1hbh or 2hbh.. really at a crossroads.

[aptennis91]

I've been basically pressured into 2hbh and forbidden to try the 1hbh by my past high school coaches.
The other day, while I was hitting against the wall, I tried hitting 1hbh.
I knew my 1hbh was pretty decent and I was frustrated at the lack of power on the 2hbh.
My 2hbh isn't bad.. I can place it, drive it pretty well especially down the line.
However, my 1hbh drives deep with lots of topspin and really well crosscourt when I started trying it.
So my question is, if my 1hbh and 2hbh are almost equal, what should I do?
I've been tweaking the 2hbh for 2 years now and I've used 1hbh for 2 days but they seem to be about the same.
What are the strengths of each?
I also use an oversize liquidmetal radical, which is not the ideal for 1hbh, but I seem to hit fine with it.
Also, I tend to want to be an aggressive baseliner... although I choke a lot during games...

[Gugafan]

Alot depends on your style of game. Players that like to utilise slice and play an allcourt game, generally prefer the 1hbh....If your one hander feels more natural then stick with it. No point changing, a winning formula.

Secondly, get rid of the OS stick if your using a 1hbh. Get something abit more HL, and with a smaller head. I am sure you will find drastic improvements in your 1hbh.

[SethIMcClaine]

Main thing is pick one and stick with it.

2hbh+ lots of stability on heavy pace shots
1hbh+ reaches alot of shots 2hbh cant, easier to add top spin and slice to game.
2hbh- hard to hit high and low, not as much extension, and players often still use 1hbh to make up for high and low shots
1hbh- not as stable, more prone to injuries because of this (tennis elbow...)

[FH2FH]

forget about the racquet and first address the mental issue... choking!

a 2H is a solid shot and you will need to work a long time to develop the consistency and confidence that comes faster with two hands. if you're up to the challenge and don't mind playing at a lower level for a while, go for it!

[masterxfob]

if you want to learn the 1hbh, then do it. you should do what makes the sport more enjoyable for you and nobody should tell you otherwise.

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

My opinion is to stick with the stroke that you first used when you picked up a raquet...I believe everyone has a 'natural' stroke that they are born to play with.

[Mick]

in the old days, the coaches would say ditch the 2hbh and keep the 1hbh because they wanted their students to become better volleyers. but nowadays, people don't come to net much anymore. so, it doesn't matter how many hand you use to hit the backhand.

[2ndServe]

2 handed backhand will make your return game better. 1hb players usually murder the ball, be it forehand, backhand, serve and of course are better volleyers. Why? It's simple, hitting a strong 1hb requires great strength especially if you're going to return 110+ mph serves with 1 hand on your offside.

You develop a ridiculous amount of wrist and arm strength, all the great all court players past, present (fed, pete, becker, kuerten, henin, stich, ivanesevic, stich, forget, gasquet) and probably future have 1hb. If you're going to be purely a baseliner, I'd say hit a 2hb.

[theagassiman]

Originally Posted by 2ndServe

2 handed backhand will make your return game better. 1hb players usually murder the ball, be it forehand, backhand, serve and of course are better volleyers. Why? It's simple, hitting a strong 1hb requires great strength especially if you're going to return 110+ mph serves with 1 hand on your offside.

You develop a ridiculous amount of wrist and arm strength, all the great all court players past, present (fed, pete, becker, kuerten, henin, stich, ivanesevic, stich, forget, gasquet) and probably future have 1hb. If you're going to be purely a baseliner, I'd say hit a 2hb.

ivanesevic had a 1hb?!
not last time i checked.

[120mphBodyServe]

Stick with the one hander.

[Jay_The_Nomad]

I'm getting the vibe that you prefer the 1h over the 2hbh...

Stick with the 1hbh since you prefer it.

Tennis is all about enjoyment; if 1hbh is gonna give you lots of joy.. go for it.

[itracbui3]

go for the 1h and stick with it no matter what people says. stick with what makes you feel better when you play the game. im also at the crossroad of picking2h or 1h and ive decided to go with 1h because i like it much more than 2h

[fuzz nation]

Yeah, don't assume that a racquet isn't "ideal" for your stroke if you can hit just fine with it. Personal taste is what it is, so use the gear that you like.

I honestly use both types of strokes. The 1hbh is nice when I have time to set and swing with good tempo, but if I'm rushed or I'm trying to smack a return of serve, I can set and fire more quickly with a 2hbh. It seems to me that one or the other just makes more sense for any given player - if I'm in regular rally mode, my consistency and accuracy are night-and-day better when I use a one hander. Wherever you find the confidence, make that stroke your priority. The alternative isn't better for you if you can't hit it well, right?

In case you don't have a reliable slice bh yet, I think it's a really smart shot to have in your bag of tricks regardless of which topspin stroke you like.

[cadfael_tex]

I think there is no danger in exploring except taking time from practicing the stroke you currently have.

I was in a similar situation 20 years ago. Two hander taught but wanted to have a One hander to go with my cool (at the time ) serve and volley game. I worked long and hard to develop it.

Here's the results of my quest. Two hander was consistent but never a weapon. One hander could be lethal and 'looked pretty' but never got dialed in.

Moral of the story - haven't got one because as I look at coming back to the game again after a long lay off I have both options and no idea which one I'll embrace.

It doesn't hurt to try new strokes to put into your inventory.

[ttbrowne]

You've almost convinced yourself to go to a 1hbh. Why don't you just try it for a month or two and see how it works. Dont hit your 2hbh for a month and then you should know.
Good luck!

[bjk]

I say go with the 1hbh if you like it . . .


I had a two hander as a kid thru high school (definitely my weakest shot), stopped playing tennis for about five years, then when I picked it up again, went with the 1hbh, and now it's my best shot. It's true that it doesn't handle pace well, but a slice backhand on pace shots can really frustrate your opponent. And it's so much more fun than a 2hbh . . .

[SethIMcClaine]

Originally Posted by TENNIS_IS_FUN

My opinion is to stick with the stroke that you first used when you picked up a raquet...I believe everyone has a 'natural' stroke that they are born to play with.

I second this notion

[LuckyR]

Originally Posted by aptennis91

I've been basically pressured into 2hbh and forbidden to try the 1hbh by my past high school coaches.
The other day, while I was hitting against the wall, I tried hitting 1hbh.
I knew my 1hbh was pretty decent and I was frustrated at the lack of power on the 2hbh.
My 2hbh isn't bad.. I can place it, drive it pretty well especially down the line.
However, my 1hbh drives deep with lots of topspin and really well crosscourt when I started trying it.
So my question is, if my 1hbh and 2hbh are almost equal, what should I do?
I've been tweaking the 2hbh for 2 years now and I've used 1hbh for 2 days but they seem to be about the same.
What are the strengths of each?
I also use an oversize liquidmetal radical, which is not the ideal for 1hbh, but I seem to hit fine with it.
Also, I tend to want to be an aggressive baseliner... although I choke a lot during games...

A baseliner who chokes?? You need your 2HBH since it has better consistancy.

What you need more than anything else is to make up your mind and concentrate on only one stroke.

[NickH87]

The return on fast serves are hard for me with my 1hbh, I used to slice alot of the returns but Ive gotten a little 2handed return lately, its like a reaction shot but I wouldnt use 2hands at any point in the rally.

[aptennis91]

ok I hit with the 1hbh and 2hbh today and I found something that some of u have already noted.
When the ball is in my strike zone and I time it right, the 1hbh is a beauty, but whenever I caught it low or late, it would fly.
I think if I work on the 1hbh a little more, I could become a better player overall. The reason I choke is because I don't have confidence in my shots and maybe having a weapon on the backhand side to go along with my forehand will help??
So what kind of adjustments should I make when I have to catch the ball late or get a low ball?
Also, I like the idea of using 2hbh to block serves back.