Mana Games

[Togtdyalttai]

So, I've started using the 2-handed backhand more and it's starting to be a more viable option. However, the returns are more difficult than they should be: in real life, it's easier to return with a 2-handed backhand than a 1-hander. Therefore I think it would be good to make shots that are hit off the side of the racquet (either when it counts as a winner or as an error) go in on the return with a 2-handed backhand. If people agree with me, then Manu will probably change this. So let's hear what everyone thinks.

[bauer066]

I agree with tog 2 hander should be a more consistent shot.

[jesp8000]

I aggree with you guys. Years ago, I read from internet about a technical study about Tennis Strokes. According to study, the execution of this 2HBH is more fluid and natural than a 1HBH and a 1HFH. I think thats the reason why a 2HBH seems to have more control on the ball. But it is also true that the reach is the problem here because another half step is needed to position the body properly. Regarding the power, I believe that if properly positioned, the power is as good as a 1HBH or probably better, but this should have to be proven by pro's.

[CC]

I'm not disagreeing with any of what has been said about this (not agreeing either) as I haven't researched this topic any and am a tennis amateur, but I can make an observation. There are effects that can be produced with the one-handed backhand that are difficult to produce with two hands (such as the backhand slice), and higher strikes I think are more powerful with a one-handed backhand than with a two-handed backhand due to the difficulty of reaching high with the back hand and swinging around. I think that low strikes, close to the body (in reach of the back hand's optimum path for power and when the two-handed backhand may be hit such as it is more like a forehand strike with the back hand where the front hand is providing stability) may be hit more powerfully using two hands, but strikes outside of this range I think are hit more powerfully using one hand due to the greater arc, such that more power and speed are generated. A well-executed one-handed backhand (with whip-like execution, keeping the upper body from rotating, balancing the motion of the front hand with extension of the back hand, etc.) can be a very powerful strike when the ball is the ideal path of that strike (but if the body is positioned too closely to the ball, then the two-handed backhand would be more powerful).

[btaylor]

I doubt that any 2 hander on the tour can hit the backhand any harder than Stan Wawrinka, Llubicic, and Gasquet with their 1 handers when they really light into it...

You might also add to that list Justine Henin...

They also have exquisite control also...as well as more variety...

[Togtdyalttai]

I doubt that any 2 hander on the tour can hit the backhand any harder than Stan Wawrinka, Llubicic, and Gasquet with their 1 handers when they really light into it...

You might also add to that list Justine Henin...

The point isn't that you can hit it harder, but that you can control the ball better with the 2-hander. I saw that I can hit the ball at 144 kmh max with a 1-handed backhand and 30 topspin but only 141 with a 2-hander. That difference is about right to me. What needs to be changed, however, is the fact that it's more difficult to return with 2 hands. I would like to add to what I said before that it should not be possible to hit the ball long from preparing a stroke late with a 2-handed backhand.

[jesp8000]

The point isn't that you can hit it harder, but that you can control the ball better with the 2-hander. I saw that I can hit the ball at 144 kmh max with a 1-handed backhand and 30 topspin but only 141 with a 2-hander. That difference is about right to me. What needs to be changed, however, is the fact that it's more difficult to return with 2 hands. I would like to add to what I said before that it should not be possible to hit the ball long from preparing a stroke late with a 2-handed backhand.

That's also what I had said. The better control on the ball. Regarding the power, this has to be proven yet by pro's if possible. Maybe Tog's should give more information about that preparation for a 2hbh stroke that he is saying. It could only be me, but in real tennis, when I hit the ball too early (before the ball arrives at my hitting area) usually the ball is weak and short, but when I hit it quite late (the ball passes my hitting area), the ball most of the time go long or wide. It seems I loose control of the ball. As I said it is only be just me or maybe my execution is wrong. Other 2hbh player might have different effects.

[btaylor]

I real tennis, you pretty much get the same results (if you hit the ball too late or too early) irregardless of whether you use a 1H or 2H....

Tennis guru Oscar Wegner made an interesting study:

"On the men's side of the pro tour, including the last 80 weeks of former reigning #1 Ivan Lendl, which ended in August, 1990, and including Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Thomas Muster, Patrick Rafter, Pete Sampras, Gustavo Kuerten, and Roger Federer, these 1H backhand players had 688 weeks at #1 out of a total of 1,047 weeks...close to 66%..."

"Two-handed players, including Jim Courier, Marcelo Rios, Carlos Moya, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Marat Safin, Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Andy Roddick, spent 329 weeks at #1...about 34% of the time..." (the study was done a couple of years ago and so didn't include Rafael Nadal)

"On the Ladies side, after the reign of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, the 2-H was more prolific...with only Seffi Graf, Justine Henin, and Amelie Mauresmo as having been #1 with 1H backhands...
However, starting with Graf's record reign of 186 consecutive weeks, these 3 women were #1 for 533
out of 1,056 weeks, roughly 50% of the time..."

[Mr.Schmith]

and ofcourse u have my vote as u can see in this game i dont know if the people move as good as tog or anyother in the top but when i play it hits the raquet and jumps to the side in the air not hitting the field at all + it goes alot to the net and that shouldnt happen that often here. thats what should be removed or reduced abit it should had less reach than 1hbh but not as much as it has now. and the 2h-bh should have more consistency excuse my bad english and more power.

[kyuuji]

I agree with tog 2 hander should be a more consistent shot.

I agree

[jesp8000]

Guys, I found this article in internet. Its Titled Tennis Backhand: A Biomechanical Analysis.
Here is the link for the whole study. http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~evanthis/Tennis%20Study.htm

It shows that a 1hbh results in a greater ball velocity which is according to study is more efficient. But a 2hbh stroke has a more coordinated movement which allowed a greater stroking consistency, an often more preferable in tennis than the ball velocity of a 1hbh. This study supports what Tog is saying about the 2hbh. This topic doesnt imply which is better stroke but the effect on the ball of both strokes.

As a summary, here is the conclusion:
--------------------------
IV Conclusions

The two different tennis backhand strokes were proven to be more distinct than initially thought. Differences of the outcome and the movement organization were certainly evident in our study. The greater ball velocity and change in ball momentum that the one-handed tennis backhand generated was primarily a result of a greater force applied by the racket and a flatter racket hit with less topspin. Furthermore, the greater ball velocity/racket velocity ratio of the one-handed backhand suggests that the stroke was more efficient.

According to quantitative evidence in the kinematics and kinetics of the backhand strokes, the two-handed backhand was not as forceful as the one-handed backhand. However, the racket angular velocity analysis and the summation of forces data imply that it was a more coordinated movement. Consequently, the two-handed backhand must have allowed a greater stroking accuracy, which is often more preferable in tennis than ball velocity.

A good understanding of the mechanics of each backhand stroke is definitely valuable to anyone interested in tennis. The movement constraints however are also part biological, which explains why different individuals have different preferences. In deciding which one you should use, remember that one is not proved to be better than the other. Both maximal force output and maximal accuracy are necessary for a productive backhand stroke.