Is it too late for me to switch to 2HBH

[tennisgurl]

Hi everyone.okay so just thought id get some guidance n tips here.Im a good 3.5 and play rec tennis, my backhand is basically non existent though. I just slice and use one hand, never learned proper mechanics of two hander.Obviously being a girl I lack power guys have for one handed backhand (i know i know henin and few other female one handers but still) but I played racquetball a lot and its so much easier using one hand that I instinctively dont get too close to ball and just use one hand. Forehand grip is semi western. One hand backhand is eastern. I really want to learn 2 handed backhand and just transition to it..i think its more stable and trusty that one handed stroke.

So anyway, how can I learn 2 handed backhand when my first insticnt is to just run around and play a forehand or in bad situations, just use backhand to slice ball back?

I will appreciate any video and tips. Any pro whose style is simple and clean and that I can copy? Wta or atp, doesnt matter to me. Surprisngly i have a very good forehand so I am not worried abt that...just need to know how to position myself for 2 handed backhand and how to use stroke, mechanics etc so I can atleast rally ball from backhand side..thanks.

 

[SinjinCooper]

How old are you? Like 85? 90?

It's probably not too late.

 

[iChen]

Hit lefty FH. Add on right hand.

 

[tennisgurl]

How old are you? Like 85? 90?

It's probably not too late.

Thanks..lolz, in my twenties. But its hard because like i said, instinct kicks in..

 

[tennisgurl]

Hit lefty FH. Add on right hand.

Good idea..never thought of it that way.

 

[WildVolley]

.... I really want to learn 2 handed backhand and just transition to it..i think its more stable and trusty that one handed stroke.

So anyway, how can I learn 2 handed backhand when my first insticnt is to just run around and play a forehand or in bad situations, just use backhand to slice ball back?

Yes, it isn't a problem to learn how to hit a 2hbh if you hit a 1hbh slice. In fact, most professional players who use the 2hbh for drives and topspin shots, use the 1hbh for slices and volleys.

You are going to need to dedicate some time learning the shot and practicing it if you are going to rely on it in a match. My advice is to hold continental with your forehand hand, and eastern fh to sw forehand with your backhand side hand. Make sure to get a good shoulder turn, step to neutral if you have the time and use body rotation into the shot. It can be common for someone who is used to hitting the slice bh to not rotate enough into the shot and thereby lose power.

I suggest beginning by shadow swinging the shot, using video of someone like Djokovic as a model.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Thanks..lolz, Im 20. But its hard because like i said, instinct kicks in..

But that's no different than unlearning any bad habit.

If you're a dog, 20 is probably too late; but you ought to be commended on mastery of English and posting to a forum.

Assuming that's not the case, I say give it a serious try: force yourself to hit only 2HBHs. Hit hundreds and hundreds of them to get a feel for the stroke.

Here are some videos:

 

[Nellie]

If you are currently hitting a 1HBH, you will need to unlearn some parts of the swing. I find it helpful to hold the racquet handle with only the thumb and one or two other fingers of the FH-side hand. This forces the BH side hand/arm to be more active so you are not just hitting a one-hander while holding on with the BH-side hand. I also find this hold get the wrists looser.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Thanks..lolz, Im 20. But its hard because like i said, instinct kicks in..

Definitely not too old. I too grew up playing racquetball. I started with a 1HBH. But shoulder injuries and surgery at age 20 led to me getting pain in my arm with 1HBH. So I switched to the 2 hander and never looked back. Did I get good overnight? Certainly not. But sticking with it has led to a significant improvement in my game and I don't ever feel the need to hide my BH and run around it.

I think Andre Agassi is a great model for the 2HBH. In fact I think all his strokes are great models for rec players.

In the end its not much different from any tennis ground stroke. Turn your shoulders, get the racquet below the ball, swing low to high finishing over the right shoulder. Contact point off the front foot. Neutral stance. Go to it.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Maybe even look at some Bjorn Borg videos. He had kindof a hybrid approach that started 2fisted but he let the rear hand go at impact for better extension.

Wasn't asthetically pleasing but still very effective shot.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk

 

[tennisgurl]

Thanks alot guys.I plan on surprising my dad this december break by hitting with him.He played #1 for central florida many moons ago and won 40 and over sectionals last year.I was planning on giving him a whooping but will take just staying in the point at the moment.Who knows maybe in a months time I will be hitting winners from my backhand side with a two handed backhand (right) lolz

 

[Fintft]

Don't go over to the dark side!

Once you feel a proper 1HBH, then it's easy!

For starters stop slicing your BH, hit a normal top spin, flat (or w/e it is called) 1HBH, by using your larger muscles (the shoulder ones) with the arm as a leaver (don't bend your elbow).

Slice only once in a blue moon (e.g. as a pure defensive shot, when you have to lounge at the ball).

A heavier racquet helps, e.g. my 1H BH become a monster when I switched from 97S to RF97A...

There is no better feeling than having your flat 1HBH winning rallies against your opponent's FHs
.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

It's not too late for you but it's way too late for @ByeByePoly.

 

[iChen]

It's not too late for you but it's way too late for @ByeByePoly.

Nothing steroids can’t fix.

 

[FiReFTW]

Don't change the beautiful stroke to that ugly thing!

 

[Limpinhitter]

Good idea..never thought of it that way.

As iChen said, a 2hb is basically a left handed forehand. The primary role of the right hand is to aid in eye-hand coordination. If you focus on hitting a left handed forehand and let your right hand be passive, a lot of the typical problems associated with learning a 2hb, especially transitioning from a 1hb, will resolve themselves.

PS: You don't have to unlearn your 1hb slice. The 1hb slice will always be valuable to you when you find your self reaching for the ball, which is the main weakness of a 2hb.

 

[movdqa]

Hi everyone.okay so just thought id get some guidance n tips here.Im a good 3.5 and play rec tennis, my backhand is basically non existent though. I just slice and use one hand, never learned proper mechanics of two hander.Obviously being a girl I lack power guys have for one handed backhand (i know i know henin and few other female one handers but still) but I played racquetball a lot and its so much easier using one hand that I instinctively dont get too close to ball and just use one hand. Forehand grip is semi western. One hand backhand is eastern. I really want to learn 2 handed backhand and just transition to it..i think its more stable and trusty that one handed stroke.

So anyway, how can I learn 2 handed backhand when my first insticnt is to just run around and play a forehand or in bad situations, just use backhand to slice ball back?

I will appreciate any video and tips. Any pro whose style is simple and clean and that I can copy? Wta or atp, doesnt matter to me. Surprisngly i have a very good forehand so I am not worried abt that...just need to know how to position myself for 2 handed backhand and how to use stroke, mechanics etc so I can atleast rally ball from backhand side..thanks.

I play regularly with a guy with 1 and 2 handed backhands and all strokes both lefty and rightie. He developed the 2 handed backhand and left-handed strokes in response to a shoulder injury. It took him about ten years go get quite good with his strokes. He did this around 50 years old. So you can learn the two-handed version but it's going to take a lot of effort and maybe some instruction to get it right. I've changed my backhand and my forehand and it typically took about six months to make the transition and you lose a lot of matches while in-between strokes. So, count the costs, and make the change if you can make the commitment.

 

[movdqa]

Hi everyone.okay so just thought id get some guidance n tips here.Im a good 3.5 and play rec tennis, my backhand is basically non existent though. I just slice and use one hand, never learned proper mechanics of two hander.Obviously being a girl I lack power guys have for one handed backhand (i know i know henin and few other female one handers but still) but I played racquetball a lot and its so much easier using one hand that I instinctively dont get too close to ball and just use one hand. Forehand grip is semi western. One hand backhand is eastern. I really want to learn 2 handed backhand and just transition to it..i think its more stable and trusty that one handed stroke.

So anyway, how can I learn 2 handed backhand when my first insticnt is to just run around and play a forehand or in bad situations, just use backhand to slice ball back?

I will appreciate any video and tips. Any pro whose style is simple and clean and that I can copy? Wta or atp, doesnt matter to me. Surprisngly i have a very good forehand so I am not worried abt that...just need to know how to position myself for 2 handed backhand and how to use stroke, mechanics etc so I can atleast rally ball from backhand side..thanks.

I play regularly with a guy with 1 and 2 handed backhands and all strokes both lefty and rightie. He developed the 2 handed backhand and left-handed strokes in response to a shoulder injury. It took him about ten years go get quite good with his strokes. He did this around 50 years old. So you can learn the two-handed version but it's going to take a lot of effort and maybe some instruction to get it right. I've changed my backhand and my forehand and it typically took about six months to make the transition and you lose a lot of matches while in-between strokes. So, count the costs, and make the change if you can make the commitment.

 

[ByeByePoly]

It's not too late for you but it's way too late for @ByeByePoly.

Not nice. I came very close earlier today to telling her about that old crazy ByeByePoly 2hbh. Then I decided it would be unfair to make her see that ... you can't un-see it after.

 

[Traffic]

Hit lefty FH. Add on right hand.

This and one tip that helped me out a lot is to start your stroke with butt cap facing opponent and then finishing with your butt cap facing your opponent.

Assuming you are a righty, I think we spend a lot of time with our bodies turned to the right because of FH preference and serves. So to stand facing left is not as natural or comfortable. So need to spend a lot of time with it. Then get early prep. I think we slice because we can pull it off being late. Just a quick chopping motion. But a proper slice takes time to get the racquet back and drive through the ball too.

A couple things that helped me as well was @ByeByePoly pointing out on a video I posted when I take my racquet back. It showed that the ball already bounced and I just started to bring my racquet back. He pointed out that I should have my racquet back at the bounce and then just come meet the ball at my strike zone.

This has helped me tremendously.

(that and spending a bunch of time and money on selecting the right racquet, strings and tension…)

 

[Searah]

Hi everyone.okay so just thought id get some guidance n tips here.Im a good 3.5 and play rec tennis, my backhand is basically non existent though. I just slice and use one hand, never learned proper mechanics of two hander.Obviously being a girl I lack power guys have for one handed backhand (i know i know henin and few other female one handers but still) but I played racquetball a lot and its so much easier using one hand that I instinctively dont get too close to ball and just use one hand. Forehand grip is semi western. One hand backhand is eastern. I really want to learn 2 handed backhand and just transition to it..i think its more stable and trusty that one handed stroke.

So anyway, how can I learn 2 handed backhand when my first insticnt is to just run around and play a forehand or in bad situations, just use backhand to slice ball back?

I will appreciate any video and tips. Any pro whose style is simple and clean and that I can copy? Wta or atp, doesnt matter to me. Surprisngly i have a very good forehand so I am not worried abt that...just need to know how to position myself for 2 handed backhand and how to use stroke, mechanics etc so I can atleast rally ball from backhand side..thanks.

Hello tho i know your keen on learning the 2hander.. just thought i'd say try a onehand semi-western backhand. since your already using a semi western forehand.. the grip is the exact same so it's easy to remember. and most importantly as your learning it.. really focus on the whole "eye on the ball when doing backhands".

also funny enough i found a switch of rackets made my topspin backhand extremely consistent.

goodluck on the onehand or 2hander or both!!

 

[Simon_the_furry]

Hi everyone.okay so just thought id get some guidance n tips here.Im a good 3.5 and play rec tennis, my backhand is basically non existent though. I just slice and use one hand, never learned proper mechanics of two hander.Obviously being a girl I lack power guys have for one handed backhand (i know i know henin and few other female one handers but still) but I played racquetball a lot and its so much easier using one hand that I instinctively dont get too close to ball and just use one hand. Forehand grip is semi western. One hand backhand is eastern. I really want to learn 2 handed backhand and just transition to it..i think its more stable and trusty that one handed stroke.

So anyway, how can I learn 2 handed backhand when my first insticnt is to just run around and play a forehand or in bad situations, just use backhand to slice ball back?

I will appreciate any video and tips. Any pro whose style is simple and clean and that I can copy? Wta or atp, doesnt matter to me. Surprisngly i have a very good forehand so I am not worried abt that...just need to know how to position myself for 2 handed backhand and how to use stroke, mechanics etc so I can atleast rally ball from backhand side..thanks.

As an assistant coach, I'd say switch to a two handed backhand if you need to. But if a one hander is instinct for you, I would focus on improving it rather than switching. Take some private lessons with a good coach (no scrubs, you need someone who really knows how to teach) and ask to work solely on your backhand. If he determines you need to switch, do it. But I think you should see if you can improve your one hander first.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Also need to experiment with front hand grips as well if you're serious about this. Eastern is probably standard, but Novak and others go continental with their non-dominant front hands.

Be sure to give conti grip at least a try. I think it engages the front shoulder better at the start of the swing, with a strong "pull" action creating momentum. Then, the rear hand can take over at impact and the follow through, creating the topspin.

 

[iChen]

As an assistant coach, I'd say switch to a two handed backhand if you need to. But if a one hander is instinct for you, I would focus on improving it rather than switching.

Not sure if I firmly agree. Myself, I think 1HBH is instinct for me but I hit 2HBH and it's definitely better than my FH.

 

[Simon_the_furry]

Not sure if I firmly agree. Myself, I think 1HBH is instinct for me but I hit 2HBH and it's definitely better than my FH.

Fair enough. There are always exceptions.

 

[vex]

Hi everyone.okay so just thought id get some guidance n tips here.Im a good 3.5 and play rec tennis, my backhand is basically non existent though. I just slice and use one hand, never learned proper mechanics of two hander.Obviously being a girl I lack power guys have for one handed backhand (i know i know henin and few other female one handers but still) but I played racquetball a lot and its so much easier using one hand that I instinctively dont get too close to ball and just use one hand. Forehand grip is semi western. One hand backhand is eastern. I really want to learn 2 handed backhand and just transition to it..i think its more stable and trusty that one handed stroke.

So anyway, how can I learn 2 handed backhand when my first insticnt is to just run around and play a forehand or in bad situations, just use backhand to slice ball back?

I will appreciate any video and tips. Any pro whose style is simple and clean and that I can copy? Wta or atp, doesnt matter to me. Surprisngly i have a very good forehand so I am not worried abt that...just need to know how to position myself for 2 handed backhand and how to use stroke, mechanics etc so I can atleast rally ball from backhand side..thanks.

Its never too late. I switched and my 2HBH is rock solid now. If your 1HBH is garbage you have nothing to lose anyway. The 2HBH is so forgiving when it comes to timing, accuracy. 1HBH would occasionally unleash pretty cross court bombs but for every 1 of those there was a flub up from mis-timing. Don't miss it.

This is the video you're looking for:

Note footwork, the takeback, the racket drop, the upward swing, brushing up the ball, Torso/hip turn, follow thru.

Seems like alot but its quite natural with a bit of practice.

 

[Bender]

Thanks..lolz, Im 20. But its hard because like i said, instinct kicks in..

that's no different than unlearning any bad habit.

If my grandmother at the age of 70+ could quit smoking, I think you should be able to rotate your right hand by one bevel and put your left hand on the grip also.

 

[Bender]

It's not too late for you but it's way too late for @ByeByePoly.

 

[dgold44]

Thanks..lolz, Im 20. But its hard because like i said, instinct kicks in..

20 lol

U have tons of time
Get coach and use ball machine and think of it as a 12 month adjustment