How to Use backhand in a Sentence

backhand

1 of 4 noun

• She has a good backhand but a weak forehand.
• One backhand cracked down the line.
  — James Hansen, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
• More often than not, the backhand is steady.
  — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
• Her backhand was solid and smooth and found corners, flat and fast.
  — Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 4 June 2022
• Then Ruud sent a backhand long.
  — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
• Swiatek won the set on her third chance, when Sakkari hit a backhand into the net.
  — Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2022
• Seguin finished a pretty goal on his backhand all by himself in front of the net.
  — Dallas News, 6 Jan. 2022
• Brazeau beat Igor Shesterkin with a nifty backhand move.
  — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
• Bichette made a strong backhand catch right at the edge of the grass, and fired the ball across the diamond.
  — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
• Marner weaved past Husso and tucked the puck in off his backhand.
  — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
• Ratzlaff stopped him but Pasternak cleaned things up with a nice backhand.
  — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 11 Dec. 2022
• Fraser Minten’s backhand from the slot was a stoppable shot.
  — Arpon Basu, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
• Off the faceoff, Tabin picked up a loose puck and roofed a backhand on Philips.
  — ABC News, 16 May 2026
• Her gifts were obvious, starting with a top-shelf backhand and elite speed around the court.
  — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
• Malenstyn found him with a nice backhand pass to set up the Sabres’ only goal in this game.
  — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
• Swiatek then missed a backhand, and Jabeur pushed things to the tiebreaker and led it 5-4.
  — CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022
• Alcaraz then cracked a backhand return of Djokovic’s serve down the line to knot the match at a set each.
  — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 16 July 2023
• Ovechkin collected the rebound and slid a backhand shot into the net for the goal.
  — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
• In the third, the forward had a breakaway chance on Grosenick, but his backhand try rolled off his stick.
  — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Sep. 2022
• The Serb finally closed it out when Nadal hit a backhand wide on match point.
  — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 11 June 2021
• Stephens settled herself and forged the break with a sliced backhand, and served for the match at 6-5.
  — Alex Coffey, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2021
• As Saints retorted, Williams hit him with a backhand slap.
  — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
• Svejkovsky knocks the rebound of Schaefer’s shot out of the air and in with a backhand.
  — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 14 May 2022
• After a backhand stop, Clement jumped from shallow center field and threw to first in time.
  — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 15 July 2026
• Graf was attempting to send a backhand pass through in the defensive zone, but didn’t get all of the puck.
  — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
• Ovechkin gathered the puck on his forehand, quickly turned it over to his backhand and whipped it into the net.
  — Sean Gentille, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
• Sinner then broke to start the second set with a backhand winner up the line for a 1-0 lead.
  — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
• Cagnoni gets knocked down carrying the puck to the net, but gets up and is all alone in front when the puck comes back to him for a backhand.
  — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 29 Jan. 2023
• Jorge Mateo ranged to his right, went to his backhand to field the ball, jumped and made an off-balance throw to first.
  — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022
• Ohtani turned, raised his glove, hopped up and caught it on his backhand, then turned again to throw to Jared Walsh at first.
  — Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2023

backhand

2 of 4 adjective

• But as Chapman tried to make a backhand play on the move, the ball bounced off his glove.
  — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2021
• In the ninth, Robinson made a backhand grab of a Bench line drive.
  — Mike Klingaman, baltimoresun.com, 21 Oct. 2020
• Sosa took a step to his right, left his feet, fully extended and made a backhand snag.
  — Chuck Carlton, Dallas News, 12 June 2021
• Seager tried for a backhand snag, but the ball skidded off his glove into center field.
  — Paul Newberry, ajc, 18 Oct. 2021
• Tsitsipas made one last stand, saving match point with a backhand winner to the corner.
  — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 13 June 2021
• Buttazzoni puts a backhand one-time pass from the corner in front to Nguyen, who makes a quick move to get it past Hay.
  — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 11 Oct. 2022
• Nielsen drove to the net and tested Korpisalo with a backhand attempt in the opening minute of the game.
  — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2021
• Nadal got a break back in closing to 5-3, but his backhand error gave Fritz another break and the set.
  — Fox News, 21 Mar. 2022
• Bader made a backhand diving catch in left-center to rob Castellanos of an extra-base hit leading off the eighth.
  — David Solomon, Star Tribune, 13 Sep. 2020
• Chapman also had the defensive highlight of the night, a leaping backhand snag of Perez’s line drive in the fourth.
  — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 June 2021
• Djokovic broke Tsitsipas in the third game of the fifth for a 2-1 lead when the Greek made a backhand error.
  — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 13 June 2021
• Holt tripled to deep right when Tucker couldn’t make a backhand catch on the warning track while running toward the wall and hitting face-first.
  — Chron, 16 Sep. 2021
• But after squandering three breakpoints for 3-0, she got broken in the next game on a backhand error.
  — Danielle Rossingh, CNN, 13 Aug. 2020
• Kemp made a backhand stop and spinning throw of Jose Altuve’s 101-mph grounder up the middle in the third.
  — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Sep. 2021
• Williams held at love for 3-2, and then broke Ahn again at 15, closing it with a crackling backhand winner down the line.
  — Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2020
• Opponents have seemingly won a point after pinning him deep on his backhand side, then end up watching a laser dive into the corner.
  — New York Times, 4 June 2021
• Junior shortstop Sydney Doloszycki snagged a sinking liner on her backhand side to open the fourth.
  — Michael Osipoff, chicagotribune.com, 14 June 2021
• Second baseman Dylan Moore dropped a backhand attempt on a Canha chopper that was ruled an infield hit.
  — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 July 2021
• Smith tried, in one motion, to make a backhand catch and swipe a tag on Arozarena, but Smith rushed the play, and the ball squirted out of his glove and toward the backstop.
  — Mike Digiovanna Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2020
• Berrettini had two break points on Djokovic’s serve in the next game but couldn’t cash in, and Djokovic held with an untouchable backhand winner for a 4-3 lead.
  — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2021
• Down by 30-40, Djokovic hit a strong, deep serve that kicked off the service line and forced Federer into a backhand error.
  — Ben Rothenberg, New York Times, 28 June 2021
• Ultimately, Zverev finished the match with a third break of serve, crushing a backhand winner down the line on match point and covering his face with his hands in disbelief.
  — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 30 July 2021
• Unbothered, Gauff broke right back to lead 4-3, smacking a backhand winner that brought Mom and Dad out of their seats in the player guest box.
  — Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2022
• Critic Roger Ebert offered a backhand compliment to their shotgun approach to filmmaking.
  — David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Apr. 2021
• When a backhand return from Vondrousova sailed long on Bencic's second match point, Bencic fell to the court on her back before the ball even landed.
  — Star Tribune, 31 July 2021
• Djokovic seized the third set tiebreak after Nadal hit a backhand drop shot and Djokovic raced forward to push the ball into Nadal’s forehand corner where the Spaniard hit a high return wide.
  — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 11 June 2021
• When a backhand half-volley from Stephens hit the net to end the match, Raducanu dropped her racket and covered her face with her hands, a reaction rarely seen from a top player after a first-round win.
  — New York Times, 18 Jan. 2022
• Canadiens goalie Jake Allen was helpless to stop Brad Marchand's backhand for the game-winner 34 seconds into overtime.
  — BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2022
• Greiss made eight saves in the first period, including stopping Barclay Goodrow's wrist shot from just outside the crease and denying Chris Kreider on a backhand attempt.
  — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 18 Feb. 2022
• After holding for 5-3 with a backhand winner down the line, Osaka closed the set with one more break, prevailing in a five-deuce miniseries with the help of two world-class forehands, one a return and one off the ground.
  — Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2020

backhand

3 of 4 adverb

• When one last backhand by Nadal found the net, Tiafoe put his hands on his head.
  — Howard Fendrich, Hartford Courant, 5 Sep. 2022
• The next break chance ended with a backhand passing shot into the net.
  — Chris Lehourites, chicagotribune.com, 29 June 2021
• Farmer hit a slicing line drive to left that Christian Yelich tried to backhand.
  — John Fay, The Enquirer, 8 Aug. 2020
• When Djokovic hit a backhand wide two points later, the Russian was up two-sets-to-love.
  — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2021
• To be broken twice in the first set, once by yanking a forehand wide on game point, and again with an errant crosscourt backhand.
  — Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2020
• Raducanu then reached her third championship point with a stinging backhand down the line.
  — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2021
• Murphy took advantage of a turnover at the blue line and went backhand to forehand for a shot that trickled by Keisala.
  — BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2021
• But a down-the-line backhand veered a tad wide, Djokovic rolled his eyes and, eventually, he was somehow pushed to five sets.
  — Star Tribune, 9 Oct. 2020
• Barty is a righty who relies on heavy topspin for a forehand packed with power, and her slice backhand can produce tricky bounces on the grass.
  — BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021
• Sinner had a match point and was serving at 5-4 in the fourth set but missed a backhand, double-faulted and missed a volley.
  — Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022
• Collins used her backhand to great effect, compiling 11 of her 23 winners that way.
  — Howard Fendrich, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022
• The Avalanche star skated in on net during a power play and went backhand to get the puck past Vejmelka.
  — José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 16 Jan. 2022
• When Berrettini sent a backhand long two points later, Djokovic let out his first long roar of the afternoon.
  — New York Times, 11 July 2021
• Djokovic faced a set point in the 10th game, but won a 26-shot rally when Tsitsipas hit backhand long.
  — Bloomberg.com, 13 June 2021
• But Nadal closed it out by pulling Opelka out of the court and the American's backhand landed wide.
  — Beth Harris, ajc, 17 Mar. 2022
• But Fritz battled back, benefitting from Rublev’s faulty backhand and ending the game with an ace.
  — Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2022
• Jose Ramírez led off the inning beating by a half-step a ground ball to third baseman Justin Turner’s backhand.
  — Steve Hensonassistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022
• Samsonova broke the Swiss star in the opening game of the final set and held on to serve it out when Bencic’s backhand sailed long.
  — Karel Janicek, ajc, 6 Nov. 2021
• Azarenka drilling another crackling backhand down the line to complete a set that was a work of art for one player and a debacle for the other.
  — Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2020
• After sending a nonchalant backhand long, Kyrgios gave a little annoyed flick of the head.
  — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 July 2022
• After Azarenka's backhand found the net on a second match point, Osaka let out a deep breath and looked skywards.
  — Ravi Ubha, CNN, 12 Sep. 2020
• As Pliskova’s backhand hit the net, Barty clutched her head in disbelief having achieved her childhood dream.
  — New York Times, 10 July 2021
• Cirelli went forehand-backhand with no one between himself and Hawks goalie Malcolm Subban.
  — Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, 20 Mar. 2021
• That the forehand and backhand strokes were the same gave them a leg up over an average person playing for the first time, but learning the intricacies took more time.
  — Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2022
• The left-handed Nadal repeatedly pounded the Italian’s backhand and took him out of his comfort zone.
  — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022
• Alternating with Vimael Machin, Chapman snapped up grounders to his fore- and backhand.
  — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2021
• Osaka -- whose coach used to work with Azarenka -- relies mainly on her big forehand; Azarenka’s top stroke is her backhand.
  — Mark Heim | [email protected], al, 12 Sep. 2020
• The student attempted to pull away, the officer reported, from the neck grab and used his left backhand to strike Grattan as part of his efforts to free himself.
  — Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2021
• Barty converted her first match point when Pliskova committed a backhand unforced error, her 32nd of the match.
  — NBC News, 10 July 2021
• Černák turned Riley Stillman’s blind, behind-the-back, backhand pass to Kubalík into a breakaway goal 28 seconds in.
  — Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, 28 Apr. 2021

backhand

4 of 4 verb

• Saad got a pass in the slot while standing alone and scored on a backhand shot from in front.
  — Warren Mayes, Star Tribune, 22 Apr. 2021
• Williams backhanded a laser ground ball to start a first-inning double play.
  — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
• Smith dodged from behind the cage wrapping a backhand shot in mid-air past Gladstone.
  — Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2022
• On the third, Boldy found a bouncing rebound off his first shot and backhanded it in.
  — Joe Smith, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
• Hill stopped the shot, but Faksa backhanded the rebound over the prone goalie.
  — star-telegram, 18 Oct. 2017
• Vasquez can be seen backhanding the woman in the face three times, hitting her in the head, and pulling her down stairs by her hair.
  — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2018
• Rakell, on his 24th birthday, backhanded a loose puck through a scrum of players.
  — Curtis Zupke, latimes.com, 5 May 2017
• The forward deked past the goaltender, backhanded the puck into the net and then slid into the boards.
  — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
• Vesey scored by jumping on a Brady Skjei rebound and diving to backhand the puck in.
  — Lisa Burke-Wallace, New York Times, 6 May 2017
• Cue several videos of Eva hitting the ball forehand and backhand like a pro while a coach cheers her on.
  — Korin Miller, Women's Health, 7 July 2023
• Świątek rolled crosscourt forehands and backhands with anyone who dared to match her, and then decided to beat them.
  — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
• Hughes had the puck in the left corner and backhanded a pass to a wide-open Hartman at the edge of the crease.
  — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
• Jarvis faked his shot right then backhanded the puck into the net past Wedgewood, who stood little chance.
  — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
• Kozak fumbles the puck but is able to backhand it back to Cagnoni who manages to get it through a diving Vikman.
  — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 25 Nov. 2021
• Gilliss taps it to Mannek who spins nicely by Ronning and backhands it into the net.
  — Dylan Bumbarger, OregonLive.com, 21 Jan. 2018
• Elvis Andrus backhanded the ball and threw out Moncada at the plate.
  — Steve Rosenbloom, chicagotribune.com, 3 July 2018
• Pontus Aberg was free to backhand home the puck from behind the goal line just 45 seconds into the game.
  — Curtis Zupke, latimes.com, 25 Mar. 2018
• At 5–5 in the tiebreak, Jabeur hit a loose rally backhand into the net to go down championship point.
  — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022
• The defenseman backhanded the puck to Pastrnak at the edge of the left circle.
  — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
• As the two were battling for position, Reese appeared to backhand Edwards on the side of the head.
  — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
• Ian Moore backhanded a loose puck out of the Anaheim zone, springing Poehling on a breakaway.
  — Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
• On the game’s final point, Valencia cut another backhand slice from the baseline.
  — Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2022
• Hannoun's center is blocked into the slot, where Noah Gregor backhands one off Farkas.
  — Dylan Bumbarger, OregonLive.com, 24 Feb. 2018
• That came on defense in the bottom of the ninth, when Rojas backhanded Varsho’s grounder at the edge of the infield dirt.
  — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
• Beckett Sennecke kept the puck and shot on a two-on-one break, with Kreider backhanding the loose puck in at the side of the net.
  — Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
• With the tying run on third base, Susac cleanly backhanded a spiked splitter from Winn that had wild pitch written all over it.
  — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
• Lee finished a backhand-to-forehand move for his third straight game with a goal to put the Islanders ahead for good with 32 seconds left.
  — ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
• Lee finished a backhand-to-forehand move for his third straight game with a goal to put the Islanders ahead for good with 32 seconds left.
  — CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
• Benn took the pass on his forecheck, backhanded the puck to himself and roofed it over an outstretched Dell for a 3-0 Stars lead.
  — Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2017
• DeShields singled on a grounder that second baseman Jonathan Villar couldn't backhand.
  — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 6 June 2019