Many Gasparilla Island-area players have questions concerning the two-hand backhand. They ask about grips, stance, power and topspin.
Let's answer them all based on the player being right-handed.
Different variations of grips are acceptable but both hands in the Eastern grip are preferable. Form the vee in the hand between the thumb and index finger at 12 o'clock, or down the center of the top of the racquet. If you have problems keeping the ball in the court try moving your left hand slightly to the Western grip, which will slightly close the face of the racquet and produce desired topspin.
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To use a two-hand backhand, first form the vee in the hand between the thumb and index finger at 12 o’clock, or down the center of the top of the racquet.
While I teach the open and closed stance, the closed stance is preferred for the two-hand backhand. It is more natural due because the upper body rotates sideways by itself, which lets the hips and legs follow comfortably. It is also easier to disguise your shots and generate more power by transferring body weight into the shot. However, if pulled wide, the open stance is preferred for a faster recovery time back to the center of the court.
We can incorporate power and topspin in the same discussion.
A two-hand backhand has all the characteristics of the left-hand topspin forehand. The left wrist and hand generate the power in the shot. You want to snap the left hand, using your wrist, up the backside of the ball. When the right hand is primarily striking the ball it is difficult to put any topspin on the ball because the shot becomes a push and the follow through is incomplete. Power and spin are generated by the left hand as the power hand.
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Bill Longua has been the tennis director/head pro at Palm Island Resort, Cape Haze, since 2007 and is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association with more than 35 years teaching experience. For more tennis tips and his book "Winning Tennis Strokes" go to onlinetennistraining.com or e-mail questions to bill@onlinetennistraining.com.
Those asking if they can change from a one- to a two-hand backhand, the answer is yes. However, the longer you have been playing with a single-hand backhand the harder it will be to change.
The left hand is the power hand so the muscle memory of the right hand wanting to hit the ball will be much tougher to break the longer you have played with the one. If you are new at the game, the change will be relatively easy.
Good luck and have fun!
Bill Longua has been the tennis director/head pro at Palm Island Resort, Cape Haze, since 2007 and is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association with more than 35 years teaching experience. For more tennis tips and his book "Winning Tennis Strokes" go to onlinetennistraining.com or e-mail questions to bill@onlinetennistraining.com.
