Left Hand On The Two Handed Backhand

There are many differences between the two handed backhand and a one-handed backhand. The main difference is the use of the left hand to drive the racquet on two handed backhand. Especially if you’re changing from a one-handed backhand to two handed backhand, this will make the largest difference. It is widely thought the two handed backhand was more powerful than a one-handed backhand because you have two hands working together to create power. This is not necessarily true. 

When hitting a two-handed backhand you should use your left hand (for a right handed player) predominantly. Your right hand’s responsibility is to ride along and help guide the racquet. The left hand’s job will be to provide the push and strength of the swing. Like on your forehand groundstrokes, your hips and shoulders should start sideways and rotate forward into your shot. Being that your two-handed backhand is like hitting a one-handed left-handed forehand, this should also happen.

Understanding that your left-hand should dominate the swing is only the first part in getting it to work properly. The second part is to feel what it feels like to have your left hand dominate the shot rather than at your right hand. To accomplish this feel, the best way to do it is practicing a two-handed backhand with the bottom three fingers of your right hand off of the racquet. This means the pinky finger, the ring finger and the middle finger of your right hand should be lifted up leaving your thumb and index finger wrapped around the grip. Be sure not to slide your right hand down any further on the grip, but keep it in its normal position and just lift the fingers up.

Now practice your two-handed backhand swing with these three fingers up and force your left-hand dominate the stroke. By using this tactic you begin to feel what it feels like to drive the racquet with your left hand. It will probably feel pretty bad for the first 10 to 15 shots, but, once you get comfortable with it will begin to like it more and more.

Now that you have felt what it feels like to push the racquet with your left-hand go ahead and put all your fingers back on the racquet and make your regular two-handed backhand swing. It will now feel completely different than it felt before, because you are aware of your left-hand and its job of being the driving force in the shot. I am not recommending that you keep your three fingers up during play, but use it as a progression to get the feel and understanding of what the stroke should be like. Continue to practice on a ball machine or with a practice partner using both the fingers up method and then switching to the fingers down until it feels natural to have the swing push with your left hand.

Now your two-handed backhand will become more effective and possibly become your weapon.