Both backhands?

[montx]

I am thinking because I have been playing good with my reguar backhand, would it be criminal to adopt the 2 handed backhand as an alternate shot?

Or do you think using both backhands will mess with my timing?

Thanks in advance.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Well, the difference between the two shots is so vast that I can imagine using two hands all of a sudden would throw you off big time. I've never tried it though.

It's funny, I was screwing around with a 2 hander today and I noticed that I get Nadal-like spin with it. I just can't seem to get it past the service line. While this may seem undesirable to most people I think just might be able to use this in a match for extreme angles.

[Rafael_Nadal_6257]

So I’m guessing that your ‘regular’ backhand is one-handed? A bit unclear...
Your question depends on how good you hit a two-handed backhand and how comfortable you are with it. I myself use a two-handed for topspin drives and winners and a one-handed slice for defense and variety.

EDIT: Of course, if on your one-handed, you hit topspin and considerable pace, using two hands would throw you off considerably, I imagine...

[soyizgood]

The 2HBH and OHBH are very different. In fact, the 2HBH and the forehand are closer relatives.

The 2HBH can be hit closer to the body than a OHBH would. So in theory you could use them both. The reality is that using both would be a challenge due to the timing and mechanical difference of those backhands. The 2HBH is more-or-less a weak-hand forehand. The weak hand is the one supplying the power with the strong-hand stabilizing the stroke.

If you're deciding to use the 2HBH for an entire match (due to matchups, fatigue, etc) you can probably get away with it. I would not recommend hitting a OHBH during a point and then suddenly hitting with a 2HBH. Choose one or the other before the match. That said, the 2HBH shot is relatively easy to become familiar with and you can probably get it to be suitable for match play within weeks depending on the amount of practice you put in. Because it resembles a forehand, there's not as much difficulty involved. Try this site for help: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-master-the-double-handed-backhand and we have a bunch of other helpful links at the 2HBH club (http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=171896&page=27)

If you want to use them both within points, I'd probably recommend you using a double-eastern 2HBH. I say this because with this grip combo you can power the shot using your strong and weak hand. And it's not a dramatic change in grip for your strong hand assuming you use Eastern or Semi-Western. This combo tends to generate flat strokes, but you can still generate topspin.

2HBHers use a OHBH slice from time to time, so being familiar with different strokes is a good thing. Of course you want to stick with the K.I.S.S. approach as best you can. Have fun with the 2HBH and if it mixes in with your game, great.

[Djokovicfan4life]

What's the K.I.S.S. approach?

[wyutani]

I am thinking because I have been playing good with my reguar backhand, would it be criminal to adopt the 2 handed backhand as an alternate shot?

Or do you think using both backhands will mess with my timing?

Thanks in advance.

this is weird. then again, i have a friend who uses a double-handed fh and one handed backhand. nothing wrong using ur style. if ur comfortable wif it and winning.

[ChrisNC]

What's the K.I.S.S. approach?

Keep It Simple Stupid

[Djokovicfan4life]

Keep It Simple Stupid

OK, but the slice seems like a simpler shot to me than the two-hander. :confused:

I guess I'm just naturally a one hand kind of guy.

[montx]

Im groomed in the 1hbh but i like the occassional 2 hbh because it provides me with a crisp solid stroke with a different swing than my 1hbh.

My fear is if I play both my timing will mess up cause the 2hbh takes a lot of dedication to get down, but I've used it a few times.

[WildVolley]

I've played both shots, but I usually didn't mix them up except in one particular way. Almost all 2hbhs actually play both the 2hbh and the 1hbh for slice shots.

So in reality most 2hbh hitters only use the 2 hander for topspin and flat drives, and then switch to the 1hbh for slice.

The 2hbh is usually taken less in front of the body and the setup can be shorter than for the 1hbh. 2hbh hitters usually have an easy time with the 1hbh slice, because that ball is also hit less in front of the body than a 1hbh topspin drive.

It is interesting to note that in the past week I've seen videos of both Federer and Blake hitting two handed backhands for fun on the practice court. So, I don't think it hurts to experiment with different backhands in practice. Just don't implement them into your game until you have them grooved.

[montx]

thats the thing, I don't have the 2hbh grooved, but to some extent it is a playable shot in my repetoire.

[the-robz]

u dont need it.