Several players have this stroke as their most powerful weapon in the game of tennis. The good thing about this stroke is that you have the option to use the backhand slice in case the situation is too tight for you to use the two handed backhand.

Ready position

The ready position in the tennis two handed backhand is when you stand with your two feet pointing towards the net. Your two feet point towards the net and are spread from each other. The distance between the feet depends on how comfortable you are. Some players spread them wide enough but some players don’t.

Backhand Grip

Eastern Backhand / Eastern Forehand Grip

There are a range of acceptable grips for the two handed backhand in tennis, but there are a few common variation amongst the pros. The first is the eastern backhand grip in the dominant hand paired with a forehand grip for the non dominant hand. For this grip, the heel of the right palm is touching on the first bevel. The first bevel of the tennis racket means the top of the handle. While your right hand is already in position with the handle, the knuckle of your index finger should be touching the first bevel of the racket handle.

Then put your left finger on the racket handle. For the non dominant hand, you should assume an eastern or mild semi western grip. The very important thing to remember in backhand tennis stroke is to do it in such a way that your arms should be able to move flawlessly as you execute your shot.

Most common two handed backhand grip

The most common two handed backhand grip is characterized by an Eastern forehand position for the left hand a Continental grip for the right hand (right handed players). You have to see to it that your left hand has the stronger grip and exert stronger force. This is achieved because your left hand rests just below your racket head hence enabling it to be more dominant than the right hand. In addition, this type of grip will also allow you to hit a slice backhand or a drop shot in case you decide to play in the net or your opponent forces you to play in the net.

Players who use this backhand grip variation is Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters, and this typically results in both arms bent at the contact point.

Eastern Backhand/ Semi-Western Two-Handed Backhand Grip

This tennis grip is done by putting your left hand in a Semi-Western forehand grip while your right hand is in the Eastern backhand position. This is a common variation amongst men on the professional tour. This grip is ideal if you want to produce topspin in your backhand.

Frequently in this variation, the hitting arm structure will be different. The non dominant arm will usually be straight, while the hitting arm will be slightly bent. We see this backhand grip combination in players such as Rafael Nadal and even David Nalbandian.

In addition, this grip combination is the closest to a one handed backhand tennis stroke. The main disadvantage of this grip is that your contact point will be further out in front and you will need to hit the ball earlier compared to the other grips. This grip is also ideal for hitting high balls to the backhand, but can be more difficult if you are going to hit a low ball.

Initial Body Turn

The initial body turn for the tennis two handed backhand starts with your body still facing the net together with your feet. Once the split step is complete, your right foot should start to rise up on the heel preparing for movement.

Two Handed Backhand Backswing

The two handed backhand backswing should be fluid and compact. The backswing should be done by bringing your racket back by first turning your body sideways. The sideways turn should bring your body and feet facing to the side of the court. Typically, the initial turn is around 45 degrees to your left (right handed).

The top of the backswing is complete when you have reached the farthest point your racket head tip. In this instance, the racket is pointing perpendicular towards the back of the court. At the same time you reach the top of the backswing, you should be prepared to make a wide step forward with your body weight concentrated on the forward direction.

How wide your step will be depends on how comfortable you are. This position allows you to move sideways and allow your legs to push you in a forward and upwards motion as you execute your forward swing.

Forward swing

The forward swing in the tennis two handed backhand starts with the forward movement of the racket and its position should be more or less one under the ball. This position will result in a brushing of the racket face up to the bottom part of the ball (6.00 o’clock position) hence creating topspin. The forwards motion of the racket from the farthest point (during the backswing) produces the power for you to hit the ball with powerful force.

Before contact

Seconds or less than a second before the ball comes in contact with the racket face; the racket face should be at least eight inches under the ball. The racket head should be positioned lower than your hand, allowing you to get below the ball.

At the point of contact, your racket should be in a horizontal position. At this instance, your racket head should have dropped below the ball which will enable you to hit the ball with a brushing effect as you bring up you racket up to hit the ball. Again, this will create the topspin hit on the two handed backhand.

If your opponent‘s return is a high ball, the dropping of the racket head will usually be less pronounced than if the ball is low. If you drop the ball too low in this situation, hitting the ball long is possible, resulting to your miss and a point to your opponent.

After contact and follow-through

Right after ball contact, after the ball just left the racket face, you have to maintain the slight bend in the knees. Then, at the farthest forward point of your racket head, the distance between this point and the farthest backswing point should be 7 feet. The racket should have risen 3 feet from the lowest point of the swing (when the racket has to drop before the contact).

In a two handed backhand in tennis, the more you loosen your arms as you swing the racket, the more potential you have to create a fluid and efficient swing. The racket should end up over your left shoulder in the follow through.

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The post Two handed backhand – Advanced Tennis Backhand Technique appeared first on Tennis Instruction.

Years ago, almost no one gripped the racquet with two hands when turning to the backhand side; today, very few players hold their racquet with just one hand when they execute the backhand. In fact, the evolution of the backhand has been one of the biggest changes to occur in tennis over the past 30+ years.

Many players have adopted the double handed backhand because when they first started playing the game at a young age, they were too weak to hit the ball effectively with just one arm on the backhand side. Others use two hands because they were taught that stroke from day one as they learned the game. Still others are somewhat ambidextrous and it feels fairly natural to use both hands on the backhand side.

Whatever the reason, there are pros and cons to using the double handed backhand:

Pros of the Double Handed Backhand

Two hands on the racquet ensure greater control on the shot because it is far easier to generate topspin on the ball, giving better accuracy.

Many high balls are hit more easily with a double handed backhand.

More power is generated on the stroke, to the point that it might even surpass the forehand for speed.

The double handed backhand can be hit with a more open stance, reducing the amount of footwork needed to get into position to hit the backhand.

Cons of the Double Handed Backhand

The reach of a double handed backhand is significantly less than the one-handed backhand.

Low balls are a problem for the double handed backhand as well. Those that are struck are not hit with much pace.

After hitting a double handed backhand, it can be more difficult to advance to the net because the shot yields much less forward momentum than the single-handed backhand. The player with the double handed backhand also will be tempted to use both hands on volleys at the net, which should be avoided.

All in all, like many strokes in tennis, the individual player will need to decide what feels most comfortable. If one has learned the one handed backhand and becomes dissatisfied with it, the switch to double handed backhand is not too difficult. To change from double handed to one handed backhand, however, will take much practice.

As you watch professionals play at the highest level, you will marvel at the wizardry of Roger Federer’s one handed backhand, but you also can’t help but be awed by the power of the Williams sisters’ double handed backhand, a lethal shot that can score points from anywhere on the court. double handed backhands usually have more power than their single-handed cousins.

Fundamentals of Double Handed Backhand Technique

Let’s discuss the technique of the double handed backhand, which can be broken down into four movements:

Pivot and Shoulder Turn—

To first get into position to hit a double handed backhand, pivot with your outside foot and transfer your weight to that foot. Simultaneously, turn your shoulders sideways, which will cause your racquet to come back. Your arms should not get involved in bringing the racquet back just yet. Thus, the first three words that should enter your mind as you practice this movement are “Pivot and turn.”

Take the Racquet Back—

After pivoting and turning your shoulders, use both arms and a continued shoulder turn to position the racquet behind you. At the end of this step, the racquet should be completely behind you in a full backswing, ready to power forward and meet the ball. You should be looking at the ball over your front shoulder at this point as your body is moved at least sideways to the net, possibly more.

You are cocked and ready to fire now. One mistake that players often make at this point is not taking the racquet completely back, past a point parallel to the baseline. Many players think that with two hands on the job, they can rely on that added power to effectively execute the shot, sacrificing good technique in the process. Be sure that you do not stop with the shoulder turn; use your arms to complete your racquet preparation and get it back at least 45 degrees past the baseline.

Swing Forward-

Three elements comprise this step: 1) push off your outside foot; 2) rotate your body toward the net; 3) drop the racquet down and swing forward. These three movements should all occur at about the same time. Don’t neglect to rotate your body, it will add much-needed power to your shot.

On the double handed backhand, you can often sense the “unscrewing” of your body as you strike the ball much more profoundly than on the forehand. That is because both hands and arms are reared back. As you come out of the cocked position you will feel the rotation more precisely than on the forehand.

If you don’t feel any uncoiling, then you have not rotated enough and your shot will be weak because you have not created enough torque. Your contact point should be about waist high, slightly in front of your body. If you are making contact behind your body, you are late!

Follow Through—

Here we have by far the most neglected part of the double handed backhand stroke. Even players that follow through beautifully on their forehands often neglect to do the same after hitting a double handed backhand. Perhaps it is because both hands are on the racquet for a long time and the follow through feels a bit stiff and awkward.

Whatever the reason, do not fail to follow through on your double handed backhand! Bend your elbows and allow the racquet to finish over your front shoulder in a relaxed motion. The follow through is often not done because, again, perhaps the player thinks logically that with two hands powering the stroke, good form is not as necessary to ensure a well-struck ball full of pace. This is not the case, however.

A sound follow through will ensure that maximum power has been delivered to the ball and you are now ready to move as needed for the next shot. At the end of your follow through, your body should be facing the net and your feet ready to move.

Developing Sound Double Handed Backhand Technique

 

These four elements of double handed backhand technique might sound simple enough, but many club players do not execute all of them with each stroke. They then wonder why their backhand is never as strong as their forehand. It is no mystery!

With the advent of the double handed backhand, players often use their hands and wrists more than their torsos to generate power. They think “Two is greater than one, so I must be generating far more power than with a one-handed stroke.” Yes and No.

Yes, two is in fact greater than one, but if racquet preparation is sacrificed, the body does not turn back, then forward and no follow through is generated. In other words, two might actually become less than one.

Importance of Double Handed Backhand Technique

Just because you are using two hands on your backhand, do not think for an instant that you can neglect sound technique, namely the ready position with racquet back and torso turned, and the follow through, with racquet over the shoulder and body unscrewed towards the net. Excellent technique plus two equals tremendous power, in most cases greater than one.

Although Roger Federer and Justine Henin might disagree, two hands are often better than one on the backhand. They can turn a “weak” side into a strength as the ball is consistently clubbed with force and your opponent begins to realize that picking on your backhand side was a grave error.

Pivot and turn, take your racquet back, swing forward and follow through to victory. The double handed backhand might become your weapon of choice on the court.

Learn to Hit a Forehand Like Roger Federer

If you want to jumpstart your forehand and play like the PROS, check out my 70+ page Tennis Ebook that will immediately show you how you can take your forehand to the next level.

The Modern Forehand Domination Ebook is guaranteed to improve your tennis technique, and increase power, topspin and accuracy of your tennis forehand!

Modern Tennis Forehand Ebook
Learn How to Hit a Forehand Like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

The post Double Handed Backhand Technique and Tactics appeared first on Tennis Instruction.