Switching From One to Two-Handed Backhand? | Post Ema Match Training with Shamir

Ema vs Shamir Rematch 👉https://youtu.be/u86Dvjae6MA?si=nJQYDsQD8TPUDWi6

I have a different experience / theory. I used to have a one handed backhand since I started playing tennis as a kid. But after not playing for 20 years or so, when I came back to tennis, my one handed back hand was pretty decent and I could play matches fine etc. But it was so hard to return serves and play high balls that I came to the following conclusion: One handed is great if your timing is perfect, you move your feet really well etc. and you hit 5k backhands a week (or whatever number, but basically, you train that timing a lot). When you don;t have the time to do that, I felt that in my case I would get a more reliable shot as a two-hander. I made the switch. It took me about 1 year to get it decent. But now I can actually compare the two, and I think my theory was proven right. If you don't train like an animal / have limited practice time (like 1 lesson and play a couple matches in a week), the two hander is just more rewarding in terms or reliability. Returning etc is way more productive. That's been my experience.

I've been teaching for about 20 years. I've also mentioned before in other posts to your channel that I had a one-hander when I started playing in the 80s. When I started teaching in the 2000s I thought it incumbent upon myself to learn how to hit a two-hander so I would better be able to teach it. It ended up my two-hander was more reliable than on my one-handed drive ever was under pressure. The only advice I might give you for your student would be to look at how he is uncoiling and at times he arms the shot and doesn't use the bigger muscles and his torso to uncoil. When I got rushed with a one-hander i tended to do the same thing. I also hit better on the run to my backhand then sometimes when I was set. I believed it again has to do with body positioning and uncoiling properly. Setting early on a ball down the middle or more specifically on a return you need to make a more conscious effort to get turned to the ball. I don't know if you're seeing what I am but of course you are in a better position to judge. Definitely no criticism of you or your student. We all seek to improve ☮️

every one-handed backhand player has experienced that one match that makes them rethink about using a one hander lol

The heavy racket is more of an issue . His one handy looks great!

Personally I think Shamir is using a much to demanding racket for his level, the 330 gr Yonex Percept 97H 😮

That's the shiniest tennis court I've ever seen on Nik's channel. Rain? What rain? There is no rain when there is dedication. Thank you Nik and Shamir. Love the series. Nik BTW, John McD just passed away. Sad news for both of us but his legacy with live on helping our tennis performance. Cheers! M

Nik, thanks a lot for this. I started in the 80s, completely self-taught. At the time it was of course a 1hbh, a lousy one. Then I stopped for a long time, since a couple of years ago, when I started back playing regularly, mainly doubles. That means a lot of playing but a very little quantity of BH (just like you were saying about Jack Sock). About one year ago I decided to try and learn 2HBH, and to be honest it has always happened to me the same as Shamir in this video: pretty good against the wall and with ball feeding, non-existent in rallies, because I never developed any trust on it. So after watching this video, just yesterday evening I played singles and tried going back to the 1HBH: it immediately felt better than the two hander, and honestly better than it has ever been in the past. It felt USABLE. Tomorrow I'll have a lesson with a coach and I'll ask him to make an evaluation as you did with Shamir. But I think my mind is made up.

Shamir videos are the best.👌

Please try a lighter racquet. I can't imagine a 4.0+ level rec player swinging a ohbh with a 330g racquet.

3:22, agree with Nick. 2 hander is so confusing at rec level, specifically which arm is dominant. It's easier to get the ball over the net which means players will just do whatever works. A one hander will tell you quicker if you hit it right.

I love the rain after training on the courts! It’s so hot down here in Florida! Great job on the video Coach.

I loved this video and its message. I’m in the same boat as Shamir - 1HBH - that is quite decent when I’m practicing with my coach but falls apart against a strong opponent. My coach has asked me to not hit any slice for now and hence even more challenging. Switching to 2HBH is very tempting as if it will be the magic pill to all the issues — but clearly this video has proven otherwise. Thanks Nik and Shamir for this video 🙏

love this content, and both of your willingness to engage with the comments and experiment!

This will be a game changer for Shamir.

That was great coaching. You meet the player where he's at and help him with HIS game.

I have played with a one hander since a kid and use to receive lots of compliments on my ability to hit with heavy pace and topspin, but after a shoulder injury at 56 years old that kept me out of the game for two years when I returned to the game at 58 it hurt my shoulder to play one handed (no problem with slice, just whip action on top spin) I switched to a two hander and love it. had to get use to a little different footwork, racquet prep etc... but I would never go back to a one hander. two hander more forgiving, more stable usually more power, easier on the shoulder and is like having two forehands.

I love it. Talking tennis in the rain ;)

Very impressive one handed backhand

Love Shamir videos!