2 hand backhand, unstable racket face at contact

[gull_man]

common problem i suspect.

this is why people can't do it, even though it is supposed to be easier. the racket face is unstable at contact and the shot is flaky . does anyone know what the 2 hands are dong in DETAIL, or how they are fighting one another to cause this undesirable effect. perhaps if i know, i can pick a different grip-pair for both hands to minimise this. and get the 2 hands to work together smoothly


i've tried other tricks like wrapping less fingers on my lower hand and this works - the left hand is forced to work harder making for a better shot. or i can mentally tell my left hand to control the stick and that helps too. but maybe i can find a different grip and avoid tricks.

 

[TennisCJC]

The most common grips for 2 HBH are these assuming a right handed player:

2HBH grips:
1. right hand (bottom hand) = continental grip
2. left hand (top hand) = an E forehand or hybrid between and E and SW.

Some use something between a conti and full E backhand grip on the bottom hand too.

Actually, I find more stability at contact on 2 HBH than 1 HBH. Are you coiling your hips and shoulders as you set up? Are you uncoiling as you go into contact?

Try thinking of pulling the left hand up and across right at contact so you finish with the left hand just above the right shoulder. Say the word "pull" in your mind right at contact.

 

[LeeD]

Hit some in practice, instead of just going out and playing sets.
Obviously, you lack enough practice to make this a viable shot.
Some players even resort to 1hbh.
Squeeze with both hands.

 

[WildVolley]

Hit some in practice, instead of just going out and playing sets.
Obviously, you lack enough practice to make this a viable shot.
Some players even resort to 1hbh.
Squeeze with both hands.

I agree with LeeD. It sounds like you just don't have a feel for the stroke.

I've rarely had anyone complain to me that the racket face feels unstable on the 2hbh. That suggests that you're not making solid or consistent contact, and most likely the racket face is twisting around because the contact point is hitting near the edge of the frame and torquing the racket around.

If I were you, I'd model a pro like Djokovic who doesn't have a lot of quirks on his 2hbh. Put in some time shadow swinging and make sure that you're getting the ball in the proper contact zone. Too far in front or too late and you'll have difficulty getting solid contact.

The standard grip combination is continental on the bottom hand and eastern to SW forehand on the top hand.

 

[gull_man]

i can definately hit one , as people have even complimented it. but, i have to say, it was never that natural to me. i'm good at expanding my abilities.a smart guy around here. but sometimes, that flaky shot occurs, and i'm thinking it's got something to do with the 2 hands unaturally wanting to work together. perhaps one hand rotates handle while the other rotates handle in opposite directionm when the pressure is on. i really don't know. why do people who want to learn a 2 h backhand dismiss it, because they just can't get a hang of it. for the same reason which i have experienced, although i'm managing this well by telling my hands to relax on the girp. they then work together. i remember once the coach did one and he said he just can't do them. for the same reason i suspect, the 2 hands fighting each other in some way. i'm familiar with that flaky kind of shot. and he's got lots of knowledge and good 1h bh. and a past pro, excellent kick serve.

still, maybe i can improve this by altering the grip in some way. maybe even lowering the bottom hand so 3 or 2 fingers only hold on to the racket. there is some thing though which happens to people , which is why the 2h bh stroke doesn't feel good for them. that is what i am investigating. and looking for a solution. because i prefer the 2h bh. it's got more control and security than the 1h bh.

 

[gull_man]

i'm not sure now, if the problem is really that the 2 hands fight against each other. maybe it is fear instead, which i experience, so i hit a flaky shot. maybe also therefore if i changed the grip, or went to a 1 h bh, things wouldn't change, because the hands don't fight, but fear makes me strike it strangely. i don't know though exactly what is the cause of these flaky shots.

 

[gull_man]

an why can't federer and many other people use a 2 hand bh? as i know there are many people who want to use it but for some reason they just can't do it. it feels awkward for some reason. but what is that reason?

 

[Imago]

I have been surprized to find out that bottom hand @ Eastern FH grip, upper hand @ SW BH grip gives you so much more stability at contact.

 

[gull_man]

I have been surprized to find out that bottom hand @ Eastern FH grip, upper hand @ SW BH grip gives you so much more stability at contact.

i used 2 eastern for both hand. as does safin. it's just more comftorable and less tense then putting the lower hand on the continental.

i haven't been bungling the backhand now. i'm think the 2 hands probably don't fight each other, but instead it was fear that caused me to hit flaky shots. it's a mystery, but maybe that's it - it's still a scary shot to hit even with 2 hands on the stick.