The Grip
Using the correct grip for a double handed backhand in tennis is key for mastering this stroke. To begin, place your dominant hand near the bottom of the racket handle, ensuring that the base knuckle of your index finger aligns with bevel 2 (continental grip). This hand will be responsible for controlling the shot and generating ‘some’ power. Now position your non dominant hand with its base knuckle on bevel 8. The majority of power comes from this hand.
You should not have any distance between your hands, at the same time, you should not have your hands overlapping. Instead, you should have them just touching; this is so both hands can work together closely on the handle, allowing for a coordinated and controlled motion.
Despite this being the conventional grip for the double hander, experiment with this. Use a grip that feels comfortable and allows flexibility in your wrist and forearm, allowing a relaxed hold for both control and racquet head speed. Regular practice and attention to grip mechanics will ultimately refine and enhance your double handed backhand technique on the tennis court.
Take Back Position
The take back phase in the execution of a double handed backhand in tennis is a very important moment that shapes the quality of this shot. It begins with a smooth backward movement of the racquet head, guided by the non dominant hand, and is essential for good racquet preparation.
During the take back, it is crucial to maintain the coiled position established in the unit turn, storing energy and momentum for an effective and explosive release into the shot. Meanwhile, align the racquet head with the non dominant shoulder to create a compact and efficient swing path, reducing the chance of unnecessary motion.
Initiate this turn whilst keeping a relaxed grip on both hands. This allows for greater wrist flexibility, making for a smooth transition from the backswing to the forward swing. Consistency in take back height contributes to a predictable and repeatable stroke, while adjustments based on the ball’s trajectory and pace are essential for shot adaptation. For higher bouncing balls, players tend to lift the racquet higher during the take back for a more controlled downward swing. Conversely, with lower bouncing balls, the racquet is kept lower, ensuring a cleaner and direct strike.
Also, coordinating the take back with footwork ensures a well timed movement that synchronises with steps towards the ball.
Use of the Top Hand (Important!)
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The top hand, or non dominant hand is crucial on the doubled handed backhand. Its primary function is to guide the racquet throughout the swing, influencing the angle and positioning of the racquet head during the take back and swing phases.
Additionally, the top hand contributes significantly to generating topspin by imparting a brushing motion on the ball during contact, facilitating ball control and clearance over the net. Its involvement enables players to vary their shots effectively, offering versatility in the stroke.
Crucially, the top hand helps balance power and control, preventing the shot from becoming overly reliant on sheer force. As it absorbs a substantial portion of the impact force during contact, the top hand contributes to stabilising the racquet and ensuring a smoother follow through, reducing the risk of mishits.
Consistency in utilising the top hand is paramount for developing a reliable double handed backhand, as it influences shot accuracy, spin generation, and overall shot variety, making it an key element in mastering this particular stroke.
How to Generate power and Racquet Head Speed
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A common mistake many recreational players make on the double handed backhand involves limited movement by keeping the racquet and elbows too close to the body. To enhance acceleration, consciously allow freedom of movement. To do so, during the backswing, ensure that your racquet is held away from the body, allowing for an extended range of motion. This wider swing path not only enables more racquet head speed but also allows a seamless transition into the forward swing, thereby adding momentum and power to your shot.
There are also a few other things players can do to generate more pace on the backhand. Aim to leverage the lower body by incorporating a dynamic leg drive into the stroke, initiating power from the ground up. Coordinated rotation of the hips and shoulders during the unit turn and take back is also key, creating a coiled position that stores and releases energy explosively into the shot. Pay close attention to timing and sequencing, ensuring that the uncoiling of the body precedes the forward swing for an efficient transfer of energy.
Maintaining a loose grip on the racquet is essential to facilitate a quick and fluid motion, while emphasising a whip like motion with the wrist and forearm during the forward swing contributes to increased racquet head speed.
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Execute a purposeful and extended follow through to promote a smoother release of energy. Proper weight transfer from the back foot to the front foot enhances the transfer of energy and adds momentum to the stroke. Try to apply ‘heel to toe’. This means anchoring your heel with your lead foot, regardless of whether you adopt an open, neutral, or closed stance. As you swing through the ball, ensure to pivot on the balls of your feet and toes, effectively distributing your weight through the shot for maximum power.
Additionally, incorporating fitness and strength training into your routine helps build the necessary physical capabilities for a more potent double handed backhand. Consistent, mindful practice focusing on these elements will contribute to refining your technique and unlocking greater power and racquet head speed on your two hander.
Knee Rotation for Even More Power
To elevate the power of your double handed backhand, prioritise hip and shoulder rotation. Pay special attention to your knee movement in the backswing, deliberately turning your front knee approximately 90 degrees as you transition from the backswing to the forward swing. This deliberate rotation of the knee allows for dynamic engagement of your hips and shoulders, creating a coiled position that magnifies the force generated during the forward swing. Mastering this foundational movement is pivotal, significantly enhancing the overall effectiveness of your double handed backhand.
Sync Take Back with Shoulder Lean
Achieving a well weighted double handed backhand involves synchronising the racquet’s take back with the positioning of your lead shoulder. Imagine pressing your lead shoulder against an imaginary wall during the backswing. This action not only syncs the elements of your stroke but also adds substantial force to your shot. The shoulder lean contributes to shot weight, allowing effective ball control and the option to impart more spin.
Incorporating these tips into your training requires patience and focused practice. Break down your sessions to address each aspect individually, gradually combining them into a seamless motion. Consistent implementation, coupled with self analysis or coach feedback, will transform your double handed backhand. Turn these refinements into second nature on the court, and soon your backhand will become a consistent weapon against opponents.
The Finish
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The follow through for the double handed backhand is a key part of the shot that determines a lot of the success you will have with this stroke. A proper follow through involves extending both arms fully after making contact with the ball. Both hands should continue their forward motion, reaching toward the intended target. Simultaneously, the racket head should finish high, ideally above the non dominant shoulder. This elevated finish signifies a complete rotation of the torso and contributes to a smooth release of energy.
Throughout the follow through, the shoulders and hips should maintain a natural and continuous rotation. This transfer of energy from the backswing through the point of contact and into the finish is essential for maximising power and also maintaining balance.
In addition to the physical elements, the grip on the racket should remain relaxed during the follow through. This prevents unnecessary tension in the arms and promotes a more fluid and natural swing motion. Consistency in the follow through is key across various shots, irrespective of whether you’re hitting a flat drive, topspin shot, or even a slice. While the basic principles remain constant, slight adjustments can be made based on shot selection to enhance versatility.
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As mentioned, a smooth transition from the point of contact to the completion of the follow through is imperative. Players should avoid abrupt stops or jerky movements, allowing the energy generated during the stroke to fade naturally. Regular practice and intentional focus on the follow through contribute to the development of muscle memory, ensuring that the desired mechanics become ingrained in your double-handed backhand technique.
Key Advantages of the double handed backhand
The double-handed backhand in tennis provides a range of advantages tailored to contemporary gameplay and the dynamics of tennis. This technique, utilising both hands on the racquet, forms a foundation for a versatile approach to shot execution and court movement.
Here are a few advantages of the double handed backhand and why many choose this over the single hander…
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- One primary advantage is the enhanced stability and control it offers during shot execution. The dual handed grip provides a solid foundation, enabling players to maintain balance and control, especially against challenging shots like high balls and those targeting unconventional hitting zones.
- Contrary to the belief that the single handed backhand generates more topspin, many double handers disagree. The double handed backhand allows players to generate enormous amounts of topspin, a crucial element in modern tennis. Engaging both hands allows players to impart heightened topspin on the ball, crucial for consistently clearing the net and inducing a sharper dip in the ball’s trajectory, which is ideal for baseline players.
- Additionally, the dual handed grip contributes to superior ball handling, especially with high bouncing balls. The second hand on the racquet provides additional support and control, empowering players to manage shots with diverse trajectories more effectively. Particularly those above shoulder height.
- Beyond shot execution, the double-handed backhand proves to be an asset in facilitating efficient lateral movement across the tennis court. The coordination of both hands enables players to navigate the court with agility and balance, advantageous for covering various shots, transitioning between defensive and offensive positions, and maintaining good court positioning throughout a match.
- In essence, the many advantages of the double handed backhand align with evolving strategies in modern tennis. This technique offers players a strategic choice that enhances stability, topspin generation, ball handling, and overall court mobility, contributing to a well rounded and adaptable approach to the game.
- Notably, the success of prominent players using a double-handed backhand, such as Novak Djokovic, Simona Halep, and Naomi Osaka, has influenced others to adopt this technique at the highest level of the sport.
Check out our video tutorial on how to hit a double handed backhand