1 Handed Backhand vs. 2 Handed Backhand Thread To End All 1hdbh vs. 2hdbh Thread!!!!!

[Big Fed]

Ok you guys prolly all saw the debate bettwen Patrick McEnroe and Darren Cahill (i think thats his name) about which type of backhand is more effective on the pro tour. Patrick voted for 2 hander because of the returns and power of the ground. Darren voted for 1 hander because of shot variety, reach, and net play.

I my self use a 1 hander but im not voting 1 hander just because i use one. I think most 1 handed players feel comfortable around net which is very important at the pro level. Think of all the great volleyers 95% of them has 1 handers. 1 handers can go toe to toe with any 2 hander from the baseline. And slice is more comfortable for 1 handers.

Oppions extremely welcomed.

 

[sondraj]

I have to say I agree, with one handed for exactly the reason stated, Variety, reach, net play. I can't vouch for it personally because I use 2 handed ( mainly because I'm a girl, not very strong, and it's easier for me to use 2 handed) and really the only benefit I can see with 2 handed is if you can't generate enough power with one handed.

 

[PrinceO3TourOS]

One handed backhand is better It's more natural, powerful and also prevents back injuries unlike 2hbh :lol:

 

[BreakPoint]

The funny thing about that whole debate between Patrick McEnroe and Darren Cahill is how hypocritical PMac was in harping how the 2HBH is so much better than the 1HBH. Yes, he had one of the best 2HBH's on tour, but when asked point blank two years ago, he said he would still prefer to have a 1HBH himself.

Read it here: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/french/2005-05-31-one-handed-backhands_x.htm

Here's an excerpt:

"All things being equal, if I had to choose between a great two-hander and a great one-hander, I would take a one-hander," admits [Patrick] McEnroe, whose best shot when he played was his two-handed backhand."

 

[xtremerunnerars]

I saw the title and I was going to bring it up, but you quoted it so there goes that.

I think I agree that if you have a student who shows signs of being a total genius, teach them a one hander. Otherwise a two hander.

I will say that I do believe a two hander is easier to learn.

 

[jaggy]

I did vote but the choices would have been better in English

 

[Swissv2]

fo shizzle.

 

[Big Fed]

Lol i wanted to see how u guys would react to the options. I am a hardcore baseliner and i use 1 handed

 

[Attila the tennis Bum]

I was listening to Brad Gilber talk about this issue today on NBC.

Anyway brad thinks the future is in using both.

He you should use a two hander from the baseline but also learn the one hander for volleys and slices.

 

[Shinpachi222]

I play all-around, and find a one-handed backhand to be much more natural in match play. People from my camp taught me how to use the 2hand, but it felt extremely strange. I felt like I was able to generate more power and spin with a 1hand, mainly because I need to swing fast, and a two-hander restricts movement.

In terms of slices... I tell anybody who is new to use a one-hander. Save for one kid on my school team (By the way, I am the only one-hander on that team), everyone uses a one-handed backhand slice. I've found a one-hander is harder to read on slices if you use it right. When a two-hander switches to one hand, you know to be ready for a slice. But when an adept one-hander slices, you have at least 1.5 seconds less time to react.

All in all, a one-hander is better. You can get the ball deeper and with more spin, and is harder to read.

 

[BreakPoint]

I play all-around, and find a one-handed backhand to be much more natural in match play. People from my camp taught me how to use the 2hand, but it felt extremely strange. I felt like I was able to generate more power and spin with a 1hand, mainly because I need to swing fast, and a two-hander restricts movement.

In terms of slices... I tell anybody who is new to use a one-hander. Save for one kid on my school team (By the way, I am the only one-hander on that team), everyone uses a one-handed backhand slice. I've found a one-hander is harder to read on slices if you use it right. When a two-hander switches to one hand, you know to be ready for a slice. But when an adept one-hander slices, you have at least 1.5 seconds less time to react.

All in all, a one-hander is better. You can get the ball deeper and with more spin, and is harder to read.

I agree with everything you said.

 

[circusmouse]

The funny thing about that whole debate between Patrick McEnroe and Darren Cahill is how hypocritical PMac was in harping how the 2HBH is so much better than the 1HBH. Yes, he had one of the best 2HBH's on tour, but when asked point blank two years ago, he said he would still prefer to have a 1HBH himself.

Read it here: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/french/2005-05-31-one-handed-backhands_x.htm

Here's an excerpt:

"All things being equal, if I had to choose between a great two-hander and a great one-hander, I would take a one-hander," admits [Patrick] McEnroe, whose best shot when he played was his two-handed backhand."

I don't think Patrick was being hypocritical. He was acting as a foil to Darren's argument. Also, I believe that he admitted in that argument with Darren that a great 1hbh is better than a 2hbh but added that the 2hbh is bread and butter for the majority of competitive players who lack the skill of Fed.

But I think another good question is which one's better for us amateurs. I hit the 1hbh, and despite the general consensus that the 2hbh is easier to hit, I see very few amateurs with good 2hbh below the 4.5 level. I usually find it easy to pick on opponents with 2hbh using variety. If I hit a looping drive followed by a drive, followed by a low slice, I'll almost always elicit an error. I do agree, though, that the 1hbh can be tough to control on very hard shots like return of first serves. But I also don't find this to be a big factor at the club level. Most amateurs have weak serves and weak returns. Plus, most 1 handers have the reach advantage on returns, which is good because most amateurs aren't that quick.

Hit whatever backhand works for you.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

The Pmac vs Cahill thing was amusing, but neither was being serious. ...preference for 1h for me, I like the slice and the variety.

 

[DarkTennis]

i wonder why people say one hander are stronger....many of the best two hand backhand are the most powerful backhands and i never seen a pro that have a one hander got the title of being most powerful backhand....maybe the one hander is more tactical but not powerful. The strongest backhand is the two hander backhand no doubt !!!

 

[BreakPoint]

i wonder why people say one hander are stronger....many of the best two hand backhand are the most powerful backhands and i never seen a pro that have a one hander got the title of being most powerful backhand....maybe the one hander is more tactical but not powerful. The strongest backhand is the two hander backhand no doubt !!!

Did you read that article I linked above? This one? http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/french/2005-05-31-one-handed-backhands_x.htm

It says that Gustavo Kuerten switched to a 1HBH as a teenager to "gain more power from the backcourt."

Here's an excerpt:

"The 28-year-old Kuerten, for one, played with two hands from 9 to 12. But his former longtime coach, Larri Passos, encouraged Kuerten — who has one of the sweetest and most powerful one-handers around — to switch because he thought the variety, range and power from the backcourt would benefit him long-term."

Have you seen guys like Gaudio, Haas, Muster or even Federer and Henin hit their 1HBH's? I think they hit them just as hard as any 2-handers do.

I also hit a 1HBH and I can hit it as hard or harder than any 2HBH players I've ever played against.

 

[DarkTennis]

but mostly all the two hand backhanders are stronger or more powerful than a one hander, comparing to pros terms the strongest backhand out there are TWOHANDERS!!!

 

[DarkTennis]

ALSO did you read this "For Andre Agassi's style, it wouldn't have made sense for him to develop a one-handed backhand just because he plays a punishing backcourt game," says U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe, who also is a commentator for ESPN.

two handers are way stronger, one handers arent stronger back jsut more tactical
two handers are STRONGER

 

[cukoo]

But DarkTennis, stronger is not always better.
Who is to say that power is more important than "tactics" / variety.

 

[Golden Retriever]

How is this thread any different from other 1HBH VS 2HBH threads? Why would this thread end all 1HBH vs 2HBH threads in any way?

 

[DarkTennis]

haha im just saying two handers backhand is stronger i never said better did i? dunno it depends on lots of things to have a perfect game ....so w/e backhnad one would choose im just saying two hander is a power backhand and one hander is a tacitcal backhand....tactical could be good too dun get me wrong

 

[BreakPoint]

but mostly all the two hand backhanders are stronger or more powerful than a one hander, comparing to pros terms the strongest backhand out there are TWOHANDERS!!!

But that's just not correct at all.

Did you see the Gaudio-Hewitt match at the French Open this year? Gaudio was hitting screaming 1HBH winners left and right for most of the match. Hewitt's 2HBH looked like it was in slo-mo in comparison. I'd bet if they had a radar on those backhands, you'd see that Gaudio's had much more pace on them by far. And how many women can hit their 2HBH's as hard as Henin hits her 1HBH?

About the only two pros I know that can hit a 2HBH hard are Agassi and Safin. That's it. Lots of pros can hit their 1HBH's hard - like Kuerten, Gasquet, Haas, Muster, Federer, Gaudio, Henin, etc., even Blake can rip his 1HBH once in a while.

Power in strokes comes from timing, technique, and stroke mechanics, NOT from muscles. If you're muscling the ball, then you're....well...muscling the ball and not hitting it.

 

[DarkTennis]

man there is way more 2 handers out there your just not listing them

 

[Frenchie]

A 1HBH requires more effort to generate pace. Hewitt's stroke may seem to be in "slo-mo", but that just shows how much less effort he is exerting. A 1HBH has more reach, but I don't see how it is more "versatile". What can it do that a 2HBH cannot? (besides disguising slice lol)

 

[soyizgood]

From the two backhand polls I've voted on, it seems:

60% here use 1HBH
40% here use 2HBH

For the non-TW folks, it's probably:
60% of females using 2HBH
55% of males using 1HBH

 

[BreakPoint]

man there is way more 2 handers out there your just not listing them

Yes, there are, but they can't hit the ball as hard off their 2HBH's as some of the good 1HBH players can. Just take a look at Roddick's 2HBH. It's pretty pathetic.

 

[superman1]

Other than Agassi and Safin, I can't really think of anyone else who really rails the two handed backhand. Safin's is a laser that can either hit the line for a winner or hit the back wall, and Agassi's was a cannon that broke guys down. Nalbandian's is awesome as well, but his has less brute force on it. Hewitt's is pretty tame and predictable (crosscourt every time), but it's a model of consistency.

I think most experts will agree that at its best, the one-hander is better. However, most (not all) recreational players would be better off with a two-hander because it's easier to hit with authority. Compare how much Federer twists and turns his body on the one-hander to how Safin pretty much just stands still and only turns his shoulders.

 

[soyizgood]

This topic is about as productive as a Star Wars vs Star Trek debate. There's no right or wrong answer, but you can debate it to death if you so choose.

I choose a 2HBH because it just felt natural for me. I hit slices and reach out for balls with 1H. But the 2HBH has been my most reliable shot, even when I was only hitting flat. With the topspin and sharp cross-court angles I added, it's that much more versatile.

 

[BreakPoint]

A 1HBH requires more effort to generate pace.

Actually, it's the other way around. The 2HBH takes more effort to generate pace. With a 2HBH, you need to rotate both your shoulders and your trunk to generate the power, whereas, with a 1HBH all you need is a nice fluid stroke of your arm and raising of your hitting shoulder.
For instance, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9az5qWcLOTk

What can it do that a 2HBH cannot? (besides disguising slice lol)

You can flick a low bouncing ball while running for a winner with a 1HBH.

It's also easier to chip and charge on returns of serve with.

 

[superman1]

You can flick a low bouncing ball while running for a winner with a 1HBH.

There is not a single person (maybe in the history of the sport?) who can do this better than Nadal. It's probably easier with a one-hander, but Nadal is the exception to the rule.

 

[BreakPoint]

For the non-TW folks, it's probably:
60% of females using 2HBH
55% of males using 1HBH

I'd say the % of females using 2HBH's is much higher than that. Even at the pro level, it's like 95% or higher. I think at the recreational level, it's as high as that or maybe even higher.

For males, it depends on the age group. I think the % for the under 25 group it may be 55%, but for the over 35 age group it's probably under 15% use 2HBH's. For the over 45 age group, it's probably less than 5% use 2HBH's.

 

[Ultra2HolyGrail]

Gilbert knows his stuff. Two hander for returns and groudstrokes, with a one handed slice and you will have the complete package

 

[BreakPoint]

Gilbert knows his stuff. Two hander for returns and groudstrokes, with a one handed slice and you will have the complete package

Except that you telegraph to your opponent a mile away that you're about to slice as soon as you drop your other hand. :-(

 

[psamp14]

Actually, it's the other way around. The 2HBH takes more effort to generate pace. With a 2HBH, you need to rotate both your shoulders and your trunk to generate the power, whereas, with a 1HBH all you need is a nice fluid stroke of your arm and raising of your hitting shoulder.
For instance, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9az5qWcLOTk

You can flick a low bouncing ball while running for a winner with a 1HBH.

It's also easier to chip and charge on returns of serve with.

excellent points BP...the one hander is just so much more fluid, free, and continuous...its just a shame when i see coaches teaching players to hit two handed because they think the player is not strong enough or skilled enough to properly execute a one hander...

i've been working a lot on my topspin backhand in the past two weeks and am particularly working on hitting those crosscourt kickers which stretch a two hander out wide...and so far it has pretty good success...ironically better with the K90 than my ncode 90...

 

[Ultra2HolyGrail]

Except that you telegraph to your opponent a mile away that you're about to slice as soon as you drop your other hand. :-(

Not true, you can take both hands back and just come forward with a one handed slice.

 

[psamp14]

Except that you telegraph to your opponent a mile away that you're about to slice as soon as you drop your other hand. :-(

LOL! like roddick does sometimes when he forgets what to do and just makes it so obvious that he's slicing crosscourt....giving his opponent plenty of time to set up a backhand down the line winner

why doesnt he just hit a backhand up the line or slice it up the line while moving in?

 

[sondraj]

This topic is about as productive as a Star Wars vs Star Trek debate. There's no right or wrong answer, but you can debate it to death if you so choose.

I choose a 2HBH because it just felt natural for me. I hit slices and reach out for balls with 1H. But the 2HBH has been my most reliable shot, even when I was only hitting flat. With the topspin and sharp cross-court angles I added, it's that much more versatile.

That's exactly right, I don't use 1hbh but when I'm in a bind and running for the ball I just by reaction reach out with one hand because when the ball is coming toward me with pace to my left side it's difficult as hell to move around to get in a position where I can hit it with two hands.

So people acting as though they don't understand how one handed is more versatile is ing to me.

And yes it's about what feels more comfortable with YOU. so if 1h works better and you can generate more pace with it then do it, if 2h then use it.

And it seems like it would be common sense that if you use 2 hands you get more power because you are capable of using more of your strength but I suppose not.

Most women use 2h because they aren't as strong as men and they can get more power off a 2hbh sooo...


it depends on the person and their strength and comfort level. So if someone is more comfortable using 1 hand then it might seem as though you get more power off the racquet's because it's what suit you, that's the only reason I can think of

But pace counts for a lot so if it's easier for you to generate pace off the racket with a 1 handed then it might also seem like you get more power off of it but in actuality uh uh

To each their own

 

[Dolphina]

I never understand, what they have with reach. As a two-hander, you can still use a one-handed slice, when you´re not getting to it early enough, the same, that one-handers do.
And variety comes down to the slice again, which is not the most dominant shot in the game right now. Even Fed doesn´t use it as much anymore.
I woul go for the two-hander, because from the baseline, players are often more stable and have more control with the two-hander. The technique is much easier, and one-handers often need terrific movement, to get in position always right, cause it´s hard to compensate on the one-hander, and to take balls always early.
And if you count the number 1s, you will find more two handers on both womens and mens tennis.
To have a real proof, one would need a statistic, of how many mens encounters between two handers and one handers are won by two handers (on the womens side, this wouldn´t make that much sense, with their few one handers).
Anyway, I believe, any player needs to decide, what suits him better, and it will not hold any player back become a champion with one hand or vice versa.

 

[Andres]

And if you count the number 1s, you will find more two handers on both womens and mens tennis.

Probably, but coun't the GS titles, and you'll see the 1HBH eclipse the 2HBH'ers

 

[aramis]

I can't think of a one hander who can consistently hit the ball as hard and deep as Agassi or Safin can. Their match at the AO a few years ago was MASSIVE. The sound coming off their rackets was like thunder.

 

[BkK_b0y14]

um federer DUH

 

[Frenchie]

You can flick a low bouncing ball while running for a winner with a 1HBH.

Nadal does that all the time with a two-hander.

 

[BreakPoint]

Nadal does that all the time with a two-hander.

OK, but how many people out there with 2HBH's are as good as Nadal?

 

[tennis939]

okok i was just reading this japanese tennis magazine that compares one hb and two hb

im just gonna say it brief

onehand
-capable of putting diff spins such as slice and top
-easily can change your style to an offensive play rather than def.
-great for court recovering, approach shot and other small movement shots
-hit in front of your body creating less body turn

two hand
-power you can produce is the same as ur forehand (...=.= ok..i disagree)
-can hit higher floating ball with much power
-easier to go def. such as block return
-consistent than one hand (i don;t know what they mean by that)
-required body turn to produce efficient shots

 

[Big Fed]

Wow james blake hit i one hander just a hard as safin or agassi!

 

[tenniko]

seles......?