Switching from 2 Handed Backhand to 1 Handed Backhand

[DX_Psycho]

my coach drilled us on the one-hand slice and my slice is better than the other one-hander that takes lessons with me. my coach asked me if i might want to try switching to 1 handed backhand because i had a hard time with 2hbh form (bad follow-through, bad hitting stance) i don't know. it comes and goes. during school season it was my weapon but then after not playing for a few weeks i just forgot how to hit it. not that i care, because i know i can get it back, but i like the one handed too. it just looks and feels cooler and the slice backhand looks great too.

anyways, the other one-hander had a hard time learning it. i'm a faster learner than he is though, so i was wondering how long it takes to get a decent backhand? i would like to be ready for the school season after summer. thanks.

 

[Rickson]

my coach drilled us on the one-hand slice and my slice is better than the other one-hander that takes lessons with me. my coach asked me if i might want to try switching to 1 handed backhand because i had a hard time with 2hbh form (bad follow-through, bad hitting stance) i don't know. it comes and goes. during school season it was my weapon but then after not playing for a few weeks i just forgot how to hit it. not that i care, because i know i can get it back, but i like the one handed too. it just looks and feels cooler and the slice backhand looks great too.

anyways, the other one-hander had a hard time learning it. i'm a faster learner than he is though, so i was wondering how long it takes to get a decent backhand? i would like to be ready for the school season after summer. thanks.

Switch to the 1 hander and don't look back. I never liked the look of a 2 handed backhand and every time I see a male pro use one, I think, that guy is feminine. Use a man's backhand; use a one hander!

 

[brucie]

I'm 16 and used 2h since i was like 8! But last year a changed to 1h for about 3 months cus 2h wasnt going in it was s**t! Nice to hit but hard to get ready on quick balls, i found myself slicing most rather than the topspin that fed does, and the main reason i changed after his wimbledon performance! When I played a few in in a rally the shock often overcame me!!! Needless to say Im back with 2h and have had two private lessons this and last week the backhand is really good know as fun and good to hit as forehand!

 

[brolycjw]

I believe that both backhands have their own advantages, and the 2h backhand would be more appealing to a baseliner. But of course, you should give the one-hander a try since you might just find yourself better at it. I also used the 2h backhand when I was younger since I didn't have enough strength on my right arm. But I later switched to 1h when my 2h backhand became a liability since I don't run that fast and need that extra reach when it comes to backhand.

 

[Caswell]

Just go with whatever feels natural. I was taught young to hit a two-hander, but as I got into my teens hitting a one-hander just felt more natural. It didn't take me long to switch because I was moving to a stroke I felt more comfortable with.

Don't force one or the other. You'll know which one you should be hitting when you try them both.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Just go with whatever feels natural. I was taught young to hit a two-hander, but as I got into my teens hitting a one-hander just felt more natural. It didn't take me long to switch because I was moving to a stroke I felt more comfortable with.

Don't force one or the other. You'll know which one you should be hitting when you try them both.

The onehander will 99% of the time always feel more natural. That is why the "go with what is natural" bit doesn't always work.

 

[Caswell]

Obviously you've got more experience than me, but I saw plenty of guys try to switch from two hands to one growing up. Most didn't - after being taught a two-hander young, that shot felt more natural to them. It never clicked for me. If I missed a day or two of practice the shot fell apart.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Obviously you've got more experience than me, but I saw plenty of guys try to switch from two hands to one growing up. Most didn't - after being taught a two-hander young, that shot felt more natural to them. It never clicked for me. If I missed a day or two of practice the shot fell apart.

Exactly, I know very few excellent players that have made the switch.

The onehander will always feel like the more "natural" stroke. But is the brain wired to handle the learning curve?

The point is, choosing to go with a onehander is not as simple just because it "feels" more natural.

 

[kevhen]

For some people a one-handed backhand may feel more natural, but being left-handed while playing sports right-handed, the 2 hander where I can use my left hand feels much more natural.

When I play left-handed, the one-handed backhand feels very natural to me.

I am trying to add the right-handed one-hand slice approach to my bag of shots but it's not very natural but will just take lots of practice.

Sampras made the switch from 2 to 1.

 

[hyperwarrior]

I switched since 2002. It feels good when you hit it clean...