musculoskeletal anatomny

Muscles Involved in the Backhand Action of the Tennis Shot

The Muscles That Initiate and Assist in Backhand Motion

The motion that is most important in the backhand motion is the grip. A proper grip is vital in any movement when playing tennis. For the grip, the index knuckle of the dominant hand is placed on the top bevel. These muscles are smaller muscles and include;

Abductor Pollicis brevis

Flexor Pollicis brevis

Abductor digiti minimi brevis

Flexor digiti minimi brevis

Opponens pollicis

Opponens digiti minimi.

The backhand grip enables one to develop firmness that allow maximum power and spin enabling the player to get maximum utilization of the backhand. In addition, the backhand grip reciprocates well the stroke and allows a good leverage in the stroke to handle the ball from different angles. The Eastern and modified Eastern backhand grip are used when the player intends to return a hard spin and is an easier grip for most players.

In such a shot for instance one handed tennis backhand, this shot is usually not a natural one. The player hit this shot from the left side with the right hand or right side with the left hand. The body usually needs a good orientation to handle a one sided shot from a non-dominant side. In this shot the arm is most involved and initiates the move. The muscles involved in the advanced tennis backhand stroke include;

The biceps brachii

Triceps brachii,

The forearms anterior and posterior

In this shot, the arm works in a reverse movement than that of the forearm. The back side of the fore arm contracts near the biceps while the elbow moves in a reverse movement from that of the forehand. A well orchestrated back hand stroke is a combination of external rotation of a bent arm and horizontal rotation. The elbow is tucked against the player's side then the arm is bent at the elbow as the player holds the forearm away from their body at waist level. The forearm is supposed to be at a right angle with the biceps while the hand needs to be positioned in front of the elbow. The elbow is then kept firm and the forearm together with the hand moves to the left making an arc shape.

The Origins, Stage and Insertions of Each Muscles Involved

Action Shot

Stage

Muscle

Backhand

(Two Handed)

Push Off

Soleus

Gastrocnemius

Quadriceps

Glutes

Truck Rotation