One-Handed Backhand After 1 YEAR of Training

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In today’s video, I discuss how I improved my one handed backhand after 1 year of training (project 1-hander finale).
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[@IntuitiveTennis]

Hit Like if You Think the One-Handed Backhand is the Most Elegant Shot in Tennis

[@MURATTI77]

Thats why i started with a One Backhander like Edberg, Sampras and Becker. But after 2 Years i started to Support my Game as an Alternative with two handed backhand. Its easier to learn.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

@@MURATTI77 everyone learns differently but the one-hander is not as difficult as people make it out to be

[@tomr6955]

@@IntuitiveTennis I'm self taught and play a 1 hand backhand. Not that I want to, but I cannot get any power whatsoever if I try a 2 hander. Feels like I'm really constricted, whereas with 1 hand I can hit free flowing. I'd love to learn 2 hander as 1 hander, while beautiful, is a glaring hole in my game.

[@michellehanrahan7343]

I took up tennis age 47 and couldn’t even hit the ball with a 2H backhand. My friend suggested trying with one hand instead and I felt much less constricted using that so have stuck with it. I’ve been playing two years now and although I have lots of holes in my game my class coach says it’s now my better side! If I connect well with the ball there is no better feeling 🫶

[@milanvincic9668]

One-handed backhand is thing of beauty❤

[@randomtask9029]

When you really connect with the ball and everything is perfect, there is no shot more satisfying than a one handed backhand winner.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@insideout26529]

Love the journey. I had a golf instructor who I spotted on the range hitting balls left-handed. When I asked him why, he said "so I can feel what's it's like to learn the golf swing and be a better instructor." It takes humility to empty the cup so you can refill it with new learning. Congratulations.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@alp6557]

I think your one-handed backhand is a mix of slice and top-spin, just like how some kick serves can get closer to a slice serve depending on the ball toss and contact point. The reason seems to be that you don’t have an eastern grip but a continental. When I switched to eastern, my racket automatically started the whipping motion where the butt cap of the racket looks to the opponent, just like Federer and Wawrinka. Your backhands look more like Federer’s returns where he doesn’t do high top spin but more of a block. For the pain in your palm when doing an eastern grip, you can try the trigger finger, separating your index finger from the rest, which increases the space between each finger, as well. This will lead to a slight change in the alignment of your hand with the racket, so the butt cap does not hurt as much.

[@at1838]

good observation. Nick's take-back is also not ideal, it's closer to a classic OHBH than to a modern OHBH. His take-back should have the racquet head pointing upwards and the racquet further away from the body. The follow through could also be a bit more relaxed. There's some tightness in his swing. Probably the incorrect and tight grip plays a role in that. The OHBH is closer to a throw than the THBH is.

[@observer1111]

@@at1838 He spins the ball less !)☝

[@Alexander-dt2eq]

hey, i just wanted to mention that! i wonder why he tries to play topspin all the time. many times on a good serve pro players slice it back. the 1-handed backhand is rarely used as topspin-only in modern tennis. on some balls he was not even doing any spin and just blocking it. he either needs to do more topspin or do a slice to get more control

[@flamb7809]

it's great you're exploring possibilities of the game with the "Project one hander", one thing I noticed is how you pause after hitting the backhand at the baseline like you're admiring the shot whereas you get back into position immediately after hitting a forehand

[@mercutio100]

I don't see him doing that. Re-watch the last part. Sound mechanics and setup as is to be expected from someone with 6.0 skills and extremely high tennis IQ.

[@flamb7809]

even at 9:00 onward you can see he holds to position of the end of the swing longer than most, could be a habit developed from hitting one handers against the wall because you only hit one handers from doing so without the need to recover, the time lag is pretty noticeable if you compare it to people are actual one handed backhand players. No one is doubting his skills and experience but he's emphasized a lot that he's a 40+ yr experienced 2 handed backhand player @@mercutio100

[@DonYang73]

It happens to most people using the single back hand. Me too. We tend to hold the spread position just a tad longer. Yes to admire the shot😂😂😅

[@chubun6631]

I think in psychology they suggest that you exaggerate your movements when trying to learn a new motor skill especially when you want to override an existing one. Maybe that's what he was trying.

[@chubun6631]

Gotta disagree. I think the reason Nick could hit with that much power and consistency is because of his tennis level and IQ, but it's hard to say the OHB mechanics especially in the last match is of high quality. 8:16 is an example.

[@omaristephens2143]

I learned the one-hander growing up and then took 20 years off. One thing that I discovered as I return to tennis now is that I can toss the racket from my backhand side to my forehand side and regrip in midair. No idea when I learned that, but yeah, regripping from backhand to forehand is definitely its own skill. Thanks for committing to put time into the 1HBH, and congrats for getting your two-hander back 🎉

[@user-vg7kb3yj7g]

Hey Nik, I don’t know if You saw that, but in this years AO doubles final, 3 out of 4 Players on court played the one hander and it was a beautiful thing to Watch!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I saw it 💯💯

[@203132]

Great series. Best coach on KZbin, easy.

[@propgee]

@intuitivetennis, I'm not sure you want any advice. But, let me help, since you help us so much.... 1. Turn immediately u notice the ball is going to your backhand. 2. Use the power position - hold the racket with the head of the racket up for the racket take back, and with the left elbow raised to about shoulder height. Currently, your left elbow is too low and two close to your body, and your racket face at take back is over rotated as in you lose power because you already sent the racket back and low. It's kind of like getting into a slot postion before the ball bounces on the forehand. You are locking up the power. 3. Drive from this power position forward into the ball. You will get the racket now naturally swinging back to the slot position and then coming forward with speed. 4. Dont forget to air your armpits out more with the finish. Let momentum take the racket accros the body and not a deliberate swing across the body.

[@rikkkretue4945]

I also switched from 2H to 1H and absolutely love it! The freedom is amazing

[@steveosaur]

I think it's extremely cool that you are so committed to really learn the one-hander just to add it to your arsenal. As a one-handed player, I am considering doing the reverse: exploring the benefits of the two-hander.

[@PeteInTheMatrix]

Loved the one - hander series. I switched a couple years back after returning to tennis. I had developed a bad low back and when using a two -hander the rotation energy put a lot pressure on my disks/hips... The more linear shot production of the one hander helped me get back but... I was so good with that two hander down the line and cross. It was like having a handy cap when playing usta at low level now with that one hander. After some time it's gotten better and I realized that my standing position needed to change on the return of serve to adjust for the different contact point. Early prep, less cheating and it has to be clean lift. Anyway, enjoyed it and thank you.

[@where-we-roam]

I had the exact same issue. After 25+ years off, I came back. Wanted to play with my 2-hander, but it just caused lower back issues. Dad pushed me to change to a 1-hander, and it helped relieve the pain. Like Nik, I was used to continental grip from my 2HBH. A coach suggested I switch to an Eastern backhand grip. That helped. Then, like Nik, I was having trouble transitioning from Eastern BH to Semi-Western FH. I was so used to going continental (spin racquet counter-clockwise) to semi-western, that I also had that grip switch muscle memory. When going from Eastern BH to Semi-Western counter clock-wise the move is longer. I switched to spinning clockwise and that helped a lot. I still feel like I had more control with a 2HBH and I tend to slice a lot more with a 1HBH, but I am starting to like it more and more, and when you rip a ball with a 1HBH, nothing feels better. I have been playing with it about 1.5 years now. Sometimes I play a few points with a 2HBH, but I don't think I will ever go back. I just wish I had started with a 1HBH as I feel like I still fight that muscle memory.

[@davidjung8394]

Same. 25 years off. Started at 50...two handed. Caused lower back and carple in my left wrist. So been hitting 1 handed chips...then last 8 months...wife s been feeding me 1 handers. Same issues as rhe series...so now I play 1 handed when rhe ball is lower and return w 2 handed on serves & playing heavy top spinners. But I swear...i can hit harder w a 1 hander cross court 😂 it doesn't come back...

[@angelatanurdzic7508]

Thank you for this great video. Keep up the fantastic work! ❤

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@marcgrondin65]

It also gives you the option of a slice return .. which I find tremendously useful. Glad to see you also think it's not a disadvantage .. I've never heard of the top players who have one complain they felt that : Federer, Wawrinka, Thiem, Shapo, Dimitrov, Musetti, Eubanks, Gasquet .. come to mind.

[@younggwillis]

Nick, keep going. Don’t let this set you back!! Your one hander series is motivating myself to work on mines

[@judemascarenhas9811]

You nailed every single issue..... Brilliant analysis.

[@tennisjourney]

Thank God! Your two hander is so solid. Good experiment though. I spent a whole season with a one hander on a 4.0 team and was undefeated but I ran around it A LOT. Switched back to my original two-hander I used as a junior and have been slowly retooling it. One plus side was that it helped my backhand slice which is something I did not have as a junior. That's the best combo for me. Two hand drive, one hand slice.

[@TomTom-em2xl]

I did the same thing 10 years ago. My bh was the strong side of my game but I wanted to have fun. I enjoy the speed of the racket with the 1h bh. I’ve Improved my bh volley. The problem is I’ve lost the feeling with the 2h bh. Great videos, thank you

[@TimTheMusicMan]

Keep going Nick. There is nothing more complex and artistic and athletic than a 1hbh.

[@najdorf]

Great great video man. Keep it up!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@BurnsTennis]

Hi. Well I am so happy you put this video out there and brought up this topic. I am also pleased you are enouraging coaches to help bring through new one handers in future. I grew up watching guys like Ivan Lendl and a smilar age to many of the last crop of one handers from the 1990s and 2000s. Such a pity its disappearing.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌🙏💯

[@dmf30]

very interesting and thanks. I can relate to what you say. I also go back to a continental grip when i hit multiple backhands because i use to play on clay as a kid. I noticed that early in your venture you were not turning your shoulders a lot. As you progressed in time, i noticed your right shoulder was turning MORE and that made your backhand more fluid.

[@milanvincic9668]

Awesome to see this video about the one-handed backhand😊. Yeah the one-hander has its disadvantages but it is a classy shot. Agree with your point Nick about the grip change. It took me almost two years to feel okish when changing from backhand to forehand😢. Personaly, there is no way anybody could talk to me into a two-handed backhand. I simply feel jammed and tight playing like that. Good luck getting back to your two-hander👊

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@SuperDutzzy]

Thank you Nick! I'm also have been learning one-handed backhand for one year, and I feel funny cause I cannot get Federer level (LOL) on that shot, but after this video I feel much better 😂

[@TheWinezen]

Kudos for making the effort. I started with a two hander and then moved to single in my early teens. I did notice you kept your racquet up for an extra second plus at the end of your follow through. You might want to put that time back into getting ready for your next shot.

[@LeslieTaylor]

I'm a one-hander ... I didn't really choose it, it just felt natural. Probably in part because of playing a lot of table tennis in years past. I do still have a LOT to learn on it though. I struggle with taking the ball off the bounce, or like you said on returns. On the other hand, when I hit a solid one-hander, I can probably put more pace on that shot than any other shot aside from my serve. If my opponent comes to the net on my backhand without a solid shot, I kinda enjoy it because I can lay into it, and it's unlikely (at my level) they'll be able to do much with it. I do think it is the most beautiful shot in tennis. But I understand why you gave this up. Even though I've not been playing tennis very long, trying to switch to a two-hander would be a real challenge. Fun project though!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@HankHell41]

Can't believe you're dropping it! It looked great this video. Need to have racquet head higher on take back so you can drop it for more topspin tho.

[@neroroseumu3023]

I play with the one handed backhand ..👍🏻 No regrets man ...👍🏻 😃 Its got more reach on the stretch while running ..👍🏻 Plus i like my backhand slice 🍕 the most.. Most elegant shot in tennis 🎾 ..👍🏻 😃 😎 Some of the Greatest tennis 🎾 legends men and women have used this beautiful stroke through out the years..👍🏻

[@andrejefremov1978]

I started to play tennis 41. My first coach, a relatively old man told me that every man has to have a one-hander)) i fell in love with this shot and have been trying to improve that for 4.5 year. Now I'm 45. I still love one handed backhand very much and finally see that that shot started to love me 😂 P.S.: I have lots of videos of my game on my channel. If you have interest you can watch them😊

[@IntuitiveTennis]

“Every man has to have a one-hander.” Great line 💯💯

[@ayokay123]

Great video. Tis a shame you couldn't integrate it better. You actually look like you have some confidence in your one-hander cross court. Awesome effort on your part. I've always played a one-hander because I'm old, and have always been jealous of the two hander.

[@AlexGarcia-vw1zd]

I think you were spot on with all of the criticisms you've encountered on your way to that solid One-Hander you have now, especially because I related to every one of them you mentioned (except the hand blister. The side of my thumb would blister; not my hand. Tightening my grip helped with that - which you taught me!) I understand why you'll stick to your 2BH but tis a shame to not be able to see that sweet return (8:05) in future videos. Long live the 1 hander indeed!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯🙌

[@christopherbakriges6559]

What's beautiful about your one-handed backhanded journey is that by July '23 you can see your shoulder rotation to harness and maximize direction, spin, and power, as well as your finish that looks so natural. One observation is that your take back isn't automatic, even by January '24. Long live the stroke but well done in any event!

[@marcg-rj8co]

Agree about the take back and backswing. It is in two parts which means when someone hits big it becomes increasingly difficult to control. The other thing is the racquet tip isn't quite high enough which makes it difficult to whip topspin through the ball. You can sort of see there is limited racquet drop and the swing is going sideways through the ball. Towards the end you start to see the left hip locking which gives more power. The more you can lock the hip the better. But in saying all this, it is a pretty impressive backhand given for a single year's work.

[@KohakuZen]

I'm a natural OHBH, so it's my best (consistent and powerful) hit. my FH grip is between semi-western and western, so adjusting to eastern BH is minimum. After seeing your OHBH, I'd say a slightly more eastern grip would help with spin and consistency, like you noticed. The head of the racquet should point upwards in the beginning of the takeback (you'll get more momentum and acceleration, like when you explained how bad for timing and acceleration is starting the FH takeback with the head backwards). And maybe trying to hold the hips, ala Federer, ending the hit with your torso heading to the side: you end with the torso at 45º, ala Wawrinka, which indicates you are using a bit of hip rotation at the end; not bad, but you'll get better control and similar power otherwise; to achieve this, you are doing well the torso rotation at the beginning, pushing forward and down the right shoulder, but you need to carry the left arm backwards with more decision, to hold the hips (Federer even used to nod with the head to avoid any torso rotation). Try to improve your OHBH instead of quitting, it would be wonderful seeing you resting and hitting high balls double-handed, but creating incredible angles one-handed

[@matheuscampaninimughrabi5933]

Hey, nick. You said that you have troubles changing from the 1 handed backend eastern grip to your semi-western forehand grip. As most players you make the change going from bevel 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 which is too far away. I realized that making the change from 1 - 4 in the other way around is much faster, you basically just have to change the angle of your hand from a square hand (one handed backend) to a more inclined position of the hand (forehand). There are even two handed backhanders such as Jack Sock and Coco Gauff who make the change in this less conventional way. I believe that in the future it will become more common to make the grip change this way as players have more and more extreme forehand grips, which make the distance to cover smaller and smaller by going this way around the raquet.

[@Riftinducer]

Great video, and glad you gave the one hander a fair go. I find for me that the losing the grip issue you found was so dependent on the racquets grip shape and material. Some brands like Head and Technifibre use a more rectangular grip shape which i find gives better tactile feedback on my grip changes. For racquets with squarer grip shapes like Wilson and Yonex, I can only use them with a harder leather grip to make the edges more obvious during grip changes, but then that adds weight. I'll be curious to see if you have any carry over benefits from this exercise, as i found every time I'd try then inevitably give up on learning a two hander, the added focus on correct footwork and spacing carried over to my one hander and makes that shot better

[@CH-yp5by]

great work on the stroke Nick, I'm 39 and I'm lucky I grew up being taught the one handed back hand, I found it really helped to have a racquet which has a high head light balance and higher swing weight and the right responsive strings to hit one hander back hand, especially on the defensive back hands. Yonnex Vcore 95, Ezone 98, Wilson Six One 95, Pro staff 97, Blade 98 are some of the best known racquets for a one handed back hand. Return of serve is art form, it a thing of beauty to watch Henin Hardene, Grigor Dimitrov, Wawrinka, Shapovalov, Thiem pull this off. Perhaps the technique of this will be content for a new video one day, P.S. One glaring detail that another comment mentioned below here is that your left elbow should be pointing to the back fence and much higher up at face height, you need to be hitting the baller earlier in order to bend your knees more. Don't take my word for it, look at the video replay of all the pros mentioned before, they can't be wrong.

[@oatjoice]

I just want to add another great racket to 1hander in your list. Technifibre TF40. I find it great with more head heavy racket too!

[@oatjoice]

You are absolutely correct on 1 hander does slice and volley with backhand much better because its some what similar. One thing i want to point out for other people that want to or have 1 hand backhand is. 1. Prepare early. Before the ball bounce on your court. If you aren't finished with preparation. It will be tough to drive your 1handback. Might have to just block it like the return of serves. 2. Choose to hit the 1handback only IF the ball is the right heights. If you know its higher than your shoulders. Dont force the drive. Slice it. If its below your knee. Slice it. 3. Use more hips. And less arm. Those are 3 things that help me out. Excellent video displaying the progress!❤

[@jscott4431]

Hi Nick. I've always felt much more natural using a one-handed backhand. I could produce good effortless power but made too many errors, especially in matches, as you pointed out. I switched to a two-hander about 5 years ago and it's helped with less errors but feels so un-natural to me. The biggest problem with my two-hander is that it has put a good deal of stress on my lower back, which has taken away much of the enjoyment when playing. If I want to keep playing, I may have to switch back to a one-hander. Thanks for this video!

[@joseh899]

I really like your one hander coach Nik, and even if you don't use it again, it's always good to have it in your tool box in case you develop a wrist injury on your left hand for your 2 hander. I have a one hander, so it was really cool seeing you hitting a technically correct one hander! 👍👏

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you. Yea it could come in handy in case of injury

[@TriCkYiCe]

Really appreciate you sharing this journey with us. I have great respect for the effort and time you put in! I was a college player and a teaching pro for years (I'm now 43 years old). I have a one-handed backhand and couldn't imagine playing any other way. My backhand is by far my stronger side and least likely to break down. Students over the years have asked, "How do we beat you, coach?". My answer's always the same, "Don't hit it to my backhand." It's a beautiful stroke, and I owe my coaches a fantastic debt for helping me stick with it. It is, truly, the most elegant, beautiful shot in tennis. And, for anyone else with a one-hander (and you now, Nik, since you've joined us for a bit), there is absolutely NO better feeling on a tennis court than hitting a clean one-hander down the line for a winner. Every time I do, especially on the run, I tell myself, "Now's a good time to retire." 🙂

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Well said 🙌

[@TriCkYiCe]

@@IntuitiveTennis PS: Everything you said about a one-hander's pros and cons is basically right on. Return is stronger with two and high balls take their toll. I think that's why Wawrinka tends to take balls so early on the backhand side - to keep them from getting up on him.

[@farid1406]

Changing a core shot is crazy hard, especially off a stroke that is a good part of your game like your 2hbh. I changed to a 1hbh when I was 16 for some very foolish reasons, but it didn't become a good shot until I was 19 and training 4 hours a day on clay for a semester in Spain with college players and aspiring pros. And even then, the shot got worse when I came back to a regular schedule in the States. I think intense practice has to be maintained for a period of years to turn a new stroke into a match worthy weapon.

[@MrJusticefight]

I started playing tennis again after 12 years of not playing tennis and it took me like 2 solid years of practicing like 3-4hours of ONLY 1H-backhands a week to get it to a state in which i would say its not really a weakness anymore. (even though i always played a 1handed backhand except for the first 6 years of being a little child) Returns are still hard to be cosistent with but during a rally i love it and as you said the angles you can create with a 1 hander(sometimes not even consciously to be fair) are really incredible. Its a lot of hard work to be consistent with a 1handed backhand and i would still say the 2handed backhand in general is probably better to use for the majority of players but just got to love the style and the more offensive nature of it. 1h BH for life

[@xtremevp12]

Respect.

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

7:31 This is perfect. And this is exactly what happened to me when only practicing my one handed backhand! Glad to see I’m not the only one😂

[@allainangcao28]

The backswing reminds me of the old-school 70s backswing, which is very compact and holstered like you are unsheathing a sword. The finish has a more 90s style finish where the follow through is big but not exaggerated like a Wawrinka or Shapovalov follow through. More or less a Lendl or Edberg style follow through.

[@wackojumey]

I have become hybrid with backhands, used to be 2handed, learned the one handed last year and now can hit similar shots with both type of backhands either if it is long line or return of serve. I do howover always keep my 2h for higher balls or when I am under pressure. I switch to a one hander in most normal rally shots, when I have more time to set up a strong attacking shot or to create an angle. The 1h just feels more comfortable, my 2h can become stiff when hitting more of them in a row. It just works for me like this and I dont really think about it anymore, just my little quirk I guess.

[@luanroses]

I can play both although I am more confident with the 2 hander. I really enjoy practicing the one handed because it improves my timing for the 2 hander.

[@electric_boogaloo496]

I learned 1 handed backhand at 35, had been playing 2 handed backhand for 13 years. Suddenly had the urge to learn a 1hbh after buying a Pro Staff 97 RF autograph as it was going out of production. My motivation was mostly aesthetic, I wanted to look better on the court, lol. But it soon turned out that I could attack the ball from so much better than my 2hbh, and my movement to my backhand side became so much more economical. It has been 2 years, my journey continues, these days, I am hitting rallies with a tennis Saber to get my hits cleaner.

[@escgoogle3865]

When talking about the wide balls, a heavier eastern grip will help. I use a conservative eastern grip but mess around with the modern eastern grip and follow through for fun. Biggest differences i notice is more average topspin and WAY better crosscourt power with a modern eastern.

[@domclarke8182]

Great video, as always! Truly, the goat 🐐 of tennis content on YT. I hit a 1 hander and can tell you the problems you have aren't just your own. Unfortunately for me, after a gymnastics accident as a teenager, playing with a 2 hander isn't an option for me. Long live the 1 handed backhand!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏💯

[@user-hv2fk8rz3w]

I've been coaching my 8 and 6 yr old girls OHBH for the past 1+ yrs and it was not as hard as I thought: 1. As compared to adults, a higher takeback for kids helps them generate more pace 2. The 8 year old developed a pretty decent BH slice by herself without any coaching and I only refined it. 3. For return of serve the 8 year old developed a a part block/ part chip return with reasonable pace so it works for her. 4. Quicker footwork & positioning is crucial for a more aggresive OHBH with good topspin Like what Nick said I do hope more coaches teach the OHBH. It requires more patience but the rewards will come oneday.

[@kintaro79]

Eastern 1h backhand for life! The grip change thing is real though and you need to practice.

[@mohamedazanmohamed3210]

Hi Nik.. I think your backhand looks good. Reminds me abit like Michael Stich backhand. I could be wrong. Maybe you should make a comparison video. Regardless always enjoy your videos. So informative and educational. I habe have learned a lot from you. Many thanks

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you. Stich backhand 1000 times better than mine 💯🙌🙌

[@parsaa10]

For returning its generally more optimal with a onehander to chip/slice the shots back, or play with a continental just for the return (since you can opt to use the grip for either shot). In terms of the hand placement issue, it sounds like you may be placing your hand way too low, personally my palm never touches the butt or anything on the eastern.

[@dvaedreiundzwanzig6875]

Finishing the two-hander love affair with a shank is a bit of down note. There were many good moments after all, and visible progress, even though it was never love at first sight. Your best backhands were the very flat ones, and the best one might have been the one we couldn't see, when you were forced way to the left, out of the picture, and hit it down the line. I saw some improvement to the return in the last part of the video. You eliminated the stopping moment and returned more in one fluent but short swing. When I'm back on the court after my herniated disc surgery, I will hit a few flat backhands in your honor - thanks for the video and the one-year-effort with the shot that seemed to go so much against your grain at the beginning.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@TxpNoveske]

For the return I basically take an abbreviated backswing and half swing on fast serves. I think you just have to have a strong shoulder on the one hander and just block stuff just like a two hander. It takes more strength to do though. Sisapase is an example.

[@kylem.4114]

Your racquet head control is noticeably improved on the one hander.

[@alexarmstrong578]

I had a two hand backhand all through juniors and college tennis. After finishing college I didn’t play for 7 years and when I started up again I took lessons and learned the one hander. The serve return is the only time I miss the two handed backhand.

[@genadinikolajev9340]

It is exactly what I'm struggling with! When I started to replace slice with one-hander my level started to decline due to weak backhands, which allow my partners to attack them.

[@Shaunsweeney-Kubach71]

This was an amazing journey and I happy you did this series. Looking great for 46 years old my friend. You’re almost in the 50 club young fella. Hahe

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯🙌😂

[@nightowldickson]

Your progress is quite good but I think the take back is something that could be changed, for the shot at 9:20 when you were coming back into the court after hitting your forehand at 9:22 it looks like you were setting up to hit a double handed backhand (muscle memory), the left hand on the throat of the racquet could perhaps be higher and also have the racquet in a more vertical position. Overall I think to hit the one handed backhand well, takes a lot of effort to get the footwork right and be precise in positioning yourself to hit the shot. In my experience it's an on-going battle to recognise the path of the incoming ball since it's such a challenge dealing with above shoulder / head height balls, as well as balls that have awkward bounce with a one hander. You have to really commit early either to take it on early or move back quickly. I think that's what makes the one-hander so difficult. The return of serve one-handed backhand is almost like a different shot to the full one-handed backhand stroke.

[@AussiePillow1]

What are your thoughts on the inverted one handed backhand? It’s mainly used by wheelchair players and allows them to hit backhands while maintaining a semi western forehand grip.

[@rohitrathi4552]

For my grip I have a simple rule. When my brain sees a forehand coming I make a unit turn, point my racquet tip to the sky and the racquet face to the right side fence and my right hand automatically finds the grip. When it’s a backhand I do the same thing on the left side. I can’t sit and think about the grips. It’s working out all right for me but the swings are quite loopy like the pros. Higher the ball, higher is my take back and more modern is my grip such that the racquet starts pointing forward. Now only if I could execute. Clay court sucks for the one handed backhand due to variable bounce. 😅

[@carlovillani4152]

i would love to have you as my coach. Come to italy pleaseeeeeeee

[@brendandennis5868]

Ah Nik, I've been on the same journey for maybe 3 years and kept saying yes yes yes watching your video! Love it. Why does it break down in a match when I've hit thousands against the wall? The DH is shankable into play more consistently, but I'm not ready to give up on that sweet SH feeling.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

That’s the tricky part about match play 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWPYgYOoaKukmJosi=5aLwc6vzpb0AOKtp

[@brendandennis5868]

Thanks! I remember that one, i think i bought the book on your recommendation, very interesting.

[@dj7oya]

Hey Nick, your backhand is getting much more fluid and efficient... I believe that if you add some more top spin you will achieve that next level you want. Maybe it will demand more from your footwork but I guess it's also related to timing. I strongly believe you will feel accomplished if you keep on trying.

[@dj7oya]

9:11 that was just beautiful

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I def needed more spin 💯

[@ThesGt]

how about using both OH and 2H? use OH as a cheese or surprise to your oppoinent to do a parallel shot or get an off angle?

[@user-eg6ym8lj2b]

Hello , I am a subscriber to your channel. I just watched your segment on your one hand project. Could you please give me the specific locations of the hittng walls you used in the videeo? Thanks!

[@georgipopov8973]

Although you would probably beat me in a bh to bh exchange I would still suggest that you: 1. Try table tennus and only try to hit backhands - blocks, block-punches and topspin loops; I came from abackground of table tennis and I believe that's what has made my backhand my more reliable shot; table tennis however destroyed my forehand 2. See tennisnerd's video about the ohbh with Nikki, especially the part about rolling the forearm, I think you could improve slightly on that front. Don't give up!

[@martinminar1949]

Good progress. I play one hander for 40 years and I think the key is footwork. You can hit good forehand with ok footwork just muscle the ball, but if you do that with one hander, the swing path is not as long and you are usually in closed position so the racket speed will be much slower and the backhand wont be as good. Me personally the footwork is a key. Needles to say, I wish i grew up with two hander.

[@alang4292]

In the January 2024 points being played, most of the backhands missed seem to be caused by (1) racquet face a bit inside out when striking and/or (2) being off balance when striking the ball. I have always used one-handed backhand and I have the having the feeling of the stroke being like a swinging door and throwing myself through the ball rather than a pushing motion. My backhand is my most winning stroke, but I do not have an inside out strike (unless slicing intentionally) and I am mostly balanced when hitting. Going from 2-hands to 1-hand probably needs 1 year under pressure rather than 1 year easy practice..

[@keith7411]

Try to come around the outside of the ball a little more. Try to make your grup more eastern, things will come easier with a more estern grip including the high balls. The pain in the hand will go away. Stip changing the grip around that direction, turn it back to the forehand the other way, there is less distance. The wide backs are hard cos you are a bit slow, either speed up or slice.

[@adi.24]

i started playing tennis 6 months ago with completely zero sports background and my coach gave me option to choose and i chose the one handed just because it looked very nice and two handed looked like a cricket shot , now 6 months later im still unable to play the shot properly but i think im gonna stick with it

[@Randotron2000]

@IntuitiveTennis , why are you not starting to prepare the shot in front of your body with the racket facing upwards?

[@darkseid121]

I don't know if this is actually recommended, but I was always taught to go back to continental grip from eastern on the one-hander after hitting. Maybe as a two-hander you never had to learn this cause you're naturally in continental. Also, I'd put cross court one-handed backhands as one of the pros. One of the best feeling shots in all of tennis.

[@propgee]

Oh and Nick for the high backhand on both return and rallying the swing back is from shoulder, high to high. So you set up the take back or coil at your chest or shoulder level and swing. Follow this shallow swing path from start to end. Not from low to high. This will give you a ball that's flat and dives down deep into the court. The wide balls as well, your are being hurt because of that old school take back, if you use the power postion you get to the ball quickly with an even shorter take back. In your case, you are using the same take back on wider balls us u use for normal rally balls, you gonna get hurt by wide balls. Finally the short or low return. Your take back must be abbreviated and u must move torward the ball maybe with a hopping step. That should fix it. And oh, stay low Nick, stay low on the one hander. its your best friend

[@vernonhurley1300]

I hit a high ball today with lots of inside out spin down the line. My opponent said he never even imagined that shot. I told him because you can't hit that shot with two hands. I love my one hand backhand 😊😊

[@taner3142]

I play with one handed backhand since years now, and I feel every time I prepare my backhand shot it is like a mission, two handed is much easier that every time I miss my shot I think about switching to a two handed bh

[@neygercey7899]

Por man, I'm on the opposite way, going from 1 hand BH to 2 Hans BH. And the struggle is the same. Good luck.

[@argokan]

Well done... even from the start, or at the start, it looked natural and effortless, albeit internally there can always be that lack of full feel for the motion, or better said, lack of being comfortable with something "new". But undertaking of one year of consistent, systematic, planned effort, well executed, to achieve the wanted result is, in this case, worth... recognition and... admiration, I suppose. Well done, and how do you say it? - samo naprijed! One more thing - the backhand drive return... try to find (this can be rather difficult) the footage of the late Tim Gullikson (former Sampras coach, and seasoned pro in his day) of some of his backhand returns, and look at the Boris Becker matches, and... well, Michael Stich, when he was on... for backhand drive returns.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Stichs bh Return was insane

[@argokan]

@@IntuitiveTennis I remember vividly a Eurosport's coverage of one of the tournaments from the US summer outdoor hardcourt tour, pre US open... one of the Stich's matches, mid 90's, was covered by the commentator pair, one of them (lead commentator) was Chris Bowers... he referred to Stich's one hander as being regarded in the pro tennis community as one of the best (if not the best at the time) in the business... I felt the same, and it felt more relaxed and effortless, yet produced heaps of power, even when compared to today's best (say Wavrinka, his still looks more "pronounced" and more of a deliberate effort, in comparison). Becker to me was unbelievable in his deliberate (almost deliberately exaggerated) extension trough the one-hander, at times, on the return and groundstrokes, and how he was able to flatten it even when hitting it very high (for a one hander). Or how he was hitting it fully on the shorter ball, transferring all his weight into the full-blooded one hander, hit with pace and zest, while moving forward to the net. There were some other favs from the 80's, but do not want to stir too much of a pot here...

[@argokan]

@@IntuitiveTennis But to return the subject of your OHB... well done, and... you might have as easily stick with it, provided, say, being like 20 years younger. When learned, and taken into matches, switched from the only stabbing or playing slice, or having had double hander... it takes time to get comfortable to the degree when it becomes one's second nature. The thing is, and this is funny, but true, according to many in pro community of the yesteryear... one hander is technically easier (this was evident among the pros in late 80's - throughout 90's) than forehand, in majority of cases.

[@user-pe1ur2yt1k]

Excellent vedio

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you

[@mib910]

I have the same issues. If I do a double backhand my left shoulder would hurt a bit. I am a righty. i can do good double backhands from near the net but not from the baseline. Single backhand is a bit not there as I can’t seem to prepare early and good enough while rallying not to mention matches.

[@Ockv74]

❤❤❤

[@sergiovargas9437]

Some greats shots over there: I think there is a bit too much of a upper body torsion and not flexing, stepping in enough and releasing (by judging by how you finish the shot), so that could basically offer less power. Anyway, absolutely brutal for a year.

[@igo2054]

there is a progress, keep it up

[@aleluia01]

I am a self taught player, 49yo, started tennis around 37 . I could not hit but one-handed backhand. Probably wrong grip initially, even now the grip is not clear Eastern. I can only hit 2 handed as last resort when in really defending position when ball seems to go past me, but I can only hit a high ball, sometimes loopy sometimes with spin. I tried to learn 2 handed but could not manage :)

[@ddreamax]

Going from a 2 to a 1 hd bkhd, can actually have a bigger swing( the rear hand is not riding along and you don't have to worry about over torquing your back).

[@truejom5567]

Great progress with ur one-hander Nick! Question: What do you think about the idea of returning serve with a 2handed BH and then playing majority of baseline, approach shots etc with a One Hander? I started tennis as a 2Hander in highschool in late 80's, left tennis for many years and picked up again in my forties determined to learn a 1Hander, and kinda succeeded...but my backhand drive return is non-existent as I generally chicken out and slice it back.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I don’t think it’s possible

[@truejom5567]

@@IntuitiveTennis Thanks for the reply Nik. I agree it's probably unlikely this hybrid mode of backhand use is possible, but I will try it out anyway as an experiment...so challenge accepted 😅. Would love to see a video in the future with more detail of your opinion on this matter. Keep smashing it man! Regards from Ireland.

[@user-um8jt1wz8l]

Started out playing 1HBH in the late 60’s and have no intention of changing 😊

[@Mpathi1]

Please, continue training your one-handed backhand and please, also explain what are the reasons the one-handed sometimes fall apart?

[@Sinisterg60]

What racket are you using in this video?

[@DamonYe]

Interesting issue with the grip change between backhand and forehand. I think I never ran into that because after every ground stroke forehand or backhand I always change it back to continental. Do two hand players just always hold their backhand grip after ground strokes?

[@ddreamax]

Don't hang off the end, it's digging into the palm. A little higher up the handle. Pain solved.... A return to neutral grip after a backhand/forehand...off hand rests on the throat(w/preference).

[@BurnsTennis]

I think at 04:10 a natural one hander would slice the ball and keep it low from that position. A player would really bend low and stretch out the front leg, like a batsmen reaching out for a cover drive in cricket. Exception being going for a backhand down the line winner on the run. Saw Edberg, Sampras and others do that many times if the opponent was closing the net.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Many of the balls I usually slice or run around I didn’t bc I wanted to hit as many 1-h bh in the rallies as possible.

[@asiaticonaeuropa]

one handed backhand is tough. It is only effective if it can mix up with slices. The one handed backhand can be performed only when a nice opportunity comes. Using slices to create chances for one handed backhand is the way to go. The best example was Dimitrov. He mixed up so well his slices and backhand and he won the tournament in Brisbane. Still, I have to admit, it is very difficult with one handed backhand.

[@johnnacke4134]

Nik, great video… I’m a 4.0 senior singles player… I use a modified continental on my 0ne handed backhand . Can you hit topspin using the continental on the one hander? Any pros use it? Are you using a Shift 16x20, or a stock Pure Drive? Great video… thanks, John🎾

[@IntuitiveTennis]

U can but it’s more difficult

[@dalef84]

Great to hear about your transformation!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

💯

[@igo2054]

shouldnt the racket be higher on the take-back?

[@reyonceaswin9827]

I use two handed backhand for returning serve and high balls the rest of the match I proceed with one handed backhand. Will it affect my playing in a negative way.

[@marktace1]

Although one can certainly make a 1 hander work taking it back with the face open, taking it back with the face square like, Wawrinka, Musetti and even though he’s a little more open, Federer, leads to a simpler, more repeatable swing and would most likely increase your confidence.

[@vnishpt7036]

Now that you've experienced a 1-hander for a year or so how difficult do you believe it would be for a 1-hander to switch to a 2-hander? I've been a 1-hander for 40 years or so but have often thought about trying a 2-hander for ROS advantages (but have never followed thru as feels weird when I've experimented a couple times on the backboard). I'm a righty but was a left hand batter in baseball so seems like it would feel natural but somehow doesn't.