Question about 2HBH

[trenzterra]

I am trying to master the 2HBH now. Currently, I can't do a 2HBH backhand for nuts, but my one hander is rather okay now.

Some of the problems I face is that I am getting very very little power on the ball no matter how hard I swing. All my balls end up rather short or doesn't even cross the net. I feel rather restricted in terms of motion too. For a one-hander though I am able to push the ball up effortlessly.

I believe this may be related to the way I am bending my arms? My right arm motion behaves the same way as the 1HBH, straight all the way. As a result, my left arm is often jammed as I try to follow through.

What is the proper way for both arms upon contact and follow-through? Do I do a bent/bent or straight/bent or what?

Also, one peculiar thing is that although I'm right handed, I sometimes play left-handed for the fun of it with a 2HBH. Using a 2HBH while playing lefthanded feels rather natural for me and I can easily push the ball over. The thing is I'm unable to do a 2HBH as a rightie

 

[cadfael_tex]

Not a 2HBH expert at all but something did pop out at me reading your post...

Do you hit through the ball with you left hand like you're hitting a left handed forehand with the right arm there for balance (ie the left hand is doing most of the work)?

 

[wyutani]

use ur NON-dominant arm for forehands, it will improve ur 2HBH. trust me.

 

[trenzterra]

Not a 2HBH expert at all but something did pop out at me reading your post...

Do you hit through the ball with you left hand like you're hitting a left handed forehand with the right arm there for balance (ie the left hand is doing most of the work)?

Yes, i am using that more, but I am not sure how much to pull the left hand on the follow through?

 

[arnz]

Ok try this. Hit the ball with your left arm doing all the swinging(assuming you are a righty) . The right hand should be barely grasping the racquet just to remind you not to use it to power the stroke. Try to think of it as like a compact forehand. Let the right arm be flexible, follow thru with the left hand all the way

Make sure you get underneath the ball, maybe with the wrist bending back and downward so that at the moment of contact the racquet is flat to the ball.

Also a lot of people lean in with their right shoulder to get extra oomph

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsMLBAKn9MU

 

[LeeD]

Nah, you problem is you swing like a "girl".
Swing out, swing fast, hit flat, and the ball goes fast and deep. So add some topspin to control depth.
You dink a baseball player swings slow with both hands? You dink a golfer can hit farther with one hand?
Problem is your technique. Use your legs, hip, and torso.
Don't matter whether you hit two handers with dominant hand, off hand, both hands, grips changed, it all works for different players.
Yes, you can hit slightly harder with a practiced one hander, but it might not be as consistent as a practiced two hander. Now you approach shot Nadal and see how fast a two hander zips by you.

 

[Power Player]

Some tips that helped me a lot:

Touch your calf when you pull the racquet back. It gets the racquet head down.

Keep your left arm close to your side.

Swing up, make contact and come across the ball to finish. Big big difference there.

 

[LeeD]

I think the advantage of the 2HBH is that you can prep any old style and still get adaquate zip on the ball, enough to pass with anyways. Some players like a straight takeback, some low, some super high loopy takebacks, like the modern men's forehands. They all seem to work just fine.
Works because you turn shoulders sideways on two handers, and can hit with either hand, or both, depending on what you want.

 

[Nellie]

Things to improve a 2hbh:

1) use the right arm as a guide and not the dominant arm (you side that you are a righty) - as your form improves, you can use more right arm for power. Keep the right arm tucked into your side, so that you hit mostly with the left arm

1a) also try some practice where you hold onto the right hand only with the thumb and index finger

2) check your grip - I would start off with a continental on the right and a SW grip on the left to better hit through the ball.

2a) freeze and hold the racquet at contact - make sure you are getting good extension on the left arm - so that it is straight and extended out in front of your body