The Death of the One-Handed Backhand
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movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
If I were to learning to play in the last 15 years, then I would have learned with a 2HBH. But I love hitting with a 1HBH today - almost all the time. There are some times when I do wish that I could hit a 2-hander but I'd miss the flexibility and variety of the 1-hander and I don't feel motivated enough to learn both.
meltphace 6
Hall of Fame
tl;dr but lol @ the pics: only 1 out of 7 pics on topic.
Lance L
Semi-Pro
I hope this continues to be true. The fewer players with a 1hbh the better for me, that means fewer of my opponents will be used to seeing it.
I've gotten lots of good out of slicing short to 2hbhs, they seem to have a harder time handling it.
The topspin 1hbh has taken me quite a while to develop, but not that I have it(for my level) I don't mind high bouncers nearly as much. The higher the expected contact point I hit farther out in front. In fact, the more I get used to it the drive 1hbh is more natural and takes less energy than the fh.
I've gotten lots of good out of slicing short to 2hbhs, they seem to have a harder time handling it.
The topspin 1hbh has taken me quite a while to develop, but not that I have it(for my level) I don't mind high bouncers nearly as much. The higher the expected contact point I hit farther out in front. In fact, the more I get used to it the drive 1hbh is more natural and takes less energy than the fh.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I wish there'd be "A death of threads constantly debating which is better"
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
When you make this comparison, you can't factor in slice. 2HBHers hit slice effectively all the time, it's not exclusive to 1HBHers. What we are really comparing here is 2 vs 1 at hitting topspin drives.
This. We don't need this thread again.. Cept to say its not really dead at the rec level. Guesstimate 90% of men over 40 hit 1HBH - and at least half of those guys think they hit like Fed. For this reason hitting to the backhand is the #1 go to strategy for older rec male players.
Dolgopolov85
G.O.A.T.
As long as there are people learning tennis only in their adulthood, the one handed backhand will not die out at the rec level because there will always be the odd guy, like yours truly, who is not comfortable using the left hand.
Dolgopolov85
G.O.A.T.
It's a question of necessity being the mother of invention, really. I know people well above my level who hit a 2HBH and a better slice than mine but not too many who are at my level and still hit a better slice than mine in spite of using a 2HBH. When you have a one hander, you are forced to use the slice more. And when you are thrown into the river, you either drown or learn to swim. Just yesterday was playing with an old gent who has been playing the game for 3 years and has a good forehand and 2BH but still hasn't learnt the slice. We don't have an NTRP-equivalent system here, at least not that I am aware of, to rate adult rec players but basically I see only really good players and/or older players, say 35-40 plus, using slice extensively. The young ones put both hands on the racquet. In fact I know one guy, a bit younger than me, who hits a better topspin 1BH than me and still hardly uses the slice. There seems to be a mindset that it's a sissy, defensive shot.
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Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
Well, it is a defensive shot, but I suppose "sissy" is a matter of opinion. You need a slice at higher levels, if for no other reason than to return low slice balls that get hit to you. You even see top pros slice shots about 15% of the time just as a change up to disrupt timing (Federer even more often).
And you are right that 1HBHers do have to hit slice more often. In fact, as a 1HBHer, on some shots you are forced to either slice or be an elite mover (Federer) to get in position, whereas a 2HBHer would be in a nice position to drive the same ball with less difficult movement.
Dolgopolov85
G.O.A.T.
As I said, it's a mindset that some people seem to have, esp those who want to really blast all their baseline shots. It's not what I believe, I do use the slice a lot. Started out with necessity and eventually found it helps create lot more angles. It's much easier to disguise depth on the slice than a topspin shot. With the same essential action, I could really shorten it and because it keeps low and dies down on the opponent, it's much more effective than a short angle forehand/topspin BH. I would say a short slice isn't really a defensive shot as it can be used to pull the opponent forward and set up a passing shot winner. The deep slice is generally a defensive shot, yes.
dlk
Hall of Fame
I've just started using OHBH besides saves, slices, & lobs (6th year playing) ; for some reason my two-hander is not what it once was, so I've been experimenting & fairly successful (r/t strength of my current two-hand). I like it for the crosscourt angle shots; I wish I could use it down the line; I 've had a few accidentally, when I was late, and it felt incredible
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Until you come across those few that will render that strategy useless. I love when people try that on me and then I here them muttering under their breath saying, "Hmmm?, that was a mistake"This. We don't need this thread again.. Cept to say its not really dead at the rec level. Guesstimate 90% of men over 40 hit 1HBH - and at least half of those guys think they hit like Fed. For this reason hitting to the backhand is the #1 go to strategy for older rec male players.
robok9
Semi-Pro
I love hitting the one hander much better. For like the first two years of playing, I had a two hander. Then like most people I wanted to be like Fed, and decided to switch to it. It's just important for people to learn how to hit a one handed backhand properly. The way I see it there are two kinds of one handers: the one handed backhand and the one handed bunt. Like someone previously said, most people's "one handed backhands" are subpar.
It's got to be like 1 in a 100 guys like that. FWIW I have seen a few players with a better OHBH then a forehand. But for those guys its mostly that the forehand isn't very good. Guys who have a 1HBH that a legit better shot then a strong forehand - exceedingly rare..
What you see out of most 1HBH is minimal shoulder turn - straight takeback and a very flat shot. This shot is hit sometimes for sneaky flat ball winners and leads to the Fed delusion..
In reality a good 1HBH is shot that can be hit with tremendous topspin - and its often hit that way at the pro level on rally balls. So when you meet the rec 1HBH take advantage of the delusion and just hit topspin shots to his backhand.. This "TLM" style plan works really well.. The additional beauty of it is every once in a while the flat backhand hitter knocks of a flat winner.. and they stick with it despite losing the rallys..
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
Seems the usage of hair and facial care products for "men" increased with a generation of "men" not strong enough to swing a tennis racquet with one hand. Oops you better use two........
ARKustom93
Professional
Can best you on that ... Fellow pro I used to play on a regular basis hits a perfect, deep driving CC BH-slice, moves in for the kill, and ends up watching me cream the ball DTL ... "Damn, WTF was I thinking, ... I should know better than makin' you hit on the run ..."
Alien
Hall of Fame
Not exclusive but generally 1handers have better slices than 2handers. There are other drawbacks of course.
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
He was thinking of the World Tour Finals?
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
Weird I always seem to play with 1 handers and they all hit topspin. Its the 2 handers who hit flat. I guess thats why we get a lot of "can't hit high balls" complaints about the 1 handers, because they are hitting flat? Explains why I like high balls...
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
At our club, most of the top players use two handers and most of the 3.0-4.0 men in the rec leagues use 1HBH.
I started using a two hander because of shoulder issues when I was quite young. I'm one of the few 3.5's that doesn't run around his backhand to hit forehand. I can hit off both wings equally well. I've yet to see a well developed 1HBH topspin in rec Men's league.
Given how much trouble I've seen rec players developing a 1HBH (they almost always try to run around to forehand or just hit mostly slice shots), I'm glad I was forced by injury to take up a 2HBH. It didn't take me years to get it down to being equal if not superior at times to my forehand.
And I still can slice the ball, volley and drop shot with 1H on the backhand side. Having a 2HBH doesn't preclude those things.
In the end I definitely see the 1HBH fading once Federer's popularity slips. I think there will be still low level rec players using it but it will never be a weapon for those people. Most high level players will have grown up as juniors playing 2HBH and won't switch to be "cool like Federer"
I started using a two hander because of shoulder issues when I was quite young. I'm one of the few 3.5's that doesn't run around his backhand to hit forehand. I can hit off both wings equally well. I've yet to see a well developed 1HBH topspin in rec Men's league.
Given how much trouble I've seen rec players developing a 1HBH (they almost always try to run around to forehand or just hit mostly slice shots), I'm glad I was forced by injury to take up a 2HBH. It didn't take me years to get it down to being equal if not superior at times to my forehand.
And I still can slice the ball, volley and drop shot with 1H on the backhand side. Having a 2HBH doesn't preclude those things.
In the end I definitely see the 1HBH fading once Federer's popularity slips. I think there will be still low level rec players using it but it will never be a weapon for those people. Most high level players will have grown up as juniors playing 2HBH and won't switch to be "cool like Federer"
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Most of these same people you are discrediting, are older people that developed their backhands before Federer was "cool", so let's keep it real here, they aren't copying him, if they were using that before he even came onto the tour.
Agree. 1HBH is incredibly popular at the rec levels and its relatively ineffective - often with zero knowledge of how ineffective it is.
OTOH at the high levels its relatively rare - with most players who had significant training as a junior hitting two handers. These guys are the majority of 4.5 and better players. So basically - lots of one handers at the rec level - but few of them are good.
Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
What muscles are used prominently for the one hand backhand? When?
The one hander when played well is devastating shot. I play someone who has a lethal one hand backhand that he can hit down the side and onto the sidelines for winners. However I think the topspin 1bh is a more difficult shot than the 2bh.
Virtually every player I know who has a 1bh has regretted it or has tried to change. They never seem to have the same shot tolerance as a 2bh, and they all struggle with the high ball. Even the guy I play who has a good 1bh struggles with that ball.
The problem seems to be the follow through. The extra hand makes the correct follow through almost natural with a 2bh, with the 1bh it is much easier to get it wrong. Plus the extra hand does help with high balls.
Virtually every player I know who has a 1bh has regretted it or has tried to change. They never seem to have the same shot tolerance as a 2bh, and they all struggle with the high ball. Even the guy I play who has a good 1bh struggles with that ball.
The problem seems to be the follow through. The extra hand makes the correct follow through almost natural with a 2bh, with the 1bh it is much easier to get it wrong. Plus the extra hand does help with high balls.
Enga
Hall of Fame
I dont suppose the 1 hander will die out any time soon. Theres logic behind using one hand for every shot. Less hands on the handle, less things to go wrong when transitioning from baseline to net. Theres a reason 2 handed backhands havent taken over the doubles game completely.
Even in singles theres plenty of merits. Hard to deny that when I see guys hitting with amazing disguise, mixed with pure injection of pace and sharp angles.
Even in singles theres plenty of merits. Hard to deny that when I see guys hitting with amazing disguise, mixed with pure injection of pace and sharp angles.
syc23
Professional
I started playing tennis in 2011 and found the 2H BH to be the easier and natural shot and just developed it into a strength, for return of serve and against lefties it was a God send. Then the next step was to develop a BH slice so worked on that extensively. Then I had to force myself to hit a single handed BH because I fractured a small bone in my left wrist but discovered I can hit a drive BH well single handed so just stuck with it from March 2015 and have kept developing it since.
Since then I have the added benefit of hitting my BH trading/attacking grounds with the single hander and defend with the BH slice/blocks. It's amusing playing against people who were used to the predictability of me hitting CC with a 2Hander and now with a single, they can't tell which side I'm going to hit. It adds a seed of doubt in their mind in terms of court positioning. The angles you can hit is also amazing compared to the 2 hander.
There are downsides though as DTL is much harder to hit whereas my best shot with the 2HBH was DTL. Be prepared to become Shankerer for a bit when you're refining the shot / or on bad days where you timing is a bit off. It was worth switching for my game 100%.
Since then I have the added benefit of hitting my BH trading/attacking grounds with the single hander and defend with the BH slice/blocks. It's amusing playing against people who were used to the predictability of me hitting CC with a 2Hander and now with a single, they can't tell which side I'm going to hit. It adds a seed of doubt in their mind in terms of court positioning. The angles you can hit is also amazing compared to the 2 hander.
There are downsides though as DTL is much harder to hit whereas my best shot with the 2HBH was DTL. Be prepared to become Shankerer for a bit when you're refining the shot / or on bad days where you timing is a bit off. It was worth switching for my game 100%.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Legs, initiating drive before contact.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
The writer of that article doesn't seem to be entirely informed, but I think a couple things in there were accurate enough. Lots of kids now are taught with short-term success in mind and that isn't just about what style of backhand they use. Teaching all-court skills doesn't seem to be a terribly high priority, either. Whenever I see a match between kids with the same level of baseline ability, but one of them also knows how to transition and attack the net, it's no mystery who has the distinct advantage.
To a degree, I also think the "which is better" argument presents a false choice. Some developing players simply have a stronger aptitude to hit a one-hander, but this percentage seems to sit squarely in the minority. So be it. Just offering that there's not much sense in making a case for everyone to learn a certain backhand style when some just don't have the natural predisposition for it.
Yes, this even means that some of us are fighting an uphill battle when trying to learn a one-hander when we can more easily take to a two-hander. And if a coach or teaching pro doesn't recognize that aptitude for a one-hander in a developing student, more potential one-handers fall through the cracks.
Lighter equipment probably makes it harder to develop a workable one-hander in the grand scheme. The stroke is driven by timing and smooth technique - it can't be "muscled" to nearly the same degree as a forehand. Since this timing and momentum have to combine to make the shot happen, a heavier racquet can better command the ball with its extra mass, even if it's speed through contact is slightly slower due to the extra heft. Give somebody a feather-weight racquet though, and it can be seriously frustrating trying to develop an effective one-hander when the racquet can't "plow through" the ball to produce a decent shot.
Just my take on it. Remember that lots of equipment has gotten lighter, but the ball (the regular yellow ball) still weighs the same. I don't believe that the stroke will disappear, but it's not going to eclipse the two-hander anytime soon.
Full disclosure: I use both styles, but hit more one-handers.
To a degree, I also think the "which is better" argument presents a false choice. Some developing players simply have a stronger aptitude to hit a one-hander, but this percentage seems to sit squarely in the minority. So be it. Just offering that there's not much sense in making a case for everyone to learn a certain backhand style when some just don't have the natural predisposition for it.
Yes, this even means that some of us are fighting an uphill battle when trying to learn a one-hander when we can more easily take to a two-hander. And if a coach or teaching pro doesn't recognize that aptitude for a one-hander in a developing student, more potential one-handers fall through the cracks.
Lighter equipment probably makes it harder to develop a workable one-hander in the grand scheme. The stroke is driven by timing and smooth technique - it can't be "muscled" to nearly the same degree as a forehand. Since this timing and momentum have to combine to make the shot happen, a heavier racquet can better command the ball with its extra mass, even if it's speed through contact is slightly slower due to the extra heft. Give somebody a feather-weight racquet though, and it can be seriously frustrating trying to develop an effective one-hander when the racquet can't "plow through" the ball to produce a decent shot.
Just my take on it. Remember that lots of equipment has gotten lighter, but the ball (the regular yellow ball) still weighs the same. I don't believe that the stroke will disappear, but it's not going to eclipse the two-hander anytime soon.
Full disclosure: I use both styles, but hit more one-handers.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
I know, right? What WAS he thinking... he should have hit that approach shot down the line!!
Don't mind me - couldn't resist.
Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
Wawrinka backhand. At about 36 sec there is a replay of the final backhand in slow motion.
I downloaded the video using DownloadHelper and viewed single frame using Quicktime.
There is probably a lot of variety with footwork on the backhand as players may move to the shot running or be there waiting when the ball comes. Footwork might also vary for ball height.
Wawrinka was moving to his left to reach the ball. For the last backhand shot, he seems to step with right leg, and plant the right foot. The planted foot slows the right hip with reduced motion after that. Muscles of right leg slowing one side of the body. ?
Frame #1. Backhand winner. First frame with right foot in full contact with the court. The shoulder are turned fully back stretching the trunk muscles. Left foot is in contact with the ground, pushing. ? Left hip not visible. Red reference lines for court side line, heel, and right buttock (to indicate right hip location).
Frame #2. Near impact. The hips, left forward, trunk and shoulders have turned. Red reference line added for a black background feature on the stands. There may be a scale change between Frame #1 and #2.
Best to view the video and look for the points discussed.
The left leg is probably supplying force between frame #1 & #2, but that is not clear. The left hip can be seen to turn forward relative to the slowed right hip. Does the left hip turn forward from left leg forces or momentum from running? This pelvis turn may stretch some trunk muscles as the shoulders turn independently from the hips. Was there upward leg thrust on the left leg. ?
For the last backhand it looks as if the right foot was planted and the right leg slows the hip. The left leg might produce forces while still in contact with the ground that also turn the pelvis. ? Is that how you would see it?
1/17/2016 -- Examined the two frames shown and edited the post because there was some forward motion of the right hip after the foot was planted.
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Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
(1) For me, that is the start of the power.
(2) My left leg is more for balance.
(3) It doesn't look like much thrust, but that is where I feel the power come from.
(4) The right leg is what stops but also supplies power to the next link of the chain(hips), and while it is subtle, there's is more happening than what is easily perceived.
I had a coach early on, tell me once about my backhand, "Are you comfortable hitting that shot? Because you should hit it every chance you get."
I am pretty sure you and I had discussed backhands at some point when I posted a video of me hitting backhands a while ago.
Chas Tennis
G.O.A.T.
I recall your video and our discussion. I believe that it was in this thread. I can't find your backhand video now, did you edit it out? Are you a leftie?
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...and-waht-force-to-start-forward-swing.462997/
I had thought that you would be interested in the later posts of the above thread. Have you seen them? Gasquet, Lopez, etc.
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beltsman
G.O.A.T.
The 1HBH is just special. It's a special stroke.
I played with a few family members recently who I haven't played with before and was hitting easy/slicing since they weren't experienced players. But then I let loose on a couple of backhands and they were just like "wow, how do you do that, that is a crazy shot!" - no similar reaction when letting loose on forehands. 1HBH definitely catches the eye.
I played with a few family members recently who I haven't played with before and was hitting easy/slicing since they weren't experienced players. But then I let loose on a couple of backhands and they were just like "wow, how do you do that, that is a crazy shot!" - no similar reaction when letting loose on forehands. 1HBH definitely catches the eye.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
It's still there, you linked it in your post in the above thread.
A one handed backhand is not for everybody for sure, but it works for some people.
10isMaestro
Semi-Pro
Not only a shot that stands out aesthetically, it is also one that feels great. Only few things compare to blasting a 1HBH down the line.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I don't see how you can play a match with only a topspin backhand - what happens on those low, wide balls that land around the service line?
Rubens
Hall of Fame
I know quite a few players who choose to use the 1hbh just because it looks better, even though they don't find it as comfortable as the 2hbh. IMO, you have no business hitting a one-hander if you don't find it easier than the two-hander. For most players,it should become obvious after the first year of learning the game, if not less.
Rubens
Hall of Fame
Match play results. Nothing to do with money. Most people enjoy winning. Maybe not you though.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I think that most learned on one type and that learning the other is a huge amount of work. Those are the folks that have the choice to make. I personally only know of one person that's learned both and that was because of an injury. He uses the two-hander on high balls and when he wants to hit with more power and uses the one-hander for slice and more normal rally balls.
If you're playing equally well with both, then you have a lot more free court time than I do.
If you're playing equally well with both, then you have a lot more free court time than I do.
ARKustom93
Professional
Sorry, don't agree. President and Miquel Loo would clean my clock if I hit my 2hbh, which took me to high 4.5 40 years ago. Both hate the lefty low skidded DTL slice to their forehands.
guanzishou
G.O.A.T.
LoL @ the death of the one handed backhand.
Some people just have no clue about tennis.
Some people just have no clue about tennis.
Moveforwardalways
Hall of Fame
As the generation of players who predominately have hit 2HBHs ages, we will see a rise in wrist and back injuries. There is a reason you don't see guys in their 50s hitting boss 2HBHs, and it's not because they didn't grow up with them. It's a shot that is tough on the body.
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