Who uses both a 1H AND 2H backhand?

[AlphaCDjkr]

Alright, I USED to use only a 2H backhand (with a couple of 1H backhands thrown in because it just felt "right" to use one at the time chosen). The reason I never used a 1H backhand often was because my old racquet was much too light and unstable, and I could never get a clean stroke. However, I recently got a new racquet (Yonex RDS 003) and this stick is MUCH more stable, to the point that my 1H backhand, which I only practiced for 2 weeks, far surpassed the 2H backhand that I used to use for 3 years.

However, there are conditions to which I use either 1H or 2H. For example, of the ball is fast paced or is loaded with some type of unusual spin (High topspin,backspin, sidespin, etc.), I won't attempt to use a 1H and I'll go straight to the 2H. However, when the ball is medium paced and I have some time to pounce on it, I'll go straight to my 1H.

My friends all say that this looks unusual, to use both 1H and 2H, though they also say it works out rather well for me. Does anybody else use both a 1H and 2H BH?

***Also, I thought the 2H BH tended to be stronger than 1H. Is it normal that my 1H is much faster and controllable than my 2H?

Thanks everyone

 

[sonicboi21]

you should stick with one.
it will help you be more consistent with one.
id suggest working on your 1bhb because it can be a real powerful weapon

 

[Dreamer]

A lot of players can hit with both. When I started I wanted to use 2hbhs because it was "easier" to learn. Turns out one handed backhands much more natural for , but I still pull out the 2hbhs for fun.

When I first was getting use to my 1handers I use to also hit different strokes depending on the situation. But Now I just stick to one though because when you have little time to react, having two strokes can lead to indecision. Also having two strokes would lead to having one more developed than the other and you probably will have to outgrow the weaker link.

I would go with the stroke you feel has the most potential.

and as for having more powerful and control on your 1hander, I would just say you're technically better on that side.

 

[kelz]

Alright, I USED to use only a 2H backhand (with a couple of 1H backhands thrown in because it just felt "right" to use one at the time chosen). The reason I never used a 1H backhand often was because my old racquet was much too light and unstable, and I could never get a clean stroke. However, I recently got a new racquet (Yonex RDS 003) and this stick is MUCH more stable, to the point that my 1H backhand, which I only practiced for 2 weeks, far surpassed the 2H backhand that I used to use for 3 years.

However, there are conditions to which I use either 1H or 2H. For example, of the ball is fast paced or is loaded with some type of unusual spin (High topspin,backspin, sidespin, etc.), I won't attempt to use a 1H and I'll go straight to the 2H. However, when the ball is medium paced and I have some time to pounce on it, I'll go straight to my 1H.

My friends all say that this looks unusual, to use both 1H and 2H, though they also say it works out rather well for me. Does anybody else use both a 1H and 2H BH?

***Also, I thought the 2H BH tended to be stronger than 1H. Is it normal that my 1H is much faster and controllable than my 2H?

Thanks everyone

I find this true. With a fast incoming ball, I feel that the two hander with the relatively shorter and more compact swing than the 1HBH is the more 'advantageous' shot. This is due to do the limited time one has to react. With 'my' loopy 1HBH, I would prefer a slower-medium pace ball to hit, as I feel that I could time the shot better.

 

[littleboi21]

I use both. But Im trying to use only one for consistency. But whenever a fast ball or a high ball comes, it comes automatic for a 2hand.

 

[oest10]

Choose one. There is a reason this is uncommon.

 

[phoenicks]

yes, you can have both 1hbh and 2hbh if and only if your 1hbh is a slice and not a driving topspin bh.

otherwise, just make up your mind and stick to one of them, as you will never become consistent and master the backhand 4ever this way.

I think having 1 handed slice and a topspin driving 2hbh is more than enough to face any opponent, 2hbh for normal rally, go for the kill, approach shot...etc, and 1 handed slice for drawing error, reaching for shot on the run, defensive shot, normal rally , approach shot...etc.

 

[teppeiahn1]

Lots of people here is saying don't this don't that but why not do it?
Tennis is art, you can do what ever you want.

 

[princemidplus]

yes, you can have both 1hbh and 2hbh if and only if your 1hbh is a slice and not a driving topspin bh.

otherwise, just make up your mind and stick to one of them, as you will never become consistent and master the backhand 4ever this way.

I think having 1 handed slice and a topspin driving 2hbh is more than enough to face any opponent, 2hbh for normal rally, go for the kill, approach shot...etc, and 1 handed slice for drawing error, reaching for shot on the run, defensive shot, normal rally , approach shot...etc.

This works well for me. 1hbh slice but 2hbh for everything else. nice to also have a slice bh for when I need to vary my game against someone who is able to play better off faster balls (slice slows them down messing timing).

 

[oest10]

Lots of people here is saying don't this don't that but why not do it?
Tennis is art, you can do what ever you want.

As your signature says, you probably failed over and over again

 

[Sentinel]

What's wrong with using a 2h for high balls, or for service returns.
I almost never see decent returns with one-handers. See Fed if you want to confirm this.
Compare the returns of Fed and Murray in their recent match.

Lots of people here is saying don't this don't that but why not do it?
Tennis is art, you can do what ever you want.

true.

 

[teppeiahn1]

As your signature says, you probably failed over and over again

And that is why I succeed.

 

[phoenicks]

Lots of people here is saying don't this don't that but why not do it?
Tennis is art, you can do what ever you want.

As usual, your post quality is getting lower and lower. When can I see a sensible post from you???

 

[teppeiahn1]

As usual, your post quality is getting lower and lower. When can I see a sensible post from you???

Sorry if I angered the GODz.

 

[mikeler]

I can hit both shots and I used to try and mix in the 2 hander for certain shots where it seems better suited. I gave it up after about 3 or 4 matches because I had to think too much. Now I use the 2 hander once or twice a match mainly for running down lobs. If it works for you then great. Otherwise, go with the shot you think has the more long term potential.

 

[AlphaCDjkr]

yes, you can have both 1hbh and 2hbh if and only if your 1hbh is a slice and not a driving topspin bh.

otherwise, just make up your mind and stick to one of them, as you will never become consistent and master the backhand 4ever this way.

I think having 1 handed slice and a topspin driving 2hbh is more than enough to face any opponent, 2hbh for normal rally, go for the kill, approach shot...etc, and 1 handed slice for drawing error, reaching for shot on the run, defensive shot, normal rally , approach shot...etc.

This is how I used to play, but then I realized that my 2H BH was just horrible in terms of pace/consistency. My 1H BH slice is great.. but for 2H, I felt that my left hand was just acting as a hindrance to my shot, so I started learning the 1H and so far its worked well. However, I really don't think I can hit high shots without a 2H backhand, so I'm worried that if I really do permanently swap to 1H, I won't be able to properly return those anymore.

What's wrong with using a 2h for high balls, or for service returns.
I almost never see decent returns with one-handers. See Fed if you want to confirm this.
Compare the returns of Fed and Murray in their recent match.

Well.. there was that one video on youtube of Federer returning Roddicks serve perfectly with a 1H BH..

Fed returns Roddicks serve with 1H BH

But I definitely get what you're saying, It really is hard to see a good return with a 1H backhand. I see a lot of slice returns though.

 

[Gee Willikers Batman!]

From personal experience:

I had a wonderful 1H.
As I got better, higher level players picked my 1H'er APART. Didn't get one forehand in a whole 2/3 set match with a 5.0 I played with. I suggest either learning 1H and FULLY committing to it, or keep the 2H and learn it to be fundamentally sound.

I switched to a 2H and it is very stable and is currently my favorite wing.

By the way, I am not saying ALL 1H'ers get torn apart at higher levels, it is just MORE COMMON to attack the 1H'er then the 2H'er.

That is why whenever I see someone with a 1H backhand, I AUTOMATICALLY think "attack that!"

 

[Trev343]

As your signature says, you probably failed over and over again

you make me laugh.

 

[Rickson]

It's nice to have both options, but stick to the one hander.

 

[Spoony J]

I use a 2hbh mainly, but for slices and half volleys I use one hand. Just feels natural to me.

 

[AlphaCDjkr]

I use a 2hbh mainly, but for slices and half volleys I use one hand. Just feels natural to me.

...I've never seen anyone use 2H slices or volleys (constantly). I've only seen these shots on the girl's JV team at my school.

I understand emergency 2H slices/volleys, but does anyone make that their main form of stroke?
---

Anyway, will do with the dedicated stroke. I'll stick with 1H then. But these past 2 days I've been using the 2H BH because I sprained something in my wrist and it really cannot handle stress from a 1H backhand (I've already dropped my shiny, new, UNSCATHED Yonex RDS 003 twice today trying to get the 1H to work. There goes "UNSCATHED". Oh yeah, I also chucked it on one of my forehands because I tried returning my friend's smash directly (which was extremely horizontal in trajectory [Out, basically].)

Poor Yonex.

 

[Spoony J]

One of the guys I play with slices with 2 hands, similar to Fabrice Santoro where he lets the other hand go. Also, I've seen more than a few people half volley 2 handed. Seems strange to me.

 

[chipsbuzz]

Have the same racquet and also use both a 1hbh and 2hbh. =) . Except now I only use a 2hbh for return of serve (more so I don't needa change grips). You can get away with using both, but the better the opponent, the less effective it's going to be. When the game moves faster, the time you spend between deciding on 1hbh or 2hbh can be spent elsewhere.

 

[AlphaCDjkr]

One of the guys I play with slices with 2 hands, similar to Fabrice Santoro where he lets the other hand go. Also, I've seen more than a few people half volley 2 handed. Seems strange to me.

Haha, it feels like, if I try a 2H BH slice, my movement/range of motion is really limited by my left hand. However, usually my attempts result in a near-perfect drop shot (That is completely unintentional.) since I attempt to hit a deep skidding slice and my left hand powers it down too much.

Have the same racquet and also use both a 1hbh and 2hbh. =) . Except now I only use a 2hbh for return of serve (more so I don't needa change grips). You can get away with using both, but the better the opponent, the less effective it's going to be. When the game moves faster, the time you spend between deciding on 1hbh or 2hbh can be spent elsewhere.

I agree with this, it would be nice if I could just stick with one, but it seems difficult to return everything with a 1H BH.

 

[matchmaker]

Marc Rosset was one of the pros who used both a one and a twohander. Looks kinda funny.

 

[chipsbuzz]

I've also had a wrist soreness recently (moreso 'cause of workin' on my serve for too long), so you might wanna try some athletic tape on your wrist or some sort of elastic bandage. Ease your wrist into using the 1hbh. If the pain isn't because you're overworking your new stroke, it might be because you're doing something wrong during your swing. Committing to a new stroke is fine, just remember that your body might not be as welcoming as fast.

 

[Jonny S&V]

If you wan't a pro example of both grips, Danille Bracciali (I know I butchered that...) returned with 2-hands but hit his normal groundstrokes with 1. :shock:

 

[AlphaCDjkr]

I've also had a wrist soreness recently (moreso 'cause of workin' on my serve for too long), so you might wanna try some athletic tape on your wrist or some sort of elastic bandage. Ease your wrist into using the 1hbh. If the pain isn't because you're overworking your new stroke, it might be because you're doing something wrong during your swing. Committing to a new stroke is fine, just remember that your body might not be as welcoming as fast.

Nonono, haha you've got it wrong. I've already got the 1H down, it isn't a new stroke. Just recently 2 days ago though, I did something to my wrist and my wrist doesn't particularly like bending anymore. I'm saying, just temporarily I'm unable to do 1H BH because it feels like my wrist joints are about to fall apart if I try.

And I don't have any athletic tape, and it's a bit too late for my parents to take me to a sporting goods store to get some.

If you wan't a pro example of both grips, Danille Bracciali (I know I butchered that...) returned with 2-hands but hit his normal groundstrokes with 1. :shock:

...Who's that? Lol.
Googled, its Daniele Bracciali. Anyway, that might be how I'd like to play; service return using 2H BH, then play with 1H.

Is it really that uncommon? Hmm..

 

[Sentinel]

Well.. there was that one video on youtube of Federer returning Roddicks serve perfectly with a 1H BH..

Fed returns Roddicks serve with 1H BH

But I definitely get what you're saying, It really is hard to see a good return with a 1H backhand. I see a lot of slice returns though.

Yup, not to sound sarcastic, but there are those cases of great returns by Fed. The other day blake had ONE good return against Tsonga. Its always one or 2 in a match.
With a 2h'er, you see them pounding almost every return they can get their racket on. Fed usually gives a v weak slice back to the center of the court. He had about TWO winners on the return in the entire match -- all the others were weak, playing right into Murray.

By the way, I am not saying ALL 1H'ers get torn apart at higher levels, it is just MORE COMMON to attack the 1H'er then the 2H'er.

Well, they are doing that with Federer.

Even with Blake, i saw Tsonga give him a high slow ball on the backhand, and then slam a winner on the weak reply.

 

[tacotanium]

i do both. depends on how fast the ball comes at me.

 

[game set match 46 TIMES!!]

i use a slice 1 handed normal 2 handed backhand but sometimes i use the 1 handed for reaching.

 

[snvplayer]

Ideally, you want to stick with one to eliminate any confusion and master one stroke..

I have always had one hander. Even with a lot of practice, I never developed the shot, and I lack confidence. Call it mental or physical or whatever.
Even on a medium paced shot, I didn't have confidence come over, and usually sliced.

Recently, I began to tinker with two hander, which always felt pretty natural for me, but never fully practiced. After a couple of days, I was able to drive pretty well on medium paced shot with two hander. On a few shots, I still used one hander esp on real short balls when I didn't have time to set up the two hander.

I realized that if I used two combination, I could get aggressive with two hander on baseline, and still use one hander on other shots...I might miss a few shots here and there because I might get confused. But I might win more points b/c I can start to drive more shots from the baseline. And I can still hit my slice backhand from the baseline.

It's all relative and situational........