1hbh is better than 2hbh for handling high balls when...

[thomasferrett]

You can't even reach the ball at all with 2 hands.

I've always thought that the 2hbh is more STABLE (not more powerful) on mid-high balls (shoulder to head height), but I'd rather hit a 1hbh on extremely high balls (above head height). I switched from 2hbh to 1hbh for that very reason. You just have so much more reach and freedom with one hand up high, and if you train your wrist and forearm to be strong - you can control it as well.

Why else would a normally 2hbh player opt to hit a 1hbh when the ball gets very high on him? Check out this Tsonga special;

 

[HoyaPride]

First, that wasn't exactly a stellar effort on Jo's part.

Second, he's known for those one-handed backhand flicks on all types of shots, not only high balls.

Third, the OHBH is not good for high balls, period. A lot of posters talk about how they crush balls with a OHBH well above their shoulders but we never see any video evidence of this.

 

[Golden]

Why even be put into a high ball position? Just take a high ball off the rise.

 

[HoyaPride]

Why even be put into a high ball position? Just take a high ball off the rise.

Probably because it's difficult to time.

It's not against the law to shuffle back a step or two and give the ball some space to breathe. When you watch Federer-Wawrinka practice sessions where the camera offers a side view, you sometimes see them back up a little when the ball comes into the backhand. Not only is there a lot of side-to-side movement, but there's also a lot of vertical movement.

 

[Golden]

Probably because it's difficult to time.

It's not against the law to shuffle back a step or two and give the ball some space to breathe. When you watch Federer-Wawrinka practice sessions where the camera offers a side view, you sometimes see them back up a little when the ball comes into the backhand. Not only is there a lot of side-to-side movement, but there's also a lot of vertical movement.

True. But what would be harder? High ball flick, or off the rise?

 

[HoyaPride]

True. But what would be harder? High ball flick, or off the rise?

In that situation, Tsonga had no choice since he was fully outstretched.

But in general, you don't have to do either. You can slice it, which is easier to time imo. Or you can step back and hit it at a lower point of contact.

 

[Zoid]

You can't even reach the ball at all with 2 hands.

I've always thought that the 2hbh is more STABLE (not more powerful) on mid-high balls (shoulder to head height), but I'd rather hit a 1hbh on extremely high balls (above head height). I switched from 2hbh to 1hbh for that very reason. You just have so much more reach and freedom with one hand up high, and if you train your wrist and forearm to be strong - you can control it as well.

Why else would a normally 2hbh player opt to hit a 1hbh when the ball gets very high on him? Check out this Tsonga special;

If you're having to hit a backhand above your head time and again, I would seriously take a look at your footwork rather than switching to a one-hander.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Of course, it's almost like a backhand smash. Nobody does those with 2 hands either.

 

[West Coast Ace]

If you're having to hit a backhand above your head time and again, I would seriously take a look at your footwork rather than switching to a one-hander.

+1. Or dedication to the sport. Bowling might be the better option.

 

[DonDiego]

1- The video example of OP is not very good, since it's more like an overhead
2- But OP is right that a one-hander is better for high balls
3- But (2) OP should specify that one needs to use an extreme eastern grip (or close to) to really be at ease with high balls.

I think juniors hit with more aggressive grips on the one-hander these days, but the past generation hit mostly with conservative grips (think continental), so they really have trouble with high balls.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

1- The video example of OP is not very good, since it's more like an overhead
2- But OP is right that a one-hander is better for high balls
3- But (2) OP should specify that one needs to use an extreme eastern grip (or close to) to really be at ease with high balls.

I think juniors hit with more aggressive grips on the one-hander these days, but the past generation hit mostly with conservative grips (think continental), so they really have trouble with high balls.

This...

Ive hit with some juniors with Nadal clone strokes and they mistakenly though 1hander=hit high balls to it... it is always a shelling (All this was before Wawrinka's rise). Usually Id tell the kid, "hey not all one handers have problems with high balls, in fact I love them." I think at first Im just getting lucky but after 20 big hits they get it. I havent seen any juniors with extreme grip one handers but it would do my heart some good.