Recent switch to a one-handed backhand

[MTChong]

I recently switched from a two-handed backhand to a one-handed backhand; within the past month, and I haven't been playing much in that month. Unfortunately, I cannot post a video as I don't have a video camera (I'll see what I can do though).

I understand that it's crucial to take high balls on the rise before letting them get too high; however, this is just a question that I'd like some of the posters like BB, JCo, Mahboob, and the rest to examine. (I remember there was a post like this earlier sometime).

In general, in your observations of watching players (I'm sure you see many as lots of you coach), do shorter people tend to use a two-handed backhand while the taller ones use one-handed backhands? I know that Henin-Hardenne is rather short with a superb one-handed backhand, but I was wondering who else there was, as I am only 5'5" or 5'6". Along the same line, I had this question: is a one-handed backhand inherently harder for a shorter person to use than a two-handed backhand? Or is the problem that a one-handed backhand is inherently harder in general than two-handed backhand?

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I recently switched from a two-handed backhand to a one-handed backhand; within the past month, and I haven't been playing much in that month. Unfortunately, I cannot post a video as I don't have a video camera (I'll see what I can do though).

I understand that it's crucial to take high balls on the rise before letting them get too high; however, this is just a question that I'd like some of the posters like BB, JCo, Mahboob, and the rest to examine. (I remember there was a post like this earlier sometime).

In general, in your observations of watching players (I'm sure you see many as lots of you coach), do shorter people tend to use a two-handed backhand while the taller ones use one-handed backhands? I know that Henin-Hardenne is rather short with a superb one-handed backhand, but I was wondering who else there was, as I am only 5'5" or 5'6". Along the same line, I had this question: is a one-handed backhand inherently harder for a shorter person to use than a two-handed backhand? Or is the problem that a one-handed backhand is inherently harder in general than two-handed backhand?

You can make an argument that taller "stronger" players should, could, can, or ought to hit a onehander. However, this is not at all a hard and fast rule. Case in point, Henin.

The onehander is extremely timing sensitive. There are more parts of the body at work to synchronize to effectively develop a good onehanded backhand.

Reversing your comments, I would point out the Safin (who is tall) uses a twohanded backhand and so does Nadal.

My take on the two backhands is it depends on you. For instance, I love the onehanded backhand but my brain and the way I receive information does not do as well as it does with the twohanded backhand. I am a big guy, and I like to use my rotational power into the ball. It is not to say that I can not hit a fast paced hard hit onehander, I can, and I have a very nice stroke with my onehander, it is just the way my brain calculates the contact point. I "see" the ball better when my back eye is connected with my back arm. That is the way I am wired.

On the onehander I have trouble sometimes judging when to swing even with both eyes on the ball, on the twohander I have no such problem.

The twohander for many feels awkward at first, but eventually it can feel very natural and smooth when a player learns to use the weaker side of the body better for the stroke.

When developing the onehanded backhand, I would highly recommend you develop your topspin backhand along with your slice. I usually slice balls back saying to myself "give me another to hit" that are not in my strike zone or that I don't like. When the ball is in my grips strike zone, I try to nail it. That is the way I play.

 

[jayserinos99]

Hi BB, can you expand on being 'wired' for either the one-hander or two-hander?

For me, I'm just like you as I like hitting the one-hander but I'm so grooved to the two-hander it's tough for me to switch. In match situations, I have a one-handed slice backhand that I primarily use as a rally ball and then use the two-hander when it's in my strike zone. I've had hitting partners say I hit the ball cleaner with a one-handed backhand but I know I'm way more consistent with the two-hander as I feel that stroke is more match ready.

 

[tnig469]

Honestly, i think a one handed backhand is a natural skill to have. The timing and seeing the ball is hard to learn...it CAN be done. I am only 5'9...and i can drive a backhand extremely hard...harder than my forehand...i guess because i can bend my knees lower than taller ppl...i like to drive the ball...flatten it a bit...but its hard to achieve...ppl hate to hit to my backhand because it can be crazy...not good crazy

 

[MTChong]

You can make an argument that taller "stronger" players should, could, can, or ought to hit a onehander. However, this is not at all a hard and fast rule. Case in point, Henin.

The onehander is extremely timing sensitive. There are more parts of the body at work to synchronize to effectively develop a good onehanded backhand.

Reversing your comments, I would point out the Safin (who is tall) uses a twohanded backhand and so does Nadal.

My take on the two backhands is it depends on you. For instance, I love the onehanded backhand but my brain and the way I receive information does not do as well as it does with the twohanded backhand. I am a big guy, and I like to use my rotational power into the ball. It is not to say that I can not hit a fast paced hard hit onehander, I can, and I have a very nice stroke with my onehander, it is just the way my brain calculates the contact point. I "see" the ball better when my back eye is connected with my back arm. That is the way I am wired.

On the onehander I have trouble sometimes judging when to swing even with both eyes on the ball, on the twohander I have no such problem.

The twohander for many feels awkward at first, but eventually it can feel very natural and smooth when a player learns to use the weaker side of the body better for the stroke.

When developing the onehanded backhand, I would highly recommend you develop your topspin backhand along with your slice. I usually slice balls back saying to myself "give me another to hit" that are not in my strike zone or that I don't like. When the ball is in my grips strike zone, I try to nail it. That is the way I play.

Yeah, that all makes sense; I understand that there are exceptions (especially in the pros) such as Safin and Nadal for the two-hander and Henin for the one-hander. Yet at the same time, they are the pros; and as you say, there are some things that aren't as applicable for us "normal folk." In your general coaching experience, have you ever noticed any trends between what a certain player opts to use (perhaps based on height. A conclusion cannot be drawn, but a correlation can certainly be found).

Well, the main reason I'm trying to switch is that I have a hard time generating topspin on my two-handed backhand and getting angles; while for my one-hander, it seems much easier. Along that line, I find it hard to hit flat one-handed backhands, but that maybe be because I've only been trying it out for about a month now.

As for slicing, I do that often because I love chipping the approaches to their backhand and following it to the net for a volley.

 

[cak]

I play with both a one handed and two handed back hand, and I use a one handed backhand when the ball is high. (And I'm 5'2.) So I would think shorter people would prefer a one hander so they can reach the high balls. But then again, I use the two hander for top spin and top spin lobs only, all flat and slices (and the very occasional top spin) are done with one hand. Perhaps if you learned the two hander first you could generate flat and slice with a two hander?