1HBH Vs 2HBH

[Tennis_Monk]

Ever since i started playing i have been using a 1HBH. I have a decent backhand not too powerful. I have an excellent slice which is my primary shot.

I dont intend to get on which is more powerful (ie 1hbh or 2hbh). I fully admit my 1hbh technique is probably flawed.

All the while i occassionally used to hit 2hbh (courtesy Andre Agassi). Recently i thought i will try a couple of months with 2hbh. After 2 practice sessions, i played my first match today.The difference is like day and night. I was able to hit with such power and authority (across 3 sets...) that my partner stood amazed. I admit that i need more matches to backup this statement but the biggest difference is i can take huge cuts at the ball and the ball stays IN with the intended placement.

I have 2 questions:

a) how could i possibly explain this. years of practice with 1hbh cant match my 2hbh.

b) I find it tough to adjust the grip ((from SW to 2hbh)) during long rallies. any good exercises i can do at home to help ?

[krz]

its just harder to make solid contact everytime because I find if your off then your one hand doesn't have enough stability to control it.

also the other problem a lot of people have with it is the amount of preparation you need. You need to set up early and hit way out infront.

I actually changed to a 1 hand backhand a couple years ago. I used to hit a 2hand the wrong(right hand on top) and I took so much time to switch between grips I had to switch.

[jasoncho92]

Bad form could be one thing. But using semi-western isnt well suited in low shots for backhand at all so you cant get much power for it. A video of your 1 hander would be nice

[Tennis_Monk]

Bad form could be one thing. But using semi-western isnt well suited in low shots for backhand at all so you cant get much power for it. A video of your 1 hander would be nice

My apologies. When i said about transitioning between SW to 2HBH i meant switching from my FH grip which is SW onto a 2hBH grip for hitting a Back hand stroke. In a tough rally it is tough to change the grip and get two hands (especially after getting used to being a bit lazy with 1hbh's reach)

I will try to get a video.

One thing i would say is i hit a good slice with 1hbh. Against better opponents, my backhand basically setups the point for FH to finish unless it is an absolute sitter. I hated that. I like to see the same level of respect from my opponents for my Backhand as they have for my FH.

[bluetrain4]

I'm actually thinking of playing around with a 1HBH after years using a 2HBH.

Both have their advantages. I used to think I had so much more margin for error with a 2-hander, but I always feel handcuffed.

I probably won't give it up, but I'd like to play at least a few matches using a 1-hander.

[iamke55]

a) how could i possibly explain this. years of practice with 1hbh cant match my 2hbh.


Honeymoon period:-(
See if it still holds up 3 weeks from now, or if it will settle to about the same skill level as your 1HBH was at.

[lecter255]

Honeymoon period:-(
See if it still holds up 3 weeks from now, or if it will settle to about the same skill level as your 1HBH was at.

yea keep hitting the 2hb until it goes sour, then go back to your 1hander. be mindful of the necessary adjustments, like footwork and shoulder turn and such.

[Thomas Bird-Itch]

Tennis Monk, the same thing happened to me a year and a half ago. I hated the restricted feeling of the 2H, but couldn't argue with the results. I didn't have instant power like you, but I got everything back and IN the court. I was a 2.5/3.0 then and I'm a 3.5/4.0 now. I still wonder what I could do with a 1H, but I'm not changing anytime soon. It's as good as any 3.5 and I still have a great slice.

[zebano]

I have had a similar experience. However, when my 1hb is on my 2hb just doesn't compare (i.e. non-match situations). For that reason alone I am sticking with the 1hb and trying to stay loose and prepare early for the shot in matches.

[Tennis_Monk]

After 10 days , Here is where i stand after my last match.

My 2hbh is far superior than my 1hbh in terms of power, topspin and control.
I hit some insane angles with such power that i was amazed and asked myself "is it really you?".

As is obvious, my reach is little bit restricted as compared to 1hbh (until i get used to do more running).

There were couple of points where i hit cross court forehands followed by cross courts Backhands making my opponent run corner to corner with what i term as brutal power. ( i will be honest. I never hit with so much power with my 1hbh)

What i found amazing was i didnt think twice before ripping shots. Its almost like this is a natural shot for me.

[Dominik]

I'm in the EXACT same situation as you. I really grew sick of my one hander, because it was often too weak, so I started practicing my two handed backhand today, and it turned out to be superior in almost everything, even though I've almost never used it before. I have to continue working on it though, since I want to make it even more efficient.

[Tennis_Monk]

Honeymoon period:-(
See if it still holds up 3 weeks from now, or if it will settle to about the same skill level as your 1HBH was at.

10 days into marriage with 2hbh , things are looking excellent. I will wait and see what happens.

One thing i am absolutely certain, It will not be same level as my 1hbh in terms of power and ease. For gods sake, i hit shots like Agassi used to hit albeit against an opponent i have a winning record.

What ia m doing (despite advises against it) is use my one hander for slice and other "reach" kind of situations and use 2hbh for the rest. I think i can strike a healthy balance. Further more its really confusing for my opponents too. let us see if this works in most of cases.

[bluetrain4]

10 days into marriage with 2hbh , things are looking excellent. I will wait and see what happens.

One thing i am absolutely certain, It will not be same level as my 1hbh in terms of power and ease. For gods sake, i hit shots like Agassi used to hit albeit against an opponent i have a winning record.

What ia m doing (despite advises against it) is use my one hander for slice and other "reach" kind of situations and use 2hbh for the rest. I think i can strike a healthy balance. Further more its really confusing for my opponents too. let us see if this works in most of cases.

I've always wondered about this. Can a player utilze both a 1HBH and a 2HBH effectively without ruining either shot or both shots. I love 2HBH for returns and high balls, but like the power and flow of a 1HBH.

That said, so many people have strong 2HBH and a strong 1HBH slice. So, to me, as long as you think of each backhand shot as different stroke, there is no reason you can't hit both, although I'd say one or the other should be dominant.

All the pros at my club can hit both. Makes sense since they teach both.

[bluetrain4]

by "both" I didn't mean 2HBH and 1HBH slice, I meant a 2HBH and a 1HBH flat/topspin.

[Tennis_Monk]

I've always wondered about this. Can a player utilze both a 1HBH and a 2HBH effectively without ruining either shot or both shots. I love 2HBH for returns and high balls, but like the power and flow of a 1HBH.

That said, so many people have strong 2HBH and a strong 1HBH slice. So, to me, as long as you think of each backhand shot as different stroke, there is no reason you can't hit both, although I'd say one or the other should be dominant.

All the pros at my club can hit both. Makes sense since they teach both.


I am not yet comfortable using 2hbh for returns. On good serves,I use 1hbh to block the ball back into play (where else, opponents back hand corner) and take it from there unless the serve happens to be absolute sitter.

However i want to take big cuts on them once i get more comfy with 2hbh.

Since we are not Pro's , i dont see any issues in using both strokes (1hbh slice and 2hbh power) . In the end it all comes down to what is most comfortable for a player. If one feels comfortable using both, all the power\slice to you.

[Thomas Bird-Itch]

Tennis_Monk, returning is really where a 2HBH shines. You may have a little less reach, but you have good power and control.

[Tennis_Monk]

Tennis_Monk, returning is really where a 2HBH shines. You may have a little less reach, but you have good power and control.

agree a 100%. All i am saying is i am not yet comfortable to use my newly learnt 2hbh on returns. Probably in couple of weeks i will incorporate it. I cant wait to see my opponents face when i blast a backhand return past them (My 1hbh is very reliable in terms of blocking returns back in but not aggressive enough unless it is an absolute sitter).

[Slazenger]

What i found amazing was i didnt think twice before ripping shots. Its almost like this is a natural shot for me.

Based on this I would say you should stick to your 2 hander and rip the heck out of the ball.
Don't forget to still practise your slice though.

[Tennis_Monk]

Based on this I would say you should stick to your 2 hander and rip the heck out of the ball.
Don't forget to still practise your slice though.

Thank you for the reminder. Slice has been my bread and butter for Backhand. Cant survive with out it.

The biggest challenge in 2hbh for me is getting to the ball. 1hbh made me lazy because of the extra reach it has.

I am looking for some partners to play with. Being vacation time most of my usual ones are off to beaches...Grrrrr