Double Handed Forehand Grip

Before the advent and widespread acceptance of the two-handed backhand, the one-handed backhand was often the suspect stroke among most players. For beginners and intermediate players especially, the one-handed backhand was perhaps the most anxiety-ridden stroke to attempt.

Most instructors agree that the two-handed backhand creates stability and a more repetitive stroke pattern, and does so in far less time.

With this transformation of the backhand, many players are now discovering their forehands are the suspect stroke. They may not acknowledge this fact but is an obvious fact that players frequently over hit the one-handed forehand or use questionable form in its execution. Because players can get away with hitting one-handed forehands with a variety of footwork calamities, they also tend to develop poor footwork patterns.

In short, the inability of the beginner and intermediate and even some advanced players to create a consistent and dependable stroke pattern now results in more errors on the forehand side compare to their two-handed backhands.

Take a look at these areas of potential forehand difficulties:

• inability to hit topspin;
• erratic control;
• difficulty in repeating swing pattern;
• tendency to dink or push the ball;
• inability to generate pace.

Any player, regardless of their current ability, who is experiencing any of the forehand difficulties listed above, is a “candidate” for trying the two-handed forehand.

Both adults and junior players – even those who have been playing for quite some time – can discover sound forehand mechanics by switching to two-hands.

The two-handed forehand is relatively easy to adopt and to assimilate. It isn’t a cure-all, yet it can be a significant eye-opener for those having difficulty with their forehands.

A surprise benefit of the two-handed forehand: some players develop more dependable and offensive topspin forehands sticking with two hands. Some players go back to using one hand with improved biomechanics.

The Two-Handed Forehand Topspin

The Monica Seles forehand is not only the preferred model for the two-hander, it is the only one of the three methods that provides the foundation for developing a solid one-hander in the process of learning with two hands.

Grip

With a two-handed backhand for a right-handed player, the left hand is on the top, and the right hand on the bottom. One way to hit the double forehand would be to reverse this grip, putting the right hand on top and the left on the bottom, much as you would when swinging a baseball bat. The obvious disadvantage is the constant flipping of the hands during a point.

One way to get around this is to keep the grip the same. You would keep your left hand on top and your right hand on the bottom for both. Fabrice Santoro from France used this method, and his swing would sometimes resemble a woodcutter chopping down a tree, according to USTA Southwest.

Initial Turn

As with a conventional forehand, the shoulder turn and the movement of the backswing are immediate. One of the greatest learning attributes of this two-handed forehand is that the position of the hands forces a player to get the upper body turned. This is because the non-dominant hand has to reach over the bottom hand during the turn. This upper shoulder turn is critical to any proper forehand preparation.

During the backswing, it is important not to let the wrists overlap. In other words, don’t let the left wrist lay over the top of the right wrist (right-handed players). If this occurs, the racquet face opens up and will either prevent a congruent vertical face during the topspin stroke. This can cause the player to slice under the ball and send it far too high.

During the backswing, the racquet head should be pointed down and the racquet face closed slightly. This is similar to the take back of the two-handed backhand, (compare Serena or Venus Williams’ backhand preparation); this initial move helps prepare the racquet for significant topspin.

As part of the backswing, the player will want to pull the dominant elbow back as opposed to crossing or overlapping the wrists. This movement of the elbow is similar to what a person would do to elbow someone standing behind them.

As Monica Seles has demonstrated, the two-handed forehand can be hit open or closed stance with exceptional control and disguise.

Contact Point and Follow-through

The swing to the ball is initiated by a slight shoulder turn back towards the net, the normal swing pattern for a conventional one-handed forehand, although the two-hander is usually hit with the hands slightly closer to the body.

At contact, the use of two hands creates an almost automatic topspin pattern. The left hand contributes to this by pulling up on the racquet much like it would on a two-handed backhand.

Because this non-dominant hand is on top and is stretched out across the body, its natural tendency is to pull up through the trajectory line.

The upper body continues its rotation, (angular momentum) generated by the greater turn that started naturally on the backswing.

Key point: similar to most high-level backhands, the inside elbow will stay close to the body as the right and left hands drive up and through the trajectory line.

This key point helps prevent the elbow from pulling across the body or raising up too much causing the player to push the racquet through the ball.

The finish of the stroke should be similar to that of an advanced conventional one-handed forehand. The right elbow will point towards the target, as does the bottom butt-cap of the racquet.

Foot Speed

Once opponents see that you use a double forehand, they are likely to make you run for the ball, hoping you won’t be able to reach it in time. Prepare for this by being able to hit the ball with any stance. Practice hitting with an open stance – body facing the net – when you have a high ball or wide ball. Hit with a square stance – opposite shoulder facing the net – for a low or short ball that you want to send down the middle.

Additional Two-handed Methods

There are two additional ways in which a player can hit a two-handed forehand. Because these methods are characterized by a need to change grip positions, they are not recommended. In addition, the method described above can be used to help a player develop a more productive conventional one-handed forehand. Nonetheless, it is helpful to provide an understanding of these other two methods.

Two Backhand Method

Jan-Michael Gambill’s unique ground game is actually composed of two backhands. His dominant right hand moves up slightly and provides for enough space for his left hand to grasp the bottom portion of the grip on his forehand side. This would be the equivalent to a left-hander’s backhand.

Gambill actually only grips the bottom inch or so of the grip, usually with his first two fingers and thumb. He also tends to release his left hand just after contact.

Regardless of whether or not one deems Gambill’s unique form successful, it does create some logistical problems. Specifically, the dominant hand must be ready to move up or down to the bottom of the grip on a moment’s notice. Following a fast serve, the hands must make this change quickly to be able to execute a groundstroke.

Reverse Two-Handed Forehand

The reverse two-handed forehand places the non-dominant hand at the bottom of the grip and the dominant hand on top. Gene Mayer successfully used this pattern during the late seventies while reaching top-10 status. The problem with this method is the movement of the hands needed after a serve or to hit a volley after a groundstroke. Since these two shots require the dominant hand at the base of the racquet’s grip, a transition from groundstroke to volley or from serve to groundstroke requires a significant shift in the grip.

A Stroke for Older Players

The two-handed model described is also an amazing stroke for senior players who have pain associated with hitting typical forehands due to impact stress or have minimal ability to hit a topspin forehand.

The two-handed forehand, like the two-handed backhand, distributes the stress or impact force of hitting a tennis ball between both arms and hands. As a result, many older players can indeed continue to play the game with much less pain.

It is fun to watch all levels and ages of players develop solid and recognizably advanced swing patterns relatively quickly. Learning the mechanics of the two-hander can even help players who go back to conventional one-handed forehands.

History has shown that what is considered unorthodox today can often become tomorrow’s weapon-of choice. If you or someone you might be working with is experiencing significant difficulties using a conventional one-handed forehand, training with a two-hander can radically improve their progression and success.

The pros and cons of a two-handed forehand are debatable. Female players tend to have better backhands than forehands, and having two hands on a shot can help improve stability, consistency and even power. It’s faster to get your racquet back with two hands, and it’s also easier to direct the ball. There are also less injury concerns when you’re not reliant on just one arm. And children can really benefit from two-handers, since physically it’s nearly impossible to get the hang of swinging a racquet with just one hand.

Being unconventional takes a lot of risk and lot more work – literally, more footwork in the case of the two-handed forehand. Competing with the often more powerful one-handers is understandably too large of an uphill battle for most. But there is still a place for two-handed forehands on the tour, as Peng and a few others show, though as the game gets faster and even more powerful, expect this unorthodox style to become extinct. Hopefully there will always be some players willing to break the factory mold.