So here's my situation. I took up tennis about a year ago, and I had a two handed backhand. A while later I switched to a 2hbh. Now every few weeks I switch between them. I want to know which one I should stick with and develop. When my 1 hander is working, it's much better than my 2 hander. However, my 2hbh is somewhat more consistent. What do you guys think? 1hbh or 2hbh?
1hbh vs. 2hbh?
- Thread starter icyhot
- Start date
i use both. but i discriminate on shots. a ball landing shorter (about the service line) and ending in the strike zone between my knee and my waist i will usually put away with a 1 hander. this i call my "fine china" because it is only used on this special occasion. i use it because at that range i can really add big pace and huge topspin. most other shots, except any kind of cut, or slice, i use a two hander. my two hander is my "everyday flatware" its very dependable and able to handle so many shots that are not perfect set ups. my one hander works for a specific shot, my two hander covers all else. if you have to choose only one, i say go with the two - its already more consistent for you and it is so much easier to master.
your name dictate what you should do. if i'm you my change my name into "consistantly hot "
As if you couldn't slice and dice with a 2hbh...
Seriously just figure out which one you like better and stick with it. I played with a 2hbh for 2 years until one summer I injured my left shoulder. I switched to a 1hbh just so I could still play tennis. I ended up liking it so much I never went back. There are pros/cons to both and you can find them all over the board, but I think at the end of the day...just stick with what you like better.
Wes_Loves_Dunlop
Professional
I have to disagree. That is one of the most ignorant statements that i have ever heard. I use a 2hbh and i have one of the best slices on my tennis team.
I use one hand for my slices.
Its fine to use either.
Ballinbob
Hall of Fame
My backhand is slowly turning into my best shot by far. The thing I've noticed with the 1hbh is topspin is easier to generate and because a 1hbh has more leverage, it is easy to generate pace. I can go backhand to backhand vs other people with a 2hbh, but I also find consistency a bit of a problem with my backhand. A big reason why is because I don't have the best footwork, and a 1hbh requires great footwork. This makes me take more risks sometimes that i shouldnt take
I love my backhand and i'll never go to a 2hbh, but just take the footwork issue into consideration. I'm an aggressive all court player, and a 1hbh makes sense to me as I'm able to attack well with it
Experiment and go with your gut feeling. Thats what I did
I love my backhand and i'll never go to a 2hbh, but just take the footwork issue into consideration. I'm an aggressive all court player, and a 1hbh makes sense to me as I'm able to attack well with it
Experiment and go with your gut feeling. Thats what I did
subaru3169
Semi-Pro
just use whatever feels better for you.. if you can hit more varied shots with the 1h, then go for 1h
Jay_The_Nomad
Professional
Do what Fernando Gonzalez does: Shorten the backswing and use the pace of the ball and guide it down the line.
Yep on your running 1H backhand make sure you STOP, set your feet, then swing. Its pretty hard to run through your backhand and make a good shot.
As for the OP I would pick what feels best for you. Give each an adequate chance. I would work with a ball machine and practice. I don't think its good enough to keep switching between the 2 to find the best one. You have to stick to one for a little while. As for the slice thing. Everyone and their brother knows how to slice in todays upcoming game. In fact most people are using the 1 handed slice way too often. Choose whats most comfortable and most consistant for you. Thats what matters most.
As for the OP I would pick what feels best for you. Give each an adequate chance. I would work with a ball machine and practice. I don't think its good enough to keep switching between the 2 to find the best one. You have to stick to one for a little while. As for the slice thing. Everyone and their brother knows how to slice in todays upcoming game. In fact most people are using the 1 handed slice way too often. Choose whats most comfortable and most consistant for you. Thats what matters most.
topher.juan
Rookie
Considering the popularity of the 2hbh I told myself I was going to learn the 2hbh (w/ 1h slice). I practiced that thing so hard and could not get it whatsoever; it was a complete crapshoot at best. I ignored the 1hbh for a long time and basically did an inside-out fh on every bh that I could. I finally tried the 1hbh and with very little practice I was generating pace and spin, I actually prefer this shot over my forehand right now, besides it's so much fun to execute. It feels 1000x more natural for me than the 2hbh, so go with what works for you.
That said, do you think people can be physically predisposed to favouring 1hbh or 2hbh??
That said, do you think people can be physically predisposed to favouring 1hbh or 2hbh??
I used to have a 2-hander back in the day, but didn't like it because I felt restricted and had trouble generating power. I then switched to a 1-hander around 2 1/2 years ago and had mixed results. The biggest problem for me is handling hard serves and hard shots on that side. As a result if the incoming ball is above a certain speed, I usually have to slice it because I will otherwise botch the topspin shot because my preparation is a little too slow. Desipte all the talk about 1-hander being a weakness for high-bouncing shots, that has never been an issue for me.
BullDogTennis
Hall of Fame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3r6HCc6V-8 2 handed w/ a release.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wacd3QFAs8 no release
FH2FH
Professional
1H strengths:
variety, disquise, pace, low balls
1H weaknesses:
returns (long preparation), high balls
2H strengths:
consistency, returns (short preparation), much better for high balls
2H weaknesses:
low balls (can be sliced), less disguise(?), less pace(?)
There's a reason why the 2H is so popular. If you want to play all court I'd say use the 1H. If you're content at the baseline I'd say use a 2H.
Good luck!
variety, disquise, pace, low balls
1H weaknesses:
returns (long preparation), high balls
2H strengths:
consistency, returns (short preparation), much better for high balls
2H weaknesses:
low balls (can be sliced), less disguise(?), less pace(?)
There's a reason why the 2H is so popular. If you want to play all court I'd say use the 1H. If you're content at the baseline I'd say use a 2H.
Good luck!
2 hands is more stable than one. That's why in the modern heavy topspin game you see so many people using 2 hands. That is not to say, however, that the 1 hander can't be stable. There's no reason your 1 hander can't be as consistent as a 2 hander and be able to handle high shots as well as a 2 hander. It just takes a lot of practice.
nfor304
Banned
I used to use a double handed backhand which was my worst shot and decided to switch to a 1 hander fairly late in life (around 17) and now my single handed backhand is better than my double hander ever was.
Personally, I find I have more control using 1 hand rather than 2, and I feel it is easier to develop more power and spin with 1 hand due to the longer swing. The only problem I struggled with when I switched was the timing because of the larger swing and follow through.
I also couldnt hit it on the run at first but this is just something that you need to practice and it eventually comes.
But really its up to you to decide. If like you said the double hander is more consistent for you and the 1 hander is more effective you need to decide how you want that wing to play. If you choose the 2 hander your always going to be trying to develop power and might find it lacking in matches, and with the 1 hander you might not be able to rely on it as much during matches and will always be trying to develop consistency.
Personally, I find I have more control using 1 hand rather than 2, and I feel it is easier to develop more power and spin with 1 hand due to the longer swing. The only problem I struggled with when I switched was the timing because of the larger swing and follow through.
I also couldnt hit it on the run at first but this is just something that you need to practice and it eventually comes.
But really its up to you to decide. If like you said the double hander is more consistent for you and the 1 hander is more effective you need to decide how you want that wing to play. If you choose the 2 hander your always going to be trying to develop power and might find it lacking in matches, and with the 1 hander you might not be able to rely on it as much during matches and will always be trying to develop consistency.
Final_Match_Point
Semi-Pro
I switched from a 1 hander to a 2 hander because of the return of serve. For me although the one hander is more powerful when I have time to set up, it doesnt match up to the stability and ease of returning serves.
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RalphNYC
Semi-Pro
What about tennis elbow? I've never had a problem with it using my 1HBH until a few days ago and now I'm thinking about trying to make the switch to a 2HBH. 2HBH comes with its own risks I know: wrist & shoulder for example, but it seems smart to develop both shots in case some injury requires using one or the other. Does anyone switch between 1H and 2H to allow sore areas to rest?
Yes. I will use 2hbh more often when I got blister around the inner side of my thumb that prevent me to hit hard on my 1hbh. I like to use jacknife while running forward to hit a half pace ball. Generally.. 1hbh is my primary weapon.
