Has anyone successfully transitioned from one-handed BH to two-handed BH?

[tennis4me]

I've toyed with this idea on and off over the years. The longest I've tried was for about a month. Unfortunately, never really dare to use it in a real match or game, only used it during warm ups. I hit some decent two-handed BH during warm ups that could've fooled people that it was my normal shot. But, that's about it.

If you successfully transitioned, I'm interested to hear your feedback on:
- How long did it take you to fully transitioned and be comfortable with your two-handed BH in a match/game.
- What was your biggest challenge to overcome the hump?
- What worked for you during this effort?

I found myself focusing too much on the two-hand component that the footwork stops working. Then I said "screw it, going back to my one-handed BH". :lol:

 

[dnj30]

I switched a while back. I probably have roughly 75hrs under my belt now. I consider the switch a successful one, but definitely still a work in progress(like the rest of my game). I'm very comfortable with it now, and it definitely was the right choice for me. Obviously there are many differences that have to be adjusted too, but most of them are positive n the long run.
I think the hardest part of changing is learning to use your off hand/arm in the swing properly. Coming from a ohbh you are used to your right arm doing all the work. So when you first start trying to hit a 2hbh you still use your right are too much and not your left enough. I still struggle with this a little. Its takes time to undo that muscle memory. Footwork is different, but you have much more room for error vs a ohbh where footwork is so much more important. You take the ball a little later with the 2hbh which takes a little time to get used to. But on the bright side you can often save a shot even if you are a little late or early, unlike a ohbh.

Overall, it isn't that difficult, imo. I think it would be much harder to go from a 2hbh to a ohbh.

Having said all that, there still isn't anything as beautiful in tennis as a well struck 1hbh. Unfortunately, I just couldn't execute it on any kind of consistent basis.

 

[sez]

I had a mediocre one hand backhand switched and for a month just kept hitting lots of balls fed to me, and now after a year I have a 2hbh that I base my game around. It overshadows my fh sometimes, and is always consistent. I use my forehand to set up a back hand to attack my opponent.

My biggest challenge was committing to it, but once I gave myself the all clear I just only hit that shot and something eventually clicked after hitting lots of balls and it feels so natural now. Not sure if it was fully trusting my non dominant hand or learning the new contact point or just learning to utilize my core and big muscles for power.

 

[tennis4me]

I had a mediocre one hand backhand switched and for a month just kept hitting lots of balls fed to me, and now after a year I have a 2hbh that I base my game around. It overshadows my fh sometimes, and is always consistent. I use my forehand to set up a back hand to attack my opponent.

My biggest challenge was committing to it, but once I gave myself the all clear I just only hit that shot and something eventually clicked after hitting lots of balls and it feels so natural now. Not sure if it was fully trusting my non dominant hand or learning the new contact point or just learning to utilize my core and big muscles for power.

Thanks for sharing.

From the responses so far, I think one of THE key to this transition is: COMMITMENT. That's something that I only had half of, I think. One has to be willing to commit to the 2HBH even if that means losing matches whether friendly matches or real USTA matches.

Six months to a year to feel comfortable with something that's essentially a 'new' shot sounds reasonable - unless you practice 4-hours a day as a high-level player like MethodTennis said.

I had to fix a minor problem on OHBH and volleys once. After the problem was pointed out, recognizing it is immediate, but it took 3-6 months just to start the muscle memory, and it took a year or so to 'finally click'. And of course, it will take a lifetime to not ever fallback to the old way . The finally-clicked moment was a bliss.

 

[WildVolley]

I'm not the best example as I used a 2hbh when I learned and played through high school. Then after not playing for a long time, I hit the 1hbh for years before a shoulder injury caused me to switch back to a 2hbh.

My main advice is 1) shoulder rotation is more important and doesn't stop as early with the 2hbh as compared to the 1hbh, and 2) the contact point is less out-in-front so the timing is slightly different. During the transition, if the timing is off, it feels like the 2hbh doesn't develop power. Once you get the timing and shoulder rotation, it is possible to crack balls using the 2hbh. With the ability to get that rear hand behind the racket and to use the chest muscles on high balls, it also provides some confidence on bashing back the heavy kickers.

 

[GBplayer]

Why would you want to? Unless your OHBH isn't working. Then you aren't really changing.

 

[tennis4me]

I think the hardest part of changing is learning to use your off hand/arm in the swing properly. Coming from a ohbh you are used to your right arm doing all the work. So when you first start trying to hit a 2hbh you still use your right are too much and not your left enough. I still struggle with this a little. Its takes time to undo that muscle memory. Footwork is different, but you have much more room for error vs a ohbh where footwork is so much more important. You take the ball a little later with the 2hbh which takes a little time to get used to. But on the bright side you can often save a shot even if you are a little late or early, unlike a ohbh.

Overall, it isn't that difficult, imo. I think it would be much harder to go from a 2hbh to a ohbh.

Having said all that, there still isn't anything as beautiful in tennis as a well struck 1hbh. Unfortunately, I just couldn't execute it on any kind of consistent basis.

It's interesting that you pointed out the use of the "off-hand" as the hardest part. I often hear people say that in a 2HBH, we should mainly be using the off-hand (i.e. the non-dominant hand) to generate power and use the dominant hand as a guide. There's a TT thread for this: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=180506

To slightly digress: there's similar thoughts of this non-dominant hand role in Golf. I once asked one of the local PGA pro instructor his thoughts about this. The gist of his answer was he didn't think that the non-dominant arm will be doing most of the work, more like working together. But, then other PGA Pros may disagree.

As a rightie tennis player, I think a left-hand golf clubs would make sense (at least in theory), since the golf swing will be just like having a 2HBH. Whereas if a rightie tennis player uses the right-hand clubs, it will be more like a two-handed forehand.

Your point about the beauty of a well-struck OHBH - yeah, I get it. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. Ha ha.

My motivations for 2HBH were simple:

1. Being able to hit high BH better and with more pace.
2. Being able to hit non-defensive shot on super-late BH

 

[jrxl]

I switched for good about 5 years ago after several half hearted attempts. It took a full season to get used to it. It was one little thing that helped me the most... I told all of my practice partners that if I hit a ohb, even a slice, the point was theirs. That bit of burning the boats really set my two hander free.

 

[tennis4me]

Why would you want to? Unless your OHBH isn't working. Then you aren't really changing.

Finally someone asked . The OHBH was working, not excellent by all mean, but reliable (and it has gotten a lot better since then).

At the time, I was experiencing shoulder and arm discomfort from most likely a 6-mo use of my Babolat PD with hybrid poly/multi string.

If I were to try again now, it is mostly for the added benefit of being able to hit better high BH returns on kicker serves and against top-spinners. Plus being able to hit super late when I get pulled wide on the BH corner. Nothing beats 2HBH on those type of shots. Maybe a Hybrid BH where I only use 2HBH on those shots is the way to go for me.

 

[tennis4me]

I switched for good about 5 years ago after several half hearted attempts. It took a full season to get used to it. It was one little thing that helped me the most... I told all of my practice partners that if I hit a ohb, even a slice, the point was theirs. That bit of burning the boats really set my two hander free.

Good one.

I've thought many times about really committing and using it in friendly games. One problem I have is that I feel that I will take the fun out of my opponent's and my partner's match -- even if it's only practice match, because my play level will go down significantly.

 

[tennis4me]

My main advice is 1) shoulder rotation is more important and doesn't stop as early with the 2hbh as compared to the 1hbh, and 2) the contact point is less out-in-front so the timing is slightly different. During the transition, if the timing is off, it feels like the 2hbh doesn't develop power. Once you get the timing and shoulder rotation, it is possible to crack balls using the 2hbh. With the ability to get that rear hand behind the racket and to use the chest muscles on high balls, it also provides some confidence on bashing back the heavy kickers.

Thank you for the advice! I'm glad a natural 2HBH player like you give a perspective.
Can you clarify on point 1? I thought a well-executed 1HBH will have quite an extensive shoulder rotation. Are you saying the 2HBH has even more extreme shoulder rotation?

You pointed out exactly what I experienced. If the timing is off, the 2HBH just went 'thud' and didn't even feel like it has half the power of the 1HBH. But, when it hits the sweet spot and all the timing is right ...... sweeeet. Nothing compares the feeling of that.

BTW, do you agree with dnj30 saying that there's more room for error, footwork-wise, for 2HBH compared to 1HBH? In other words, he was saying that in 1HBH footwork is much more important. I read this as also saying that one can be slightly imprecise or sloppy in some situations in 2HBH and can get away with that. Thoughts??

 

[TennisCJC]

I don't know how success it has been but I switched from 1hbh to 2hbh after about 2-3 years of playing and have stuck with 2hbh for over 35 years since then. I switched when Borg, Connors and Evertt were all number 1 or 2 in the world so they had an influence. I could never feel confident in hitting 1hbh with topspin on a consistent basis so I switched.

 

[Turbo-87]

I am going to try to soon. I am a righty and dislocated my left shoulder a year ago and I am not all the way back yet. I am not sure how it will feel so I may not have a choice and will have to develop a better 1HBH.

 

[neverstopplaying]

A few years ago I made a serious attempt with a coach to switch to two hands. I used it exclusively for about 6 months. It was OK but I decided to work on the problems with my OHBH instead. Today my OHBH is 70% topspin 30% slice. I still get into a little trouble on some serve returns on ad side to bh, but on rallies my OHBH is solid and reliable.

 

[FoxHound]

I tried about two years ago to be better at returning serves. It went well as I just used it to set up my forehand but there were times I couldn't run around the backhand and I never had the confidence or the control like I did with my one hander. Plus I can get more spin and control direction better with the one hander. So I just chip returns now and it works pretty well.

 

[5263]

Yes, important for returning big serves in dubs.

 

[jrxl]

Good one.

I've thought many times about really committing and using it in friendly games. One problem I have is that I feel that I will take the fun out of my opponent's and my partner's match -- even if it's only practice match, because my play level will go down significantly.

That's a fair point. For about 6 months I did give up hitting with upper level players and equal level players that I knew would be frustrated. Luckily most of my equal level hitting partners were supportive of my switch (or just liked beating up on me...). I also took the opportunity to hit with more lower level players than usual. Really let me work on controlling points, extending rallies, and getting reps to that backhand.

 

[Papa Mango]

I have recently made this switch (TE, couldn't hit the OHBH, itching to get back to play) and so far am thinking that am going to stick with the 2HBH.
Here is my one hander from a couple of years ago, Had gotten slightly better than the video but not that much more.
https://youtu.be/WBCKPN9knUM

And here is my 2 hander from a month ago, 2 months into the switch, hitting a couple of times a week
https://youtu.be/6ehKj0s2UZ8

- How long did it take you to fully transitioned and be comfortable with your two-handed BH in a match/game.
Have not played any official matches with the 2 hander but am fairly comfortable in the practice sets that I have played with my hitting partners. Am still losing by the same score that I was with the 1 hander, so it can't be any worse
I have not yet bought the slice back into the game as I am primarily focused on getting the topspin 2 hander working for me.


- What was your biggest challenge to overcome the hump?
Working with the ball machine once the basics of the 2 hander were there, I would say footwork and ROS. And obviously as everyone else says trying to do less with my dominant (right) hand on the backhand.

- What worked for you during this effort?
Ball machine must for grooving the basic stroke or you could use a wall. And just sticking with the 2 hander no matter how bad it is on a particular day.

 

[WildVolley]

BTW, do you agree with dnj30 saying that there's more room for error, footwork-wise, for 2HBH compared to 1HBH? In other words, he was saying that in 1HBH footwork is much more important. I read this as also saying that one can be slightly imprecise or sloppy in some situations in 2HBH and can get away with that. Thoughts??

I think the main difference is that it is easier to hit out of an open stance with the 2hbh than with the 1hbh. I can never recall hitting very hard or solid out of an open stance with the 1hbh drive.

Footwork is still going to be important if you want to strike the ball well with the 2hbh, but there may be more leeway to alter the stance. Hitting hard most players prefer to hit neutral or closed 2hbh, except I recall that Venus Williams loves to hit it with an open stance.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Yep, took some time but its already more consistent than my 1hander was. Just need to keep improving the power.

 

[dnj30]

I think the main difference is that it is easier to hit out of an open stance with the 2hbh than with the 1hbh. I can never recall hitting very hard or solid out of an open stance with the 1hbh drive.

Footwork is still going to be important if you want to strike the ball well with the 2hbh, but there may be more leeway to alter the stance. Hitting hard most players prefer to hit neutral or closed 2hbh, except I recall that Venus Williams loves to hit it with an open stance.

Being able to hit from an open stance is also a big advantage as far as court position when you get pulled out wide. It saves you a full step in getting back towards the middle of the court to defend vs hitting a closed stance 1hbh. And, yes, I prefer to hit it with a slightly closed or neutral stance when possible. But I can still hit a decent shot when scrambling to stay in a point and my footwork is lousy. Could never do that with my 1hbh. Best I could do was just try to chip it back.

 

[Fuji]

Yeah, it was a pretty seamless transition. The twohander IMO is a way easier shot to learn and requires a lot less work in setting up.

-Fuji

 

[Alien]

One important question that it would be better to ask is, what level are you or were you on. If I were 4.5 for instance, building a 2HBH up to that level wouldnt be that easy and (as I was said) better to stick to my 1HBH which has years of practice already.

As several here, I have been suffering from TE which made me doubt about it... I have changed racquets first and seems to work. If it doesnt then I would try the move as an extreme measure.

If I were 1.0 then I would change no doubt.

 

[tennis4me]

One important question that it would be better to ask is, what level are you or were you on. If I were 4.5 for instance, building a 2HBH up to that level wouldnt be that easy and (as I was said) better to stick to my 1HBH which has years of practice already.

I see your point, I'm 4.5. I think hybrid BH is what I should aim for. Meaning I will use 2HBH strictly for certain shots (returns, high BH, for example).