Forehand vs. Backhand — What's the Difference?

The forehand in tennis and other racket sports such as table tennis, squash and badminton is a shot made by swinging the racket across one's body with the hand moving palm-first. In tennis, except in the context of the phrase forehand volley, the term refers to a type of groundstroke—a stroke in which the ball has bounced before it is struck.

The backhand is a tennis shot in which one swings the racquet around one's body with the back of the hand preceding the palm. Except in the phrase backhand volley, the term refers to a groundstroke (that is, one in which the ball has bounced before it is struck).

Made with the palm of the dominant hand facing forward

Made with the back of the dominant hand facing forward

(Obsolete) Taking place, done, or given beforehand; prior.

A backhand stroke or shot, as in tennis or hockey.

A forehand stroke or shot, as in tennis.

A position for controlling a ball or puck, in which the back of the dominant hand faces forward

A position for controlling a ball or puck, in which the palm of the dominant hand faces forward

A catch made in baseball by reaching across the body with the palm turned toward the ball.

The part of a horse in front of the rider.

Handwriting characterized by letters that slant to the left.

With a forehand stroke or motion.

With a backhanded stroke or motion.

(racket sports) A stroke in which the palm of the hand faces the direction of the stroke.

To perform, catch, or hit with a backhand

(disc sports) A throw similar to a sidearm throw in baseball, where the disc remains on the throwing-arm side of the body and is led by the middle finger.

(tennis) a stroke made across the chest from the off-hand side to the racquet hand side; a stroke during which the back of the hand faces the shot.

All of the part of a horse which is before the rider.

Handwriting that leans to the left

(archaic) The chief or most important part.

(Ultimate Frisbee) the standard throw; a throw during which the disc begins on the off-hand side and travels across the chest to be released from the opposite side.

Superiority; advantage; start; precedence.

The reverse side of the human hand.

(surfing) The hand towards the front of the board.

(surfing) the hand towards the back of the board.

Beforehand; paid in advance.

To execute a backhand stroke or throw

(transitive) To strike with a forehand stroke.

To slap with the back of one's hand

All that part of a horse which is before the rider.

(of handwriting) Slanting to the left.

The chief or most important part.

(of strokes or throws) In the backhand style

Superiority; advantage; start; precedence.

(ice hockey) Of a play that uses the back side of the hockey stick

Done beforehand; anticipative.

A kind of handwriting in which the downward slope of the letters is from left to right.

(sports) a return made with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the stroke (as in tennis or badminton or squash)

The stroke of a ball with a racket or paddle, in which head of the racket starts from the side of the body opposite to that of the arm in which the racket is held, and proceeds forward to meet the ball. Contrasted with forehand.

(of racket strokes) made with palm facing direction of stroke

Sloping from left to right; - said of handwriting.

Backhanded; indirect; oblique.

A return made with the back of the hand facing the direction of the stroke

Hit a tennis ball backhand

(of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke

(of handwriting) having the letters slanting from left down to right