should I switch to a two-handed backhand?

[barnes1172]

I have a decent OHB. I have had it since age 17, and I'm 39 now.

I used to consider it my best shot, but my forehand has surpassed it, as I have improved. I am currently a high 3.5/ low 4.0.

The reason I am contemplating making the switch is my last few experiences playing singles against stronger 4.0 guys, who hit with heavy topspin, and were winning a lot of points by hitting inside-out forehands to my backhand side, which usually caused me to hit a weak backhand.

I am particularly interested in hearing from posters who have made the switch (or tried to make the switch) from a OHB to a THB. Was it worth it?

My goal is to continue playing tennis for another 30+ years and develop into a strong 4.0 singles player, or higher.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by barnes1172

I have a decent OHB. I have had it since age 17, and I'm 39 now.

I used to consider it my best shot, but my forehand has surpassed it, as I have improved. I am currently a high 3.5/ low 4.0.

The reason I am contemplating making the switch is my last few experiences playing singles against stronger 4.0 guys, who hit with heavy topspin, and were winning a lot of points by hitting inside-out forehands to my backhand side, which usually caused me to hit a weak backhand.

I am particularly interested in hearing from posters who have made the switch (or tried to make the switch) from a OHB to a THB. Was it worth it?

My goal is to continue playing tennis for another 30+ years and develop into a strong 4.0 singles player, or higher.

I'm also 39 and have been hitting a 1 hander since I was about 16 years old. Tennis elbow forced me to make the switch. The transition from 1 back to 2 hands was nowhere near as bad as the switch from 2 to 1 back in my junior days. Go for it if you feel like it can help you win matches.

[martini1]

Switching to 2hbh in 30's is easier than you think. Just don't get discouraged by it when you play with players with good bh. It is actually a lot easier to hit flat AND TS shots. And don't forget you can still use 1h slices to handle super high or super low balls.

[treblings]

it´s certainly doable, but don´t underestimate the time and effort you have to invest.
my advice would be to work with a good teaching pro who can lead you through the process and give you feedback on your progress.
there´s also the possibility to make your ohbh better, as you did with your fh
think grip, think footwork,... again, that´s were a pro who knows your game could help

[Limpinhitter]

IMHO, if you have a sound 1hb and you're just looking to improve that side, and you're not looking to switch because of injuries, then I would suggest that it will probably be easier to improve your 1hb than to switch to a 2hb.

On the other hand, a 2hb comes very naturally to some players. Speaking as one who made the switch due to injuries and struggled for a long time before I learned what the hell I was doing, there are three major differences that you have to keep in mind when hitting a 2hb:

1. A 2hb is essentially a left handed forehand. Your left hand is dominant and your right hand is passive.
2. A 2hb requires much more upper body rotation. With two hands on the racquet, you cannot swing with your arms at all. 100% of your swing path comes from upper body rotation, wrist, and elbow bend on the finish.
3. A 2hb requires more precise footwork and set up because you have less flexibility to adjust to imperfect set ups with 2 hands on the racquet.

Having said all that, if you are going to give it a try, I would highly recommend that you emulate Andre Agassi's backhand. Not only did he have the best backhand (1h or 2h), of all time, he also had the most perfect, and simplest, technique of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1qv6S7KJug

Hope that helps.

[BevelDevil]

My standard advice on the 1hbh is,

1. Use the right grip! This is the starting point, and a bad choice here is what derails a lot of players.

I highly recommend a "hammer"-like Eastern backhand grip. Here's a video showing how to obtain this grip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IurGIKVFKQ#t=0m19s

2. Watch: Two of the best videos on the 1hbh, Part I and Part II.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW2_dyj6QiM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWTPw1l3qIU


If you decide to go to the 2hbh, watch some videos and be sure to pay attention to the footwork and weight transfer.

[LeeD]

EVERY player feels he has a problem with his backhand when he hits against better players.
Why don't you just slice it back hard, low, deep, with lots of backspin? Slice is easy to control ball height, so it's consistent. If they hit 9 topspin shots to your backhand, you'd need to slice it back 6 times, then hit a few topspinners a couple, then give up and hit a sliced drop shot/lob combo to break their monopoly of the point.
Or, learn the two hander, make another half step to most backhands.

[rkelley]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

IMHO, if you have a sound 1hb and you're just looking to improve that side, and you're not looking to switch because of injuries, then I would suggest that it will probably be easier to improve your 1hb than to switch to a 2hb.

On the other hand, a 2hb comes very naturally to some players. Speaking as one who made the switch due to injuries and struggled for a long time before I learned what the hell I was doing, there are three major differences that you have to keep in mind when hitting a 2hb:

1. A 2hb is essentially a left handed forehand. Your left hand is dominant and your right hand is passive.
2. A 2hb requires much more upper body rotation. With two hands on the racquet, you cannot swing with your arms at all. 100% of your swing path comes from upper body rotation, wrist, and elbow bend on the finish.
3. A 2hb requires more precise footwork and set up because you have less flexibility to adjust to imperfect set ups with 2 hands on the racquet.

Having said all that, if you are going to give it a try, I would highly recommend that you emulate Andre Agassi's backhand. Not only did he have the best backhand (1h or 2h), of all time, he also had the most perfect, and simplest, technique of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1qv6S7KJug

Hope that helps.

A couple of things I'd add:

- The contact zone is shorter with a two hander because of the constraint of both hands on the racquet. That takes a while to get used to.

- It's easier to muscle the ball over with a two hander if you are out of position.

- Keep (or develop) a one handed slice. It's really important for short balls, which are hard with a two hander.

- Djokovic is another great pro to watch for a two hander. His motion is a bit different than Agassi's, but also really good.

[goober]

I know 2 guys who switched to a 2HBH in their 40s.

One guy switched about 15 years ago because of bad tennis elbow and he has a very good 2HBH, In fact I would say it is his best shot.

One switched about 6 years ago because his one hander was weak. His 2 hander is ok, but doesn't seem like a natural shot for him. He never hits winners off it. His main advantage is that he can handle high balls a little better and his return of serve is a little better than he had with his 1HBH. He plays almost exclusively dubs so I don't think it actually helps him that much.

[5263]

with time it should help you to do better with returning 1st serves to that side.