One handed vs. two handed BH:

[ferrari_827]

From someone who switched from a one-handed backhand ( a *long* time ago) to a two-handed, I thought I'd add some personal comments.

First, I don't think a two hander decreases your reach hardly at all, and if there is a tiny difference, this is compensated by the ability to make last minute adjustments with two hands.

The nod goes to the two hander for very low and high balls, down the line drives, and conserving energy. Overall, the two hander allows you to hit more risky shots safely.

The two hander definitely has the advantage on *return of serve*. Think of some of the great returners: Agassi, Connors, Seles, Davenport. All two-handed.

So the question arises, why have a one-handed backhand at all ???

The reason is that two handed players often (not always)have difficulty maneuvering the racket well for one-handed *volleys*, and this is a serious liability for an all-court game. A two-handed volley simply doesn't have the same feel and control as a one-handed volley.

Another area is the approach shot off the backhand. With a one hander, you are in a more natural position for volleying than off a TH approach shot. Two handers usually don't slice as well as one handers, which is an important shot for approaching the net.

However, I feel that the potential shortcomings of the two hander can be overcome through proper training and there are more benefits than drawbacks. For a pure serve and volley style, however, there's no choice but for a one hander (!)

 

[D-man]

i disagree with some of that... one hander (imo) allows more variety & also greater potential pace... one hander allows powerfully effective disguised shots... [also sig. more reach (imo) and greater flexibility for improvised shots] but both have their strengths & weaknessses, really, i'm tired of people saying 1 or the other isn't as good.. and people have dif styles ??

 

[donnyz89]

i dont think one hander can generate greater pace. two hand can hit a very powerful flat backhand and you can also hit topspin with 2 hand. and as for the reach, if its THAT out of reach, then i just do a semi slice kind of shot and keep it low with 1 hand.

but then again, since pros use both, and more use 2hbh then i would say they are equally good and each have the adv and disadvs.

 

[gmlasam]

I too was originally a 1HB. I switched to a 2HB only because I broke my right arm in football. Because I had no use of my right arm for about a year, I was playing tennis with my left arm. I'm a righty.

My left arm became a lefty forehand, and had pretty good control and pace on it. After my right hand healed, I felt so comfortable hitting my backhand with my left arm, so that is how I switched to a two handed backhander.

Since I was a one hander backhand, my one handed backhand slice and backhand volley still is very sound.

I do agree that I feel I can disquies my shots better with a two handed backhand. I can make it look like I will hit a power backhand, but change it to a dropshot or slice within an instance. I can hit lower and higher balls much better with two handed backand and it is much easier to play defensivley with a two handed backhand. If you are wrong footed, the two handed backhand can easily adjust to return the ball. It takes much less time to prepare on a two handed than with a one handed backhand.

 

[alan-n]

This debate is quite tiresome as it is up to the individual to realize their game and realize what works best for them.

When I started playing tennis, I didn't have the hand eye or muscle development that I do now. 1 handed backhands just didn't work, I wasn't coordinated enough.... but when I did hit the ball, NOTHING beat the rackethead speed and power off the backhand side.

After developing a solid backhand slice and purposely playing and losing matches by just hitting slices off the backhand. I was confident enough with it to switch to the 1 hander to drive shots back. The one hander is more natural for me at generating angles and topspin, or drive flat..... its simply just changing the height of my racket take back to generate a loopy swing path or drive flat through..... which the two hander was a slug fest, I was dead tired after 4 sets, the one-hander was a more natural motion and over the course of playing 5 sets I'm less tired. Those "muscling" of the two-hander and extra step to get to the ball all adds up later in matches.

 

[bee]

I strained my left shoulder (dang!) drawing my two-handed backhand back for a ball that got behind me. So, lately I've been using the onehander more. Yeah, it's harder to power the ball, but esier to hit aggravating slices, disguise the dropshot and approach the net. I'm a big proponent of utilizing both. Good point is made about tiring from the movement required to setup for constant two-handers.

 

[andreh]

It's interesting to note that most offensive players have a one-handed backhand. Edberg, Sampras, Becker, Federer, Stich, Mac, Noah, Rafter....the list goes on. I think this is because a one-hander is more effective for approaching the net. The form of the slice stroke is also consistent with that of the backhand volley.


Also, the one-hander is prettier. Two-handed backhand is an ugly stroke. Not that it really matters, though.