One-Handed vs Two-Handed Backhand

The one-hander is elegant. The two-hander wins. If you asked me on court what to do, the answer is almost always two-handed. But there are real cases where a one-handed backhand is the right choice, and there are real reasons some players never should have been steered into two hands. Here's the honest breakdown.

Quick answer

Learn a two-handed backhand if you are under 12, adult 3.0–3.5, primarily a baseline player, or struggle with high balls. Learn a one-handed backhand if you are tall (6'2"+), play a lot of doubles or serve-and-volley, love the slice, and don't mind spending an extra year on backhand development.

The case for two-handed

Stability. Your non-dominant hand controls the racquet face at contact. Even under pressure — a hard, deep ball at your body — a two-hander stays firm and the ball goes where you aim.

Power at any height. Contact points above shoulder height are much easier with two hands. A two-hander can handle a 6-foot bounce from a heavy topspin forehand; a one-hander at that height is usually a defensive slice.

Return of serve. The single biggest reason the pro tour is 90% two-handed: you can block back a 130mph serve with two hands. A one-hander returning big serves requires elite reactions.

Faster to learn. A recreational adult can build a passable two-handed backhand in 5–8 lessons. A one-hander at the same level takes 12–15 lessons and more solo repetition.

The case for one-handed

Slice. A one-handed slice is a completely different shot — lower, longer, more penetrating. Two-handers can slice but it's usually less effective.

Reach. A one-hander gets an extra 12–18 inches on a wide ball. In doubles, at the net, or chasing a slice down the line, that reach wins points.

Approach shots. Coming forward off a short ball is smoother with one hand because you're already in a sideways position, one-hand-through-the-ball, and moving to the net.

Aesthetic and enjoyment. Not a small thing. Players who love a one-hander practice more, and practice beats theoretical stroke choice every time.

Who I steer to which

After thirty years of coaching, here's my honest bias:

Switching from one hand to two

I do this in lessons regularly. It's a common move for adults who came up with a weak one-hander and want a real backhand.

The process:

1. Learn the two-handed grip (dominant hand at bottom, non-dominant hand above)
2. Rebuild the takeback — much shorter than a one-hander, both hands together
3. Rewire the contact point — closer to the body, less reach
4. Solo drop-feeds for 500 balls before hitting live

Expect 4–6 weeks of feeling like a beginner on that side. Every adult who commits to the switch tells me the same thing at week 6: why didn't I do this ten years ago?

Switching from two hands to one

Don't. In thirty years I've had exactly two students who successfully switched, and both were college-level players with unusual strength and timing.

The technique fundamentals — two-hander

• Grip: dominant hand continental, non-dominant hand semi-western on the forehand grip (essentially a lefty forehand grip for right-handers)
• Backswing: both hands take the racquet back together, elbows soft
• Contact: waist-high, out in front of the front hip
• Finish: over the front shoulder, racquet pointing at the back fence
• Weight: transfers into the front foot at contact

The technique fundamentals — one-hander

• Grip: eastern backhand (knuckle on top bevel) or slightly more extreme
• Takeback: unit turn — shoulders and racquet go back together, non-dominant hand supports the throat of the racquet
• Contact: further in front of the body than a two-hander, on the front leg
• Finish: full extension, racquet high, non-dominant hand behind you for balance
• Legs: front leg stable, back leg drives through — a one-hander that doesn't drive with the legs is always weak

The bottom line

Almost every adult should be hitting a two-handed backhand. It is easier to learn, more forgiving under pressure, and it is what the modern game rewards. The one-hander is beautiful and it has legitimate niche advantages — but if you have to ask, the answer is two hands.

If you're on the south side of Indianapolis and want a coach to look at your backhand and tell you honestly whether it's worth switching, that's what a private lesson is for.