when I hit my backhand I start off with 2 hands for stability then after I've hit the ball I release my left hand (I'm right-handed) for more power like in a 1 handed backhand.
Note that the ball is fed both very close to the net and lower than net height. The value in the drill is that, to get the ball in the court using maximum swing speed, it imposes on the player correct topspin technique.
Dear ExpertTennis, your student is in reality hitting a lefty backhand. Notice how the left hand is situated below the right during contact. Also the footwork and loading is similar to a backhand also, as the stance is closed and the weight is moving in a linear way into the ball. If I were to keep the two hands on the forehand, and I would not, I would have my student cross his hands so the dominant one is on the bottom, making grip changes less severe.
Last, I would change the footwork to the open stance, with the weight starting on the "loaded" right foot and landing on the left foot. Or the "load, explode and land" technique. I do like the general idea of your drill however and will use it.
Hi Intracoast. Thank you for your informative comments, and your polite, courteous presentation of them. It wasn't my intention to begin a discussion on the technical aspects of the student's stroke; however, one relevant aspect of the grip being used, and it's impossible to see it on the video, is that only the front two fingers of the left hand are supporting the grip. Thank you once again.
As you may know, American Jan Michael Gambill(a former top 20 player)and Australian Michael Tebbutt(a lesser known, but former top 100 player) also used this technique with dominant hand on top. I see no advantage and always assumed that this was a remnant of childhood habits that could not be broken as the players matured. Thanks again for the drill.
2 is most conventional because more people can get it off quicker and more accuratly, more experienced players use 1 handed though, for more a low long drive shot. i use 2 handed. USE WHICH FEELS MOST COMFORTABLE
2handed backhand works best for beginners just starting. when you become better and are familiar with tennis 1 handed tennis will be more challenging but u'd look for pro :]
I pesonally pefer my 1 handed forehand but even some of the pros play 2 handed forehand. I think venus williams should play with a two handed forehand with her long arm and flexabillty she would be deadly :D
I see, a two handed forehand does offer more power and control, but because of its limited reach it, offers a great disadvantage for the player, such as when your opponent is hitting crosscourt shots
I don't know if two handed forehand is very effective....The second hand is more an obstacle to the move than it really enhance it, just look at is end's move, the drops the second hand, because his move is too short, and the position pretty uncumfortable. Someone can reply to me if they think it's better please? Wanna know...
You could say that hitting with two hands is for people who have either grown into the two handed return (Which, mind you, can generate some pace because of the freedom of angulation it provides.), or that the person is too weak to create good pace with a one handed return.
One of the students in our clinics has a two handed forehand...and she's 16 years old. She can hit a one hander, but learned hitting with two hands when she started.
well the two-handed forhand grip is mostly for kids because they cant hit one handed forhand properly at their age but i use 1 handed forehand im a kid
dang he swings really fast
ShawnIsSoAwesome 1 year ago
damn he swings really fast
ShawnIsSoAwesome 1 year ago
The two handed forehand... :s
salaheddine10 2 years ago
dutchboy
also fabrice santoro plays double handed forehand
ghbtklzi 3 years ago
when I hit my backhand far back I like two hands becusae of power but close up I like one hand
tennisguy70526 3 years ago
when I hit my backhand I start off with 2 hands for stability then after I've hit the ball I release my left hand (I'm right-handed) for more power like in a 1 handed backhand.
lulleeh1993 3 years ago
Me too.
stempinski89 2 years ago
I fail to see what's so special about this drill...
shortazngamer 4 years ago
Note that the ball is fed both very close to the net and lower than net height. The value in the drill is that, to get the ball in the court using maximum swing speed, it imposes on the player correct topspin technique.
ExpertTennis 4 years ago
Dear ExpertTennis, your student is in reality hitting a lefty backhand. Notice how the left hand is situated below the right during contact. Also the footwork and loading is similar to a backhand also, as the stance is closed and the weight is moving in a linear way into the ball. If I were to keep the two hands on the forehand, and I would not, I would have my student cross his hands so the dominant one is on the bottom, making grip changes less severe.
intracoast 3 years ago
Last, I would change the footwork to the open stance, with the weight starting on the "loaded" right foot and landing on the left foot. Or the "load, explode and land" technique. I do like the general idea of your drill however and will use it.
intracoast 3 years ago
Hi Intracoast. Thank you for your informative comments, and your polite, courteous presentation of them. It wasn't my intention to begin a discussion on the technical aspects of the student's stroke; however, one relevant aspect of the grip being used, and it's impossible to see it on the video, is that only the front two fingers of the left hand are supporting the grip. Thank you once again.
ExpertTennis 3 years ago
As you may know, American Jan Michael Gambill(a former top 20 player)and Australian Michael Tebbutt(a lesser known, but former top 100 player) also used this technique with dominant hand on top. I see no advantage and always assumed that this was a remnant of childhood habits that could not be broken as the players matured. Thanks again for the drill.
intracoast 3 years ago
y slow motion?
Staggger 4 years ago
what is the most normal 1 or 2 handed backhand or what is the best ??
doncirillo1 4 years ago
2 is most conventional because more people can get it off quicker and more accuratly, more experienced players use 1 handed though, for more a low long drive shot. i use 2 handed. USE WHICH FEELS MOST COMFORTABLE
WiZ111112 4 years ago 3
2handed backhand works best for beginners just starting. when you become better and are familiar with tennis 1 handed tennis will be more challenging but u'd look for pro :]
kingoffire1 3 years ago
Heh i had a natural 1 handed back, my coach told me to stop using it though ( i suspect its like my serve where it doesnt make for a good rally)
R3cruited 2 years ago
I pesonally pefer my 1 handed forehand but even some of the pros play 2 handed forehand. I think venus williams should play with a two handed forehand with her long arm and flexabillty she would be deadly :D
mattman1214 4 years ago
A 2 handed forehand looks/sounds interesting... but I can do basically the same with my one handed one... =\
flamingdesert 4 years ago
there's no need to be hitting it with thwo hands if the other player is where you are hitting it from is
jaredknight 4 years ago
I see, a two handed forehand does offer more power and control, but because of its limited reach it, offers a great disadvantage for the player, such as when your opponent is hitting crosscourt shots
PDFILE 4 years ago
more power? dont think so buddy. Best forehands in the world are 1 handed, not 2.
ilodejaneiro 4 years ago 2
Hi ilodejaneiro,
The drill develops a topspin forehand, irrespective of whether it's a two handed or one handed stroke.
The video is *not* an argument for a double handed forehand.
ExpertTennis 4 years ago
hmm the 2 handed forhand works for you but it seems too stiff. well it worked for marion bartolicuz she used it to reach wimbledon semis
reddy114 4 years ago
i believe there was a guy ranked #1 a long time ago with the two hand forehand but i forgot his name. should look it up~
heffychokotto 4 years ago
problem with two handed forehand is limited reach, which was the downfall of Monica Seles's game
rodsacap 4 years ago
2 handed forehand huh? very unorthodox!! but quite vicious nonetheless LOL
AznHylite 4 years ago
never seen that before but you seem to be good at it. Not sure if it help me or other people out much.
Sundinrox13 4 years ago
Unless if you have a long wingspan and flexible core and arms, then it will boost up your game a lot.
animeflip 4 years ago
I don't know if two handed forehand is very effective....The second hand is more an obstacle to the move than it really enhance it, just look at is end's move, the drops the second hand, because his move is too short, and the position pretty uncumfortable. Someone can reply to me if they think it's better please? Wanna know...
chocolove92 4 years ago
Hmmm good but is it just me or is there no sound in this vid? Interesting, though, I should try out a two handed forehand.
PoyoyoKirby 4 years ago
Doesnt a two-handed forehand feel compact?
aznedvin 4 years ago
i tried 2 do it but its hard good luck u seem pretty good just keep it up!!
azngangst3r2o6 4 years ago
You could say that hitting with two hands is for people who have either grown into the two handed return (Which, mind you, can generate some pace because of the freedom of angulation it provides.), or that the person is too weak to create good pace with a one handed return.
bareblar02 4 years ago
Double double allows more pace but less reach.
Runawaylumpia17 4 years ago
One of the students in our clinics has a two handed forehand...and she's 16 years old. She can hit a one hander, but learned hitting with two hands when she started.
bmw330ti 4 years ago
well the two-handed forhand grip is mostly for kids because they cant hit one handed forhand properly at their age but i use 1 handed forehand im a kid
ninjamaster851 5 years ago
Interesting.. I've only known one person to use a twohanded forehand.. and that's my Team Captain.. this kids pretty good though
RyanConfediro 5 years ago
yeah. I'm not sure why but I get a little tense when i see someone use a two-handed forehand..it freaks me out.
sweetxfarewell 5 years ago
i tried 2 handed forehand before
because i was bored lol
vietcheese 4 years ago