, step and finish high, with nothing to hit.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Hold a small towel in your backhand grip hand.
Core: Medium. Beat your own longest rally.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Small room
- Bring
- Small towel
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Backhand
The steps
How it works
- Hold a small towel in your backhand grip hand.
- Turn your shoulders together with the arm (the unit turn).
- Step in and brush the towel up and through to a high finish.
- Do 3 sets of 10, slow and smooth.
Coaching point
Turn the shoulders, finish high.
Safety: Clear a small space with nothing to trip on or knock over. Stop if anything hurts.
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
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