Can one play single and double handed backhand effectively?

R

rookie_rock

New User
Hi ,

First up, I would like to say thanks to the experts in this forum. I am really amazed at the depth of tennis knowledge that people have in here. And some really mind boggling posts that I found has made me registered to this site.

Now my question. I am beginner in tennis. I started hitting only a month back.

While I was practising, I was finding it comfortable to play double handed back for moon balls and single handed backhand for balls that come net high and lower. Double handed backhand because you can have control and speed for shoulder high balls and it's easier than single handed one. So have you guys seen anyone playing a game with both single and double handed backhand in the same match? Is it advisable to practice both the styles while learning or is it better to choose one style of backhand and work on it? Thanks.
 
Rickson

Rickson

G.O.A.T.
A lot of players can do both, but it's a bad idea. I started with a 2 hander, but I switched to a 1 hander after a year so I can do both to this day, but I always think one hander during a match. The stances are different and so is the form so it's not a good idea to employ both backhands during a match.
 
R

rookie_rock

New User
But I am having trouble hitting those shoulder high backhand balls. In that case if one deploys a 1HBH, should one hit when the ball is on the rise or should one take a step back till the ball reaches the comfortable height (waist level) for a nice one hand backhand swing? So, that is why I was trying to use 2HBH to negotiate the rising ball.

I visualise Djokovic while playing that 2HBH to send the shot as flat as possible.
 
Rickson

Rickson

G.O.A.T.
rookie_rock said:
But I am having trouble hitting those shoulder high backhand balls. In that case if one deploys a 1HBH, should one hit when the ball is on the rise or should one take a step back till the ball reaches the comfortable height (waist level) for a nice one hand backhand swing? So, that is why I was trying to use 2HBH to negotiate the rising ball.

I visualise Djokovic while playing that 2HBH to send the shot as flat as possible.
Click to expand...

We usually slice high balls, but they can be driven as well with practice. Look at Justine Henin. She's only 5'5, but she drives a lot of backhands that would be considered high for her.
 
R

rookie_rock

New User
Yep, now I'm wondering how difficult could it be for her to drive those high balls. Thanks Rickson.

May I know the reason for your switching from 2HBH to 1HBH after an year? Coz, after an year of 2HBH practice, you must have got used to 2HBH and it's difficult to adopt something (1HBH) out of your comfort zone?
 
Rickson

Rickson

G.O.A.T.
rookie_rock said:
Yep, now I'm wondering how difficult could it be for her to drive those high balls. Thanks Rickson.

May I know the reason for your switching from 2HBH to 1HBH after an year? Coz, after an year of 2HBH practice, you must have got used to 2HBH and it's difficult to adopt something (1HBH) out of your comfort zone?
Click to expand...

Watching Justine and Roger had a big influence on my decision for switching to the superior backhand. That was in 2004.
 
R

rookie_rock

New User
Just seen your posts in 1HBH elite community club and I now know how much you love that shot Rickson. I try to abolish that 2HBH thoughts from my mind. Believe me, I started with 1HBH which came naturally to me and did not find too difficult a shot as projected by others. May be the fact that I also play table tennis and badminton has allowed me to try 1HBH outright. It's my coach who forced me to shift loyalties and as I said I better not think/talk of that 2HBH from now.
 
Djokovicfan4life

Djokovicfan4life

Legend
You're not the only one who struggles with high balls to the one handed backhand. If you go with a one hander I would slice most of those and wait for something you can rip. Work on a nice, biting, offensive slice that your opponent can't attack easily.

You should pick one and stick with it though, better to have one well developed backhand than two mediocre ones.

P.S. Your coach forced you to switch? That's not good at all. If my coach told me to use two hands I would ditch him ASAP. Not everyone's the same, you know.
 
Last edited:
R

rookie_rock

New User
Yeah, slice shot is one where I am confident in executing. Because I think of 2HBH instead of playing a slice shot especially for high balls, I am into this confusion.

I like playing the slice shot for balls that are below the net level but again playing a slice shot often doesn't rate one as a cheap player?
 
Djokovicfan4life

Djokovicfan4life

Legend
Slices are fine, sometimes I force more errors with my slice than my topspin backhand. Just tell that coach, er.................. lets just say SOMETHING, and work on that topspin drive.
 
P

Penguin Slapper

New User
yeah i do that nowadays. i started out with a one hander with topspin, slice, flat, all of it. but then i tryed out a two hander recently and its not all that bad. of course, i only do it when i have too, like if its too close to the body and i cant get in position in time, sometimes when im at net and a floater goes to my bh side, want to keep court positioning, etc. but overall, 1hbh kick.
 
P

Penguin Slapper

New User
also, it feels a lot better on the dominant hands wrist if you injure it. thats around when i started hitting it. but at least with a 1hbh you dont have to depend on your other hand/wrist.

use a 1 hander. be awesome. :)
 
N

Nellie

Hall of Fame
I think that most coaches can tell within a short time whether you will have an easier time developing a one hand or two hand backhand. I think it has to do with how you use your off-hand for balance.

Also, don't be too pursuaded by Riskson because he has his own agenda for advocating the one-hander. In my experience, a two hander will tent to allow you to improve faster, but this is not always true.

I would recommend deciding on a style and sticking with it. Although there is some disagreement on this board, I make this suggestion because (if you are right handed) the two-hander emphasises control by the left hand whereas the one hander emphasises the right arm. similarly, the one handed requires a different swing path and weight shift. If you continue to use both, you will end up to two bad shots, instead of a good shot. Once you have a banckhand you like, you can work to add diversity through slice.
 
5263

5263

G.O.A.T.
I agree that it can be a bad idea for some to use both type backhands, especially if you don't have one you can count on yet, but I have been hitting both for about 5 years now and it is working out real well for me.
I do use the 2 hander most of the time, like serve rtns and precise control situations, but love to let that onehander rip when I get something that is a little further from the body and more out in front
or if I have to stretch for a backhand.

It's nice having the versatility at times.

In tennis there are a lot of shots to hit- volleys, half volleys, drives, kicks, topspins, chips, slices, 3 kinds of overhead smashes etc....

Whats one more if you are interested in doing it? It's all for fun anyway.
:)
 
J

just out

New User
IMO make a choice. I started with two, went to one, and am now going back to two (with one hand slice). I find that the one hand slice and two handed backhand drive are very similar for me in terms of contact point (about even with front knee) and grip (continental with dominant hand). The drive or topspin one hander is very different from the two hander so mixing those two IMO would not be a good idea. I struggle with the high one handed backhand too, especially on the service return. It was never very forgiving if I was not in good position.... I think the two hander is much more like my forehand in terms of forgiveness for my sometimes slow footwork and movement.
 
Djokovicfan4life

Djokovicfan4life

Legend
Once again, PICK ONE AND STICK WITH IT. The one and two handed backhand are entirely different strokes, obviously. Different follow through, different contact point, different grip, different everything, really. Using both in a match type of situation is just asking for trouble.
 
C

chipsbuzz

New User
yeaa, it's advisable to choose one backhand instead of both...

I'm in the same boat as you however (uses a two handed and a one handed). Although, I think it works well with the way I play. I use a double forehand two handed backhand (both hands are in eastern position) and an eastern forehand. When I pull back for a backhand I'm ready to swing two-handed (and the double forehand grip allows for a slightly further back contact point). If it's low I switch to one handed (ehbh). If it's high or I havta react fast I just swing two-handed.

Sounds sorta complicated...that's why it's advisable to stick to one type of backhand. That and you'll get more proficient in a backand if you just stick to one.
 
Bungalo Bill

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
rookie_rock said:
Hi ,

First up, I would like to say thanks to the experts in this forum. I am really amazed at the depth of tennis knowledge that people have in here. And some really mind boggling posts that I found has made me registered to this site.

Now my question. I am beginner in tennis. I started hitting only a month back.

While I was practising, I was finding it comfortable to play double handed back for moon balls and single handed backhand for balls that come net high and lower. Double handed backhand because you can have control and speed for shoulder high balls and it's easier than single handed one. So have you guys seen anyone playing a game with both single and double handed backhand in the same match? Is it advisable to practice both the styles while learning or is it better to choose one style of backhand and work on it? Thanks.
Click to expand...

It is not necessarily advisable. However, nobody will stop you from doing so.

Some players use the following, however, it is less common:

1. Twohander for the return of serve

2. Onehander for groundstrokes and what not.

You really want to have one topspin backhand to use for your groundstrokes. You can make the grip more extreme on the onehander for the high balls.

The twohander and the onehander are different strokes and each requires work to make it consistent and dependable.

Whether you choose either backhand, you will still need to develop your slice backhand. If you think about it, this is now three backhands you are now developing.

If I were you, I would choose the twohander over the onehander for the simple reason that you handle high balls better with it. You only need to make minor adjustments to handle balls in the strike zone or lower. Your training will also transfer to the service return.

My suggestion is not written in stone, it will ultimately be up to you. Just look at it and decide.
 
Djokovicfan4life

Djokovicfan4life

Legend
The one hander got a lot more natural power for me for some reason. When I started I used two hands and my right arm was actually crossed the wrong way so that it was leading the stroke. :oops:

I took off that other hand, and I suddenly had a backhand. Not a world class one, mind you, but a real backhand. :)
 
Djokovicfan4life

Djokovicfan4life

Legend
Just out of curiosity, BB, what is it that you like about the two hander so much?

Is it easier to learn, easier to teach, more reliable? I'm interested what someone like you has to say on this subject.
 
Alexio92

Alexio92

Professional
I can do both, I can really rip the ball with a two hander. However I use a one handed as I get more net clearance and spin, therefore more consistancy I find and I have better control as I find it less restricting.
 
Djokovicfan4life

Djokovicfan4life

Legend
Alexio92 said:
I can do both, I can really rip the ball with a two hander. However I use a one handed as I get more net clearance and spin, therefore more consistancy I find and I have better control as I find it less restricting.
Click to expand...

So which one do you use? :confused:

You must choose, young padowan!

(WTF, that spelling looks wrong) :lol:
 
Bungalo Bill

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
Djokovicfan4life said:
Just out of curiosity, BB, what is it that you like about the two hander so much?

Is it easier to learn, easier to teach, more reliable? I'm interested what someone like you has to say on this subject.
Click to expand...

I really have no preference. I can hit a onehander or a twohander. I prefer the twohander because I am more consistent with it and able to handle the higher ball better. I am not an extreme grip user nor do I want to be. A back injury I sustained a few years back caused me to grow with the onehander more.

As far as teaching, it makes no difference to me on difficulty in teaching. I can teach either equally well. My favorite stroke to teach is the backhand - either one including the slice. It is also the stroke I have done the most research on.

I find it humorous with those that want to say one is better then the other.

To me what matters is how the backhand fits in a persons make-up, style of play, and how their body responds (after some effort) to the training.

The onehander is a bit more complicated to master because of having more segments involved. Power? Both can put mustard on the ball.
 
Djokovicfan4life

Djokovicfan4life

Legend
Whatever floats your boat, dude. Should we start wearing blindfolds and use the force as well? I can just see the shanks from here! :shock:

All joking aside though, either backhand is fine. We prefer one, they prefer two. End of story.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

zill
  • Poll
Easier to handle high balls with a single handed backhand than a double handed backhand
2
Replies
60
Views
2K
StringSnapper
StringSnapper
yellowoctopus
Double Handed Backhand, only for service return?
Replies
14
Views
6K
Jracer77
J
zill
How much force/effort is exerted by the bottom arm in the double handed backhand?
Replies
13
Views
482
zill
zill
N
Problem with backhand
Replies
15
Views
1K
LakeSnake
LakeSnake
Klippy
Single handed backhand help
Replies
13
Views
1K
POGO
POGO
Top