The One Handed Backhand vs The Two Hander: IT DOESN'T MATTER

[FiReFTW]

I think lots here are just older and grew up when one handers reigned. I certainly liked mac and becker edberg and Sampras games. Lendl had a monster bh too.

There was never any question i was hitting a 1hander. Ok i did play a 2 hander for 6months when agassi came up but it was never like my 1 hander

I guess it depends how strong someones character is aswell (speaking of younger people).
Most coaches and people will try to get players nowadays to use the two handed backhand, not sure why, maybe cuz its easier to learn, maybe cuz it kind of became the most common stroke, who knows.
From my personal experience, quite a few ppl said why I don't use a two handed backhand, and infact when I had my first lesson the guy asked a few times if im sure I don't wanna try two handed backhand, he also spoke how Federer would have so many more majors if he didnt have this st*pid one handed backhand, seems like he really hates the stroke lol.

 

[Shroud]

Two of my teammates have better one handed backhands than forehands. They are both very good players from the baseline. One is a lefty, and like all lefties he simply needed a good backhand to compete, from junior age. The other is a righty and is a freak with his one hander. He's very wristy and compact, but hits massive. It's a very unusual technique, cos it seems very hard to get the timing right. But he seems to do it with ease, when he's relaxed. Can start spraying it when under pressure though.

My own one hander is coming along nicely, but I'm aware that I need time to be able to wind up and hit good shots with it. When I am rushed, I need to resort to short backswings and flat blocking or slicing. Whereas on the forehand side I always feel like I can hit quality shots, regardless of the incoming ball.

When I grew up, the bh take back was alot simpler and it was pretty much straight into the drawing the sword position. No loop. I find when rushed i revert to that and skip the loop. Like muster here

 

[Shroud]

I guess it depends how strong someones character is aswell (speaking of younger people).
Most coaches and people will try to get players nowadays to use the two handed backhand, not sure why, maybe cuz its easier to learn, maybe cuz it kind of became the most common stroke, who knows.
From my personal experience, quite a few ppl said why I don't use a two handed backhand, and infact when I had my first lesson the guy asked a few times if im sure I don't wanna try two handed backhand, he also spoke how Federer would have so many more majors if he didnt have this st*pid one handed backhand, seems like he really hates the stroke lol.

Guessing the one hander just takes longer to learn. Most players want instant results

 

[Dartagnan64]

Guessing the one hander just takes longer to learn. Most players want instant results

I think it takes really good timing and hand-eye to be good. Whereas the 2 hander will be a bit more forgiving. If all you want is to win a few tourneys in juniors and get a college scholarship, the 2 hander is a good way to move up competitively and give you more practice time on your FH and Serve. So I think a lot of coaches gravitate to that since it's an easier path to success.

I've watched a few of the junior kids at our clubs and alot will hit 2handers when working with the coaches but then fool around with each other using the 1 hander. I think its probably a more fun stroke once you get it down. And with more successful 1 handers showing up on the tour, more coaches may start opening their minds about it.

 

[Shroud]

I think it takes really good timing and hand-eye to be good. Whereas the 2 hander will be a bit more forgiving. If all you want is to win a few tourneys in juniors and get a college scholarship, the 2 hander is a good way to move up competitively and give you more practice time on your FH and Serve. So I think a lot of coaches gravitate to that since it's an easier path to success.

I've watched a few of the junior kids at our clubs and alot will hit 2handers when working with the coaches but then fool around with each other using the 1 hander. I think its probably a more fun stroke once you get it down. And with more successful 1 handers showing up on the tour, more coaches may start opening their minds about it.

Yeah i think so. Though coaches who can teach the 1 hander are hard to find these days.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

When I grew up, the bh take back was alot simpler and it was pretty much straight into the drawing the sword position. No loop. I find when rushed i revert to that and skip the loop. Like muster here

Yeah, I don't have much of a loop on my backhand, if any. It's more about the bigger backswing and footwork that take time for me. When I'm rushed, I often try to hit open stance, this usually results in weaker shots though at least I get the ball back.
On the forehand I can hit open stance without compromising my quality of shot.

 

[Shroud]

Yeah, I don't have much of a loop on my backhand, if any. It's more about the bigger backswing and footwork that take time for me. When I'm rushed, I often try to hit open stance, this usually results in weaker shots though at least I get the ball back.
On the forehand I can hit open stance without compromising my quality of shot.

Dont make me show my open stance vid...

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Dont make me show my open stance vid...

Please do!

 

[Shroud]

Please do!

Ok. I hit closed every shot except on returns. This vid was more proof of concept and its pretty amazing i could adapt to the footwork so quickly. It looks like some late hitting and certainly there was but cross court is easier so i was trying get the dtl. When i did go cc they were better quality

 

[zalive]

Guessing the one hander just takes longer to learn. Most players want instant results

Or coaches are ones who want instant results?

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Ok. I hit closed every shot except on returns. This vid was more proof of concept and its pretty amazing i could adapt to the footwork so quickly. It looks like some late hitting and certainly there was but cross court is easier so i was trying get the dtl. When i did go cc they were better quality

You do feel like you need less time to execute the shot open stance, don't you? That's the reason I use it at least.

 

[zalive]

Ok. I hit closed every shot except on returns. This vid was more proof of concept and its pretty amazing i could adapt to the footwork so quickly. It looks like some late hitting and certainly there was but cross court is easier so i was trying get the dtl. When i did go cc they were better quality

Longer swing path for CCs...

Anyway this whole open stance thing always sounds a bit overblown to me...for example when moving sideways, the difference between the open stance and a closed stance BH is mostly about which foot makes the last step...so where's open stance BH helpful? Possibly in situations when you're caught flat footed and the ball is directly heading at you so you don't have time to step around or turn sideways, yet you have to manage your best shot somehow?

 

[Shroud]

Longer swing path for CCs...

Anyway this whole open stance thing always sounds a bit overblown to me...for example when moving sideways, the difference between the open stance and a closed stance BH is mostly about which foot makes the last step...so where's open stance BH helpful? Possibly in situations when you're caught flat footed and the ball is directly heading at you so you don't have time to step around or turn sideways, yet you have to manage your best shot somehow?

Its very helpful as @Attila_the_gorilla mentions when one lacks time. For me its a must for service returns. Sure if i have time its closed but open saves me all the time and makes my bh return somewhat of a weapon at least at my lowly level.

Here is an example at 14 sec

 

[PittsburghDad]

Played a guy 2 days ago, was winning 5-2, 15-40, on my serve. He rips a 1H Backhand cross court like Stan the Man. We were all in awe of his majestic shot.

Then he lost the following game and match on 4 straight misses into the net cause he had no consistency outside of his strike zone for his backhand. But I guess that moment is what it's about! 1H BH!!

No. He just has a garbage one hander. Most people do. But in the right hands (hand) a one hander is superior in every way.

 

[Tennisguy777]

Great thread I had been struggling between the two for awhile now. For me, I still start a match off with the two hander and toward the end of the first set or so I some how revert to the one handed / slice backhand and I have to remind myself to go back to the two hander.

In my opinion, I do more damage with my two hander because it is more consistent and effective at hitting deep balls especially ROS. Although the one hander feels so natural and fluid it's not versatile especially on clay and against different types of players, for instance guys who play attacking tennis or serve and volley.

Even today just messing around I was hitting one handers and I felt like I was Wawrinkaesque (love his grip by the way). For me the one hander is like an ex-gf that dumps you and when she calls you, you always go running back even though you know what's gonna happen.

Love the above pics on the take back all 4 players have somewhat low take back does that have anything to do with them all using head racquets, maybe the grip shape has an effect? I had just posted a thread on this as my take back was vertical and having such a take back was costing me too much time and causing inconsistency. You picked 4 of the better backhands around so I guess that's the way to go.

 

[Tennitus]

Question from a complete beginner. My coach is suggesting that should go towards 1-handers, as I'm showing a bit more aptitude there. However, due to elbow issues, I may have to do 2-handers (depends on the day).

Maybe it is because I'm a complete beginner, but I'm finding that HIGHER balls are much much harder to hit 1-handed, compared to 2-handed. Is this just because I'm new to it all, or is it fair to say that if you find the ball coming at chest height (or higher) then trying to top-spin the ball back 1-handed is a low % shot?

 

[iChen]

Question from a complete beginner. My coach is suggesting that should go towards 1-handers, as I'm showing a bit more aptitude there. However, due to elbow issues, I may have to do 2-handers (depends on the day).

Maybe it is because I'm a complete beginner, but I'm finding that HIGHER balls are much much harder to hit 1-handed, compared to 2-handed. Is this just because I'm new to it all, or is it fair to say that if you find the ball coming at chest height (or higher) then trying to top-spin the ball back 1-handed is a low % shot?

1 Hander is harder to hit higher balls. Has nothing to do with new or not. I have 2 hand but I’d probably try to get to the ball quicker or jump and hit. But I know hitting back the shot is probably flat, wouldn’t do top spin.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Question from a complete beginner. My coach is suggesting that should go towards 1-handers, as I'm showing a bit more aptitude there. However, due to elbow issues, I may have to do 2-handers (depends on the day).

If it were me, I'd try to address the elbow issues independently of tennis. You might need that elbow for other stuff, dontcha know!

But if it couldn't be fixed, I'd go with the BH that's most comfortable. I would not switch back and forth depending on how your elbow feels that day.

Maybe it is because I'm a complete beginner, but I'm finding that HIGHER balls are much much harder to hit 1-handed, compared to 2-handed. Is this just because I'm new to it all, or is it fair to say that if you find the ball coming at chest height (or higher) then trying to top-spin the ball back 1-handed is a low % shot?

No, it's not because you're a complete beginner. Federer has had the same problem. High 1HBH shots are not easy.

To compensate, you could try A) taking the ball on the rise so it's lower at contact; B) taking it on the decline [which would involve moving back], again so your contact point is lower; and C) slicing. You can also combine A & C; you would likely not combine B & C [most people do not move back so they can slice - they move back so they can drive].

One thing I look for when I S&V is if my opponent has a 1HBH and how well he deals with high balls. If it's "not so well", I will try to kick my serve out high wide on the Ad court.

 

[Tennitus]

T

If it were me, I'd try to address the elbow issues independently of tennis. You might need that elbow for other stuff, dontcha know!

But if it couldn't be fixed, I'd go with the BH that's most comfortable. I would not switch back and forth depending on how your elbow feels that day.



No, it's not because you're a complete beginner. Federer has had the same problem. High 1HBH shots are not easy.

To compensate, you could try A) taking the ball on the rise so it's lower at contact; B) taking it on the decline [which would involve moving back], again so your contact point is lower; and C) slicing. You can also combine A & C; you would likely not combine B & C [most people do not move back so they can slice - they move back so they can drive].

One thing I look for when I S&V is if my opponent has a 1HBH and how well he deals with high balls. If it's "not so well", I will try to kick my serve out high wide on the Ad court.

Thanks, helpful to know. Yeah, elbow has been a problem from other sports (for approx 5-6 years on and off ... doesn't seem to get worse and worse ... just yo-yos). I work on it as much as possible, but looks like this golfer's elbow is here to stay for a while.

I asked because I'm hitting the backhands much harder, and with more authority, than 2-handers. They just feel more comfortable. Unless, that is, they come at me high. Yep, slice is where we're headed right now with the coaching (also a part of introducing me to all the shots I'll need to be able to play).

Helpful to know, thanks!

 

[Tennitus]

1 Hander is harder to hit higher balls. Has nothing to do with new or not. I have 2 hand but I’d probably try to get to the ball quicker or jump and hit. But I know hitting back the shot is probably flat, wouldn’t do top spin.

Thank you! Very helpful

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

T


Thanks, helpful to know. Yeah, elbow has been a problem from other sports (for approx 5-6 years on and off ... doesn't seem to get worse and worse ... just yo-yos). I work on it as much as possible, but looks like this golfer's elbow is here to stay for a while.

There is a device called a "Flexbar" from Thera-Band that might help with your rehab.

Here are some videos on TE [probably also related to GE]:

 

[Shroud]

Question from a complete beginner. My coach is suggesting that should go towards 1-handers, as I'm showing a bit more aptitude there. However, due to elbow issues, I may have to do 2-handers (depends on the day).

Maybe it is because I'm a complete beginner, but I'm finding that HIGHER balls are much much harder to hit 1-handed, compared to 2-handed. Is this just because I'm new to it all, or is it fair to say that if you find the ball coming at chest height (or higher) then trying to top-spin the ball back 1-handed is a low % shot?

I dont think high balls are harder woth the one handed but i hit an extreme grip and that raises the strike zone so i dont struggle with high balls and prefer chest high. Its not exactly something a coach would teach i suppose but it is possible

Justine Hennin had one of the best one handers of all time and she was like 5’4”. Most bhs she hit were high balls . And she had an extreme grip which I think really helped her.

If high balls are a struggle try to not hit any. Some pros back up and hit them in their strike zone. Some move forward and take them on the rise. So there are strategies.

Personally i think that “1 handers struggle on high balls” mantra is just false conclusions and if you have an aptitude for the one hander listen to your coach. And practice dealing with high balls!

 

[iChen]

Higher balls are harder with 1 h. You’re gonna need to really time well and rotate well with shoulders and chest.

I will say I think though most people swing the same, low to high and that doesn’t work well. You’d have to swing more horizontal on a high ball.

At least that’s what I think. But I hit 2H.

 

[zalive]

Question from a complete beginner. My coach is suggesting that should go towards 1-handers, as I'm showing a bit more aptitude there. However, due to elbow issues, I may have to do 2-handers (depends on the day).

Maybe it is because I'm a complete beginner, but I'm finding that HIGHER balls are much much harder to hit 1-handed, compared to 2-handed. Is this just because I'm new to it all, or is it fair to say that if you find the ball coming at chest height (or higher) then trying to top-spin the ball back 1-handed is a low % shot?

Generally 2HBH is less risky for the arm and easier to get it good, it's a safer bet. As for higher balls it's still a technique mostly IMO, but let's say the whole of the OHBH is sensitive to technique.

 

[StringSnapper]

I dont think high balls are harder woth the one handed but i hit an extreme grip and that raises the strike zone so i dont struggle with high balls and prefer chest high. Its not exactly something a coach would teach i suppose but it is possible

Justine Hennin had one of the best one handers of all time and she was like 5’4”. Most bhs she hit were high balls . And she had an extreme grip which I think really helped her.

If high balls are a struggle try to not hit any. Some pros back up and hit them in their strike zone. Some move forward and take them on the rise. So there are strategies.

Personally i think that “1 handers struggle on high balls” mantra is just false conclusions and if you have an aptitude for the one hander listen to your coach. And practice dealing with high balls!

I agree wih this. Just like on the fh side, a more extreme grip will enable you to handle higher balls easier.

Otherwise, just play on grass LOL

 

[Shroud]

I agree wih this. Just like on the fh side, a more extreme grip will enable you to handle higher balls easier.

Otherwise, just play on grass LOL

Does a one handed bh work on grass?? Probably struggles with low balls too

Agree. The trick to the high ball is to get above it with a closed racquet face and top it. Less extreme grips make this more challenging.

What exactly is a high ball anyway? Chest high and higher? Head height??

 

[34n]

So, here comes question to all two handers )) Which hand do you use more , dominant? And what are you actually doing with the second hand when you are hitting 2hbh?

 

[Chadillac]

Women stop and watch a 1h much more often than they do a 2h, because the #2 on their silver team also has a great 2h

So, here comes question to all two handers )) Which hand do you use more , dominant? And what are you actually doing with the second hand when you are hitting 2hbh?

Left hand pushes the handle towards the target, right hand guides the face. Thats why its girley, not strong enough to do with a single arm, nor skilled enough to combine the wrist and stroke angle.

Its like the cavemen who used 2 hands on a tree branch vs a master swordsman.

 

[AllCourtHeathen]

So, here comes question to all two handers )) Which hand do you use more , dominant? And what are you actually doing with the second hand when you are hitting 2hbh?

At this point i use 95% left hand, and try to keep my arms loose and not locked or stiff. The right hand kinda acts as a ballast, or stabilizer, for wont of a better term

 

[iChen]

At this point i use 95% left hand, and try to keep my arms loose and not locked or stiff. The right hand kinda acts as a ballast, or stabilizer, for wont of a better term

This.


The real question: when you hit a 2H BH winner do you rip off your shirt showing chest like Novak? Or do you still wish you could be manly and hit winners like Fed and Stan?

 

[AllCourtHeathen]

The real question: when you hit a 2H BH winner do you rip off your shirt showing chest like Novak?

Or do you still wish you could be manly and hit winners like Fed and Stan?

arm is stuffed. 1hbh was my favourite shot, but I just can't hit it anymore. but when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. pretty happy with the 2hbh's stability and consistency so far, and it is great for ROS.

 

[iChen]

Yeah I noticed really ROS is awesome consistency and I can find nice angles. When I started out and tried 1H it was almost like just bunting back.

 

[34n]

>>>> At this point i use 95% left hand, >>>
Interesting. Non dominant hand doing most of the work. Right hand is just hanging there adding mass to the back of the handle. Recoil weight is huge. Perhaps this why returns are so solid

 

[iChen]

>>>> At this point i use 95% left hand, >>>
Interesting. Non dominant hand doing most of the work. Right hand is just hanging there adding mass to the back of the handle. Recoil weight is huge. Perhaps this why returns are so solid

If you want to do right hand dominant go ahead. The great Agassi did it and no one can say his Bh was bad. Do what seems comfortable to you

 

[StringSnapper]

Yeah I noticed really ROS is awesome consistency and I can find nice angles. When I started out and tried 1H it was almost like just bunting back.

Yeah it can be a bit like bunting back. If you time it right though your bunt back can be a winner since its so flat and penetrating and redirects pace so much.
Otherwise you can impart morr spin. You just have to learn te technique

Its ultimately down to prederence tho

 

[AllCourtHeathen]

If you want to do right hand dominant go ahead. The great Agassi did it and no one can say his Bh was bad. Do what seems comfortable to you

I've been watching vids on the toob about the 2hbh, and you're right Agassi hit it with mostly his right hand.

I can kinda do most things with both hands (because I was dropped on my head as a baby) so to make it easier for myself I just started thinking of the stroke as a left handed fh.

Another tip my coach showed me which is awesome is just how quick you can get racquet head speed with zero takeback by "flicking" your wrist like a hinge, pivoting around the point on the handle between the two hands, if that makes any sense.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Almost all of the rec 4.5+ players that I know hit a 1HBH. And they are almost all over 30. All of them learned tennis at a young age, when 2HBHs were not as common. These days you can't even find a coach (in the USA anyway) who knows how to teach the 1HBH, so of course they do not recommend it.

Juniors in the US almost exclusively hit 2HBHs. Of course, European players with 1HBHs keep kicking our tails, so maybe there is something to that.

 

[Shroud]

Question from a complete beginner. My coach is suggesting that should go towards 1-handers, as I'm showing a bit more aptitude there. However, due to elbow issues, I may have to do 2-handers (depends on the day).

Maybe it is because I'm a complete beginner, but I'm finding that HIGHER balls are much much harder to hit 1-handed, compared to 2-handed. Is this just because I'm new to it all, or is it fair to say that if you find the ball coming at chest height (or higher) then trying to top-spin the ball back 1-handed is a low % shot?

like most of tennis its just practice. Its possible to handle high balls with a one hander and hit topspin. Didnt see a lot of this thread but what is your injury? Does the one hander hurt it?

Key is to not hinge the elbow during the shot. Shoulder should be the hinge.

YOu have to get above the high ball to hit with spin. Its possible with practice. and imho you get a bit more reach than the 2 hander on the high ball.

I pretty much suck at tennis but can handle high balls like the one here at 0:6 sec which was hit at shoulder height while I was in the air about a foot:

 

[Shroud]

Longer swing path for CCs...

Anyway this whole open stance thing always sounds a bit overblown to me...for example when moving sideways, the difference between the open stance and a closed stance BH is mostly about which foot makes the last step...so where's open stance BH helpful? Possibly in situations when you're caught flat footed and the ball is directly heading at you so you don't have time to step around or turn sideways, yet you have to manage your best shot somehow?

I find return of serve is where the open stance shines. In theory I would switch and hit every bh openstance gaining some time in the recovery but hey, I am just trying to keep the ball from hitting the fence...

 

[zalive]

I find return of serve is where the open stance shines. In theory I would switch and hit every bh openstance gaining some time in the recovery but hey, I am just trying to keep the ball from hitting the fence...

Of course, but I was thinking/talking about groundstrokes, not returns.

 

[Tennitus]

like most of tennis its just practice. Its possible to handle high balls with a one hander and hit topspin. Didnt see a lot of this thread but what is your injury? Does the one hander hurt it?

Key is to not hinge the elbow during the shot. Shoulder should be the hinge.

YOu have to get above the high ball to hit with spin. Its possible with practice. and imho you get a bit more reach than the 2 hander on the high ball.

I pretty much suck at tennis but can handle high balls like the one here at 0:6 sec which was hit at shoulder height while I was in the air about a foot:

Thank you! Inside of the elbow ... sometimes (depending on day) I can feel that the the wrist wants to start supinating (and that if I try to hold the wrist position a bit more firmly as I strike the ball) I'll get the inner elbow pain.

I definitely have more of an aptitude for the 1hbh (at this stage). But the high balls do feel very very very odd. I'm talking about when you find yourself in a position where the ball is quite high (shoulder?). Perhaps I need to focus on slices in those scenarios where I can't get above the ball.

 

[zalive]

Thank you! Inside of the elbow ... sometimes (depending on day) I can feel that the the wrist wants to start supinating (and that if I try to hold the wrist position a bit more firmly as I strike the ball) I'll get the inner elbow pain.

I definitely have more of an aptitude for the 1hbh (at this stage). But the high balls do feel very very very odd. I'm talking about when you find yourself in a position where the ball is quite high (shoulder?). Perhaps I need to focus on slices in those scenarios where I can't get above the ball.

Considering you need to lift your racquet's head only to hit those higher balls (even valid for higher than your head balls), where's the problem to top it?
Racquet's face tilt? If you use something like Eastern BH grip, closed face should be there.
Swing path? It should be pretty much horizontal. With one important thing, racquet's face on prep is above the shoulder (is it?), and it should never be lowered during the swing when you hit a highish ball.

 

[Tennitus]

Considering you need to lift your racquet's head only to hit those higher balls (even valid for higher than your head balls), where's the problem to top it?
Racquet's face tilt? If you use something like Eastern BH grip, closed face should be there.
Swing path? It should be pretty much horizontal. With one important thing, racquet's face on prep is above the shoulder (is it?), and it should never be lowered during the swing when you hit a highish ball.

OK I think you've highlighted something I need to work on. My swingpath was a relatively steep climb. I'll test this out. I also find myself getting very sideways on the higher ones (almost like I'm now facing away from my opponent). This is just a tendency I need to work on.

 

[zalive]

OK I think you've highlighted something I need to work on. My swingpath was a relatively steep climb. I'll test this out. I also find myself getting very sideways on the higher ones (almost like I'm now facing away from my opponent). This is just a tendency I need to work on.

Just like with FH, swing path adjusts with ball height.
I don't think sideways is bad at all (look what Wawrinka does) however it's useful to leave the tip of your front foot point diagonally, to allow more core rotation from the weight transfer to happen. And of course, contact should be in front of you (timing).

 

[Tennitus]

Just like with FH, swing path adjusts with ball height.
I don't think sideways is bad at all (look what Wawrinka does) however it's useful to leave the tip of your front foot point diagonally, to allow more core rotation from the weight transfer to happen. And of course, contact should be in front of you (timing).

Regarding the contact point, mine ends up (on higher balls) being in line with my body, and not in front. Thus I lose all kinds of drive, power etc. As I move the racket in front of my body (on higher balls) I feel that the natural angle of the racket face begins angling towards the bottom of the net. I think this is because mentally, historically, it was this kind of movement that used to result in elbow pain. I now have something of a mental block which means that keeping the racket face angled a bit higher is harder than it ought to be, and the balls crash into the bottom of the net. Hard to explain.

 

[tennis_balla]

Here’s the catch. For coaches with a one handed backhand like myself we can teach either stroke no problem. Coaches with a two handed backhand however do not know the fundamentals on how to teach a proper one hander so they resort to saying don’t use it.

I know that sounds negative or extreme but it’s the case 90% of the time at clubs. Now there is some merit to it, the two hander is easier to learn and offers better stability.

In my view stuff like ROGY tennis methods should of allowed coaches to teach the one hander more easily. In theory yes, but once with the vast majority of coaches not familiar with one hander dynamics it’s not happening.

 

[Dartagnan64]

So, here comes question to all two handers )) Which hand do you use more , dominant? And what are you actually doing with the second hand when you are hitting 2hbh?

They work in concert. The legs and body create the momentum and the arms guide it. If I'm hitting it properly I don't feel at all like one arm is dominating. The right arm seems more active at the start the left arm more active at the end. But its a symbiotic stroke IMO.

 

[34n]

That is what I would do if I stared practicing 2hbh. I've never seriously practiced it and now it is obviously to late to try. But I've heard polar views on the subject of leading hand ( from good players) So I draw conclusions that potential variety of this shot if far greater than variety of my 1hbh

 

[Shroud]

OK I think you've highlighted something I need to work on. My swingpath was a relatively steep climb. I'll test this out. I also find myself getting very sideways on the higher ones (almost like I'm now facing away from my opponent). This is just a tendency I need to work on.

Fwiw i have a steep climb myself.

On really high balls spinning it back is pretty much the best you can do

Was trying to hit 100 balls in a row so just getting the balls back and in play. Pretty much every bh after the 1st was a highball

Some were over my head like the one at 2:38

 

[zalive]

Fwiw i have a steep climb myself.

On really high balls spinning it back is pretty much the best you can do

Moderately steep on high balls, you don't lower racquet's head to waist high to hit a shoulder high ball. This is ok. But what if you lowered racquet's head to waist high on each ball? This wouldn't make sense to me, there isn't any necessity for this, you can have as much top as you want with what you do.