Backhand Down The Line

is it easier to hit a reliable backhand down the line with a 1HBH or a 2HBH? i think its the 2HBH but i do think its easier to get more topspin with a 1HBH -- and topspin is so important in hitting a reliable backhand down the line.

what do you guys think? my coach says there's no obvious answer.

Your coach is correct.

objectivity said:

is it easier to hit a reliable backhand down the line with a 1HBH or a 2HBH? i think its the 2HBH but i do think its easier to get more topspin with a 1HBH -- and topspin is so important in hitting a reliable backhand down the line.

what do you guys think? my coach says there's no obvious answer.

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I started with a 1hbh, I can play both but now I play a 2hbh because it works much better for me.

Personally I would recommend a 2hbh for everyone as I believe it is a better setup.

It just takes a lot of time and effort to change from a 1hbh to a 2hbh and some people just do not want to go through that.

I'd say 1hbh. I think 2hbh is easier for CC.

Whichever you practice more.
1hbh, I can crush DTL, but little topspin, all pace.
Why is MORE topspin needed? What IS needed is height control, and ball speed. Heavy topspin is NOT ball speed.

Either one, when set up and executed properly, can just as easily hit the ball DTL. Most people who can't effectively hit a DTL shot with their backhand blame it on an "inferior" 1 or 2 hand methodology. People that are envious of two-handers think the one hander is inferior, and vice versa.

OP: you should pick a methodology and stick with it. Learn how to execute it properly and it won't let you down. If you're having trouble hitting DTL with a 1HBH, then you're likely just doing it wrong.

But if your coach thinks you should learn the 2HBH, and you trust his judgement, then by all means: learn the 2HBH. But remember you're not doing that just so you can hit DTL. You're doing it because it's a fundamental mechanic that your coach believes should be adjusted.

LeeD said:

Whichever you practice more.
1hbh, I can crush DTL, but little topspin, all pace.
Why is MORE topspin needed? What IS needed is height control, and ball speed. Heavy topspin is NOT ball speed.

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need more top spin to clear the net... cos the net is highest at the sides...

Do you prefer one handed or two handed? It all depends on which one you favor more and the more favored one is the one you should be hitting your DTL shots with.

anubis said:

Either one, when set up and executed properly, can just as easily hit the ball DTL. Most people who can't effectively hit a DTL shot with their backhand blame it on an "inferior" 1 or 2 hand methodology. People that are envious of two-handers think the one hander is inferior, and vice versa.

OP: you should pick a methodology and stick with it. Learn how to execute it properly and it won't let you down. If you're having trouble hitting DTL with a 1HBH, then you're likely just doing it wrong.

But if your coach thinks you should learn the 2HBH, and you trust his judgement, then by all means: learn the 2HBH. But remember you're not doing that just so you can hit DTL. You're doing it because it's a fundamental mechanic that your coach believes should be adjusted.

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i switched to a 2HBH from a 1HBH and i love it. the stability is so much better. and i can handle high balls much more easily. of course low balls are much more problematic now but its a tradeoff i am happy to make.

i just find that my current 2HBH DTL has less top-spin than my previous 1HBH version.

Poster #7.
Are you below 4.0 level? Or new to tennis?
Once you start to play against some higher level players, up to say....5.5, you will find it don't matter! A slice with little pace can work as an effective passing shot, if it's hit low over the net, and you set up the volleyer with previous shots.
Yes, you DO need a fair amount of topspin to pass MichaelLlodra when he's camped at net.
Chances are, you aren't playing Llodra. You are playing someone close to your level, so a slow moving, no spin, even underspin ball, is good enough for a winner.

if you want to blast the heck out of it DTL then either you need tiny net clearance or good amount of top, but as LeeD says, to hit a winner or a winning shot (one that sets up a winner) you just need to hit a drive or topspin with decent pace to force the issue. With good direction and relevant depth (short or long as the rally dictates). Dont stress over needing tons of top. Sure if you want to hit a dipping shot at a guy at the net and hit it where he can reach it, then lots of top to make it dip is needed.

But if you are going DTL then you dont need to stress too much about tons of topspin.

LeeD said:

Poster #7.
Are you below 4.0 level? Or new to tennis?
Once you start to play against some higher level players, up to say....5.5, you will find it don't matter! A slice with little pace can work as an effective passing shot, if it's hit low over the net, and you set up the volleyer with previous shots.
Yes, you DO need a fair amount of topspin to pass MichaelLlodra when he's camped at net.
Chances are, you aren't playing Llodra. You are playing someone close to your level, so a slow moving, no spin, even underspin ball, is good enough for a winner.

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^^^THIS

I love my one hand back hand slice DTL. It's one of my favorite shots.

If I aim the bounce to be parallel to an approaching opponent it's usually to low for him to hit anything aggressive IF he even manages to get a racquet on the ball. And if he does scoop the low, skidding ball off the court it's usually a weak floater.

There's also usually a little side spin that takes it outside the court away from an opponent. Usually I'll return an outside BH cross court but if it's weak then I'll slice dtl or even drop shot with loads of back spin.

objectivity said:

i switched to a 2HBH from a 1HBH and i love it. the stability is so much better. and i can handle high balls much more easily. of course low balls are much more problematic now but its a tradeoff i am happy to make.

i just find that my current 2HBH DTL has less top-spin than my previous 1HBH version.

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Yes, a 2HBH can handle high bouncing shots to your BH easier, but so can a 1 handed slice too.

A properly executed 2HBH can produce enough topspin to keep the ball in play. If you find your 2HBH is too flat, not enough topspin, that's not the fault of the mechanics of a 2HBH in general, it just means you need to work on it some more. You can effectively put plenty of topspin with a 2HBH, and once you figure it out, you'll have no trouble at all.

Good luck!

I haven't played two-handed, but I do find that the one hander is great for hitting with massive top spin which brings the ball back down quickly and gives you ridiculous angles. A short ball to a one handed backhand spells trouble, even if it's low.

Going down the line, without having ever tried the 2 hander, it seems more controllable with one hand, because the shot doesn't require core rotation, so less can go wrong. And you're right, the added inherent topspin helps there too.

The issue is whether or not you have the time to set up properly, it seems to take longer to get into position for the one hander, so early footwork is essential.

Also, slightly off topic, but I read somewhere that we all have a dominant eye, and ideally you should set up with that side closer to the ball. With the one handed backhand, you have no options, if you're right handed, you need to be right-eye dominant, otherwise you'll have trouble with the shot. Even more so when you get a crosscourt ball and wanna send it down the line, then your stance is even more side-on to the incoming ball.