Need help switching

[SageOfDeath]

I was thinking about switching to a 1 hander for a long time. I talked to my coach about switching from a 2 hander to a 1 hander, he said I don't have to deicde now, but he recommended a 2 hander because I already worked on it and learning a 1 hander is like taking a few steps back on my backhand. But after taking another look at the forums and threads reguarding a 1 hander vs 2 hander, I've decided to use a 1 hander. I want to start working on it right away.

Well I just wanted to ask anything you guys to post anything you know about a 1 hander. Like what are the different shots you can execute with it. How's the takeback? Contact point? Should I slice or hit a topspin backhand for a fast return. Can I use an eastern backhand for topspin and slice? Is that effective or would changing grips be better?

 

[Mahboob Khan]

The best 1-handed BH will always beat the best 2-handed BH because the 1-hander provides so much variety such as topspin, slice, chip, approach shots, get out of trouble shots, change of pace shots, variety on return of serve, drop shots, and you name it. The 2-handed BH stroke is one-dimensional and to be effective at the top you ought to add at least 1-handed slice BH to go with the double-handed topspin ground stroke! The reason Marat Safin was able to beat Federer in the Australian Open was his ability to use 1-handed slice approach shots followed by volleys at critical stages of the match. Of course there were other reasons also such as Federer's inability to put away the match point he had!

1-handed BH drive tips:

-- Make sure you refine the grip to full Eastern BH grip.

-- Use your left arm to pull the racket backward and upward; if done properly, your upper body is turned, the hitting shoulder blade is pointing to your opponent, the hitting arm is bent at elbow; the elbow bone pointing to the ground. Yes, you guessed it right, there is more upper body rotation with the 1-handed shot (if done properly, Federer, Gasquet).

-- Step toward the ball with the right foot. Stance: square! Feet in same line!

-- Point of contact in front of the front knee; waist high or mid-section high; your arm and racket are in L shape or 90 degree angle! Yes, just prior to, during, and after contact, your hitting arm is stiff and straight but making an angle with your racket .. i.e. 90 degree angle! In other words your arm and the racket are NOT in one straight line!

-- As the racket goes through the contact zone, your left arm is pulling backward-downward! In other words right and left arm are going in opposite direction. Right arm forward - left arm backward-downward!

-- As you hit, you transfer your weight onto front foot;

-- Follow through: For down the line: At 11 or 12 o'clock (rising socket); for cross court, 1 o'clock (rotating socket).

Technically sound 1-handed BH stroke looks pretier than the 2-handed stroke!

 

[SageOfDeath]

thank you very much I will practice this stroke.

 

[Muse]

I tried the same thing, it worked for a week before I got frustrated and went back to a two hander, I've been happy ever since. It really is taking a step back, and you have to keep using it in order to make it better. If you're playing a match, it's really a pain when you shank half your backhands and you lose because of it. If you have the time and the patience, I'd say give it a go, because the 1 hander is a lot more versitile, and you dont really give away your slice like I do.

 

[Rickson]

I'm a convert and I love it. The 1 hander not only looks prettier, it's more versatile and it gives you more reach. Just remember that with the 2 hander, you can hit with an open stance a la Rafael, but a 1 hander should always be hit with a closed stance, even when you're going crosscourt because you'll lose a lot of reach if you try to hit a crosscourt 1 hander with an open stance.

 

[camelF4i]

Hey guys, how much does strength play in your ability to hit a topspin or flat one hand bh? Or is it really timing and technique?

 

[SageOfDeath]

I think its mostly technique and timing. It doesn't take a great deal of strength to hit a tennis ball depending on exactly how hard you want to hit. But with a 1 hander it requires some strength because you don't have your other hand to help you. Simply swinging low to high and hitting at the right time, and contact point, will produce a good topspin shot most of the time assuming you don't mishit. A flat backhand is pretty easy, but I don't use that unless I'm aiming for a winner.

I have a question, what grip is a full eastern backhand grip? I don't think I quite get it do you mean if it were a forehand grip it would be a semi-western? Like an extreme western backhand? Or do you mean make sure its a backhand eastern grip and not a hybrid.

 

[AngeloDS]

It depends on your type of game really. I prefer One-Handed backhands inside the court for taking them on the rise and creating angles, and two-handed backhands outside of the court for creating drive and less of a lofty ball. That's in singles. Doubles, I use one-handed all the way because of the angles you need to create.

Two-Handed backhands are really powerful for driving. Look at Nadal, Hewitt and others who use the two-handed backhand. It's really powerful, and good for the baseline and putting points away.

One-Handed backhands are kind of lofty at the baseline, and easily attackable. It's better for being inside the court, because of taking it on the rise and then creating wonderful angles.

 

[nViATi]

I think its mostly technique and timing. It doesn't take a great deal of strength to hit a tennis ball depending on exactly how hard you want to hit. But with a 1 hander it requires some strength because you don't have your other hand to help you. Simply swinging low to high and hitting at the right time, and contact point, will produce a good topspin shot most of the time assuming you don't mishit. A flat backhand is pretty easy, but I don't use that unless I'm aiming for a winner.

I have a question, what grip is a full eastern backhand grip? I don't think I quite get it do you mean if it were a forehand grip it would be a semi-western? Like an extreme western backhand? Or do you mean make sure its a backhand eastern grip and not a hybrid.

look at how u hold ur forehand semi western grip. hold ur backhand the same way. that is the extreme eastern which i think is what gustavo kuerten uses. it's really extreme

 

[SageOfDeath]

If that is the proper grip for a drive backhand then I should have no problem switching grips. I use a semi-western forehand. I'll practice the swing path and see how well I do. Hopefully I'll see some progress.

 

[nViATi]

the normal topspin backhand drive grip is an eastern not an extreme eastern. base knuckle for eastern backhand should be at top of the racquet.

 

[SageOfDeath]

I see, thanks for all the advice.

 

[Tim Tennis]

I say, why not master both the one handed and the two handed backhand? Now that will give your opponents something to think about.

You got to love the game.

 

[goober]

The 1 handed BH can be a thing a beauty especially on the higher levels. On the club level of 3.0-4.5 I have found there a lot of people to have bad 1-handers. The contact point is further out in front and timing is more difficult on balls that are coming high velocity or balls that are hit high. Most club players can't drive through the ball reliably with topspin and end up slicing a lot.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

Look at the butt cap of your racket. It has panels and bevels:

the top panel is number 1,

then you have first bevel,

then you have panel number 2 (the side panel),

then you have bevel number 2

then you have panel number 3 (bottom panel)

then you have bevel number 3

then you have panel number 4 (left side panel)

then you have bevel number 4.

In order to eliminate confusion I call all of them as panels i.e. 1 to 8.

For full eastern bh grip, the base knuckle of the index finger should be on panel number 1 (top panel), For extreme eastern bh, the base knuckle of the index finger is on panel number 8 (the one immediately to the left of panel number 1).

I hope the above helps.

 

[Christopher]

I can do both.

|I taught myself a 1 handed after Gaudio won the French, and I have quite a nice 2 hander so I dont need it much, but its hellauseful if you want to get something extra on that one youve had to run down and are stretching to get on your BH side.

Word of caution though, its very hard to master a consistent BH topspin crosscourt, much harder than 2 hander (ive found) because so much more can go wrong.