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Another awesome video. One suggestion, if you’ll wear a different colored shirt than the other three guys it makes it so much easier to identify you when the camera angles are changing frequently (which I like). All of you in black made it a little trickier. Thanks for teaching me so much of what I use today. My game has elevated tremendously since starting to watch your videos. 🙏🏼

Due to an injury to my right elbow (Tennis Elbow), I was forced to learn to play with my left arm. Now that I can play with both arms during a match it affords me so many different returns that opposing players are not expecting. I can reach so many more balls on my left side that the opposing team is not anticipating and they are surprised to see the ball coming back at them! I agree, two handed backhands are the way to go. Getting a good top spin on the ball is so much easier to accomplish with two hands; with stability. It's my "go to" killer shot!

Just binge watched most of your posts. They are great! You have not posted anything recently! Hope that you are well! Can’t wait to see more…

I have been considering the two handed backhand but my biggest question is: how much less reach do you have with two hands on the paddle? I assume you need to be closer to the ball than with one hand so set up would be even more critical??? You say if you are stretched, all you can do is reset but if you are stretching, there is no way to get a second hand on that ball.

i still suck at this but after seeing ben go from getting owned on his line to just clobbering counters with 2 hands i started focusing on this and it makes such a huge difference when you're playing the left - great vid!

As always, really well done video. Thanks for the helpful info.

at 2:35 or so you crush the 2 handed backhand land and center yourself off the hop, moving sideways to land in a much better position to cover the cross counter. - pretty key , and well done. Just something for all of us to think about not being static after the shot.

Thanks for another enlightening and well produced lesson.

As a beginner player your videos are helping me out a lot. I come from a badminton background and its hard to shake some old habits. But I particularly like how you show the techniques and then immediately follow up with scenarios and examples to prove your point as opposed to just telling us that we should just "do this" or "do that."

Great advise. Will try next time out.

Your comments are very informative. Keep them coming. S. Braverman

Great lesson! Thank you.

I've been thinking about a 2-handed backhand for some time. Can't wait to try this. Much thanks.

For two-handed backhand, what grip should the non-dominant hand be in (eastern, continental, semi-western etc?)

This was very helpful! I have to practice it but it makes a lot of sense.

So timely, thanks, peace.

Great video! I've loved switching to a 2-hander

Definitely need more two handed vids. Such an interesting evolution of the game

Hey Kyle, love all your videos and replay them often. Such a wealth of information. But, I'd like to add a point to this weeks offering. The reason folks hit weak backhand volleys, I think, is because they hit them late, behind their center of gravity. Learning a two handed backhand volley corrects this because you will naturally contact the ball sooner.

Awesomeness!

Awesome!

I love the two hand backhand but I also simply switch the paddle into my left hand and hit. I’m fortunate that I’m fairly ambidextrous!

Similar to the "speed up" scenario from the left-side (as a RH), it's equally effective and highly useful for defending against hard DRIVES (3rd shot or otherwise) from the opponent when they are on the baseline.

Similar to another comment, I had to switch to a two-handed backhand after recovery from surgery for a torn “tennis elbow” tendon. But quite honestly, even without the injury I’d still be using the two-hander. I just find that it provides a more positive feel on off hits (sorta like a larger sweet spot in a way), more angles, and of course… less injury.

I like the “options idea” of being able to use two hands and ready or DINK as usual

Although I don't teach a 2-handed backhand volley I have had to adjust my ready position with the non-dominate hand (thumb) holding tightly to the rim of the paddle above my right hand. I see that in your 1 hand backhand volley your non-dominate hand is just dangling near your side. I did have a floppy backhand volley and opponents knew it, so I created a Snap Volley which allowed me to have more control and power on the backhand volley. I noticed players 2.5 - 3.0 with the same problems. I do have a high 2-hand backhand volley however, it is difficult to determine which is high enough to hit down on the shot. Looks like in the video you are using a topspin 2 -hand rather than a flat. So my question is how high does the ball need to be before hitting that shot?

When and Why to Switch to a Two-Handed Backhand in Pickleball As a beginner pickleball player, you may start out using only a one-handed backhand. However, there are certain scenarios in matches where relying solely on a one-hander can get you into trouble. By learning to utilize a two-handed backhand in key situations, you can improve your stability, power, and ability to counter attack. This guide will overview two common scenarios where transitioning from a one-hander to a two-hander can help you avoid losing points repeatedly. 1) Defending Against Down the Line Speed Ups (00:29) As the right-handed player on the left side of the court, a common weakness is getting beat repeatedly when the opponent speeds the ball down your backhand line. When stretched out wide, beginners typically can only block the ball back defensively with a one-handed swing. However, by placing your left hand on the paddle handle for support, you gain added stability and can swing with more controlled power. This allows you to counterattack down the line speed ups instead of popping the ball up or yielding a weak reply. Maintaining better positioning closer to the middle can reduce how often you need the two-hander, but for balls hit far out wide, switching to a second hand is recommended. 2) Handling Cross Court Speed Ups (02:44) Another scenario where a two-handed backhand helps is returning cross court speed ups. As the righty on the right side, when your opponent hits a slower “dead” dink, they often speed the next ball back cross court to your backhand. From a weak one-handed position, beginners tend to miss into the net or pop these up. But by preparing with your left hand already on the paddle, you have the stability and strength to drive counterattack shots cross court. Keeping your swing short and compact, rather than an exaggerated take back, allows you to better control the direction and depth of your two-handed backhand reply. Summary (06:12) While more advanced players utilize two-handed backhands in additional situations, these two scenarios are where beginners tend to repeatedly get burned. By adopting a second hand for stability and power on balls hit to your wide backhand and on cross-court counters, you'll likely see rapid improvements. Over time, continue observing when pros transition between one and two-handed shots to expand when you implement this technique. With practice, your backhand will become a dangerous weapon for launching attacks. When and Why to Switch to a Two-Handed Backhand in Pickleball - Quiz 1. What shot tends to give beginner players using a one-handed backhand trouble when playing the left side? a. Down the line speed ups b. Cross court dinks c. Lobs d. Third shot drops 2. When stretched out wide to the backhand, what issue makes it hard to counterattack with a one-hander? a. Lack of power b. Poor positioning c. No stability d. All of the above 3. How does adding your second hand on the paddle help when countering down the line speed ups? a. Provides more power b. Allows better control of aim c. Adds stability d. Makes your wrist stronger 4. Why do players often speed the ball cross court instead of down the line to a righty's backhand? a. The triangle effect b. It's an easier shot c. Less expectation to return down the line d. All of the above 5. What term refers to a slower dink that gives your opponent time to get aggressive? a. Dead dink b. Attacking dink c. Third shot dink d. Drop shot 6. What preparation should you make when expecting a cross court reply after hitting a dead dink? a. Take a big backswing b. Open your stance c. Get into a compact ready position d. None of the above 7. What benefit does a two-hander provide on cross court speed ups? a. Ability to hit downwards b. Added power c. Easier to aim directionally d. All of the above 8. Beginners should use a two-handed backhand _______. a. Only in key situations b. For every shot c. Primarily for dinking d. Only on the forehand side 9. As you advance, when should you consider expanding your two-hander use? a. In all dinking rallies b. On quick exchanges at the kitchen line c. When pros switch grips in similar scenarios d. Only backhands down the line 10. What will likely happen as you practice two-handed backhands more? a. Your forehand will improve b. You'll get burned less often c. It will become a dangerous weapon d. Your wrist strength will increase Answer Key: 1. A 2. D 3. C 4. D 5. A 6. C 7. D 8. A 9. C 10. C

What would be a good drill to practice what you just demonstrated?

which hand is doing the “work”? which hand is along for the ride and which hand is “in charge”?

Been watching Ben Johns and he is moving towards two handed backhands at the net.

Ok, backhand, two handed backhand, what about discussing when to switch hands? By switching hands I increase my wingspan.

Great vid….I am noting you are all TALL men so shorter people will have to angle the paddle differently

a Two-handed back hand is a left-handed forehand. Try it, you will like it.

just hit it left handed

You show someone with bad technique hit a one hander then blame it on the one hander lol. He would do the same thing with two hands.

You are making assumptions. Nothing wrong with the two handed back hand but there are players who have a real good single handed backhand and they play equally well.

NEVER!! Way to limiting of stroke!