[Dougie]

Originally Posted by leng jai

The single handed backhand is an extremely tough shot to learn when you're just starting unless you have a strong wrist. It's no wonder a lot of juniors give up on it and most coaches don't even try.

All true, it´s very rare to see a junior player with a single handed backhand these days. I switched from a two-handed shot to a single handed backhand when I was 14 years old, my coach encouraged me to switch, since I had terrible trouble with weight transfer and rhythm when hitting with two hands. My coach said he´d seen similar issues with a lot of players, and thought it would be better to switch while you still can, rather than keep struggling. Anyway, the switch worked for me, I´ve been hitting a single handed shot ever since, and I love it. Obviously, when you´re 14, you already have some required strengh so you´re able to hit with one hand, but it´s really difficult when you´re starting out. It´s still a shame to see so few of them nowadays.

[Caesar1844]

It doesn't really pay to play with a one-hander in the modern game. The advantages that come with the two-hander in terms of ability to deal with high bouncing topspin and solidity on return are massive, the second being perhaps the most important factor of all. Quicker preparation helps too. At the same time, several of the traditional advantages of the one-hander are a lot less useful than they used to be. Better striking of low-bouncing balls and better transition to the net are of limited value to modern players.

Why spend more time to develop a harder stroke that is realistically probably going to benefit you less than the alternative?

That said, I love the one-hander. Being ambidextrous my coach always wanted me to play a two-hander, but since my idols were Edberg and Cash there was no way he was ever going to convince me. Growing up in the early 90s, the 2HBH was still a shot for girls.

[leng jai]

Originally Posted by Dougie

All true, it´s very rare to see a junior player with a single handed backhand these days. I switched from a two-handed shot to a single handed backhand when I was 14 years old, my coach encouraged me to switch, since I had terrible trouble with weight transfer and rhythm when hitting with two hands. My coach said he´d seen similar issues with a lot of players, and thought it would be better to switch while you still can, rather than keep struggling. Anyway, the switch worked for me, I´ve been hitting a single handed shot ever since, and I love it. Obviously, when you´re 14, you already have some required strengh so you´re able to hit with one hand, but it´s really difficult when you´re starting out. It´s still a shame to see so few of them nowadays.

I didn't even have a coach so it was even harder for me when I started when I was 12. Pretty much taught myself watching tapes of Kuerten/Corretja/Haas and even then I pretty much only had a slice backhand. I'm 24 now and play regularly but everytime I have an extended break from the sport it takes me a few weeks to get my backhand to a consistent level. High balls are still a nightmare and that will never be fixed unless I grow 8 inches.

[Dougie]

Originally Posted by leng jai

I didn't even have a coach so it was even harder for me when I started when I was 12. Pretty much taught myself watching tapes of Kuerten/Corretja/Haas and even then I pretty much only had a slice backhand. I'm 24 now and play regularly but everytime I have an extended break from the sport it takes me a few weeks to get my backhand to a consistent level. High balls are still a nightmare and that will never be fixed unless I grow 8 inches.

I have the same problem, and I don´t think it´ll ever get fixed. Every time I hit my backhand shoulder height, I end up hitting it short. I can´t even imagine what it must be like to try hitting it against someone like Nadal´s high topspin forehand...

[Filo V.]

One handed BH's are good on grass because you have more variety and racquet head speed with the shot, and the ability to hit low shots and still get the ball on the sweet spot of the racquet.

[buzz]

Originally Posted by Dougie

I have the same problem, and I don´t think it´ll ever get fixed. Every time I hit my backhand shoulder height, I end up hitting it short. I can´t even imagine what it must be like to try hitting it against someone like Nadal´s high topspin forehand...

I just slice when I get a ball at shoulderheight.

[Burrow]

Originally Posted by Filo V.

One handed BH's are good on grass because you have more variety and racquet head speed with the shot, and the ability to hit low shots and still get the ball on the sweet spot of the racquet.

You're good at memorising statistics, players and the like of the ATP tour but as for your understanding of the technical side of the game and biomechanics and what not...

How do you have more variety? Because single handed players sometimes have better slices?

And you don't automatically get more racket head speed with a single handed backhand, you can however achieve further extension on the follow through to maximise power.

And the ability to use your non-dominant hand in low shots is actually very important in hitting low balls because it enables you to create further whip of the wrist to allow for more top spin, which is crucial on low balls. This allows you to balance out the power through both both arms where as if you're a one handed player, you have to create the whip and power with a single arm which is extremely strenuous on your wrist and rotator cuff. Easier control is far more achievable with a double handed backhand in today's gruelling game, when you may have to hit 5 or more backhands in every third rally in a best of 5 set match. It takes its toll.

And I don't know where to even begin with the sweet spot part, since when did using two hands disable you from achieving a central contact?

[Dougie]

Originally Posted by buzz

I just slice when I get a ball at shoulderheight.

I do that too, when the opponent´s shot has enough pace I like to slice it back, but when its just a high ball with not much pace, it´s difficult slice it, since slice bh ( at least mine) doesn´t really generate that much pace on it´s own, but relies more on the pace generated by the opponent´s shot. That´s when I need to hit it with topspin, and that´s when the trouble starts...

[leng jai]

Originally Posted by Dougie

I do that too, when the opponent´s shot has enough pace I like to slice it back, but when its just a high ball with not much pace, it´s difficult slice it, since slice bh ( at least mine) doesn´t really generate that much pace on it´s own, but relies more on the pace generated by the opponent´s shot. That´s when I need to hit it with topspin, and that´s when the trouble starts...

High ball with no pace = run around and hit a forehand.

[cocrcici]

boring...

[Dougie]

Originally Posted by leng jai

High ball with no pace = run around and hit a forehand.

Not with my speed, I´d have a hard time getting back to position!

[tripwires]

Originally Posted by cocrcici

boring...

Buzz off.

[leng jai]

Originally Posted by Dougie

Not with my speed, I´d have a hard time getting back to position!

Are you nimble enough to take a few steps back and wait for the ball to drop to waist height then?

[zdravkelja]

Tennis won this week

[Johnny Groove]

I had a 2 handed backhand for many years and only switched to a 1 hander last year. My, what an improvement! Number 1 is mentally. Before, with my 2 hander, whenever I had to hit a backhand, it was like: "Dammit, another BH, can't run around this one." Now, with the 1 hander, it is: "Yes, I get to hit a backhand now!"

A 1 hander is just more fun to play with On return, it can be a bit of an issue, until you get the timing with it. After that, I think its actually EASIER to return with 1 hand than 2. Plus the slice comes more naturally with a 1 hander.

As for the high balls, you just gotta be quick, and take it on the rise. In cases where that is impossible, the jumping one handed backhand must come into play. Actually, I try to get enough force from my legs into the shot that I naturally leave the ground at least a few inches, both FH and BH. So nearly every shot, I am exploding off the ground.

Overall, 1 handed backhand is the shit.