End a crosscourt rally with a backhand down the line.

By Ken DeHart
Illustration by Keith Witmer

Crosscourt rallies are a safe way to play, but there are three times when it’s a good idea to change the direction of the ball and rip a backhand down the line: when your opponent is slow recovering from a shot; when you feel your opponent has been lulled into thinking that another crosscourt shot will follow; and, best of all, when you can move forward into the ball. Here’s a three-step plan of attack.

1. Line up your back foot 
Make sure your back foot (the left foot for righthanded players) is in line with the ball. This will allow you to step into the shot and have your weight moving forward.

2. Play it safe
When I tell students to hit down the line, they often go for the line itself. Give yourself a 2–3 foot margin of error. You want to hit your shot parallel to the sideline, not at it.

3. Use topspin
Make sure you lower your racquet head below the ball and swing up and through to generate topspin. When you hit down the line, the ball travels over the highest part of the net. You also have a shorter distance to the baseline. Topspin will help the ball clear the net and land in the court.

Ken DeHart, a USPTA and PTR Master Professional, is the director of the San Jose Swim & Racquet Club in California.