WOW One handed backhand.

[johndagolfer]

Today was hitting around and developed a blister on my left hand, I am right handed. Because I wanted to keep playing I switched to a one handed backhand. All I have to say is WOW. If you have seen my posts you know I have been having problems with my two hander since coming back to the game a couple of weeks ago. Right now, I don't know if I am going to go back. My one hander was hitting deeper into the court with more spin and with more accuracy. The only thing that is making me skeptical is that I got really tired after one set(My partner says I should go back since I bageled him). I am defintely am going to have to work on my shoulders and tricepts if I am going to keep this one hander.

What do you guys think? Should someone who has played 2 handed his whole life, but all of a sudden hits a one hander amazingly better switch?

Thanks,

John

BTW any suggestions on what I should do(exercises-wise) if I do switch?

 

[dmastous]

This may illustrate what was wrong with your two-hander in the first place. In order to hit a one-handed backhand you should keep your back shoulder back. Think about point to the back fence with the off hand while hitting the ball. With a two-handed shot the shoulders need to rotate through the ball like a forehand.
I'm not saying you should switch to a one-hander, or stay with the two-hander. But, it's worth a shot in looking at what your shoulders are doing while hitting the two-hander (coming from a one-handed player, I don't have much more insight on the two-hander than that).
As for excercises to improve a one-handed backhand, you should strenghten the shoulders as well as the arms. The shoulders should be what generates the power. For the forearms and wrist try hangning a small weight from a rope to a 2 or 3 foot stick. Rotate the stick pulling the weight up, then rotate it the opposite way to let the weight down. You should feel a burn in the forearm after a couple rotations (or even one). If you don't increase the weight.

 

[johndagolfer]

I think this may be true. But I've really been trying to rotate my shoulders more. My main problem with that is that my ankles are really bad(from the joint damage from gout) and twisting them causes me sharp pain sometimes.

Thanks for all the info.


John

 

[Rickson]

Today was hitting around and developed a blister on my left hand, I am right handed. Because I wanted to keep playing I switched to a one handed backhand. All I have to say is WOW. If you have seen my posts you know I have been having problems with my two hander since coming back to the game a couple of weeks ago. Right now, I don't know if I am going to go back. My one hander was hitting deeper into the court with more spin and with more accuracy. The only thing that is making me skeptical is that I got really tired after one set(My partner says I should go back since I bageled him). I am defintely am going to have to work on my shoulders and tricepts if I am going to keep this one hander.

What do you guys think? Should someone who has played 2 handed his whole life, but all of a sudden hits a one hander amazingly better switch?

Thanks,

John

BTW any suggestions on what I should do(exercises-wise) if I do switch?

I switched while horsing around with a beginner. I knew I could beat him with a backhand I was unfamiliar with, but it felt surprisingly natural. I haven't looked back since and neither should you. Make the switch and play one handed to your heart's content.

 

[Final_Match_Point]

I started out as a one hander, and i like it alot. Ive tried a 2hand- but it felt akward. With a one hand backhand, its very easy to impart underspin on the ball, with a 2 hander, i just cant get the consitancy i can with a 1 hand. I especaially like a one handed backspin drive. (High start-shoulder, Go down at about a 50 degree angle, hit follow through and finish up.) I find that this shot works great, i think because with teh backspin the ball hops up right before the net.

 

[Pomeranian]

Today was hitting around and developed a blister on my left hand, I am right handed. Because I wanted to keep playing I switched to a one handed backhand. All I have to say is WOW. If you have seen my posts you know I have been having problems with my two hander since coming back to the game a couple of weeks ago. Right now, I don't know if I am going to go back. My one hander was hitting deeper into the court with more spin and with more accuracy. The only thing that is making me skeptical is that I got really tired after one set(My partner says I should go back since I bageled him). I am defintely am going to have to work on my shoulders and tricepts if I am going to keep this one hander.

What do you guys think? Should someone who has played 2 handed his whole life, but all of a sudden hits a one hander amazingly better switch?

Thanks,

John

BTW any suggestions on what I should do(exercises-wise) if I do switch?

Depends, like somone else suggested, maybe you're just doing something on the 1 hander you aren't with your two. But I would say as long as you use good, correct technique, I would switch to a 1 hander. Sensible since you get much better results. Maybe you were just wired to hit a 1 hander, . Join the club.

Before you switch... I must warn you there are disadvantages. I find the return of serve the biggest, high balls are difficult, and the timing has to be percise. The two hander is much more forgiving in those aspects. But like anything, with practice, you can overcome those obstacles. Ask a pro how your technique is comparing the two backhands. If your one hander has some bad habits, in the time it takes to unlearn those habits you might have had a much better 2 hander. Weigh out the advantges/disadvantages. Some people are meant to switch, some are not.

 

[Final_Match_Point]

well I agree with serve returns, but dont find it a big deal for high balls. I play on clay- I just change grips and slant the racquet face

 

[Ripper]

well I agree with serve returns, but dont find it a big deal for high balls. I play on clay- I just change grips and slant the racquet face

You could always use a combination; 2hbh for return of serve and 1hbh for everything else. Having said that, I don't see what the problem is in using a 1hbh for return of serve. Once you have it dialed in, you get advantages on using the 1hbh on the return of serve, too.

 

[freelans]

You could always use a combination; 2hbh for return of serve and 1hbh for everything else. Having said that, I don't see what the problem is in using a 1hbh for return of serve. Once you have it dialed in, you get advantages on using the 1hbh on the return of serve, too.

I prefer to slice the returns and high balls. The disadvantage is that I find it easier to slice everything so my backhand drives tend to get neglected. Not a good thing.

 

[JediMindTrick]

I don't understand what the problem is with 1HBH return of serve.

 

[JakeJr]

I prefer to slice the returns and high balls. The disadvantage is that I find it easier to slice everything so my backhand drives tend to get neglected. Not a good thing.

I do exactly the same thing; slice the backhand returns and high ground strokes hit to the backhand side. Only when the ball is waist high or lower can I flatten out the backhand ground stoke.

My ROS backhand slice often lands right on or very near the baseline but pops straight up giving my opponent a pretty easy shot at it. I wish I could slice it much lower so it wouldn't sit up to be killed.

I can't figure out how to do that though.

Jake

 

[jackson vile]

Today was hitting around and developed a blister on my left hand, I am right handed. Because I wanted to keep playing I switched to a one handed backhand. All I have to say is WOW. If you have seen my posts you know I have been having problems with my two hander since coming back to the game a couple of weeks ago. Right now, I don't know if I am going to go back. My one hander was hitting deeper into the court with more spin and with more accuracy. The only thing that is making me skeptical is that I got really tired after one set(My partner says I should go back since I bageled him). I am defintely am going to have to work on my shoulders and tricepts if I am going to keep this one hander.

What do you guys think? Should someone who has played 2 handed his whole life, but all of a sudden hits a one hander amazingly better switch?

Thanks,

John

BTW any suggestions on what I should do(exercises-wise) if I do switch?

Welcome to the club, there is nothing better and when done right it is the least amount of work, but watch the high balls.

I dont' know how people put up with 2hbh, but then again look at Marat