Do players with a 1hbh hit the ball higher than players with a 2hbh?

ogruskie · Apr 5, 2008

I was observing my one-handed backhand and some other players' two-handed backhands during practice yesterday. One thing I noticed, is that players with a one-handed backhand make the ball "loop". What I mean is, the ball flies up over the net fairly high, and comes back down, almost making a curve in the air. Other one-handed players used the same form. Two-handed backhand players, on the other hand, drive the ball just inches over the net without making the "loop".

Even in this video, I noticed it with Federer and Gasquet. The ball clears the net fairly high, and falls down, which is exactly how my backhand looks like.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K34NlWBen84)

Is this true?

sureshs · Apr 5, 2008

That is what I have also noticed when 1 H BH players hit non-slice shots. Reason is this: even though the "flat" drive was once common, it is no longer feasible because of increased incoming topspin and increased bounce. A flat drive has a high chance of losing control. So, the topspin is the safer shot, after the slice, and it requires hitting low to high. This is especially ture for cross-court backhands. For DTL shots, flatter shots with side spin are feasible.

For players with 2 H BH, the choice exists of flattening out the shot or looping it while going cross-court.

Geezer Guy · Apr 7, 2008

I'm sure someone knows more about it than me, but I agree that 1hbh'ers usually hit with more topspin, so they get the loop you're referring to. 2hbh'ers more often tend to hit flat drives.

It may be because of the takeback. The 1hbh'er has a longer takeback, allowing the racquet head to start lower, gather more momentum, and finish higher - resulting in more topspin. The 2hbh is a shorter stroke. Because both arms provide power, a strong shot can be hit with less wind-up. The stroke doesn't have as much low-to-high path, so not as much topspin. I'd say most 2hbh'ers DO hit with topspin (not flat) - just not as much topspin as a 1hbh.

That's my 2 cents anyway.

Sentinel · Apr 7, 2008

I don't think so. Many of us one handers hit very flat drives, just going within an inch of the net. I would not say that topspin is automatic -- I've been trying to incorporate topspin into my bh (and fh for that matter).

Rickson · Apr 7, 2008

ogruskie said:
I was observing my one-handed backhand and some other players' two-handed backhands during practice yesterday. One thing I noticed, is that players with a one-handed backhand make the ball "loop". What I mean is, the ball flies up over the net fairly high, and comes back down, almost making a curve in the air. Other one-handed players used the same form. Two-handed backhand players, on the other hand, drive the ball just inches over the net without making the "loop".

Even in this video, I noticed it with Federer and Gasquet. The ball clears the net fairly high, and falls down, which is exactly how my backhand looks like.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K34NlWBen84)

Is this true?

You're misjudging one handers. If I were to watch Justine, I'd think the one hander was meant to be hit flat. Not every one hander hits the ball loopy. I'm one of the one handed flat bombers.

soyizgood · Apr 7, 2008

I hit 2HBH and can hit flat or with topspin. I prefer to hit flat or with spin at a medium-to-low trajectory.

I've practiced hitting OHBH a few times and noticed those shots have a steeper downward trajectory and kick further back than when I hit 2HBH. Then again that's only in practice and I RARELY practice with OHBH.

Neither backhand is designed to be popping the ball up high. The strength of both backhands is the ability to hit for angles and pace. I suppose you could hit higher with a OHBH since that stroke's contact point is more forward than with a 2HBH and the OHBH stroke is longer. But a 2HBHer could hit high balls if he/she wanted to. For 2HBHers though, there's not much of an incentive to hit high balls and sacrifice pace.

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 7, 2008

soyizgood said:
I hit 2HBH and can hit flat or with topspin. I prefer to hit flat or with spin at a medium-to-low trajectory.

I've practiced hitting OHBH a few times and noticed those shots have a steeper downward trajectory and kick further back than when I hit 2HBH. Then again that's only in practice and I RARELY practice with OHBH.

Neither backhand is designed to be popping the ball up high. The strength of both backhands is the ability to hit for angles and pace. I suppose you could hit higher with a OHBH since that stroke's contact point is more forward than with a 2HBH and the OHBH stroke is longer. But a 2HBHer could hit high balls if he/she wanted to. For 2HBHers though, there's not much of an incentive to hit high balls and sacrifice pace.

Nadal hits with a lot of net clearance on his backhand. Nothing wrong with a little loop as long as you can still get it deep.

NamRanger · Apr 7, 2008

Djokovicfan4life said:
Nadal hits with a lot of net clearance on his backhand. Nothing wrong with a little loop as long as you can still get it deep.

He hits his backhand with a full western grip however, something rare among players.

C_Urala · Apr 8, 2008

ogruskie said:
I was observing my one-handed backhand and some other players' two-handed backhands during practice yesterday. One thing I noticed, is that players with a one-handed backhand make the ball "loop". What I mean is, the ball flies up over the net fairly high, and comes back down, almost making a curve in the air. Other one-handed players used the same form. Two-handed backhand players, on the other hand, drive the ball just inches over the net without making the "loop"...
Is this true?

When I saw the title, I thought you ask about the height of a contact point of 1hbh and 2hbh. However, it appeared you asked about the topspin. Topspin does not inheres in either of these shots. And both can be hit flat or with topspin.
As for the contact point, the 2hbh allows one to have it even higher. It is very hard to hit a 1hbh at a shoulder level, while 2hbh on that height is a pretty comfortable shot.

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 8, 2008

NamRanger said:
He hits his backhand with a full western grip however, something rare among players.

Really? Does he even have wrists anymore?

Sentinel · Apr 8, 2008

Djokovicfan4life said:
Really? Does he even have wrists anymore?

haha.

I think he meant an extreme grip. some time back I saw a clip of Gonzo hitting a bh, with what could be called a SW grip. I mean I could hit a SW forehand with that grip. I checked it several times.
However, since I have not observed all his bh's, i am willing to admit it could have been a high ball or something. In other words, an off-case. It was a winner - they showed a close-up replay of it.

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 8, 2008

Sentinel said:
haha.

I think he meant an extreme grip. some time back I saw a clip of Gonzo hitting a bh, with what could be called a SW grip. I mean I could hit a SW forehand with that grip. I checked it several times.
However, since I have not observed all his bh's, i am willing to admit it could have been a high ball or something. In other words, an off-case. It was a winner - they showed a close-up replay of it.

That's just an extreme eastern backhand, I can hit with this grip sometimes, it can really help with high balls.

sunnyIce · Apr 13, 2008

yup. i love that shot if and when i get that shot; the loop i mean. i play 1hbh, and drool everytime i can loop one cross court. that must be why gasq and fed play it a lot too lol.

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 13, 2008

sunnyIce said:
yup. i love that shot if and when i get that shot; the loop i mean. i play 1hbh, and drool everytime i can loop one cross court. that must be why gasq and fed play it a lot too lol.

My best backhand shot as well.

sunnyIce · Apr 13, 2008

ok seriously though, i think it depends on the person. some of us get stuck with 'very' firm wrists. i personally think that on the 1hbh we need to have firm (not deathgrip) wrists at contact and then have supple wrist release (dont know how else to explain) thru the followthru. if you get this then the loop is evident. i get stuck being too firm and 'locked' in. this either results in a long ball or net ball. gasq and fed have very relaxed supple wrists post contact and its fluid. i think henin is a great example (and mauresmo) of very firm wrists thru the shot.

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 13, 2008

sunnyIce said:
ok seriously though, i think it depends on the person. some of us get stuck with 'very' firm wrists. i personally think that on the 1hbh we need to have firm (not deathgrip) wrists at contact and then have supple wrist release (dont know how else to explain) thru the followthru. if you get this then the loop is evident. i get stuck being too firm and 'locked' in. this either results in a long ball or net ball. gasq and fed have very relaxed supple wrists post contact and its fluid. i think henin is a great example (and mauresmo) of very firm wrists thru the shot.

Maybe firm isn't the best way of describing it, but you should definitely have a stable wrist through contact. It's kind of hard to hit a good shot with your wrist flopping all over the place.

You can be stable and yet loose at the same time, it's not impossible.

sunnyIce · Apr 13, 2008

yes i struggle with it. i'v been spending the last few weeks now trying to get back to playing tennis after oh so many years. sometimes self-doubt creeps in when i keep netting the bhand, they always hit to my 1hbh, but i cream one..it brings a smile

somewhat good news the good shots are getting a bit less infrequent. practice they say can work wonders. i'm not giving on my 1hbh yet.

iplaybetter · Apr 13, 2008

why my topspin backhand is there it has a good deal of loop, depth kills, otherwise its gonzo style slice till you get the forehand

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 13, 2008

sunnyIce said:
yes i struggle with it. i'v been spending the last few weeks now trying to get back to playing tennis after oh so many years. sometimes self-doubt creeps in when i keep netting the bhand, they always hit to my 1hbh, but i cream one..it brings a smile somewhat good news the good shots are getting a bit less infrequent. practice they say can work wonders. i'm not giving on my 1hbh yet.

Of course you shouldn't give up on the one-hander! Why would you even think of such things!

It's fun to blast a backhand when someone won't stop playing to it. It's funny how everyone assumes that their opponents backhand is automatically worse than their forehand.

sunnyIce · Apr 13, 2008

possible. my goal is to make it my strength. its easily the more solid side on my volleys. i'm starting to love the high bh smashes.
fhand is somewhat ok, but i tend to get tooooo ambitious on that side.

Djokovicfan4life · Apr 13, 2008

We're a lot alike actually, I tend to get big eyes on forehand volleys as well. That little devil on my shoulder keeps telling me, "Go on, screw a proper volley a whack the crap out of the ball". That poor fence.

sunnyIce · Apr 13, 2008

lol. swing for the fences! i kno the feeling.
add a few oz to the weight of my racquet helps a lot too. but its got to be experimented with, otherwise the bhand loop goes away

Do players with a 1hbh hit the ball higher than players with a 2hbh?

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