1 handed backhand? Too weak?

[Liv3 For It]

I have been on a mission to switch to a 1HB since last month and am slowly doing it. I work the on the 1HB but I hit a 2HB in my tennis high school team matches.

First, should I even still be doing the 2HB? Or should I just completely change to the 1HB as fast as I can?, even If I start to lose...

Secondly, I asked our number one varsity player who is nationally ranked, if I should use a 1HB. He said "no, 1HB suck. Everyone our age(juniors) is too weak to use it. Just stick to the 2HB."

Is that true? ^^^

 

[CoachingMastery]

Without seeing your one-handed (or two-handed) backhand, there is no way of telling if your form is suspect on either.

Even as I teach predominately two-handed strokes, I believe that a solid one-handed backhand can be as effective--if not more effective than a solid two-handed backhand.

The problem is that most players who try the one-handed backhand fail certain components of the stroke and end up with a flawed or weak backhand.

If you are sincere about wanting to "own" a one-handed backhand, then you must stop reverting to your old two-handed backhand. (Just like someone going the other direction will need to do.)

It will take time (if you are executing the one-handed backhand correctly), and you will lose many points in the use of the new stroke. But, you can't avoid that which your trying to achieve...you have to do it over and over in competitive and under pressure too, if you are ever going to master the shot.

 

[wrxtotoro]

umm... I can hit both 1hbh and 2hbh and I just hit the shots depending on the situation, position and speed of the ball...

 

[oneguy21]

I've seen juniors with exceptional one handers. It's true most juniors use a 2hb, but there are quite a few one handers as well.

If you truly want to switch to a 1hb, keep practicing it and don't revert back.

With practice, the one hander can do everything a 2 hander can do and even more.

For me personally, 2 handers feel too stiff and it's hard to generate good depth with it. I wish I could've improved it but it just felt unnatural.

Now I've noticed you can generate "whip" more effortlessly with a 1hb - was that the case with you?

 

[Liv3 For It]

Yeah, I feel like the 1HB feels more natural to me. And that there is more whip.

But are you saying that I should just completely drop the 2HB right now?

Also, is that true, about how juniors cant really do 1HB's?

 

[LeeD]

A junior can be 6'2 and 200lbs. .... or 5' 1" and 97 lbs.
Which are you?
If you're weak, use two hands. If you can reach all serves, use two hands on the returns. If you like hitting two handed, do so.
OTOH, if you're strong, you can use one hand.
#1 uses two. #2 uses one. #3 uses two.

 

[albino smurf]

Commit to really learning the correct form and it is great. Fake it and it will haunt you. I don't know that strength is that big of an issue compared to proper preparation, form and footwork.

 

[oneguy21]

Yeah, I feel like the 1HB feels more natural to me. And that there is more whip.

But are you saying that I should just completely drop the 2HB right now?

Also, is that true, about how juniors cant really do 1HB's?

It doesn't matter whether juniors can or can't do a 1hb. You have to see which one you're more comfortable with.

If you want to learn how to hit a one hander, completely drop the 2hb right now. Get lessons from a coach or look at some videos on youtube.

 

[Liv3 For It]

Okay i am comfortable with the 1HB more than the 2HB however the question is still not answered. Is a 1HB not as good as a 2HB for high school players.

Also what if i start losing challenge matches? Should I still only work on the 1HB?

 

[In D Zone]

Before you switch to 1hbh:

Are you willing to make scrarifices - willing to loose a lot of matches?

How is your bh slice? is it reliable and can you slice the ball back even on a heavy shot to your bh?

If your answer is Yes to both. Then I'd say go with 1hbh. Reason I asked these questions. you will see your game dip dramatically - as there are more movement involve in playing the 1hbh.

1hbh and slice are the 2 strokes that complement each other. Having a good slice will really help. SLice can help you stay in the match - and you can play like Fernando Gonzales; run around each shot with your forehand.

ANother thought since tennis season is upon us - stick with 2bh, work on the slice. Then start working on 1hbh in the summer.

 

[chrisfromnc40]

pop your wrist out at the moment of hitting ball

 

[mikeler]

Okay i am comfortable with the 1HB more than the 2HB however the question is still not answered. Is a 1HB not as good as a 2HB for high school players.

Also what if i start losing challenge matches? Should I still only work on the 1HB?

I switched midway through high school. You just have to suck it up and deal with the losses that will happen. Like someone else mentioned, you can't revert back during a match to the two hander. Get that 1 hander battle tested.

When I started playing again at age 30, I was too weak to hit my 1 hander for a few months so I used the two hander. I hated it and as soon as my body got strong enough again, I switched back to the 1 hander. The losses piled up for the first month, but then I went on a pretty good tear at beating a bunch of people that I used to lose to.

 

[McNasty911]

it's prolly not a good idead to switch during mid-season.

But a 1 hander can because real powerfull.

 

[Liv3 For It]

it's prolly not a good idead to switch during mid-season.

But a 1 hander can because real powerfull.[/QUOTE]

???

 

[NLBwell]

Work on developing a solid and reliable slice one-handed backhand. You need that whether you hit a drive backhand with one or two hands. A really good slice is good enough to win at the high school level and you should be able to learn it pretty quickly (it is not a downward hack, but a forward stroke). Then work on the one-handed drive to move your game up a notch.

 

[ReopeningWed]

umm... I can hit both 1hbh and 2hbh and I just hit the shots depending on the situation, position and speed of the ball...

That means you never use the 1hbh in match play. Just make a decision for yourself, what does it matter what your number 1 thinks?