Stick with the one-hander?

[Xievie]

I've switched between the one-hander and two-hander so much and I would like to figure out once and for all which to stick to.
Nishikori and Wawrinka are my main models for my backhands respectively.

(In my position, I have four months to improve from essentially a beginner to the highest highschool-level play as fast as possible).

First off, I've heard that one-handers generally struggle a lot with return of serve compared to two-handers. Is this true? I'll be playing at the highschool level.

Second, I heard that one-handers have a much easier time at net, and that "there was no great S&V player with a two-hander".

Lastly, would the two-hander generally be better as a "wall"? My game will be centered around a big forehand and serve, but I want a reliable backhand to cover my left wing.

Overall, my one-hander feels a lot more natural and generally has more power and directional control, but I often find myself making even more unforced errors due to poor contact.

 

[Lukhas]

First off, I've heard that one-handers generally struggle a lot with return of serve compared to two-handers. Is this true? I'll be playing at the highschool level.

Depedns what you're trying to do. If you're trying to be aggressive then it's indeed going to be tougher.

Second, I heard that one-handers have a much easier time at net, and that "there was no great S&V player with a two-hander".

It's, in most part, correlation and not causation. A 1HBH user is more used to use only one hand like it is required at net. Stepanek has fairly decent hands (understatement) yet uses a 2HBH which happens to be his best shot. Herbert, who won the Doubles Titles w/ Mahut at the USO this year also has great hands. OTOH, Almagro only ever goes to the net either for the changeover or to shake hands... I also believe that the biggest reason Wawrinka lost against Gasquet during last Wimbledon was his unwillingness to go to the net to follow his big groundstrokes. Unless you're trying to volley two-handed, it's not that much of an influence, but the habit of playing with a 1HBH can help.

Lastly, would the two-hander generally be better as a "wall"? My game will be centered around a big forehand and serve, but I want a reliable backhand to cover my left wing.

Yes it is better at bunting the ball back, but don't worry: your opponents will very easily pick on your BH just the same if they find it to be weak. The inside-out and inside-in FHs and especially being able to set them up is a staple in men tennis (especially).

Overall, my one-hander feels a lot more natural and generally has more power and directional control, but I often find myself making even more unforced errors due to poor contact.

I'd say stay with the 1HBH and work on the fundamentals, and especially having the "right" grip: how many people I see attempting to hit flat or topspin with a conti grip and end up either pushing the ball back or hitting it long, resorting to slicing everything unless driven in a corner (having to hit a passing shot for example). Eastern BH please.

 

[snvplayer]

I've switched between the one-hander and two-hander so much and I would like to figure out once and for all which to stick to.
Nishikori and Wawrinka are my main models for my backhands respectively.

(In my position, I have four months to improve from essentially a beginner to the highest highschool-level play as fast as possible).

First off, I've heard that one-handers generally struggle a lot with return of serve compared to two-handers. Is this true? I'll be playing at the highschool level.

Second, I heard that one-handers have a much easier time at net, and that "there was no great S&V player with a two-hander".

Lastly, would the two-hander generally be better as a "wall"? My game will be centered around a big forehand and serve, but I want a reliable backhand to cover my left wing.

Overall, my one-hander feels a lot more natural and generally has more power and directional control, but I often find myself making even more unforced errors due to poor contact.

Extra hand on the two hander provides stability on the serve return. Also, the body weight is in line of the contact point, which provide extra support.
But, I think it's also depends on individual's level of confidence and how natural they are with the stroke.

Two handers doesn't feel comfortable taking one hand off to hit backhand volley - at least when they start out. With practice and experience, it doesn't seem to be a problem.
I wouldn't necessarily say one handers are naturally better at the net..

If your goal is to develop a reliable and serviceable backhand before the season, I'd suggest to go with two hander. If you are making errors due to poor contact point,it might not be more natural stroke...

 

[Javier92]

I'd say if it feels more natural, keep the 1H.

That's the choice I made weeks ago, I don't regret it (recreational tennis, though). I feel more confident, but still relies on the 2HBH when I'm off position, when the ball is too high for me, or when I don't want to just "block/slice" a fast serve on low bouncing surfaces.

My left arm feels "better" going backwards for balance than forward, I have less trouble finding the right timing to push on my legs. Coordination is simply more natural for me with the 1HBH.

And yeah, focus on the eastern grip and the unit turn. That's the key to a great/loose 1HBH, not the ugly short one ppl sometimes use.

Watch Gasquet, too. Especially his contact point (how his arm is tense in front of him), swing, finish (your arms as if you were flying), he's one of the best inspiration for topspin 1HBH.

But 2HBH is maybe easier/quicker to learn at a decent level. If you rely on a huge FH be prepared that your opponents will play 90% of the balls on your BH and thus try to develop a strong footwork allowing you to turn 'round your BH and hit winner FH. That may be a massive weapon.

 

[heninfan99]

If you had to hit a spot on the court and a million dollars were at stake which would you use?

 

[syc23]

I'd be interested to know if anyone who has switched to a 1 hander still employ the 2 hander for returning serve?

 

[ReopeningWed]

First off, I've heard that one-handers generally struggle a lot with return of serve compared to two-handers. Is this true? I'll be playing at the highschool level.

You're going to have to practice this shot a LOT. Like find someone that loves to serve and dedicate entire practices to it a lot. The footwork and preparation and contact of this shot make it a different beast to your normal one handed backhand, if you want to hit a good return.

Sometimes the best shot is the one that you make in, and so it may help in the meantime to chip back returns.

 

[Xievie]

Thanks everyone, I suppose it really should be fine to stick with my one-hander. I have been using the Eastern grip as well.
I've actually been wondering, what exactly is the tradeoff of opening my stance in the finish like Wawrinka or keeping it closed like Federer?

I'd be interested to know if anyone who has switched to a 1 hander still employ the 2 hander for returning serve?

I'm interested in this as well.

You're going to have to practice this shot a LOT. Like find someone that loves to serve and dedicate entire practices to it a lot. The footwork and preparation and contact of this shot make it a different beast to your normal one handed backhand, if you want to hit a good return.

Sometimes the best shot is the one that you make in, and so it may help in the meantime to chip back returns.

Would it be okay to use the chip return 100% of the time against big servers?

 

[Javier92]

I've actually been wondering, what exactly is the tradeoff of opening my stance in the finish like Wawrinka or keeping it closed like Federer?

For what it's worth, I feel a little pain in my right shoulder if :
- i don't unit turn correctly in the prep
- I don't open the stance in the finish

When I almost turn my back in prep and have a little rotation of the hips, I'm able to cross my backhands without feeling any pain.

If one of these misses too often in say, one hitting hour, I feel some pain after playing.

 

[Lukhas]

I've actually been wondering, what exactly is the tradeoff of opening my stance in the finish like Wawrinka or keeping it closed like Federer?

To me, it feels like Federer has a more classic 1HBH, staying sideways at all times, while Wawrinka (as well as Gasquet and Almagro) has a more "modern" one, where the emphasis on staying sideways is much less important. Either way, I wouldn't worry much about it at first, just practise the shot and video tape it: you'll see for yourself what you're doing, right or wrong.

Would it be okay to use the chip return 100% of the time against big servers?

Big servers don't care what kind of BH you have, they'll hammer their serve because it is what gives them points. If you can block/slice it back, deep to the middle of the court, you'll reset the point to neutral 99% of the time. That's basically how Federer deals/dealt with this kind of players (especially Roddick and Karlovic to a lesser extent).

I'd be interested to know if anyone who has switched to a 1 hander still employ the 2 hander for returning serve?

I tried it, but past some point my left hand got weaker and weaker since I didn't practice the shot anymore as well as getting used to the continental grip for returns. It didn't make sense anymore to return two-handed.

 

[heninfan99]

I'd be interested to know if anyone who has switched to a 1 hander still employ the 2 hander for returning serve?

I use the two hander for return of serve and in emergencies. One hander is my usual rally shot.

 

[ReopeningWed]

Thanks everyone, I suppose it really should be fine to stick with my one-hander. I have been using the Eastern grip as well.
I've actually been wondering, what exactly is the tradeoff of opening my stance in the finish like Wawrinka or keeping it closed like Federer?



I'm interested in this as well.



Would it be okay to use the chip return 100% of the time against big servers?

If you look at Stan Wawrinka, I think he understands that his return is not a strong part of his game. So from both the forehand and backhand side, he chips a LOT of returns back deep just to start the point.

Part of getting better at tennis is learning what you're good at and what you aren't too. Not every can return like Djokovic.