When I started playing pickleball, I remember a few players hitting a two-handed backhand. These players were often told, “That’s not pickleball.”
pickleball evolution
Over the past few years, it has become increasingly clear that pickleball has evolved. More and more tennis players have entered the sport and with them, the sport has changed. The two-handed backhand is now pretty common…and not just among female players. Many very skilled male players are using it too.
Should you try it?
Most players that utilize a two-handed backhand are coming from a tennis background. It feels natural to them and can be easily transitioned to pickleball. I have had non-tennis players ask me if they should try it too. Perhaps…but for many, it is more difficult than they realize. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- When properly hitting a two-handed backhand your dominant hand is controlling the direction of the paddle while your non-dominant hand is actually driving it. Some adults struggle using their non-dominant hand so much.
- It takes more rotation of your hips and core to hit this shot properly.
- The two-handed backhand will typically limit your range and reach.
- It may be difficult to get both your hands on the smaller pickleball grip.
One size may not fit all
A properly hit two-handed backhand can be a very powerful weapon. While many players may have difficulty dinking accurately this way, they may find that they can hit winners with a two-handed swing volley at mid-court. Or they may find value on a backhand in pulling the paddle back with two hands, they extending forward with only one hand. The difference is now instead of driving with the non-dominant hand they separate…involving the shoulders working together.
As a junior tennis player, I played with a two-handed backhand. But later in life, I had a spine fusion. I could no longer rotate the way I needed to. So I learned how to hit a one-handed backhand. It was a natural transition to use this stroke in pickleball. The fact is there is no one right or wrong answer. As you work on your game continue to experiment and find what is most comfortable to you. If a two-handed backhand feels natural…go with it.
