Having two backhands instead of a backhand and a forehand.?

Question

Does anyone know much about having two backhands?

I've always had major trouble with my forehand. It's inconsistent and it's just always been my least favorite shot. My coach said to try and learn how to hit a backhand on my forehand side though, because my backhand currently is my best shot.

Has anyone heard about doing this? Like how hard it would be to learn, or if there's any drawbacks to it?

Answer 1

Well there is a French tennis player who plays with two backhands.

His name is Fabrice Santoro.

I don't know if you've heard of him or not.

Answer 2

Every now and then, we hear of some player who hits both forehand and backhand two-handed, but they are few and far between because it's really not a desirable way to play.  A player's maneuverability and reach are reduced in such a style.  Most people have less trouble with the forehand than the backhand, since the forehand motion mimics throwing, whereas the backhand is like flinging.  The ball approaches the inside of your hand in a forehand, and it approaches the backside (outside) of your hand in a backhand.

If your backhand is more comfortable/consistent, that's good - many players have more difficulty with it.  The motion is kind of like throwing a frisbee or discus: you uncoil your arm away from you.

In the forehand, however, you hit the ball by swinging your arm across the front of your body and meet the ball slightly out in front.  If you have an inconsistent forehand, try to figure what makes it that way:  is it your timing, or footwork, or anticipation/distance judgement that cause it to be that way?  

If you (and your coach) can define where your difficulty is, then I would recommend that you work at improving that area rather than trying to do what he said.  (In fact, I can't imagine that he wasn't kidding...!)  Maybe he just wishes your forehand were as good as your backhand.  I don't know if your backhand is one or two-handed (you didn't mention it), but to do that you would have to make your left hand (if you're right handed) your racquet hand, and hit it that way or two-handed with the help of your right hand ABOVE it on the grip.  Do you really think that's something you'd want to do???  lol  I don't think so!!  Plus, you would be constantly switching hands on the grip as you change hitting sides.......all I can say is he must have been joking.

If you were to simply add your other hand to your existing forehand, and make a two-handed stroke out of it, that would then be a two-handed forehand, not a backhand.  But perhaps he thinks that by utilizing your outside arm (as you do in the backhand), it will help you to improve your anticipation of the ball since you already do that motion better.

Concentrate on determining what causes your inconsistencies, and work on improving them without altering your forehand if you can - that is what I would recommend..

Answer 3

Oh yes, there are quite a few people, probably about 1 in 200 who do this - more commonly known as a 'two-handed forehand'. It may feel weird at first, but after enough practice, you'll get the hang of it. I know a couple of good players that use a two handed forehand that are at the top of their age group.

Disadvantages are that you may have a little less reach. The gripping might get a little complicated, and it may take a while, anywhere from a few months to a few years to be able to hit solidly. If you really focus on working in that area, your other strokes may start to falter a little.

I'd suggest that you have a little sit down with your coach and ask him if he thinks that it's really right for you. If you try it for a while, and don't like it, it's not easy to switch back. Everything takes time, and it's just a matter of whether you have it or not.

Ultimately, it's your decision. If you think it's for the better, and you're convinced that your forehand will be VERY difficult to fix, it might be better to start anew. However, until you're completely convinced, I would say no to the switch.

Answer 4

marion bartoli has 2 handed forehand and backhand!

Answer 5

It's okay, if you're backhand is better, though  most people have a better forehand.

It's not difficult, you'll find it strange it the beginning, but you'll improve quickly if you like backhand.

I know that Fabrice Santoro and Marion Bartoli (who's in the top 10) hit two backhands. There's also a Chinese player, maybe Jie Zheng, not sure.

Good luck with that :)