My one-hander vs two hander (video)

[ext2hander]

... Backhand, of course! My "extended" two-hand backhand has been my favorite shot, period. Not getting any taller or younger, one month to 71, so its time to resurrect my one-hand backhand that I hit for 20 years starting in the 1970s. Hence, for 2017 the one-hand backhand has been favored in practice and game play, to the detriment of my reliable and more punishing two hand shot.

Here's a recent 100 sec clip, in which you can compare the two strokes, and my stroke pattern. The video transitions to the two-hander at halfway point. For both shots, the racquet is generally taken back low, and then looped higher to take the ball early at chest height. Sometimes, I'll take the racquet back higher, particularly for very low incoming balls, but videos show its not what I generally do. I love Federer's high backswing! Perhaps, that's my next refinement.

"One-Hand Backhand vs Extended Two-Hand Backhand"

If you get a chance, please show your best one-hand and two hand backhand shots! I want to see how real people perform these strokes, particularly >55 players (but younger ones are welcome to educate).

In case you ask, why "extended" in two-hand backhand? ... because of its 3.5" longer swing radius vs conventional two-hander, and with a 27.5" racquet I often play, a full 4" longer swing radius. Huge! For this demo, I resurrected my son's middle school racquet from 2001 to playtest: Prince Precision Approach Titanium Long-Body 95 in2. Even with 15+ year old strings, the racquet really amazed. So I since restrung with Gamma Live Wire XP 17 for more power and control.

 

[Shroud]

... Backhand, of course! My "extended" two-hand backhand has been my favorite shot, period. Not getting any taller or younger, one month to 71, so its time to resurrect my one-hand backhand that I hit for 20 years starting in the 1970s. Hence, for 2017 the one-hand backhand has been favored in practice and game play, to the detriment of my reliable and more punishing two hand shot.

Here's a recent 3 min clip, in which you can compare the two strokes, and my stroke pattern. The video transitions to the two-hander at halfway point. For both shots, the racquet is generally taken back low, and then looped higher to take the ball early at chest height. Sometimes, I'll take the racquet back higher, particularly for very low incoming balls, but videos show its not what I generally do. I love Federer's high backswing! Perhaps, that's my next refinement.

"One-Hand Backhand vs Extended Two-Hand Backhand"

If you get a chance, please show your best one-hand and two hand backhand shots! I want to see how real people perform these strokes, particularly >55 players (but younger ones are welcome to educate).

In case you ask, why "extended" in two-hand backhand? ... because of its 3.5" longer swing radius vs conventional two-hander, and with a 27.5" racquet I often play, a full 4" longer swing radius. Huge! For this demo, I resurrected my son's middle school racquet from 2001 to playtest: Prince Precision Approach Titanium Long-Body 95 in2. Even with 15+ year old strings, the racquet really amazed. So I since restrung with Gamma Live Wire XP 17 for more power and control.

1. Lefthanded fh
2. 2 hander

Please dont hit one handed bh. Stick with the 2 hander or left handed fh

 

[ext2hander]

1. Lefthanded fh
2. 2 hander

Please dont hit one handed bh. Stick with the 2 hander or left handed fh

Haha. That's what my better player friends say. Stick with two hander. I use the left hand forehand for balls out of reach to my left side, usually those hit very wide to the left alley. I'll run it down and hit left hander low and cross court (doubles play only). The one hand BH is improving quickly, and I find useful for topspin or slice approach to set up backhand volley. Usually I don't approach on baseline two hand BH, just hit hard and low.

 

[Shroud]

Haha. That's what my better player friends say. Stick with two hander. I use the left hand forehand for balls out of reach to my left side, usually those hit very wide to the left alley. I'll run it down and hit left hander low and cross court (doubles play only). The one hand BH is improving quickly, and I find useful for topspin or slice approach to set up backhand volley. Usually I don't approach on baseline two hand BH, just hit hard and low.

Amazing your footwork for your age but no one handers. Please. Slice is ok but try to avoid the 1 hander at all costs

 

[hieu1811]

If you get a chance, please show your best one-hand and two hand backhand shots! I want to see how real people perform these strokes, particularly >55 players (but younger ones are welcome to educate).

My previous one hander about 4 years ago... I have ditched it for a safer 2-handed backhand. My 2 hand is still quite weaker than my previous one handed ... but it is safer, I can hit lower or higher balls, i can dink it or moonball them back, i can hit down the line better.

and this is after I switched to 2 handed backhand

 

[ext2hander]

My previous one hander about 4 years ago... I have ditched it for a safer 2-handed backhand. My 2 hand is still quite weaker than my previous one handed ... but it is safer, I can hit lower or higher balls, i can dink it or moonball them back, i can hit down the line better.

and this is after I switched to 2 handed backhand

Thanks for bravely posting your shots. I love your one-hander stroke pattern and follow through. But your FH and 2HBH looks pretty solid in video, and probably better by now.

 

[Shroud]

1hander -> 2hander-> 1 hander

2hander was too limiting

 

[hieu1811]

Thanks for bravely posting your shots. I love your one-hander stroke pattern and follow through. But your FH and 2HBH looks pretty solid in video, and probably better by now.

Thanks, when I started with the 1 hander, I felt right because i could generate more power immediately. All of the higher level players disagreed with me and strongly encouraged me to pick up 2 handers instead at that time.

I spent around 4-5 years and thousands of hours practicing the one hander. After a while I had to sadly accept that those earlier advices were right. It will be much better if I continued to learn the 2 handers instead.

The triggering point to switch to 2 handers was when I saw Federer's backhand kept getting hammered by Djokovic, and all those 1 hander players playing local Challenger Tour in front of my eyes got smoked. On the morning after a tennis final between Federer and Djokovic, i woke up and told myself to ditch the 1 hand

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Thanks, when I started with the 1 hander, I felt right because i could generate more power immediately. All of the higher level players disagreed with me and strongly encouraged me to pick up 2 handers instead at that time.

I spent around 4-5 years and thousands of hours practicing the one hander. After a while I had to sadly accept that those earlier advices were right. It will be much better if I continued to learn the 2 handers instead.

The triggering point to switch to 2 handers was when I saw Federer's backhand kept getting hammered by Djokovic, and all those 1 hander players playing local Challenger Tour in front of my eyes got smoked. On the morning after a tennis final between Federer and Djokovic, i woke up and told myself to ditch the 1 hand

Your 2hbh looks solid and consistent compared to your 1hbh. Federer has wrecked more rec FH's, BH's than all other ATP players combined.
Too many rec players try to copy Fed's FH, 1HBH and racket only to see their game suffer. It's ok though. I don' mind all those free points.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Haha. That's what my better player friends say. Stick with two hander. I use the left hand forehand for balls out of reach to my left side, usually those hit very wide to the left alley. I'll run it down and hit left hander low and cross court (doubles play only). The one hand BH is improving quickly, and I find useful for topspin or slice approach to set up backhand volley. Usually I don't approach on baseline two hand BH, just hit hard and low.

I agree with Shroud. Ditch the 1hbh and stay with your extended 2hbh. It is no contest.
You can use 2hbh at the baseline and hit slice approaches with 1hbh as most good 2hbh players do.

 

[zalive]

I spent around 4-5 years and thousands of hours practicing the one hander. After a while I had to sadly accept that those earlier advices were right. It will be much better if I continued to learn the 2 handers instead

I don't understand, so much hours spent learning and practicing onehander, and no one has taught you that butt cap should be facing to the side at the takeback? How do you expect to have a swing path long enough for some real penetration and spin if you don't ensure the necessary prerequisite for it? But this goes to your coach(es), not to you.

 

[zalive]

Your 2hbh looks solid and consistent compared to your 1hbh. Federer has wrecked more rec FH's, BH's than all other ATP players combined.
Too many rec players try to copy Fed's FH, 1HBH and racket only to see their game suffer. It's ok though. I don' mind all those free points.

It's because they took the wrong BH to copy if they wanted onehander. Wawa's the guy to look at, as he used through his whole career all the necessary mechanisms to make the OHBH a glorius shot. IMO doing what he does but at slower (rec) RHS gives you a lot of control. No god given power needed, just that technique.

 

[StringSnapper]

OP: Your 2hander looks like a much better shot, the 1 hander looks like a real push but the 2 hander has some pace on it.
Maybe if you want to try to develop the one hander, try to get more form on the ball... like, hit it a lot harder but put a lot more topspin on it as well for safety. I think the 1 hander can feel unsafe the way you're lightly pushing it back, but it can feel safer if you hit it harder paradoxically (as long as it has more spin also).

1hander -> 2hander-> 1 hander

2hander was too limiting

Interesting you let the ball bounce twice against the ball. I usually hit it after one bounce, but sometimes it comes back too hard and messes up my timing.
Btw you have a nice one hander! Semi-western grip?

 

[zalive]

Interesting you let the ball bounce twice against the ball. I usually hit it after one bounce, but sometimes it comes back too hard and messes up my timing.
Btw you have a nice one hander! Semi-western grip?

I guess Shroud used some dead pressurized ball opened a long time ago...when you use such, you can drink a coffee and smoke a cigarette before ball bounces back to you.

 

[zalive]

The triggering point to switch to 2 handers was when I saw Federer's backhand kept getting hammered by Djokovic, and all those 1 hander players playing local Challenger Tour in front of my eyes got smoked. On the morning after a tennis final between Federer and Djokovic, i woke up and told myself to ditch the 1 hand

Too bad you didn't watch Novak helpless to take any advantage over Stan's onehander at RG finals, but watching carefully not to get punished by it instead!

 

[ptuanminh]

I have a couple friends who hit both 1HBH and 2HBH. They can't hit a BH under pressure for shizzle

My previous one hander about 4 years ago... I have ditched it for a safer 2-handed backhand. My 2 hand is still quite weaker than my previous one handed ... but it is safer, I can hit lower or higher balls, i can dink it or moonball them back, i can hit down the line better.

and this is after I switched to 2 handed backhand

Wow is that in Vietnam? Where do you play? I will be in Nam in a couple days.

 

[Shroud]

OP: Your 2hander looks like a much better shot, the 1 hander looks like a real push but the 2 hander has some pace on it.
Maybe if you want to try to develop the one hander, try to get more form on the ball... like, hit it a lot harder but put a lot more topspin on it as well for safety. I think the 1 hander can feel unsafe the way you're lightly pushing it back, but it can feel safer if you hit it harder paradoxically (as long as it has more spin also).


Interesting you let the ball bounce twice against the ball. I usually hit it after one bounce, but sometimes it comes back too hard and messes up my timing.
Btw you have a nice one hander! Semi-western grip?

Yeah sw! Thanks man. I read some poast about picking 1 or two bounces and not changing. I am standing back baseline distance and that means two bounces. You must be a brute to stand that far back and hit one bounce!!!

 

[Shroud]

I guess Shroud used some dead pressurized ball opened a long time ago...when you use such, you can drink a coffee and smoke a cigarette before ball bounces back to you.

And update your Tt poasts

 

[zalive]

Yeah sw! Thanks man. I read some poast about picking 1 or two bounces and not changing. I am standing back baseline distance and that means two bounces. You must be a brute to stand that far back and hit one bounce!!!

And update your Tt poasts

But really, when you open a fresh can of balls, not just that you can and usually do hit in one bounce by standing at behind the baseline distance, you can really put yourself in awkward situations because ball bounced too deep when net clearance was any higher. It's earth and sky a difference. But I'm usually too cheap to open a new can just to hit the wall though it really pays off if you hit often.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

... Backhand, of course! My "extended" two-hand backhand has been my favorite shot, period. Not getting any taller or younger, one month to 71, so its time to resurrect my one-hand backhand that I hit for 20 years starting in the 1970s. Hence, for 2017 the one-hand backhand has been favored in practice and game play, to the detriment of my reliable and more punishing two hand shot.

Here's a recent 3 min clip, in which you can compare the two strokes, and my stroke pattern. The video transitions to the two-hander at halfway point. For both shots, the racquet is generally taken back low, and then looped higher to take the ball early at chest height. Sometimes, I'll take the racquet back higher, particularly for very low incoming balls, but videos show its not what I generally do. I love Federer's high backswing! Perhaps, that's my next refinement.

"One-Hand Backhand vs Extended Two-Hand Backhand"

If you get a chance, please show your best one-hand and two hand backhand shots! I want to see how real people perform these strokes, particularly >55 players (but younger ones are welcome to educate).

In case you ask, why "extended" in two-hand backhand? ... because of its 3.5" longer swing radius vs conventional two-hander, and with a 27.5" racquet I often play, a full 4" longer swing radius. Huge! For this demo, I resurrected my son's middle school racquet from 2001 to playtest: Prince Precision Approach Titanium Long-Body 95 in2. Even with 15+ year old strings, the racquet really amazed. So I since restrung with Gamma Live Wire XP 17 for more power and control.

By chance do you know @oserver? Have you played against the open 360 spin serve?

 

[ChaelAZ]

Definitely 2HBH. More power and seemingly more control. Good stuff.
Thanks for posting.

 

[LeeD]

You hit better with 2hbh.
BUT, can you defend wider shots with 2hbh over 1hbh?
Basically, you poke the ball very solidly on both, so it matters little, except which works better under pressure and in match play.

 

[ext2hander]

You hit better with 2hbh.
BUT, can you defend wider shots with 2hbh over 1hbh?
Basically, you poke the ball very solidly on both, so it matters little, except which works better under pressure and in match play.

I play among a mixed group 3.0-4.0 players, ~50 and up. Hence, my 2hbh is best hitting against the 4's, power vs power. Up to a point, I can shift right and hit the 2hbh from deuce corner, aiming toward cross-court alley. My forehand is not good, and anything hit straight at me is taken via moving right for backhand. My 2hbh is very good for hitting cross-court from ad-corner, and given 2 or 3 of those, I'll carve outside of ball to swing further wide for winner (hopefully). The 1hbh is useful returning serves driven too far to the left, to lob or block/slice returns. If I'm there, the 2hbh is my strength.

Players are mostly 3 and 3.5 players, for which my 1hbh is highly suited to return their shots. For short weak returns or patty-cake serves -- which I'll generally try to catch low and hit 1hbh topspin returns cross-court low and deep, and set up for volley. My 2hbh is hit very flat, and more tenuous for keeping on the court on short balls. Also, the 1hbh is nicer for weaker players, rather than always blasting 2hbh. From the videos, I've identified my 1hbh stroke pattern for hitting harder and flatter, yet with topspin. I plan to work on balance to rip the 1hbh backhand more frequently.

Since focusing on my 1hbh, my volleys and half-volleys have improved greatly, more relaxed and natural movement -- since most volleys are taken on backhand. Hence, I'll continue working on 1hbh, while NEVER giving up my 2hbh!

 

[heninfan99]

The ext2hander + the open 360 serve are major brakthroughs

 

[Deleted member 120290]

I play among a mixed group 3.0-4.0 players, ~50 and up. Hence, my 2hbh is best hitting against the 4's, power vs power. Up to a point, I can shift right and hit the 2hbh from deuce corner, aiming toward cross-court alley. My forehand is not good, and anything hit straight at me is taken via moving right for backhand. My 2hbh is very good for hitting cross-court from ad-corner, and given 2 or 3 of those, I'll carve outside of ball to swing further wide for winner (hopefully). The 1hbh is useful returning serves driven too far to the left, to lob or block/slice returns. If I'm there, the 2hbh is my strength.

Players are mostly 3 and 3.5 players, for which my 1hbh is highly suited to return their shots. For short weak returns or patty-cake serves -- which I'll generally try to catch low and hit 1hbh topspin returns cross-court low and keep, and set up for volley. My 2hbh is hit very flat, and more tenuous for keeping on the court on short balls. Also, the 1hbh is nicer for weaker players, rather than always blasting 2hbh. From the videos, I've identified my 1hbh stroke pattern for hitting harder and flatter, yet with topspin. I plan to work on balance to rip the 1hbh backhand more frequently.

Since working on my 1hbh, my volleys and half-volleys have improved so much, more relaxed and natural movement -- since most volleys are taken on backhand. Hence, I'll continue working on 1hbh, while NEVER giving up my 2hbh!

Most decent 2hbh male players slice and volley with 1hbh.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

The ext2hander + the open 360 serve are major brakthroughs

The ext2hander + the open 360 serve + Pomo FH = unbeatable at rec level

 

[ext2hander]

deleted

 

[ext2hander]

The ext2hander + the open 360 serve + Pomo FH = unbeatable at rec level

The ext 2 hander is useful for players who regard the conventional 2 hander as being too restrictive in motion. Of course, younger or tall players generally do not have that problem. You'd have to try and practice to feel the difference. This serve could work better than the open 360 serve.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

The ext 2 hander is useful for players who regard the conventional 2 hander as being too restrictive in motion. Of course, younger players generally do not have that problem. You'd have to try and practice to feel the difference.

I see the advantage of ext-2hbh for over 40 players due to their reduced flexibility and court coverage.
However if would take too long to switch back and forth from forehand to ext-2hbh and vice versa in a real match.
If I had enough time to switch grips, I would hit a lefty FH all day vs a 1hbh or a 2hbh.
But as Simon from Top Tennis said, there is not enough time to switch grips quickly in an actual match.

 

[heninfan99]

Always liked your two hander and you seem to use "normal" grips on it. You step forward nicely with good racquet head speed.

1hander -> 2hander-> 1 hander

2hander was too limiting

 

[ext2hander]

Always liked your two hander and you seem to use "normal" grips on it. You step forward nicely with good racquet head speed.

HeninFan, you are quite correct. It looks like a normal grip, until you look closely. Quite the contrary. Its essentially a modified Eastern forehand, stabilized with two-fingers with other hand. Note unused grip space above the hands. Strength is not a problem. The racquet is swung very fast with confidence (face stabilized by those two fingers), hit forward thru the longer hitting zone with lift from knees/hips for added topspin. I generally hit the shot very flat; however, to hit extra hard, one can rotate the racquet another 1/8 turn for greater spin and assurance. Though I'm perhaps a 3.5, I can return low hard-hit balls against better players with ease. Its my "go to" shot. Drop the two fingers on the run, and one has a natural left-hand forehard. Try it, you'll like it (step outside and compare the conventional vs this technique). I dare you.

 

[heninfan99]

I was referring to Shroud's two hander. Thank-you for your insights though.

HeninFan, you are quite correct. It looks like a normal grip, until you look closely. Quite the contrary. Its essentially a modified Eastern forehand, stabilized with two-fingers with other hand. Note unused grip space above the hands. Strength is not a problem. The racquet is swung very fast with confidence (face stabilized by those two fingers), hit forward thru the longer hitting zone with lift from knees/hips for added topspin. I generally hit the shot very flat; however, to hit extra hard, one can rotate the racquet another 1/8 turn for greater spin and assurance. Though I'm perhaps a 3.5, I can return low hard-hit balls against better players with ease. Its my "go to" shot. Drop the two fingers on the run, and one has a natural left-hand forehard. Try it, you'll like it (step outside and compare the conventional vs this technique). I dare you.

 

[ext2hander]

I was referring to Shroud's two hander. Thank-you for your insights though.

Haha! Its ok, all my player friends like my two-hander. As a goat, you're too good already. But give it a whirl. One mid-30s 4.0 player tried it 5 years ago, and quickly adapted to greatly improve his two-hander. Raised his game. He also used for two-hand smash volleys, as he informed later.

 

[Shroud]

Always liked your two hander and you seem to use "normal" grips on it. You step forward nicely with good racquet head speed.

Yep normal grips. My opponents love the two hander too...

 

[ext2hander]

One YouTube comment recommended for my one-hand backhand, "Leaving more of the lag in the racket instead of torquing the head around as you do here. Keeping the drag, you can swing thru more aggressively while maintaining control and better spin." I'd been experimenting lately with a short quick backloop, for soft hit balls, resulting in some wrist flex forward at contact. But I've since reverted to holding the wrist layback at contact, and holding the position to the finish. This does work better for hard or soft balls.

 

[philosoup]

"Leaving more of the lag in the racket instead of torquing the head around as you do here. Keeping the drag, you can swing thru more aggressively while maintaining control and better spin." I'd been experimenting lately with a short quick backloop, for soft hit balls, resulting in some wrist flex forward.

Don't know what torquing means here. But supernating arm, rotating shoulder, make shot effortless. Your 1h backhand is almost there. You try to do weight shift by jumping forward. Instead you can keep your weight on you back foot and move toward to front foot right before forward swing. Equivalently move hips forward. If you can bend waist and knees down at prep, and straight up before forward swing, it helps too - - useful for running shot. Also take racquet back higher to around shoulder level, leave racquet away from body during backswing, bring closer on fw swing.