For most players, a two-handed backhand may be a better choice than a one-hander because the second hand provides more control and power. Depending on how you hit a two-handed backhand, it can become a powerful weapon, rather than a weak, defensive stroke. Understanding the differences between a one-handed and two-handed backhand will help you make the best choice for your game.
Muscles Used
When you hit a forehand, you use the muscles toward the front of your torso and arm, including the powerful biceps, pectorals and deltoids. When you hit a one-handed backhand, you use more lats, triceps and anterior shoulder muscles, which are located on the back side of your torso and arm.
Left-Hand vs. Right-Hand Dominant
If you are a right-handed player and hit your backhand using your left hand to balance the racket and the right hand to move the racket, you use many of the same muscles as you do when you hit a one-handed backhand. If you use the right hand to balance the racket and left hand to swing, or push, the racket, you create a stroke more like the powerful forehand, which uses your larger muscles. A left-hand dominant, two-handed backhand creates a more powerful shot than a one-handed backhand, and is the style most professional players use.
High Balls
When you use a one-handed backhand, you will have to play high-bouncing balls with a slice shot, since it's difficult to create a forward and outward-moving swing with one hand. If you have a left-hand dominant backhand, you can punish balls that bounce around your shoulders, since you are using stronger muscles to push the racket forward.
Short Balls and Slice
A one-handed backhand is more effective for playing short, low balls, since you can get your racket farther forward than you can with a two-handed backhand. The main way to address this problem if you are a two-hander is to take an extra step or two forward so you can play through the short ball. This may require you to continue to the net, where you may be less comfortable. You hit slices better with a one-handed backhand since your follow-through is not restricted by your trailing hand.
Stance and Trunk Rotation
A proper one-handed backhand forces you to turn your shoulders more and get sideways to the net. This is an advantage if you want to move forward to the net. A two-handed backhand requires a more open stance, which is not a problem if you plan on staying on the baseline. Lack of upper-body rotation during one-handed backhands is a key reason recreational players hit weak backhands and develop tennis elbow. A two-handed backhand helps compensate for lack of trunk rotation.
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