A two-handed backhand can feel like a brick wall—or like two arms arguing over one racket. The difference is rarely brute strength. It’s usually a few small things: a grip that lets both hands work together, contact made out in front instead of beside your hip, and a finish that lets the racket travel through the ball. Get those pieces lined up and suddenly the shot you used to bunt back under pressure can become a reliable rally ball, a sharp crosscourt angle, or a confident down-the-line changeup.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need a huge swing or a perfect-looking stroke to hit a dependable two-hander. You need clear positions and a repeatable rhythm. Let’s build the shot from the grip up, then put it to work on court.
Start with a grip that gives both hands a job
For a right-handed player, the left hand is the top hand on the racket and usually supplies much of the feeling and control through contact. The right hand sits below it and helps guide and support the swing. Left-handed players reverse those roles. The exact grip can vary from player to player, so think of the common hand positions as a practical starting point—not a rigid rule.
A useful beginner setup is a continental-style grip for the lower, dominant hand and an eastern forehand-style grip for the upper, non-dominant hand. The upper hand’s position often feels a little like holding the racket for a forehand on that side of the body. Together, the hands create a compact, secure hold that helps the racket face meet the ball without either wrist having to do all the work.
To find your starting position, hold the racket in front of you with the strings facing roughly toward the net. Place your dominant hand near the butt cap, then bring your other hand above it. Leave a little space between the hands if that feels natural; some players keep them close together. Neither arrangement is automatically wrong. The important thing is that your hands feel connected, your wrists aren’t strained, and you can swing without the racket twisting in your grip.
Check the grip by rehearsing a slow backhand swing. If the racket face feels too open and the ball would float long, adjust the hand positions slightly. If you have to wrench your wrists around just to square the strings, reset. A coach can help you identify the bevels and fine-tune your hold, but comfort alone isn’t the whole test: the grip should let you meet the ball in front with a stable racket face.
Turn early, then move your feet
Many backhands go wrong before the swing even begins. A player waits to see exactly where the ball will land, then tries to turn and hit in one rushed motion. Instead, respond as soon as you recognize the ball is coming to your backhand side. Turn your shoulders, bring the racket back, and start moving into position while there’s still time.
That early shoulder turn does two useful things. It gets the racket ready without requiring a frantic arm-only backswing, and it helps your body line up so you can swing through the ball. Keep your head steady enough to track the bounce, and use small adjustment steps as the ball approaches. Your goal is to arrive balanced—not to stretch for the ball at the last possible second.
For a lot of players, a slightly closed or sideways stance feels dependable on a neutral ball. But don’t force one stance on every shot. If the rally is fast, you’re stretched, or you need to recover quickly, an open stance can be practical. Good footwork is about creating enough room to swing and staying balanced through contact, not posing for a textbook photo.
Find the contact point out in front
If you remember one cue, make it this: meet the ball in front of your body. “In front” doesn’t mean reaching so far that your arms lock. It means making contact ahead of your torso, where you can see the ball clearly and swing through it with control. Contact beside your hip often leaves you cramped and late; contact too far away can pull you off balance and make the racket face hard to manage.
The ideal spot shifts with your stance, grip, height, and the incoming ball. A low ball may be contacted lower and farther in front; a high ball calls for a different spacing and swing. Rather than chasing one exact distance, look for a position where your elbows retain a comfortable bend, both hands stay connected to the racket, and your body can continue moving through the shot.
Try this simple check: shadow-swing, pause at your imagined contact point, and look at your hands and racket. Are they comfortably ahead of your torso? Can you keep your head still and imagine the strings facing your target? If you’re twisted up or leaning backward, adjust your starting position. On a real ball, keep your eyes on the bounce and contact area instead of lifting your head early to watch the target.
Swing through the ball—not just at it
Once you’ve turned and spaced yourself well, let your legs and trunk help power the stroke. Bend your knees enough to get to the ball’s height, then push up and rotate as you swing. You don’t need an exaggerated squat or a dramatic body twist. A smooth, connected motion is easier to repeat than a last-second heave with your arms.
Let the upper hand help guide the racket forward while both hands stay involved. Avoid squeezing the handle as hard as possible; excess tension can make the swing jerky. Keep the racket moving through the contact zone toward your target. If you brush up the back of the ball to add topspin, make sure you still drive forward as well. Only swinging upward can produce a weak, short ball that lands invitingly inside the court.
Racket-face control matters more than trying to manufacture power. Start with a comfortable, compact swing and send the ball with a margin over the net. As the contact becomes more reliable, you can add pace by swinging faster while keeping your balance and finish—not by muscling the ball with your shoulders.
Finish naturally and recover
A follow-through is not decoration. It’s the part of the swing that helps you stay relaxed and carry the racket along its path after contact. Let the racket continue across or up around your body, whichever finish fits your grip, swing, and intended shot. The racket may finish high near the opposite shoulder, but don’t force that pose or pull it there before you’ve struck the ball.
After contact, stay balanced enough to recover toward a useful position. If you admire the shot with your feet planted, your opponent may already be preparing the next one. The best finish is one you can repeat and move on from: swing through, let the racket finish, then get ready again.
Watch players such as Novak Djokovic for a useful reminder that a two-hander can be compact, balanced, and dangerous under pressure. Don’t try to copy an elite player’s exact grip or timing from television—those details are personal and shaped by years of practice. Instead, notice the broad ideas: early preparation, stable contact, and a body that stays organized through the shot.
Three drills to make the stroke repeatable
1. Shadow swings with a contact-point pause
Make ten slow swings without a ball. Turn your shoulders, set your feet, swing, and pause where contact would happen. Check that the imaginary ball is in front and that you’re balanced. Then finish and recover. Slow practice helps you notice cramped spacing before it becomes a rushed habit.
2. Cooperative mini-court backhands
Stand near the service line and rally gently, aiming for comfortable height rather than pace. Keep the swing short and focus on meeting the ball in front. If you can rally several balls without scrambling, step back gradually. The goal is to carry the same calm contact into a longer court—not to win a power contest from the service line.
3. Crosscourt targets, then a change of direction
From the baseline, rally crosscourt with a partner or coach. Pick a generous target area and aim for a net clearance that feels safe. After a few steady exchanges, change one ball down the line. This teaches you to build the point with your dependable shot before redirecting it, rather than trying to hit a winner from a poor position.
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If the ball keeps flying long, check the racket face and whether you’re swinging too hard before changing several grip details at once.
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If the ball lands short, see whether you’re making contact late or only lifting the racket instead of swinging forward too.
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If you feel jammed, create more space with your feet and prepare earlier.
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If you lose balance, reduce the swing speed and focus on arriving in a stable position.
Use the backhand with a plan
Consistency doesn’t mean hitting every ball to the same spot. Crosscourt is often a comfortable rally direction because the court gives you a longer diagonal path, while a down-the-line ball changes the geometry and can open the court. But redirecting sharply is harder when you’re stretched or late. Build your rally ball first; change direction when you’re balanced and can contact the ball in front.
Also pay attention to height and depth. A reliable backhand that clears the net with room and lands deep can make an opponent hit from behind the baseline. A flat, low ball can be effective in the right moment, but it leaves less margin. When you’re under pressure, give yourself space over the net and aim toward a generous part of the court. You can add ambition when the ball sits up and your feet are set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should my hands go on a two-handed backhand?
For a right-hander, the right hand is usually lower on the handle and the left hand sits above it; left-handers reverse that. A common starting point is continental for the lower hand and eastern forehand-style for the upper hand. Small variations are normal, so choose a setup that lets you meet the ball in front with a comfortable, stable racket face.
Should I use an open or closed stance?
Use the stance that lets you get balanced and make room for the swing. A sideways, more closed stance can feel comfortable on a neutral ball, while an open stance can help when you’re rushed or need to recover quickly. Don’t force a single stance regardless of the ball’s pace and location.
Why does my two-handed backhand keep going into the net?
Common causes include late contact, a racket face that is too closed, and a swing that travels across without enough forward movement. First, prepare earlier and contact in front. Then aim with a little more net clearance. Make one adjustment at a time so you can tell what helps.
How do I hit a two-handed backhand with more power?
Start with better spacing and early preparation; those often add more usable pace than tightening your grip and swinging wildly. Bend your knees comfortably, let your body contribute, and accelerate smoothly through contact. Keep your balance and follow-through intact—power that costs you control is rarely much help in a rally.
Final Thoughts
A dependable two-handed backhand comes from a chain of simple actions: set a grip that feels stable, turn early, move your feet, meet the ball in front, and swing through to a relaxed finish. When the shot breaks down, resist rebuilding your whole technique in one session. Check the basics in order—preparation, spacing, contact, then follow-through—and make one clear change at a time.
Start slowly, aim for a big target, and count clean contacts rather than winners. With patient practice, the backhand that once felt like a rushed scramble can become a shot you trust when the rally gets tight.
