Video:How to Hit a Basic Two-Handed Backhand

Transcript:How to Hit a Basic Two-Handed Backhand

Hi, I'm Jeff Cooper for About.com, here to show you how to hit a two-handed backhand.

About a Two-Handed Backhand

For a two-handed backhand, the most common grip has your left hand in an Eastern forehand position and your right hand in a Continental position. Generally speaking, your left hand should always be in some forehand position between Eastern and Semi-Western, and your right hand should be in some backhand position between Continental and a full Eastern backhand, but some players hit with a double forehand, where the right hand is in an Eastern forehand position and so is the left. In all of these cases, your hands should be spread a little bit along the handle, not wrapped straight around.

Preparing to Do a Basic Two-Handed Backhand

In ready position, have your racquet out in front, with your feet pointing at the net. As you see the ball coming to your backhand side, get to where it's going, and step forward with your right foot, pull your racquet back so that the tip points at the back fence, and see the ball over your shoulder.

When you pull the racquet back, the stringbed should be somewhat closed, because as you swing forward, it will naturally open up to get to a vertical position. For a topspin backhand, you want to brush up the back of the ball, swinging low to high.

A two-hander is really a lefty forehand with the right helping out; you want to let your left arm do most of the work. At your point of contact, you should be roughly even with your front hip, with the long axis of your racquet parallel to the ground and your strings vertical.

Your follow-through on a two-hander should end up with your hands as high as your head, and the racquet may end up out in front, or it may wrap around, depending on how flexible you are.

Here's a basic two-handed backhand.

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