2HBH: Dominant Hand?

[cukoo]

For the 2 handed backhand stroke, where do most of the power come from, (assuming that you're a righty) ...the right hand or the left hand?

I was never really great on my backhand side but today I tried loosening my right hand and allowed my left hand to dominant, sort of like a left handed forehand with the right hand to assist/stabilize the racquet. It seems to work really well... Any comment/suggestion?

 

[racquet_jedi]

The left hand usually is the hand that supplies the power, which is the reason that most people have better forehands than backhands, the right-hand is just like you said, it's there for the ride and to stabilize the racquet...

 

[WBF]

I think you can do it both ways. I remember Agassi saying something about right hand dominant 2HBH's being superior, but I have always used a left hand dominant backhand.

I might not be Agassi, but it has worked very well for me

 

[cukoo]

So it can be done either way?
What about swinging out with both hands?

 

[-Kap-]

My 2HBH is also left hand dominant, with the right hand stabilizing the shot. It's like a guided left-handed forehand.

It would be awkward for me to try to generate the power on that shot from my right shoulder, because it would feel like my left hand was just holding the racquet back.

 

[Gmedlo]

Depends on which grips you use on each hand.

Top- Eastern Forehand
Bottom- Semiwestern/eastern forehand
This grip usually results in top-hand dominance.

Top- Eastern Forehand
Bottom- Continental
Makes Top-hand dominance.

Top- Eastern forehand
Bottom- Eastern backhand
Makes Bottom Hand dominance. Used by Agassi and Borg.

 

[quicken]

left hand if you are a righty

 

[lolsmash]

Wouldn't most of the power come from your legs and core rather than your arms?

 

[quicken]

yes it would. but in the arm perspective its the left arm that should do most of the work aight?

 

[cukoo]

I remember Agassi saying something about right hand dominant 2HBH's being superior, but I have always used a left hand dominant backhand.

When did Agassi say this? Was it at the US Open?

 

[Killer-Angle]

Depends on which grips you use on each hand.

Top- Eastern Forehand
Bottom- Semiwestern/eastern forehand
This grip usually results in top-hand dominance.

Top- Eastern Forehand
Bottom- Continental
Makes Top-hand dominance.

Top- Eastern forehand
Bottom- Eastern backhand
Makes Bottom Hand dominance. Used by Agassi and Borg.

Bollettieri video....Agassi use...

Top- Eastern Forehand
Bottom- Continental
Makes Top-hand dominance.

 

[WBF]

When did Agassi say this? Was it at the US Open?

Yes, when they invited him up to commentate for a few minutes. I think it was during Federer Vs. Roddick?

 

[Gmedlo]

Bollettieri video....Agassi use...

Top- Eastern Forehand
Bottom- Continental
Makes Top-hand dominance.

I have Bollettieri's book right here, do I have to scan it for you?

 

[cukoo]

^Sure, if itsnot too much trouble I wouldnt mind looking at it.

With the 2hbh I never really paid much attention to the grip. But now that I notice, I do use a continental with the right hand and semi western on the left..

 

[Killer-Angle]

I have Bollettieri's book right here, do I have to scan it for you?

Tennis Lessons - Attack - Andre Agassi and Nick Bollettieri

 

[[d]ragon]

my 2hbh is right dominated

 

[soyizgood]

It's really a personal preference. Mine's has always been left-hand dominant, even with so many grip combinations I've used. Part of this was because when I first played tennis, my 1HBH was so weak and difficult to control that it was just natural to use hit the two hand with the left hand generating the power. Now that I can hit the ball a little better when fooling around with a 1HBH, I've been tempted to make my backhand dominant-neutral. But for now I'm sticking with my left-dominant backhand.

A right-dominant backhand probably requires hitting the ball earlier and with more of a linear path. Its main strength would be the ability to hit sharp cross-court angles, but I'm not sure how well it would be for down-the-line strokes. Also, you probably would have to hit on the rise when countering high balls.

 

[cukoo]

Hey do you guys think Safin uses a right hand dominant bh? I say thi s because he lets go of his left hand really early.

 

[NamRanger]

Most people misinterpret what Agassi says. What he means is that you pull with your right hand first, then as the racquet comes around, you push with your left hand/shoulder and drive the ball that way. This allows you to drive the ball with tremendous force, as you are "pulling" the racquet to the ball rather then push it purely with your left hand/arm/shoulder.

 

[soyizgood]

Most people misinterpret what Agassi says. What he means is that you pull with your right hand first, then as the racquet comes around, you push with your left hand/shoulder and drive the ball that way. This allows you to drive the ball with tremendous force, as you are "pulling" the racquet to the ball rather then push it purely with your left hand/arm/shoulder.

Recently I tried a few shadow swings using my right hand as the primary power hand and I ended up hurting my right shoulder. Costly as I now think I may have to use medium length strokes for my forehand (at least for the short-term). I bought a couple of other racquets as I'm worried if I can play my Dunlop m-Fil 200 Plus without hurting the shoulder. My shoulder has had on/off pain for 7+ years and I like to try out different equipment anyways. The pain hasn't affected my backhand, but I may need to make adjustments with my forehand.

 

[Rickson]

The bottom hand dominates all the way to the point where you'll want to stop using that top hand altogether and if you're wise, you'll eventually do just that.

 

[ChappyOnIce]

Wouldn't most of the power come from your legs and core rather than your arms?

Exactly what I was thinking. Power comes from the ground up through the core (think throwing a medicine ball). Grooving the swing path has a left/right hand dominant feeling. Just my opinion. I have found more success when letting my left hand guide the racquet and "throwing the medicine ball".

 

[Chazzz]

I also use the bottom hand continental and top hand eastern.

Over the years my left hand and shoulder have become much more dominant and give me superior power. The shoulder / body position gives you better leverage.

 

[tbini87]

i am a lefty, and my right arm is dominant. i feel a lot more pushing through with my right arm, and don't feel my left arm doing much at all.

anyone know which pros use which dominant arm? djoko, hewitt, roddick... etc.?

 

[babar]

I agree with NamRanger. I use the left hand to drive the racquet forward and then the left hand pushes the racquet head through the shot. It creates a kind-of wrist flick in the shot where I get most of the power in my stroke. I can hit it with just my left hand pushing the racquet too, but I don't get the same power in the stroke. I think that is why Agassi's 2hbh looks like a very wristy shot at times. Whereas Safin, Kafelnikov, Hewitt all use their arms to hit the shot with little wrist torque. They feel very different when you hit them one way or the other.

 

[NamRanger]

I agree with NamRanger. I use the left hand to drive the racquet forward and then the left hand pushes the racquet head through the shot. It creates a kind-of wrist flick in the shot where I get most of the power in my stroke. I can hit it with just my left hand pushing the racquet too, but I don't get the same power in the stroke. I think that is why Agassi's 2hbh looks like a very wristy shot at times. Whereas Safin, Kafelnikov, Hewitt all use their arms to hit the shot with little wrist torque. They feel very different when you hit them one way or the other.

Exactly, when you pull with the right hand first, you force yourself to lean foward first, getting your weight into the ball. You are also actually pulling the buttcap towards the ball, and as you get closer, you open up your shoulder by using your left arm to drive the ball.

 

[joesixtoe]

i'm right handed dominant. i think its all about whatever works for you.

 

[TheJRK]

For the 2 handed backhand stroke, where do most of the power come from, (assuming that you're a righty) ...the right hand or the left hand?

I was never really great on my backhand side but today I tried loosening my right hand and allowed my left hand to dominant, sort of like a left handed forehand with the right hand to assist/stabilize the racquet. It seems to work really well... Any comment/suggestion?

I'm right handed and I used to play with a 1HBH. After I broke my wrist (surfing, not playing tennis) I switched to a 2HBH. I feel as though my right hand is the dominant hand on my backhand but this may be due to the "muscle memory" of me hitting a 1HBH for the first 15 years of playing.

 

[joesixtoe]

i'm righty, and using my right hand dominant, i simply use a left handed baseball swing but more of an brushing motion. i relax, and try not to think about pushing, or bending or straighting the arm. i just take the racquet and swing, but more upper than outer like u would a baseball swing. the ball pops off the racquet so i guess i'm doing something right. don't think just swing, but brush lol.

 

[cukoo]

Most people misinterpret what Agassi says. What he means is that you pull with your right hand first, then as the racquet comes around, you push with your left hand/shoulder and drive the ball that way. This allows you to drive the ball with tremendous force, as you are "pulling" the racquet to the ball rather then push it purely with your left hand/arm/shoulder.

If what you are saying is to keep your right hand/wrist laid back and then snap and drive through with the left hand/wrist, then it works really well.

 

[kirschbomb]

I know Nalbandian uses his left hand to dominate his shots, and he has the best two handed backhand in the game by far IMO.

 

[NamRanger]

If what you are saying is to keep your right hand/wrist laid back and then snap and drive through with the left hand/wrist, then it works really well.

Those who hit purely with their left arm/shoulder/wrist have very weak backhands. Look at Roddick and Hewitt, straight arm on both arms, and they primarily drive the ball with their left side of their body. Hewitt's backhand is slightly better, but he can't really drive it down the line, and it's not like his backhand is crushing in any sense of the term. Roddick is just physically powerful, so he can still generate some pace.


Why do you think guys like Safin, Ferrer, and Agassi ocassionally hit a two handed backhand, and with the follow through, their left hand is no longer on the racquet? Simply because they begin the drive with the right side of the body to get the weight leaning foward, and then rotate the left side of the body around. If you rotate too early, you won't get nearly as much power.

 

[Frenchie]

I know Nalbandian uses his left hand to dominate his shots, and he has the best two handed backhand in the game by far IMO.

When did he say this?

 

[NamRanger]

I know Nalbandian uses his left hand to dominate his shots, and he has the best two handed backhand in the game by far IMO.

Nalbandian begins with pulling with the right hand, then as the racquet gets moving foward and before contact, he then drives with the left side of his body.