Two-Handed Backhand: Grip, Technique, and the Fixes That Matter
Quick answer
The two-handed backhand is powered mostly by your non-dominant hand. For a right-handed player, the left hand drives the swing like a forehand from the other side, doing about 80 percent of the work, while the right hand guides and stabilizes. Get the grip right, turn early, and make contact out in front, and the shot becomes one of the most reliable in your game.
The grip for each hand
On a two-handed backhand you stack two grips. For a right-handed player, the bottom (dominant) hand sits in a continental or eastern backhand grip, and the top (non-dominant) hand sits in an eastern forehand grip just above it. The hands touch but do not overlap. The simplest way to feel the top hand is this: it should hold the racket the same way your left hand would hold a forehand.
- Bottom hand: continental or eastern backhand grip.
- Top hand: eastern forehand grip, stacked above the bottom hand.
- Change grips by turning the handle with your non-dominant hand as you turn your shoulders, not by re-clenching the bottom hand.
The swing, step by step
- 1Turn early. The instant the ball comes to your backhand, turn your shoulders and take the racket back with both hands.
- 2Keep the backswing compact, racket tip up and roughly parallel to the ground.
- 3Stay loose, about a 3 out of 10 grip, and let the racket head drop below the ball.
- 4Step in and drive with your legs, transferring weight to your front foot.
- 5Make contact out in front near your front foot, about waist height, with space from your body.
- 6Finish low to high near the opposite shoulder, dominant elbow bent and close.
The fixes that matter most
- Weak and armed: let the non-dominant hand lead instead of pushing with the dominant arm.
- Into the net: loosen the wrist and brush low to high so the ball lifts.
- Late and jammed: turn earlier and give yourself room, contact in front not beside your hip.
- Sprays long: shorten a big looping backswing into a compact one.
One drill to groove it
Hit non-dominant-hand-only forehands (drop the bottom hand off). It teaches the lead hand to drive the two-hander and fixes most weak backhands fast. For more, see the solo backhand drills.
Frequently asked
What grip do I use for a two-handed backhand?
Bottom hand in a continental or eastern backhand grip, top hand in an eastern forehand grip stacked above it. The top hand holds the racket like it would on a forehand.
Which hand should be stronger on the two-hander?
The non-dominant hand. For a righty, the left hand does about 80 percent of the work and the right hand guides and stabilizes.
Why is my two-handed backhand so weak?
Usually you are pushing with the dominant arm and not turning your shoulders. Let the non-dominant hand drive, turn early, and use your legs.
Where is the contact point on a two-handed backhand?
Out in front, around your front foot, at about waist height, with space between your hands and your body.
Sources and further reading
Written by
Bolor Enkhbayar
Tennis coach and founder of CoachesNote
Bolor coaches serious juniors and adult competitors. She builds every weekly plan, reviews the video and match notes, and decides the next job, in person and remotely through CoachesNote.
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