Adding a one handed backhand

emcee

Semi-Pro
I've always used a two-handed backhand and it's always been my weaker shot. I hit a one-handed topspin backhand sometimes and I can hit some nice shots off relatively low balls only. My Sony Smart Sensor backs this up too...I tried using it today and hit personal records in backhand spin and speed.

I can't hit high shots at all with it though. My question is: is it doable to have all the BH shots (2 hand, 1 hand, slice)? To make matters more complicated, I've tried hitting some swinging volleys lately and it feels pretty good with two hands too...
 

elga

Rookie
I'd say while possible, it may get in one's head a bit too much when thinking about should I hit 1HBH or 2HBH for every BH shot coming at you. I can hit either but solely hit 2HBH so as not to ever think about it, only using the 1HBH for fun in hitting sessions. Also one less shot to fully develop means a better development of that shot. YMMV
 

heninfan99

Talk Tennis Guru
Of course you can use it, you just have to be clear on which shots you will use it on. That should be clear in your mind. You may decide to return serve with two hands.
Just know most two handers go to one hand for the slice so it's no big deal.
 

10isMaestro

Semi-Pro
Although many good players can hit passable shots either way, they tend to stick with just one of them. The one handed backhand usually best suit aggressive players who have great forehands -- especially great inside forehands -- and do not shy away from entering the court. It is seldom the poster shot for grinding points back at the baseline. Behind the court, having two hands on your handle seems to give players a bit of an edge, although you do have to consider your personal tendencies and preferences.

Personally, I would advise you to seek professional insight for your two handed backhand, especially if you have been playing it for a long time. The footwork and striking action is so different with one hand on the handle that if you actually go with it, you will have to suffer for a long time to make it work.
 

dct693

Semi-Pro
I've always used a two-handed backhand and it's always been my weaker shot. I hit a one-handed topspin backhand sometimes and I can hit some nice shots off relatively low balls only. My Sony Smart Sensor backs this up too...I tried using it today and hit personal records in backhand spin and speed.

I can't hit high shots at all with it though. My question is: is it doable to have all the BH shots (2 hand, 1 hand, slice)? To make matters more complicated, I've tried hitting some swinging volleys lately and it feels pretty good with two hands too...
When you say you hit "nice" one-handed topspin backhands off "relatively low balls only", what is "relatively low" for you? Is it below the hip? Below chest high? And what are high shots for you?
 

Chauvalito

Hall of Fame
Although many good players can hit passable shots either way, they tend to stick with just one of them. The one handed backhand usually best suit aggressive players who have great forehands -- especially great inside forehands -- and do not shy away from entering the court. It is seldom the poster shot for grinding points back at the baseline. Behind the court, having two hands on your handle seems to give players a bit of an edge, although you do have to consider your personal tendencies and preferences.

Personally, I would advise you to seek professional insight for your two handed backhand, especially if you have been playing it for a long time. The footwork and striking action is so different with one hand on the handle that if you actually go with it, you will have to suffer for a long time to make it work.


Speaking of suffering. I made the switch to a one-handed backhand when I was a teenager. My two-handed backhand was mediocre at best and lacked consistency. It took years of playing to feel confident with my one-handed backhand and for a long time I resorted to slicing off the backhand wing. Now it is one of my favorite shots to hit, and my slice and backhand volley have become consistent, though if I am not playing often my backhand timing suffers and that shot will still break down during points.

It would be important to look at the costs/benefits of making a complete switch. If your two-handed backhand is a consistent shot that you feel confident in is it worth it to switch and go through a difficult period, or is it better to work on improving the shot you already have (two-hands) while adding a slice shot in the mix for variety.
 

heninfan99

Talk Tennis Guru
Why do people keep pointing to a one handed slice? It's immensely different from a one handed top spin backhand.
Because the slice is also immensely different from the two-handed top spin backhand yet, though shocking to you, players learn two unique shots on the backhand side and navigate between the two. You can also have three backhands rather than just two. Throw in the backhand drop shot and you have a nice array of choices.
 
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fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
I've always used a two-handed backhand and it's always been my weaker shot. I hit a one-handed topspin backhand sometimes and I can hit some nice shots off relatively low balls only. My Sony Smart Sensor backs this up too...I tried using it today and hit personal records in backhand spin and speed.

I can't hit high shots at all with it though. My question is: is it doable to have all the BH shots (2 hand, 1 hand, slice)? To make matters more complicated, I've tried hitting some swinging volleys lately and it feels pretty good with two hands too...

I primarily hit a one-hander for my topspin backhand, but I also put a two-hander to good use. If I want to aggressively jump on a return of serve, fight off a hot incoming ball that lands deep and gets in on my feet, or maybe handle a bounding ball that gets up high on my backhand side, all those shots are much easier as a two-hander for me. But if I'm not especially rushed and want to hit my most accurate and consistent stroke off that wing, my stronger aptitude is squarely with the one-hander. Maybe yours is, too.

So yes, it's doable. I was worried that having options would be a problem - I'd be busy trying to decide on a stroke selection while the ball went cruising on by. Happy to report that this hasn't happened. While I typically want to hit my one-hander all the time, I can quickly recognize when an incoming shot is a no-go.

Getting truly comfortable with the one-hander will take a while, since it includes different footwork, a different swing tempo, and a swing to a different contact point compared with a two-hander. But if you get some deliberate practice with it and enjoy the process, you may even learn a lot about your other shots along the way.
 

emcee

Semi-Pro
I primarily hit a one-hander for my topspin backhand, but I also put a two-hander to good use. If I want to aggressively jump on a return of serve, fight off a hot incoming ball that lands deep and gets in on my feet, or maybe handle a bounding ball that gets up high on my backhand side, all those shots are much easier as a two-hander for me. But if I'm not especially rushed and want to hit my most accurate and consistent stroke off that wing, my stronger aptitude is squarely with the one-hander. Maybe yours is, too.

So yes, it's doable. I was worried that having options would be a problem - I'd be busy trying to decide on a stroke selection while the ball went cruising on by. Happy to report that this hasn't happened. While I typically want to hit my one-hander all the time, I can quickly recognize when an incoming shot is a no-go.

Getting truly comfortable with the one-hander will take a while, since it includes different footwork, a different swing tempo, and a swing to a different contact point compared with a two-hander. But if you get some deliberate practice with it and enjoy the process, you may even learn a lot about your other shots along the way.
Thanks that makes sense. Also my two-hander is so bad that I'm not too worried about keeping it in tip top shape either. Hopefully the one-hander will develop and I can just keep the two hander for shots that are really difficult for a one-hander. And it's not like I have any particular problems choosing between topspin and slice shots on the FH and BH already.
 

robok9

Semi-Pro
I tried to do what you're talking about a while ago, and it just doesn't work out. I eventually switched all the way to the one hander. You think you'll get it figured out which shot for which scenario, but you eventually have to just pick one or the other because it becomes too much of a liability. The only exception in my case is that sometimes I lob with a two hander.
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
I hit both.

I basically use 2-handers for consistency. It's my default backhand and is great when fast incoming shots (be it serves or ground strokes) rob me of prep time.

But if I have sufficient time to set up for my shot, I like to go for a big one-hander. I normally generate more pace and spin with my one hander.
 
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TnsGuru

Professional
Does anyone remember Tsonga experimenting with a one-handed backhanded maybe two years ago? He would hit his normal two-hander but on the run or moved out wide he would wind up and hit it one handed. It seemed like it could work if he stuck with it but lately it's been back to his old backhand. Reliable but not a weapon like his forehand.
 
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