Problem with backhand

N

neal

New User
I have been playing tennis for about 5 years now. Mostly it's been two handed backhand. Only a few months ago, someone pointed out my mistake.. all along i've using right hand instead of left for the double handed backhands( i am right handed)..After that i tried to correct it by trying to use left hand for backhand but doesn't work.. and can't generate power/pace.. also i'm only able to hit cross court...

I have also tried hitting single handed backhand( as i had been actually using right hand for double handed backhands) .. I am able to get a lot of pace with this single handed backhand but its not as consistent as my double-handed backhand..

I need your suggestions..what do you think is right for me? to continue with 2 hand back hand(even though i am actually using the right hand for power instead of left) or try 1 handed backhand?
Thanks in advance!!
 
neal said:
I have been playing tennis for about 5 years now. Mostly it's been two handed backhand. Only a few months ago, someone pointed out my mistake.. all along i've using right hand instead of left for the double handed backhands( i am right handed)..After that i tried to correct it by trying to use left hand for backhand but doesn't work.. and can't generate power/pace.. also i'm only able to hit cross court...

I have also tried hitting single handed backhand( as i had been actually using right hand for double handed backhands) .. I am able to get a lot of pace with this single handed backhand but its not as consistent as my double-handed backhand..

I need your suggestions..what do you think is right for me? to continue with 2 hand back hand(even though i am actually using the right hand for power instead of left) or try 1 handed backhand?
Thanks in advance!!
Click to expand...
The double-handed backhand is just a lefty forehand in disguise. You should be able to take your right hand off the racquet and hit a reasonable shot with just your left hand. The stroke should be relatively similar with and without your right hand.

As for pace, make sure you're swinging through and transferring your weight forward. Use your legs! Also make sure you're turning your hips. That will allow you uncoil when you hit the ball and generate pace. Remember to hit the ball in front of you.

To hit it down the line try to make contact a just little further behind than you normally would (point of contact should still be in front of you), and hit the back of the ball rather than the outside of it. Use your shoulders more.

Yes, it's a lot easier to generate pace with the single hander, but your footwork and your timing have to be much better for you to consistently hit that shot. If you are finding it difficult to hit shots outside of your strike zone, you can adjust your grip a bit depending on the ball that comes at you.

This is just off the top of my head; without seeing how you actually play it's harder to give pointers.
 
Last edited:
jm1980 said:
The double-handed backhand is just a lefty forehand in disguise. You should be able to take your right hand off the racquet and hit a reasonable shot with just your left hand. The stroke should be relatively similar with and without your right hand.

As for pace, make sure you're swinging through and transferring your weight forward. Use your legs! Also make sure you're turning your hips. That will allow you uncoil when you hit the ball and generate pace. Remember to hit the ball in front of you.

To hit it down the line try to make contact a just little further behind than you normally would (point of contact should still be in front of you), and hit the back of the ball rather than the outside of it. Use your shoulders more.

Yes, it's a lot easier to generate pace with the single hander, but your footwork and your timing have to be much better for you to consistently hit that shot. If you are finding it difficult to hit shots outside of your strike zone, you can adjust your grip a bit depending on the ball that comes at you.

This is just off the top of my head; without seeing how you actually play it's harder to give pointers.
Click to expand...


Sorry, but this isn't up to date anymore.

Check for example Djokovic's Backhand (arguably the best 2HBH in the game right now) and imagine his swing without the right hand. Not even close to a lefty forehand.

Same with Agassi and all the other guys. Agassi even said, he used his right hand more in the shot.
 
I remember Agassi commentating the USO 2007 QF match Federer vs Roddick. He said in his experience all the best 2 handed backhands in the world were right hand dominated.
 
NatF said:
I remember Agassi commentating the USO 2007 QF match Federer vs Roddick. He said in his experience all the best 2 handed backhands in the world were right hand dominated.
Click to expand...

My fondest memory of this match was Andre's commentary. I can listen to him commentate all day long. He provides so much inside, deph and details.
 
vanioMan said:
My fondest memory of this match was Andre's commentary. I can listen to him commentate all day long. He provides so much inside, deph and details.
Click to expand...

Yeah it was great hearing Agassi talk, funnily enough Roddick had a great commentating début at Wimbledon this year. I will say as well that it was an awesome match as too. Roddick would have beaten anyone else that day but lost in straights. Peakerer.
 
Surion said:
Sorry, but this isn't up to date anymore.

Check for example Djokovic's Backhand (arguably the best 2HBH in the game right now) and imagine his swing without the right hand. Not even close to a lefty forehand.

Same with Agassi and all the other guys. Agassi even said, he used his right hand more in the shot.
Click to expand...

Yes, and I believe Björn Borg's 2HBH was even more right handed.
 
Surion said:
Sorry, but this isn't up to date anymore.

Check for example Djokovic's Backhand (arguably the best 2HBH in the game right now) and imagine his swing without the right hand. Not even close to a lefty forehand.

Same with Agassi and all the other guys. Agassi even said, he used his right hand more in the shot.
Click to expand...
Just my personal experience. I'm somewhat ambidextrous and I'd say my left hand does 60-70% of the work in my 2HBH (and I have a mean lefty forehand)
 
jm1980 said:
The double-handed backhand is just a lefty forehand in disguise.
Click to expand...


I was gonna response but glad to see you later clarified that it's just your personal experience.

I have tried a ton of combinations and found what works for me is NOT to distinguish which hand. Both hands just need to work in unison. It makes sense FOR ME because in a very violently physical action there's no way for my mind to distinguish the different hands and forces to apply differently. It's like clapping, how would one know which hand claps harder?
 
Surion said:
Sorry, but this isn't up to date anymore.

Check for example Djokovic's Backhand (arguably the best 2HBH in the game right now) and imagine his swing without the right hand. Not even close to a lefty forehand.

Same with Agassi and all the other guys. Agassi even said, he used his right hand more in the shot.
Click to expand...

Agassi had an eastern backhand grip on his bottom hand, which is more active than a typical continental bottom hand. So, you can't take what he said about his own backhand to everyone else.

Harry
 
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