Changing to one handed backhand?

[Dan007]

I posted in couple of threads previously that I have injured my left wrist. I regulary hit with 2hbh which is one of my weapons in my game. However when the pain in my wrist is gone and I start to hit my 2hbh the pain comes back a few hours after the play or the next day. I'm thinking of switching since my 2hbh is giving my left wrist some problem. I know many people on this forum has told me that numerous times that they have swithched from a 2 hander to an 1 hander and worked out great for them. I'm a bit afraid to switch since my 2 hander is a strong weapon of mine, so it might ruin my game. I practiced the one hander before and it's really hard and I think I'll need a lot of practice on it just to stay alive in rallies. I currently use the i radical OS and I think I should switch to an 100 sq. in. frame, and the Liquidmetal instinct was the racket I had in my mind. Can anyone help me with proper instructions on how to hit an 1 handed backhand and on which racket I should get that would suit well for one handed backhand?

 

[just out]

I switched from a two-handed backhand several years ago and it took some time to develop a consistent one-hander. It did improve my backhand volley and half-volley almost immediately though. For me the hardest part was generating topspin. I was able to survive and stay in points with a good deep slice and mix in the topspin when I was in a good position to hit it. You may find as I did that you aren't able to manipulate the racquet face and feel the position of the raquet face when you hit topspin with the one-hander nearly as well as you could with the two hander. That was the biggest adjustment for me. I had to trust my swing and preparation and just hit the one-hander, I wasn't able to hit the severe topspin angles that I could with the two hander but I have seen players with one-handers who can. I don't think you have to switch racquet unless you wanted to switch for some other reason. I find it easier to control/feel the racquet face with a smaller head but that's just me There's plenty of good general advice already on the board as far as mechanics or you can just copy R.F. Good luck!

 

[Dan007]

I switched from a two-handed backhand several years ago and it took some time to develop a consistent one-hander. It did improve my backhand volley and half-volley almost immediately though. For me the hardest part was generating topspin. I was able to survive and stay in points with a good deep slice and mix in the topspin when I was in a good position to hit it. You may find as I did that you aren't able to manipulate the racquet face and feel the position of the raquet face when you hit topspin with the one-hander nearly as well as you could with the two hander. That was the biggest adjustment for me. I had to trust my swing and preparation and just hit the one-hander, I wasn't able to hit the severe topspin angles that I could with the two hander but I have seen players with one-handers who can. I don't think you have to switch racquet unless you wanted to switch for some other reason. I find it easier to control/feel the racquet face with a smaller head but that's just me Good luck!

Thanks for the great info, just out. I always thought you can hit the angles easier with the one hander and the 2 hander have better control and better for doen the line. Just my opinion when I compare these two backhands.

 

[ShcMad]

Sorry to hear about your wrist. It's really unfortunate to hear that your main weapon involves using the injured wrist.

I use a 1-handed backhand with a LM Instinct Tour XL strung with BB Original 16 at 53-48lbs. The racquet, no doubt, is great for one-handers. The combination of 10pts. headlightedness and the 11.8oz weight allows you to hit powerful backhands with control. The headlightedness lets the frame "get around" quick enough in time while the static weight provides stability. I'm playing it with just an overgrip and without lead tape and I love it.

IMHO, the 2-handed bh is more suitable for today's players. I think it's more consistent and easier to avoid making unforced errors from the back of the court. I'm saying this because the 1-hander requires excellent timing, and you cannot be lazy when hitting this shot. It requires more overall effort from the player, but also the rewards are great. Just look at Gasquet or Gaudio or Guga (how come all great bh players' names start with G?).

Whether you make the switch or not, it's solely up to you. If you make the switch, remember that only practice makes perfect, so don't get frustrated after shanking a couple balls!

 

[Dan007]

Sorry to hear about your wrist. It's really unfortunate to hear that your main weapon involves using the injured wrist.

I use a 1-handed backhand with a LM Instinct Tour XL strung with BB Original 16 at 53-48lbs. The racquet, no doubt, is great for one-handers. The combination of 10pts. headlightedness and the 11.8oz weight allows you to hit powerful backhands with control. The headlightedness lets the frame "get around" quick enough in time while the static weight provides stability. I'm playing it with just an overgrip and without lead tape and I love it.

IMHO, the 2-handed bh is more suitable for today's players. I think it's more consistent and easier to avoid making unforced errors from the back of the court. I'm saying this because the 1-hander requires excellent timing, and you cannot be lazy when hitting this shot. It requires more overall effort from the player, but also the rewards are great. Just look at Gasquet or Gaudio or Guga (how come all great bh players' names start with G?).

Whether you make the switch or not, it's solely up to you. If you make the switch, remember that only practice makes perfect, so don't get frustrated after shanking a couple balls!

Thanks about the racket advice. I knew the instinct would be a great choice. But I don't know whether to get LM instinst or the XL. I'm 14 years old, my height is 5'10, and my weight is about 132. I am a baseliner, I have a huge forehand, hit hit a lot spin, one of my other weapons with the 2 hander, when I have an opportunity, I do come in. I hane a decent forehand volley, but my backhand volley is pretty bad. I'm still working on my serve, I can serve in the high 70s-80s mph. Will the one hander do me any good. If you look at all those players with one handed backhand they are mostly all courters and most baseliners use the 2 handed. Also, isn't it hard to hit one handed backhand with the XL than the standard, but if you look at it guys like Gasquet and Ljubicic uses XL and has a fantastic one hander.

 

[Mattle]

Im using one hander too.. good for you if you want to change My advice to you:

Work hard, eventually it will come.
Mean while, study the different backhands and ignore some of them (really hard to learn) I mean, you should look at backhand models like:

Llodra,Mikhail YOUZHNY, james blake. I think they have a very good backhand to study, Because they're so simple and you can really c what happens to the ball by only looking at the racquet (swing path etc.)

 

[ShcMad]

Thanks about the racket advice. I knew the instinct would be a great choice. But I don't know whether to get LM instinst or the XL. I'm 14 years old, my height is 5'10, and my weight is about 132. I am a baseliner, I have a huge forehand, hit hit a lot spin, one of my other weapons with the 2 hander, when I have an opportunity, I do come in. I hane a decent forehand volley, but my backhand volley is pretty bad. I'm still working on my serve, I can serve in the high 70s-80s mph. Will the one hander do me any good. If you look at all those players with one handed backhand they are mostly all courters and most baseliners use the 2 handed. Also, isn't it hard to hit one handed backhand with the XL than the standard, but if you look at it guys like Gasquet and Ljubicic uses XL and has a fantastic one hander.

The regular Instinct and the XL are very different frames. The regular has a lower static weight and lower swingweight while being 4pts. headlight. The XL version has a little more of everything while being surprisingly easy to maneuver from everywhere in the court, including at the net. Both are powerful frames, you can compare them to the PureDrive in the power department, but with a tad bit less power than that.

If you are satisfied with your current racquet, I think you should stick with it. That is unless the racquet's hindering your performance, or you decide to change your game plan completely. And, if for some reason you decide to switch later, then I don't think you will have a lot of trouble adjusting to the new frame. It'll take time, but you will become accustomed to it fast.

If the wrist problem is not something that's gonna last forever, then I believe sticking to the 2-handed bh is the best option. You already said your 2-hander was a realiable weapon. If you switch to the 1-hander, you will have to make major adjustments to your overall game, and that takes a lot of time and practice and effort. And, we, as mere mortals, have other things to do in life besides playing tennis. If you were to go pro later on, then nevermind about what I just said. I mean, 1-hander and 2-hander are like day and night. Both have many advantages and disadvantages over the each other. You can look them up at About.com tennis section. But, personally, I think the 2-hander suits better today's game. Since, it's more baseline-oriented, and you need a ton of consistency over long periods of time. By that, I don't mean that the 1-hander doesn't have consistency, but it requires a little more effort and focus overall. But, they come with practice.

The decision is up to you. Just analyze the disad/adv. and also don't be afraid to learn the 1-hander even if you're gonna be using the other. Choose whichever one you feel comfortable with, while giving you results.

 

[siber222000]

i recently changed to one hand from 2h, it took me a while to get used to it, but if u keep using a 1h, u get better each time u use it so good luck man!

 

[jackson vile]

IMO the 1 hander is easier to execute, easier to spin, easier to control and change up, ect.

The only thing is that it is not forgiving like the 2 hander. I switch from 1h to 2h when I am in tight spots and not able to 1h it, works good for a second chance, but that is it.

 

[EliteNinja]

The best thing to do is it to try out both Instincts thoroughly before buying.

I really like the regular LM Instinct for the 1hbh. It's a comfy racquet and is low-medium powered for a midplus (well, way more power than my rdx mid - it tempts me to the dark side).

The feeling I get from hitting a 1hbh is so sweet. Go for it. It takes PRACTICE and a good mental image of what the stroke mechanics really look like.

 

[thejuice]

I didn't fully read the responses to your original post but the main thing to keep in mind regarding a 1HBH is to keep your feet moving. In order to hit an effective shot with one hand, you have to, YOU MUST, be in position. I learned the game with two hands (and was a very good junior) but I haven't looked back since I started using one hand (in my adult years). There is nothing more satisfying than hitting a 1hbh ross court at an angle even Rafa would give up on (well maybe not THAT good but you get the point).

 

[astra]

My friend´s double handed backhand is a huge weapon (at level approx. 5.0). When playing, he hits one handed backhand sometimes. He can hit it at 4.0 level approx. I am sure, if he switched, his one handed Bh would be the huge weapon very soon.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I posted in couple of threads previously that I have injured my left wrist. I regulary hit with 2hbh which is one of my weapons in my game. However when the pain in my wrist is gone and I start to hit my 2hbh the pain comes back a few hours after the play or the next day. I'm thinking of switching since my 2hbh is giving my left wrist some problem. I know many people on this forum has told me that numerous times that they have swithched from a 2 hander to an 1 hander and worked out great for them. I'm a bit afraid to switch since my 2 hander is a strong weapon of mine, so it might ruin my game. I practiced the one hander before and it's really hard and I think I'll need a lot of practice on it just to stay alive in rallies. I currently use the i radical OS and I think I should switch to an 100 sq. in. frame, and the Liquidmetal instinct was the racket I had in my mind. Can anyone help me with proper instructions on how to hit an 1 handed backhand and on which racket I should get that would suit well for one handed backhand?

You need to master the takeback of the racquet and the contact point.

With an improper takeback you develop an inconsistent backhand. The U shaped swing is what needs to be mastered.

 

[bluegrasser]

I wish somebody had a video on the *U* shaped takeback.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I wish somebody had a video on the *U* shaped takeback.

Watch and trace the hitting hand when Haas rotates his shoulders. Most players watch the racquet head and try to duplicate this in their hand pattern. Haas makes a small smile pattern or a U pattern. You will see this in nearly eveyr pros onehander. Club players usually take the path of the racquet head which is more circular or C shaped. THIS TAKES TOO LONG!!

http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Backhand%20side%20view.swf


Here is a rear view of it. Also check out the body position in relation to the 45 degree angle, it is near perfect:

http://www.uspta.com/html/e-lesson-Backhand%20back%20view.swf

 

[Rep. Timothy Calhoun]

IMO the 1 hander is easier to execute, easier to spin, easier to control and change up, ect.

The only thing is that it is not forgiving like the 2 hander. I switch from 1h to 2h when I am in tight spots and not able to 1h it, works good for a second chance, but that is it.

Yeah, i too find that the spins are more easily accessible.

The two hander seems to take so much time to positon though. It might be more forgiving, especially when you are streched out but the problem is, it is easier to reach with a one-hander. So it's a catch 22.

 

[In D Zone]

Thanks for the great video clip Bungalo Bill!

Noticed the footwork and body movement in the video. You will and probably ready knew that playing 1bh is very involved compared to 2bh- there is a lot of small pieces of motion that needs to happen; but the reward is very gratifying.

While you continue to master the art of a 1bh - don't forget that you have now added new 2 weapon under your sleeves.
Two other strokes you that you need to master immediately is the slice and the block (aka punch).
Slice - is your biggest best friend specially when your timing is off for a 1bh return, to set up or throw an off speed return, and to counter a big wide serve. If you can master how to control your slice, you can quickly change the direction of the ball while in a heated rallye you can change the tempo by hitting straight down low the line, instead of cross court. And watch your opponent run from one end to the other.

Block (punch) - is a great high percentage offense/ defense you can use. Stroke is similar to a volley; instead of swinging at the ball. You punch your shot with a minimum back swing and for the best effect your racket should meet the ball out in front of you; never be hesitant . And remember always think aggressively when you take your shot. The block / punch is great for returning a heavy/ fast serves (including kick serve), or when the opponent hit a long groundstroke to the baseline which you did not have time to react on a 1bh. Again - learning to punch the ball on the rise is the key if you are using it as an offense.

Adding these 2 strokes will certainly allow you to play up to par or better, while you are work on mastering the 1bh.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Thanks for the great video clip Bungalo Bill!

Noticed the footwork and body movement in the video. You will and probably ready knew that playing 1bh is very involved compared to 2bh- there is a lot of small pieces of motion that needs to happen; but the reward is very gratifying.[/quote]

Well the footwork while not hard does take time to engrain to become automatic. Many players if they focus on footwork can execute the patterns if told what to do. It is when no one is around to help them during a match or points that players can get sloppy with the footwork.

Yes, there are about five main segments to the onehander vs. two for the twohander.

While you continue to master the art of a 1bh - don't forget that you have now added new 2 weapon under your sleeves.

Ummmmm...is this addressed to me?

Two other strokes you that you need to master immediately is the slice and the block (aka punch).

Uhhhhhh, okay.