Anyone here played 2HB and 1HB?

[SoCal1]

I learned the 2HB as a junior but switched to the 1HB when I was 15/16 as it felt the more natural stroke.

As I've improved over the years and am hitting with better and better players (I've spent the last 3 years playing at USTA 4.5) I find that I'm often hitting on the run and that the 1HB becomes more challenging in that regard as against strong player I don't have time to setup.

Often in matches, I find myself switching to a 2HB when on the run and when I don't have time to setup as its much easier to hit with a open stance. It's also easier to take kick serves with a 2HB.

I love the 1HB and its a generally a pretty good shot for me but its become a bit of liability particularly left kickers.

Any problem if I were to continue with both? My coach says I switch to one or the other, but I don't see my 2HB ever become a great attacking shot, whereas my 1HB is a good attacking shot but so good in defensive situations.

 

[SoCal1]

Apologies for the typos - typing on my cell at the moment - but I'm sure you know what I meant.

 

[optic yellow]

I hope you stuck with this because I believe it is absolutely the way for any player who is able to mentally embrace it.

 

[zill]

Always try to stick to one stroke. I spend 15 years hitting with a 1hb but realized it had fundamental flaws and have been using a 2hb for the last two years. Very happy with my decision to change and it just gets better with more usage.

 

[optic yellow]

You use a 2HBH groundstroke and a 1HBH slice; why do you think it is difficult to also use another 1HBH stroke that is more similar to the 2HBH than your slice? This is where the "stick to one stroke" argument always falls flat for me. I can hit a competent 1HBH using the exact same swing thought as my 2HBH.

 

[zill]

You use a 2HBH groundstroke and a 1HBH slice; why do you think it is difficult to also use another 1HBH stroke that is more similar to the 2HBH than your slice?

Topspin groundstroke and slice are two completely different ball game so to speak.

The complexity of the topspin stroke is MORE than double that of the slice.

 

[optic yellow]

Topspin groundstroke and slice are two completely different ball game so to speak.

The complexity of the topspin stroke is MORE than double that of the slice.

See my edit. What do you think of this? I agree the topspin stroke more complex but I don't think all this complexity is unique between two different variants of it.

 

[Fairhit]

I find it too much trouble to keep adding strokes to one's game. Jack of all trades, master of none.

 

[socallefty]

I started with a 2HBH as a kid before switching to a 1HBH after a couple of years. I still find myself hitting 2HBH returns or 2HBH groundstrokes sometimes when I get jammed by a body shot and don’t have time to get out of the way to extend and hit a 1HBH. I also occasionally will hit right-handed FHs on volleys/half-volleys at the net if I get caught going the wrong way and have to reach back for the ball.

 

[2ndServe]

That problem with hitting a topspin 2hb and 1hb is the grip is different for me on the main hand. Even a small difference in grip means I have to decide before hand which topspin bh grip I want to use or sometimes I think I can hit a 1h top and the bounce comes higher and I think oh I should change my grip and hit 2h or vice versa and though the grip difference is only a few degrees it’s enough to through the whole thing off when you don’t commit . My main hand 1h backhand grips is semi western to get more behind the ball but the 2h the dominant hand grip isn’t as behind the grip.

So now I’ve got to decide which grip well before and changing it or creating doubt and changing it back is just too time consuming.

I think if your dominant hand bh grip for the 1h and 2h was the same you might be able to pull it off. Maybe even if you took it back with 2h like a 2h and released it as 1h. Just too much doubts and time using 2 bh topspin grips.

 

[LeeD]

Most older players tried both.
High balls, 1hbh, you slice hard with estern backhand grip.
On the run, slice.

 

[ey039524]

2HBH as a junior. Stopped for about 15 years picked it up again in my 30s and wanted to hit a OHBH. Stopped for 10 more years, picked it up again in my 40s. After a bad case of TE, hit lefty and 2HBH. Back to OHBH w/ Phantom racquets, nat gut hybrid. Still hitting returns and lobs 2 handed. Probably never should've switched to OHBH, but it feels so good.

 

[zill]

2HBH as a junior. Stopped for about 15 years picked it up again in my 30s and wanted to hit a OHBH. Stopped for 10 more years, picked it up again in my 40s. After a bad case of TE, hit lefty and 2HBH. Back to OHBH w/ Phantom racquets, nat gut hybrid. Still hitting returns and lobs 2 handed. Probably never should've switched to OHBH, but it feels so good.

What was the difference you felt picking it up at 30s vs 40s?

 

[ey039524]

What was the difference you felt picking it up at 30s vs 40s?

Sorry, wasn't clear: I stopped playing tennis for another almost 10 years after we had our second kid. Picked up playing again after my sons started playing, when I was in my 40s. Only started hitting 2hbh after coming back from TE (played lefty vs my sons for a year). Hit 2 handed for a year after I switched back to righty. Now hitting OHBH again for about a year.

There are clear advantages to the 2, such as, hitting returns late, flicking w the left hand (nearly impossible to flick wrist backwards w one hand), and topspin lobs.

The only reason I hit a OHBH is for the feeling, especially hitting a down the line passing shot. Is there a better feeling in tennis?

 

[zill]

Sorry, wasn't clear: I stopped playing tennis for another almost 10 years after we had our second kid. Picked up playing again after my sons started playing, when I was in my 40s. Only started hitting 2hbh after coming back from TE (played lefty vs my sons for a year). Hit 2 handed for a year after I switched back to righty. Now hitting OHBH again for about a year.

There are clear advantages to the 2, such as, hitting returns late, flicking w the left hand (nearly impossible to flick wrist backwards w one hand), and topspin lobs.

The only reason I hit a OHBH is for the feeling, especially hitting a down the line passing shot. Is there a better feeling in tennis?

What was the difference you felt picking it up at 30s vs 40s?

Was asking how it felt starting tennis again after a long break in your 30s vs how it felt starting tennis again after a long break in your 40s? In general not just the backhands.

 

[ey039524]

Was asking how it felt starting tennis again after a long break in your 30s vs how it felt starting tennis again after a long break in your 40s? In general not just the backhands.

Doesn't feel much different. I'm about at the same level I was back then (around 4.5), but I played w my sons as they progressed so I eased into it. I only play doubles and clinics w them now. My 16 yr old is becoming quite good at doubles (lefty), so it's fun to play w him and watch him progress. I wouldn't be into tennis as much I am if I were just playing for myself.

My strokes are generally the same as they were in my 30s, but my serve is worse due to bad shoulders (lifetime of paddling/surfing). My OHBH is a little bit worse but is improving since I've only been hitting it for about a year. Still feels good to be able to hit it elbow-pain free, though.

 

[fuzz nation]

I don't think that this issue is a very big deal. Players having an aptitude for hitting a one-hander are much less common than the 2hbh crowd, so most players don't need to make a choice between the two topspin strokes. I absolutely have a stronger aptitude for hitting a 1hbh, but when a ball is screaming in at my feet or I want to hit an aggressive return of serve against a hard hitter, I need the two-hander.

Making the decision to use one style or the other in the moment during a rally is about the same for me as hitting either a forehand or backhand. As soon as I see the ball coming from the far end, I know right away what sort of shot I need to hit. When a screamer is coming "in" on me and the alarm bells are ringing, the quick set-and-fire of the two-hander comes naturally for me, but any regular rally-speed ball is much easier for me to place with my one-hander. No confusion or brain lock during a rally.

A local pal of mine was a top NCAA player in her day and this topic came up one day when we were chatting about random stuff. She has that killer modern style of play including a rock solid two-hander, but when we were talking about different styles of strokes, I was surprised when she offered that she actually prefers to hit a one-hander. She just couldn't make practical use of it in competition. I suppose it all comes down to that.

 

[Jonesy]

No issue here if you are good on that side. If you suck on your BH side i'd pick only one to master.

 

[optic yellow]

I don't think that this issue is a very big deal. Players having an aptitude for hitting a one-hander are much less common than the 2hbh crowd, so most players don't need to make a choice between the two topspin strokes. I absolutely have a stronger aptitude for hitting a 1hbh, but when a ball is screaming in at my feet or I want to hit an aggressive return of serve against a hard hitter, I need the two-hander.

Making the decision to use one style or the other in the moment during a rally is about the same for me as hitting either a forehand or backhand. As soon as I see the ball coming from the far end, I know right away what sort of shot I need to hit. When a screamer is coming "in" on me and the alarm bells are ringing, the quick set-and-fire of the two-hander comes naturally for me, but any regular rally-speed ball is much easier for me to place with my one-hander. No confusion or brain lock during a rally.

A local pal of mine was a top NCAA player in her day and this topic came up one day when we were chatting about random stuff. She has that killer modern style of play including a rock solid two-hander, but when we were talking about different styles of strokes, I was surprised when she offered that she actually prefers to hit a one-hander. She just couldn't make practical use of it in competition. I suppose it all comes down to that.

Well said. I would also add the high chasedown reachers (over the shoulder shots more or less) to situations where the 2HBH can be preferable; obviously you can also try to slice from this position, but using two hands with a strong flicking element from the left offers a more offensive, potentially stronger option.

 

[fuzz nation]

Well said. I would also add the high chasedown reachers (over the shoulder shots more or less) to situations where the 2HBH can be preferable; obviously you can also try to slice from this position, but using two hands with a strong flicking element from the left offers a more offensive, potentially stronger option.

Every now and then I might spot maybe a high school player who hits that two-handed shot over the shoulder on the backhand side and I'll ask whether somebody taught that to them or if they worked it out on their own (like I did). It's not taught so much, but I think it's really useful and a remarkably reliable shot once we get familiar with the contact point. Love that shot!

 

[Cashman]

I started with a 2HBH as a junior but switched to a 1HBH in my teens.

My coach was pretty annoyed at the time because I had a very solid two-hander, but all my favourite players hit one-handers and it was something I was determined to do. I am sure I would be a stronger player today if I'd stuck with the two-hander but it's not something I regret. I was never going to win Wimbledon and a one-hander is just a lot more fun.

In my late teens and early 20s, occasionally I tried to chop and change based on match situation. It never really worked - the timing/spacing/weight transfer is so different that mixing and matching destroyed my rhythm. Ended up just hitting both shots worse. I think you really need to pick which one you want to be good at.

These days my 2HBH is terrible so I wouldn't even bother trying

 

[movdqa]

I've hit with a 1HBH for about 50 years and I've seen more arguments for the 2HBH as the stronger choice unless you are exceptionally talented. I would not mind developing a 2HBH for certain times but I suspect that it would take me quite a while to use it alone. One of my hitting partners has 1HBH and 2HBH on both sides. He has a complete set of lefty strokes but it took him 10 years to develop.

 

[Fairhit]

I've hit with a 1HBH for about 50 years and I've seen more arguments for the 2HBH as the stronger choice unless you are exceptionally talented. I would not mind developing a 2HBH for certain times but I suspect that it would take me quite a while to use it alone. One of my hitting partners has 1HBH and 2HBH on both sides. He has a complete set of lefty strokes but it took him 10 years to develop.

You know your partner, would you say he has the best set of symmetric strokes he can have or, he could have asymmetric strokes better developed over those 10 years?

Its nice he has 2 forehands and 4 backhands but, those strokes are better than a regular set of 1 fh and 1 bh worked on for 10 years?

 

[movdqa]

You know your partner, would you say he has the best set of symmetric strokes he can have or, he could have asymmetric strokes better developed over those 10 years?

Its nice he has 2 forehands and 4 backhands but, those strokes are better than a regular set of 1 fh and 1 bh worked on for 10 years?

The motivation was a shoulder injury from falling on ice and something in the joint detached resulting in less power in the backhand. He's retired so has had plenty of time to work on the strokes.

It was really nice practicing my 1HBH against lefty topspin shots.

 

[2ndServe]

I'm trying because of wrist pain issues, I just find I need a stronger grip, like my index knuckle on the top bevel for a 1hbh or even shaded to the bevel behind that, kind of extreme. So with this grip I catch the ball way out in front because the hand is mostly behind the grip

On the 2hbh my dominant hand doesn't like that grip because maybe 2h it feel awkward catching it so far out in front.

Not only do I have 2 different swings but 2 different grips and that extra 1/2 second to decide what bh grip to use is what makes it more time consuming.

If you have the legs just run around and hit forehands or if you get lazy hit slices.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I can hit a one hand top spin BH when fooling around in hitting sessions. But it's a particularly challenging stroke which is why I only see a handful of 1HBH users hit topspin drives regularly. Most 1 handers in my crew of 50 guys hit slice or run around it. The guys driving off the BH are usually the 2 handers.

For most rec players, the 2 hander is probably the better one to learn since it requires less precise timing and footwork. One handed slice is also acceptable at rec levels as it's rarely going to be punished if solid.

 

[ey039524]

If you play dubs or opponents that close the net, it's necessary to have topspin BH to pass (at a certain level).

If I see an opponent is going to slice a return, I'm preparing to poach and knock off an easy volley.

This is why lobbing is so effective against aggressive net players. If you watch a lot of dubs, even pros lob frequently.

 

[Jonesy]

Moutet managed to change at a pro match from a 2HBH to a 1HBH because of his injury making it impossible to continue with his old BH, guess necessity really is the mother of all inventions.

Moutet one-handed backhand against Cazaux

Round one of Roland-Garros saw Corentin Moutet successfully adapt to a one-handed backhand against Arthur Cazaux due to a right hand injury

www.tennismajors.com

 

[ey039524]

Moutet managed to change at a pro match from a 2HBH to a 1HBH because of his injury making it impossible to continue with his old BH, guess necessity really is the mother of all inventions.

Moutet one-handed backhand against Cazaux

Round one of Roland-Garros saw Corentin Moutet successfully adapt to a one-handed backhand against Arthur Cazaux due to a right hand injury

www.tennismajors.com

I thought this was Moutet in this short:

I didn't know why Moutet was just slicing in his match vs. Rublev. I didn't know he was injured.

 

[dennis]

Moutet managed to change at a pro match from a 2HBH to a 1HBH because of his injury making it impossible to continue with his old BH, guess necessity really is the mother of all inventions.

Moutet one-handed backhand against Cazaux

Round one of Roland-Garros saw Corentin Moutet successfully adapt to a one-handed backhand against Arthur Cazaux due to a right hand injury

www.tennismajors.com

Do you mean he just sliced all his backhands, or he hit OHBH topspin shots?

 

[Jonesy]

Do you mean he just sliced all his backhands, or he hit OHBH topspin shots?

Both. Even some winners.

 

[Rafaboy]

I can use all the strokes, all the styles.

 

[Cashman]

I can hit a one hand top spin BH when fooling around in hitting sessions. But it's a particularly challenging stroke which is why I only see a handful of 1HBH users hit topspin drives regularly. Most 1 handers in my crew of 50 guys hit slice or run around it. The guys driving off the BH are usually the 2 handers.

For most rec players, the 2 hander is probably the better one to learn since it requires less precise timing and footwork. One handed slice is also acceptable at rec levels as it's rarely going to be punished if solid.

I play with a midsize racquet and the other night I broke a string and was forced to hit with a 100 square inch trampoline

most of my shots were worse, but my topspin backhand was a complete monster

the massive sweet spot was like hitting a one hander on easy mode

 

[WYK]

If you play dubs or opponents that close the net, it's necessary to have topspin BH to pass (at a certain level).

If I see an opponent is going to slice a return, I'm preparing to poach and knock off an easy volley.

This is why lobbing is so effective against aggressive net players. If you watch a lot of dubs, even pros lob frequently.

I have played entire doubles matches with no one on any side hitting a slice. If I got to go with a slice from the back court in doubles, I will usually just pop it up or chip it up unless the opponents are both well back. At least this way they have to deal with an overhead if you hit it short, giving you loads of time to prepare your position and hoping they net it or out it VS giving them an easy putaway whilst out of position, especially if they hammer it into your poor net man. It works especially well in wind or loads of sun, anyways.

I started life playing tennis one handed because back then everyone did. Back then, a backhand wasn't really a weapon. It was just a way of getting the ball back and angling for a putaway or forehand. I saw Courier, who had more of a whipping action, and started to emulate him in 7th grade with the help of a coach. I also played baseball at the time and was a switch hitter, so it came easy enough. When I was in high school, another coach told me my two hander was barely passable, and he spent 6 months teaching me a one hander after seeing me put one away randomly one day for a winner(I was stretched out). He claimed I was a natural....6 months later I dunno if he was right, but now I had a one hander. I do admit I generate much more power and spin on the one hander. But I still hit it flatter than my forehand unless I am on clay and/or have time and height to attack the ball.

Now, decades later, when I am injured I can go to the two hander fairly reliably. When I am in a pinch, like a body serve or at net for a quick volley, I can go either way. I do not even think about it. And if asked, I couldn't tell you if I used one hand or two. To this day I still whip my two hander in sort of an abbreviated motion, which makes it very easy to punch volleys or balls high to my backhand, but it has always required effort and a racquet with plenty of weight in the hoop(which usually means weight everywhere). If I got to lob it or chip it, it is always one handed. It is just more natural for me to put topspin on the ball with one hand.

 

[Fairhit]

I play with a midsize racquet and the other night I broke a string and was forced to hit with a 100 square inch trampoline

most of my shots were worse, but my topspin backhand was a complete monster

the massive sweet spot was like hitting a one hander on easy mode

I've always played with 97-98 head size, I switched a few months ago to the Gpro. I wasn't sure what to expect from the bh side but it really came together since first hit. I hit fairly flat from that wing but now I can hit very spinny shots with great amount of control.

 

[HuusHould]

You use a 2HBH groundstroke and a 1HBH slice; why do you think it is difficult to also use another 1HBH stroke that is more similar to the 2HBH than your slice? This is where the "stick to one stroke" argument always falls flat for me. I can hit a competent 1HBH using the exact same swing thought as my 2HBH.

The issue imo is negative interference, in that, as you mention, they are more similar than the 2 handed topspin bh and the 1 handed slice bh (often used by players with a 2hbh). So the subconcious initially cant differentiate between the two and mixes elements of the two with adverse effects. HOWEVER, I believe this completely dissipates over time. Consequently I agree that this will be the player of the future! You heard it here first, the only way to beat the Djoker is to posses both Nalbandian and Wawrinka's topspin bhs. Furthermore, I actually think you should be able to hit both 2 handed and 1 handed slice backhands as well! My preference is a Borg style release slice bh, where the non dominant hand pushes the dominant hand through and comes off the racquet just after contact. This allows for significantly greater revs, which allows a wider variety of shot shapes and heavily spun drop shots.

 

[Rosstour]

I use both. To me it's not a lot different than hitting slice FH vs topspin FH. I've posted about this before but I use 1H when I'm on the run or jammed or going for broke. I use it for lobs too, can't lob very well with my 2H.

 

[coolvinny]

For a while I hit both 2 and 1 handed backhands (2 hander was a remnant from when I was a kid) but wanted to commit to the 1 hander so I started doing 10 pushups on court each time I hit a 2 hander and within a month I’d broken the habit of the occasional 2 hander.

 

[ballmachineguy]

I started doing 10 pushups on court each time I hit a 2 hander

Fast enough to recover and hit the next shot?

 

[coolvinny]

Fast enough to recover and hit the next shot?

Lol well usually the point ended in my opponent’s favour on that ball or the next one, so I just kept track then did my reps once the point was over.

 

[optic yellow]

The issue imo is negative interference, in that, as you mention, they are more similar than the 2 handed topspin bh and the 1 handed slice bh (often used by players with a 2hbh). So the subconcious initially cant differentiate between the two and mixes elements of the two with adverse effects. HOWEVER, I believe this completely dissipates over time. Consequently I agree that this will be the player of the future! You heard it here first, the only way to beat the Djoker is to posses both Nalbandian and Wawrinka's topspin bhs. Furthermore, I actually think you should be able to hit both 2 handed and 1 handed slice backhands as well! My preference is a Borg style release slice bh, where the non dominant hand pushes the dominant hand through and comes off the racquet just after contact. This allows for significantly greater revs, which allows a wider variety of shot shapes and heavily spun drop shots.

How do you hit the 2HBH slice? Is it sort of a more abbreviated chopping motion like you sometimes see lumberjacks do when they backhand an axe to make a quick shaping cut?

 

[HuusHould]

How do you hit the 2HBH slice? Is it sort of a more abbreviated chopping motion like you sometimes see lumberjacks do when they backhand an axe to make a quick shaping cut?

It is a bit like that, but it isnt abbreviated, its probably a slightly longer swing than the 1 handed slice, as the release allows a full follow through. (Its only longer due to more shoulder rotation in the forward swing, so its a bit shorter as far as extension of the racquet arm toward the target goes)

Ive forgotten how to post videos, its been so long, but will attempt to describe.

My mate who invented the stroke(as far as Im aware) and has a 2hbh drive uses his non dominant hand to push the racquet through, starting on the handle (where it would be for a two handed drive)

Because Im a single hander, I start my non dominant hand on the throat. When doing it this way, you think of pushing through both "uprights" of the throat of the racquet. So as the racquet moves in its natural arc, that direction changes. So the non dominant hand never actually grips the racquet, but pushes it through with a fairly open palm. As it does that it actually slides down the racquet/arm unit. Pushing on the the; throat of the racquet, upper handle, hand and forearm in turn. The heelpad of your non dominant hand will slide down to about the middle of the dominant forearm before the racquet arm seperates from it. So the initial push is from one side of the racquet throat, through the other one and momentum sees the non dominant (pushing) hand slide down to the forearm of the dominant (hitting) arm.

You need more shoulder turn than for a single handed slice and you actually uncoil (open up) more than you would (esp replying to high balls) for the largely side on single handed slice bh.

Its particularly useful for slicing balls from above shoulder height, but its comparably useful for low balls. You can shape low balls both ways (hook and draw) and high balls, you can draw in varying degrees and hit an inside out dropper. As far as breaking the ball the other way from above shoulder height, my friend has another unorthodox solution which is like a 2handed release inside out high bh volley. So its really a flat fade.
Hope you can make sense of some of that! haha Give it a try.