1hbh or 2hbh

Which Backhand?

  • Stick with 2hbh

    Votes: 21 67.7%
  • Return to 1hbh

    Votes: 10 32.3%

  • Total voters
    31

evhrox

New User
I started with a 1 handed backhand when i first picked up tennis, and was doing relatively well. I could hit flat drives with fairly good placement, but little topspin. I also have a killer 1h slice. A couple months back i tried to learn the 2 handed, because topspin was a pain for my 1h. Now i have a nice topspin and drive 2h, but i cant decide which to stick with.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :)
Also~ if you have tips for getting more topspin on a 1h, please do tell. :p
 

Mick

Legend
my view is if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
stick with what you got and try to improve it.
 
You said you have a killer slice, but your topspin shots are better with two hands? You just answered your own question, right there. Stick with the two hander and keep that nice slice of yours.
 

Farz77

Rookie
You've got nothing to lose now. All pros who have 2handers have a decent 1hand slice, so if you already have a killer one, you have a BIG ADVANTAGE. Take that 2hander of yours, develop it so you can hit flat and topspin, and then people will be reluctant to hit to that side.
Good luck
 

Mada

Rookie
Stick with 2h, like the person said above me; you already have the slice down. Just get a good strong 2hbh and make your backhand side fearsome! =p
 

Lotto

Professional
A one handed backhand is technically simpler. I find aswell though that it can be difficult to generate "lots" of topspin. As in enough for an off speed angle crosscourt, easy to do on the forehand side, not so much on the backhand. It would depend on your gamestyle and what feels more natural to you. Personally, I cannot it a two handed backhand at all and my one handed backhand is pretty powerful and consistent so it's a no brainer for me.

Are you able to handle the high backhand well? Hit consistent passing shots? Rally consistenly crosscourt and rip the odd winner down the line? Hit on the run? Hit emeregency shots using it? The best way in my opinion to find a solution to a problem is to ask questions, the right questions.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Yup, use both....
Until you can handle balls hit higher than your shoulder with a one hander, the two hander will alway be used for that shot. Learn to hit topspin only with it. That way, you have less to learn.
Keep that slice one hander for approach, low balls, and defensive shots.
If you can consistently hit it flat, keep that too for surprise.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Simple there....
Just flatten out your swing, close the racket face a hair, and follow thru towards your target instead of brushing up.
Like you're trying to conserve energy, don't brush so much.
 

BullDogTennis

Hall of Fame
Simple there....
Just flatten out your swing, close the racket face a hair, and follow thru towards your target instead of brushing up.
Like you're trying to conserve energy, don't brush so much.

dont fix whats not broken! (unless you REALLy just want a 1 hbh again)

if you were struggling with the 2hbh id say go for it, go back to the 1hbh, but your not, so i say stick it out! work with it.
 

Cnote

Rookie
sounds like you've found the right backhand for your game. Stay with the 2HBH given that you already have a good slice.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
For MS-S... bear with me here....
There once was a feller ByronNepamecino, or close to that, who won the SFCity AAA highschool championship, won the AllAsianNationals (a low A level tournament), and had a better looking backhand than even ElliotLeboe (guy I strung for maybe 30 rackets). He was the epitome of "perfect" one handed topspin backhand for everyone from ArtLarsen to GregShepard (still playing 6.0's NOW), to ChuckWhite (tenniscoach, USF).
Best looking and somewhat effective one handed backhand even when matched against the touring Pros (Elliot).
But in high level A tournaments, and pro qualifiers, he got beat when the opponent still served 65% to his backhand!
You see, ONE great shot, even hit super consistently and used most often, doesn't WIN a match against another good player.
At 5'10" and not super whip, he didn't have the big serve or big forehand or really forcing volley to get above A or 6.0 level. We mostly knew it when he was still in highschool.
And a "perfect" looking....and I mean to former touring pros, 6.0 players, or Coach's of major college level, doesn't mean it's good enough, even if the opponents concentrates most of their shots right TO the vaunted one hander.
 

In D Zone

Hall of Fame
Do whatever you feel more confident with playing.

If you like your new found weapon on the 2hbh - by all means switch. You alone can make that determination if changing can make you a betta playa or not.

To me its a progression - if you already know one type of shot. I'll work on learning the next one even if it takes forever. Being undecided can be a huge handicap especially if you are in a match - you will find yourself questioning your skill and will continue to switch then your game suffers.
 
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