Are One Hand Backhands finesse and timing or can u bash it

[asifallasleep]

As a junior player I had a two handed backhand but for the last 20 years I've had a one hand backhand. As the game has changed with more pace I've never been able to adjust and began relying on slice on the backhand. Which made my preparation on that side lazy. Although short balls or ball with little pace i can drive. At times I really want to crank a one hand topspin drive and i end up opening my shoulder too much and too soon, moving my body as I would on a forehand trying to rip the ball.

Question: Can you bash a one hand backhand just like a two handed backhand or a forehand? Or is it really a smooth timing based stroke with linear power? Positioning and timing creating the power.

 

[Falloutjr]

You can bash a 1HBH with ease. It's easier to hit a hard 1HBH than a 2HBH, but it takes better timing. It's also harder to direct the ball where you want because of the physical rotational limits of the arm. Two handed players can control the placement of the ball much easier because it's essentially a forehand, and you have the full range of motion of the shoulder; this is why when you see great 2-handed players, they often have stronger down the line backhands than someone with a one-hander of equal skill. But with this comes greater reach, and you will be able to hit harder more often because you don't need perfect positioning and body position to hit it and power is effortless.

 

[user92626]

Question: Can you bash a one hand backhand just like a two handed backhand or a forehand? Or is it really a smooth timing based stroke with linear power? Positioning and timing creating the power.

1hbh has the tendency to be weaker than the other two strokes. It's techniquely harder as well. However, in term of power, there's more than enough to carry anybody's game.

 

[BevelDevil]

You just have to rethink what you mean by "bash." If you think of your power coming from your shoulders uncoiling, then yes you can bash it.

1hbh has the tendency to be weaker than the other two strokes. It's techniquely harder as well. However, in term of power, there's more than enough to carry anybody's game.

It's only weaker outside of its strikezone. Inside the strikezone it is more powerful while feeling almost effortless.

 

[GetBetterer]

Yes, what do you mean by this "bashing?"

Do you mean just swing at a ball as Serena did vs. Henin in an old Wimbledon match of which year I cannot remember?

Or do you mean actually play Tennis, rather than just hit a ball over a net?

 

[Mike2228]

I can hit my 1hbh close to has hard as my forhand.

 

[Fuji]

I play with a 1hbh and I hit MUCH harder then my forehand. It's all in the timing of my shot. As long as you can get the timing for it, 1hbh should be able to really "bash" the ball

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I can hit my 1hbh close to has hard as my forhand.

That.

And it's really effortless. Of course I will eventually tire out after hours of hitting/match. But that's not to say I drain myself just to generate power in my 1HBH.

Power should come from lower body/core, and the arm is just there as a link between the lower body/core and the racquet itself.

 

[thebuffman]

man i LOVE having a 1hbh. it is so much easier to create variations of shots with my backhand. as far as bashing the ball goes this is a definite YES. and even when bashing it is easy to vary the elevation of the shot from 5' above the net with incredible spin to really flat and all with pace.

yep it is very doable OP. if i were you i would first start by running this drill:
stand no more than 3 feet from the net inside the doubles alley. toss the ball to the hitting zone and practice stroking the ball from low to high. its nice to do this into the net because a well hit ball with good topspin will typically fall out of the net but die close to the net. after doing this drill a while i would take a bucket of balls to the baseline and practice hitting topspin drives from dropped balls but hit them at 5mph. very controlled deliberate strokes. you really want to master the contact point. once you master the contact point for the 1hbh, the rest is history.

 

[WildVolley]

It is possible to generate a lot of racket head speed on the 1hbh. I think for many players, it is easier to generate more racket head speed with the 1hbh than with the 2hbh. The main advantages with the 2hbh, in my opinion, are the stronger grip and the ability to more easily hit from many stances and with a shorter swing.

The downside of the 1hbh is that usually the rear delts are weaker than the front delts and chest and the grip is weaker. I think it is definitely harder to take a high bouncing ball and hit down on it with a 1hbh than with a 2. I can much more easily smack a ball down into the court with the 2hbh. I've seen Gasquet rip a jumping 1hbh at what would be above shoulder height, but that's a rare shot even for him.

You've correctly identified that the 2hbh is more like a left-handed forehand (for righties) and usually requires the shoulders to be more open at contact. The shoulders need to rotate and then stop to really thump a 1hbh. If you open them too far you'll lose power. The timing and preparation on the 1hbh have to be more precise to really let it rip, but it is definitely possible.

 

[Mr_Shiver]

You can bash a 1HBH with ease. It's easier to hit a hard 1HBH than a 2HBH, but it takes better timing. It's also harder to direct the ball where you want because of the physical rotational limits of the arm. Two handed players can control the placement of the ball much easier because it's essentially a forehand, and you have the full range of motion of the shoulder; this is why when you see great 2-handed players, they often have stronger down the line backhands than someone with a one-hander of equal skill. But with this comes greater reach, and you will be able to hit harder more often because you don't need perfect positioning and body position to hit it and power is effortless.

I agree with most of this but disagree that it is difficult to direct a 1hbh. You have a lot of flexibility to angle the racquet face with your wrist. Although you may be right because I have never used a 2hbh.