Two hander vs one hander for new player.

[EllieK]

I started tennis lessons right before COVID hit. Had only had three lessons and hadn’t played since I was a kid. I’m retired now. I resumed lessons when the courts opened up again. My instructor wants me to hit two handed backhand but I naturally gravitate to a one hander. He said as a new player I should be able to learn two hander and is quite insistent that I try. Tells me it’s easier but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know what I should do at this point. Keep trying or stand my ground?

 

[heninfan99]

Play how you want. It's your hobby.

 

[EllieK]

Play how you want. It's your hobby.

I think maybe he finds it harder to teach one handed technique. I’d like to find another instructor who is more willing to work with me on it, but I found that instructors who work with adult beginners weren’t easy to locate in my neck of the woods.

 

[BlackTatsu]

Considering you only had three lessons and starting off, two handers is much easier for a beginner. One hander requires much more footwork and great timing to execute properly. Not sure what your goals are but you should do what makes you happy in the end.

I switched to a one hander for about two months after playing two handed for 3 years. Even though there are some disadvantages, I enjoyed it more and able to hit more freely.

 

[mental midget]

I started tennis lessons right before COVID hit. Had only had three lessons and hadn’t played since I was a kid. I’m retired now. I resumed lessons when the courts opened up again. My instructor wants me to hit two handed backhand but I naturally gravitate to a one hander. He said as a new player I should be able to learn two hander and is quite insistent that I try. Tells me it’s easier but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know what I should do at this point. Keep trying or stand my ground?

hang tight if it's how you want to play. sure it's a little harder to get started but i mean...plenty of people have done it. i can't ever remember hitting a 2-hander btw and there was a time when they didn't even exist so it's not the craziest thing in the world. and it's more fun when you get good at it.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

When I first started taking lessons in my early teens, I was pushed to use two hands. But, it was an unnatural swing for me, and I struggled with it for years. After I took a break from tennis for a few years and started back up, I switched to using one hand because it was more natural for me.

Eventually, I was able to learn how to use two hands pretty well, but it took a lot more time and effort than learning to use one hand. So I vote for going with whatever is more natural for you.

 

[Dragy]

Consider several points:
- Your coach is likely using 2HBH? So he knows how to teach it and has some personal feel for it. While for 1HBH many just have no clue but only repeat outdated mantras.
- 2HBH may be a great versatile and reliable shot.
- Even if you decide to drop it after several months, it's never wasted time and effort. You still get used to handling balls on the BH side, and you get some technical, coordination development, which is overall good for your body and mind.

I'd say if the coach is otherwise good, and sessions are comfortable and fun, give it a shot - try to learn 2HBH with associated footwork and look how it works in couple of months. Good chance you gel with it and stay with it. If not - move to 1HBH and don't look back.

 

[grzewas]

I started tennis lessons right before COVID hit. Had only had three lessons and hadn’t played since I was a kid. I’m retired now. I resumed lessons when the courts opened up again. My instructor wants me to hit two handed backhand but I naturally gravitate to a one hander. He said as a new player I should be able to learn two hander and is quite insistent that I try. Tells me it’s easier but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know what I should do at this point. Keep trying or stand my ground?

I have played a lot of tournaments at national level during last 5 years in +55 category and I cant remember even one one handed player whose backhand was better than my two handed backhand. They all usually were forced to use only slice. Dont waste time for learning one handed backhand. Only the best professionals can use it .

 

[PKorda]

I’d learn the two handed. It will be easier and you’ll see faster improvement.

 

[golden chicken]

Sometimes as a beginner, what feels natural and what is the right way to learn or do things are two different things.

You must first train something with great control until it becomes natural.

 

[zaph]

The problem is the high ball, I use to play one handed and dealing with a high ball on the backhand was an impossibly difficult shot for me. I just don't have the strength or flexibility in my shoulder to play that shot one handed. I can play it two handed. I know a few players who regret sticking with the one handed shot for precisely that reason, it has left them vulnerable to heavily spun high bouncing shots into their backhand.

If you have the physical strength to deal with those ball or are willing to live with that weakness. Stick with the one handed shot.

 

[Rosstour]

One hander requires much more footwork and great timing to execute properly.

IMO it is the opposite

The problem is the high ball, I use to play one handed and dealing with a high ball on the backhand was an impossibly difficult shot for me. I just don't have the strength or flexibility in my shoulder to play that shot one handed. I can play it two handed. I know a few players who regret sticking with the one handed shot for precisely that reason, it has left them vulnerable to heavily spun high bouncing shots into their backhand.

If you have the physical strength to deal with those ball or are willing to live with that weakness. Stick with the one handed shot.

He can always just slice the high balls. Guy is retired and is not gonna be muscling 2H crosscourt rockets off of high balls either.

@OP--2H has a much higher floor, but a much lower ceiling. Do what you like, unless you are really trying to be competitive.

 

[zaph]

I have played a lot of tournaments at national level during last 5 years in +55 category and I cant remember even one one handed player whose backhand was better than my two handed backhand. They all usually were forced to use only slice. Dont waste time for learning one handed backhand. Only the best professionals can use it .

You go too far, as usual. It is true that a lot of players struggle with high bouncing balls with a one handed shot and you do see a lot of unsteady one hand backhands. However that doesn't mean you have to be a pro level player to hit the one handed shot.

There are players at my own club, a couple of whom I am certain would beat you, who can play the one handed shot and they ain't pros.

 

[zaph]

IMO it is the opposite



He can always just slice the high balls. Guy is retired and is not gonna be muscling 2H crosscourt rockets off of high balls either.

@OP--2H has a much higher floor, but a much lower ceiling. Do what you like, unless you are really trying to be competitive.

I agree that is an option but slicing a high bouncing ball with a decent amount of topspin on it is by no means an easy shot.

 

[Rosstour]

I agree that is an option but slicing a high bouncing ball with a decent amount of topspin on it is by no means an easy shot.

I understand.

What are the odds that OP, as a retired rookie (likely a 2.5-3.0 for the foreseeable future), will be facing those kinds of shots?

2HBH is also a lot rougher on the body.

 

[jered]

Insist on a 2H forehand and a 1H backhand. That'll show him.

 

[Mountain Ghost]

You could have a "worthy" 2-hander in a few months ... whereas a "worthy" 1-hander COULD take you a few years ... if ... and that's a BIG "IF" ... you could even FIND a "worthy" 1HBH instructor ... which you would probably need.

The problem is ... the "pool" of good 1HBH instructors has been drained over the years ... and even teaching pros WITH decent 1HBH's often don't know how to really develop (or fine-tune) one.

I'd advise doing what YOU want to do ... and start playing with a One-Handed Backhand. When you DO get good at it ... you will have a more "freeing" ... and beautiful ... stroke!.

A few crucial details ... first is to learn to find and to feel a true Racquet-Back Position (RBP) ... elbow straight while touching the stomach ... butt cap aimed at the left net post (for a righthander) ... ... ... and at the start practice NOT leading with the handle or the elbow as a first movement forward ... instead rotating the straight arm unit out ... as a way of getting the racquet head to begin to come forward.

Your goal is to.make sure that whatever backswing style you decide to choose ... bent arm ... or straight arm ... it gets you TO that Racquet-Back Position ... and then that you rotate out instead of leading with the handle/elbow.

~ MG

 

[PKorda]

Only stubborn Europeans and people trying to be Roger Federer use the one handed backhand

 

[ballmachineguy]

Do what you want. IMO, it should be a loss-of-point to hit a bounced ball with two hands on the racquet. It has ruined the game.

 

[tlm]

I started with a one hander but in the last few years I’ve converted to a two handed backhand and wish I would have started with two.

 

[tlm]

Only stubborn Europeans and people trying to be Roger Federer use the one handed backhand

At the club I play at there are some pretty good players but even the top guys that use a 1 hander end up hitting a slice on tougher shots. I can only think of a couple that have a good topspin one handed backhand.

 

[Dragy]

end up hitting a slice on tougher shots.

You put it in such a way as if a slice was worse than 2-handed bunt

 

[toth]

I think usually two handed are easier, but if you feel the one handed more natural, i am not wondering that you would like the one handed more...

 

[PKorda]

At the club I play at there are some pretty good players but even the top guys that use a 1 hander end up hitting a slice on tougher shots. I can only think of a couple that have a good topspin one handed backhand.

My comment was a bit of a joke, for sure some people can hit a good one hander, I do think two hander is generally a better option for rec players

 

[mcs1970]

3 lessons is far too less to know for sure one way or other. Also what happens as the level of your opponents rise? Can your 1hbh hold up?

I am not saying that 2hbh is the way to go , but finding something a bit more natural to do this early should not influence you. It is more natural to have a pancake serve with a fh grip than learn conti with pronation.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

You could have a "worthy" 2-hander in a few months ... whereas a "worthy" 1-hander COULD take you a few years ... if ... and that's a BIG "IF" ... you could even FIND a "worthy" 1HBH instructor ... which you would probably need.

In my case, it was the other way around. It took me years to learn to hit solid two-handers consistently. With one hand, it only took me a couple of months. That was despite the fact that I had a good coach teaching me the two-hander and taught myself the one-hander.

That’s because the coach was trying to teach me something that didn’t come naturally. If he had taught me a one-hander instead, I probably would’ve learned it even faster than I did on my own, and I would’ve been a better player as a teenager.

 

[HuusHould]

I started playing at around 9 with a single hander, by about 11 I'd changed to a double hander, I played for another couple of years, then had a few years break from the game. When I came back I tried to resume where I'd left off with the double hander, but it didn't work for me, as I felt restricted in the follow through. I've had a single hander ever since. However, I've had right forearm and shoulder injuries (I'm right handed) and during that time I've used the double hander to protect my right side and have somewhat recovered my ability to hit the double handed backhand. I've always subscribed to the left handed forehand/left arm dominant approach to the double hander. I think as my forehand has become more modern (more of a bent elbow) my follow through has become less restricted.

I do think the double hander is easier to learn and has a slightly higher potential ceiling.

My instructor wants me to hit two handed backhand but I naturally gravitate to a one hander. He said as a new player I should be able to learn two hander and is quite insistent that I try. Tells me it’s easier but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know what I should do at this point. Keep trying or stand my ground?

The obvious question, that might have an obvious answer, is - do you slice or hit topspin (or both) when hitting your single hander? If the answer is both, what percentage of each would you estimate you do? Because you can get to a decent level slicing most backhands, which is almost as easy to learn as the double handed drive.

 

[pencilcheck]

I would try both, there are common technique among those two, and sometimes you might not be able to unlock and progress without trying the other technique. It is weird I know but that is based on my experience. I have already pass through that stage so now I 100% focus on one hand, but when I was learning, I was doing both interchangeably to understand what I need to do

 

[Yamin]

Two hand IMO. I never learned two hand and regret it after having a surgery. New racket, weak shoulder, I'm mishitting and getting some TE because of it. You won't get TE with a two hand. Was considering moving to two hand, but it's a process to relearn and my arms being larger have prevented me from pursuing 2 handed since my takeback would be short. Also enjoying the balance of the blade, but it does make one handed backhands a little bit more difficult.

2 handed gives more options and I would guess some more confidence. When it comes to the coach, you might want to find a coach with a 1hbh if that's the route you want to go rather than "stand your ground."

 

[zaph]

I understand.

What are the odds that OP, as a retired rookie (likely a 2.5-3.0 for the foreseeable future), will be facing those kinds of shots?

2HBH is also a lot rougher on the body.

There is a good chance because far more players hit with heavy topspin than in the past.

Also I am not convinced that a two handed backhand is harder on the body.

 

[PKorda]

There is a good chance because far more players hit with heavy topspin than in the past.

Also I am not convinced that a two handed backhand is harder on the body.

It isn’t

 

[sureshs]

I started tennis lessons right before COVID hit. Had only had three lessons and hadn’t played since I was a kid. I’m retired now. I resumed lessons when the courts opened up again. My instructor wants me to hit two handed backhand but I naturally gravitate to a one hander. He said as a new player I should be able to learn two hander and is quite insistent that I try. Tells me it’s easier but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know what I should do at this point. Keep trying or stand my ground?

Apologize but assuming you are female from your username does make a difference. Women seem to gravitate naturally to a 2 handed BH.

 

[hochiglenn]

I think everyone is wired differently. I have always used a one handed back handed. 2 hands I feel too constricted and feel like I can’t generate the power or topspin that I can with with my one hander. 2 hands feels like how I feel when I throw or write left handed. Extremely awkward.


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[golden chicken]

I started tennis lessons right before COVID hit. Had only had three lessons and hadn’t played since I was a kid. I’m retired now. I resumed lessons when the courts opened up again. My instructor wants me to hit two handed backhand but I naturally gravitate to a one hander. He said as a new player I should be able to learn two hander and is quite insistent that I try. Tells me it’s easier but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know what I should do at this point. Keep trying or stand my ground?

You've played as a kid, so are you a complete beginner with no idea how to hold or swing a racket, or did you learn (take lessons or play enough) to hit a certain way as a kid and now you have old habits to break? Or is it somewhere in between?

If you're a complete beginner many aspects of tennis will feel awkward or unnatural. Hitting serves with a continental grip is one many players will agree feels very wrong until it clicks. But hitting serves the less awkward or more natural way leads to hard to break habits down the road. Again, the serve is a great example of this. We have countless examples of posters using waiters' tray or pancake serves asking for help. In a case like this, I would try to be open more to the coach.

If you played enough as a kid that there are strokes deep inside you somewhere and you don't need lessons so much as drills and coaching to regain and refine those old motor pathways, then I would be more inclined to stand firm on working on a one-hander with your coach.

 

[BlueB]

I started tennis lessons right before COVID hit. Had only had three lessons and hadn’t played since I was a kid. I’m retired now. I resumed lessons when the courts opened up again. My instructor wants me to hit two handed backhand but I naturally gravitate to a one hander. He said as a new player I should be able to learn two hander and is quite insistent that I try. Tells me it’s easier but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know what I should do at this point. Keep trying or stand my ground?

It doesn't matter which one are you learning, as a beginner.
You probably gravitate towards the 1h because it's easier to hack the ball. However, in a long run you'd be better off with 2h. There is less danger of developing the tennis elbow, which plagues majority of elderly players. Also, your return of serve will be better.
I play 1h, because that's what I have learned with. If I was to learn the game from scratch, again, I'd go 2h...

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[BevelDevil]

If you want to learn a 1hbh, you're going to have to learn how to hit a slice as well. Otherwise it will be too hard to hit low balls over the net.

I started my kid off with a 2hbh, but also taught him how to hit a 1hbh slice. From there, he transitioned to a 1hbh (by his own preference). So that's a pattern you might want to consider.

 

[tlm]

You put it in such a way as if a slice was worse than 2-handed bunt

The point was that because they don’t have much time they can’t come over the ball with a one hander. But most good two handers would be able to hit a decent shot still with the same situation. Sometimes a slice is still the weaker shot If the player can hit a good two handed bunt.

 

[EllieK]

Only stubborn Europeans and people trying to be Roger Federer use the one handed backhand

I am European.

 

[EllieK]

After reading all of these, I am going to try the two hander. I think I should give it a shot before I decide which I should go with for the long haul. Grateful for all the advice.

 

[tlm]

After reading all of these, I am going to try the two hander. I think I should give it a shot before I decide which I should go with for the long haul. Grateful for all the advice.

I think that’s the best way to go, but you should also develop a solid one handed slice also.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I have played a lot of tournaments at national level during last 5 years in +55 category and I cant remember even one one handed player whose backhand was better than my two handed backhand. They all usually were forced to use only slice. Dont waste time for learning one handed backhand. Only the best professionals can use it .

That doesn't necessarily mean the 2HBH is superior to a 1HBH. It could also mean you're a better player than your competition.

 

[President]

Develop a solid slice that has depth, that is the easiest solution on the backhand side IMO

 

[blablavla]

Only stubborn Europeans and people trying to be Roger Federer use the one handed backhand

I'm from Europe and I play 2HBH
Greg from Poland plays not only 2 handed backhand but as well 2 handed forehand

 

[ChaelAZ]

Two handed develops quicker and is more stable while learning. One-handed takes a little more to develop but in my opinion can be more versatile. Almost everyone agrees though, OHBH looks cooler.

 

[Dragy]

Two handed develops quicker and is more stable while learning. One-handed takes a little more to develop but in my opinion can be more versatile. Almost everyone agrees though, OHBH looks cooler.

Unless it's Feliciano Lopez. Then @Chas Tennis doesn't agree.

 

[Fintft]

After reading all of these, I am going to try the two hander. I think I should give it a shot before I decide which I should go with for the long haul. Grateful for all the advice.

Although I use the 1HBH, I agree with you trying the two hander, also b/c I've heard it's less risky for TE.

 

[amlemus]

Considering you only had three lessons and starting off, two handers is much easier for a beginner. One hander requires much more footwork and great timing to execute properly. Not sure what your goals are but you should do what makes you happy in the end.

I switched to a one hander for about two months after playing two handed for 3 years. Even though there are some disadvantages, I enjoyed it more and able to hit more freely.

I have to agree with you here. I'm hitting a OHBH right now and it feels very loose and free. However, footwork and positioning is key if you want to get the most out of it. Not to mention it just feels amazing when you rip a perfect shot with it. The margin for error is way smaller than a THBH though. I've been kicking around the idea of changing up to the two-hander as I play more matches simply because it might prove more reliable in pressure situations and for rallies. Would love to hear more of your thoughts on it.

 

[sredna42]

I started tennis lessons right before COVID hit. Had only had three lessons and hadn’t played since I was a kid. I’m retired now. I resumed lessons when the courts opened up again. My instructor wants me to hit two handed backhand but I naturally gravitate to a one hander. He said as a new player I should be able to learn two hander and is quite insistent that I try. Tells me it’s easier but it sure doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know what I should do at this point. Keep trying or stand my ground?

It feels easier because it IS easier to swing fluidly with one arm. But you'll have a fluid stream of errors and shanks compared to the 2hbh

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

It feels easier because it IS easier to swing fluidly with one arm. But you'll have a fluid stream of errors and shanks compared to the 2hbh

I don't know...I can shank pretty fluidly with my 2HBH.

 

[tonylg]

Clubs are meant to be swung with two hands, racquets with one.

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