The one handed backhand: liabilities and benefits

[Dimcorner]

I'm flipping back and forth between the two since I haven't decided which one I like better.

For serve return I can hit the 2 offensively much more often than the 1. I get better angles with the one hander. I get more spin with the 2. I can disguise the 1 better.

My team mates tell me to keep the one because it seems that I hit it correctly and looks very fluid, but I have only been playing about 8 months so I'm probably pretty flexible in terms of which direction to commit to.

[10isfreak]

Originally Posted by BevelDevil

"Reach" is more than just about arm reach.

It's about being able to lunge, or run through the ball, and put some controlled heat on it. I think the 1hbh has the lead here.

Interesting. Ideally, we modify our body position (we use different footwork patterns, jump or bend our knees) so that we're still using, overall the same form for every ball. Obviously, it can happen at times that you can't do it, which calls for unusual positions...

What then comes to my mind is who, between a two handed player and a one handed player, pays the greater price for cheating on his form? That is, who makes the least out of the exceptional situation you introduce here?

Originally Posted by BevelDevil

I'd like to see, or at least read more about this study. Any links or other information?

I didn't read the study myself... someone reported it in a backhand thread. I'll see if I can get a link.

[BevelDevil]

Originally Posted by Dimcorner

I'm flipping back and forth between the two since I haven't decided which one I like better.

Perhaps use the 2hbh for ROS, 1hbh for everything else. Some famous doubles guy did that.

Originally Posted by 10isfreak

Interesting. Ideally, we modify our body position (we use different footwork patterns, jump or bend our knees) so that we're still using, overall the same form for every ball. Obviously, it can happen at times that you can't do it, which calls for unusual positions...

What then comes to my mind is who, between a two handed player and a one handed player, pays the greater price for cheating on his form? That is, who makes the least out of the exceptional situation you introduce here?

Depends on the situation. The big, lateral step is particularly well suited for the 1hbh because of the arm mobility. It's a specific situation, but one that comes up a lot since baseline rallies are all about moving side to side. The only way a lunge is cheating on form is that the player is a bit off balance. Otherwise, it's basically a normal stroke.

It's important to note that when the player is reaching during a rally, often times he knows exactly where the ball is and what it's doing; he just needs to get there. So he has time to make some preparation.


On the other hand, 2-handers are able to cheat all the time when it comes to adjusting to surprises (including serves). This is particularly true when players are new to the game and they can't read the ball.

[mikeespinmusic]

Polarized racquets (weight distributed more towards the tips of the racquets) tend to favour 2 hand backhands due to the less stability compared to an oldschool Depolarized racquet.

When it comes to Racquet setups, think Yin and Yang.

Depolarized racquets will favour a one hand backhand if you like to hit hard/flat shots. Because of its added stability and penetration off the string bed. Most serve volley players preffered it. But it has little margin for error, especially at the back of the court and will be more prone to unforced errors with out proper preparation.

Polarized racquets have a greater room for error because it has a higher "spinny loop" clearance over the net. Usually used by baseliners who want to swing big and grind the rally out for long time. Their volleys tend to be a bit too spinny and sit up more than they like though.

Its not always the case for all players. Not every player will fit the norm in ideal setups.

Example : Agassi was a depolarized setup - and he had a two handed backhand and loved to work the back of the court with flat bullets over the net. He had less margin for error...but because he's Andre Agassi he was able to do it.

Rafter was a polarized setup - and he had a one hand back hand and serve/volleyed. The spinny loop in his case was used to buy him time in charging the net more often.

Source: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=309803

[Anaconda]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I've used both 1 handed and 2 handed backhands extensively, just curious have you?

I use a one hander. Tried a two hander a few years ago but wasn't to my liking; Not that my one hander is much better, but it's a lot fluid. I still think the one hander is the more conservative return though.