Righty's Extended Two-Hand Backhand (4-12-2011, Branham High School, San Jose CA, Shoot 2)

See noise-reduced version at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDsUDSIIT4k

Righty demonstrates his unique "extended" two-hand backhand. The left-hand with Modified Eastern Forehand grip is slid down to the bottom of the grip, and right-hand simply pinches the racket butt for stability. The stroke is really a left-hand forehand, with right-hand stabilization. With this technique, the player has greater leverage with longer arm extension, thereby hitting the ball further from the body. Further, the backswing can be extended further to the rear, and with a longer stroke through the "contact zone". The extended two-hand backhand is a more fluid stroke, with both arms participating with smooth and more graceful motion. For adults, the classic two-hand backhand tends to be more cramped in style and feel, more suitable for young kids who can muscle and whip the shot with their looseness. To increase topspin, the left-hand can hold the racket with a semi-western grip, rotating the palm 1/8 turn onto the angled flat. When on the run to the left, or for short balls near the net, simply drop the right-hand and hit a conventional left-hand forehand -- its the exact same swing you just learned! For most recreational tennis, there is as much time to switch from the right-hand forehand to the extended backhand grip -- as there is to rotate the racket for hitting a classic one-hand backhand. Of course, for tight situations, one could still hit their conventional one-hand backhand for the usual slice, flat, or topspin returns, and thereby keep your opponent off-balance.

See article at,
http://chong.zxq.net/misc/sports/Tennis_Extended_Two-Hand_Backhand.htm

And newer 4-27-2011 video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psrMZgmzSqg

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• semi-western
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[darrch]

BTW, I tend to use the E2HBH when I wish to blast the ball, or hit sharply angled cross-court. Just takes practice to lengthen stroke and thereby maximize racquet head speed for power. Otherwise, I prefer to use the classic one-hand BH for greater shot flexibility and variety. But the ETHBH is a truly unique backhand, which offers both power and a more fluid stroke for >40 crowd, requiring less body twist than standard 2HBH.

[darrch]

Yes, last year I picked up two new NXG's from a local shop for $80. Lots of stable flexible power, zero vibration, but not so quick at net for me. The heavy NXG's helped lengthen my strokes and service motion, so I recently tried using my 1993 Head Trisys 300's (super flexible, with damped handle). Lo and behold, the old Trisys 300's now have more power than I ever knew! These racquets go counter my older age group, which tends to prefer super light & stiff racquets and shorter strokes.

[darrch]

My extended two-hander is actually STRONGER than my one-hand forehand, even though my right arm muscle is definitely larger. Could be the stabilization gives better alignment to meet the ball square, versus the normal forehand stroke.

[darrch]

Possibly true for high-level competition. At my level, it works fine and no one can really hit through my stroke, which is essentially a one-hand left-hand forehand (which is getting stronger every week). If you can blow the racquet out of the hands of a player with a standard two-hand backhand, then perhaps they do not have a solid two-hander to begin with. Thanks for your comment!

[TheDmonet]

Is that a prince NXG? good stuff.

[robertslistening]

It's okay to practice with, but no good to play with. If you're playing a high calibre player with a grip like that they'll blow the racquet right out of your hand. I know because I can do it against players that use two hands properly. If you really want a better feel for the right hand use an extended length racquet, and keep the bottom hand right near the end of the grip or even having the little finger almost off.

Your idea helps fluidity, but it's not practical for competition.