One-Handed Backhand
Also known as: one-hander, single-handed backhand
A one-handed backhand uses only the dominant hand. It gives more reach and disguise than a two-hander, but less stability against high-bouncing pace.
The one-handed backhand relies on a full shoulder turn and a long, extended arm through contact, usually paired with an eastern or semi-western backhand grip. Because only one hand controls the racquet, the swing has more reach, which is useful on wide or low balls. It can also disguise slice and topspin variations from a similar preparation. The free arm and body position give little away until late in the swing. The tradeoff is stability. Against high-bouncing, heavy-topspin balls, a single hand has to control the racquet face alone. That is more demanding on timing and strength than a two-handed grip.
The most common technical breakdown on the one-hander is an incomplete shoulder turn. The arm is left to swing largely on its own without the torso's rotational support, producing a weak, pushed shot. A well-executed one-hander loads the shoulder fully during the backswing, turning the back nearly toward the net. The forward swing can then uncoil the stored rotation into the shot rather than relying purely on arm speed. Many one-handed backhand players pair the topspin drive with a low, sliced backhand for wide, low, or defensive balls. That gives the stroke a versatile two-shot toolkit from a single grip family.
Example
Roger Federer's one-handed backhand is a widely studied example. A full shoulder turn and extended arm produce both a penetrating topspin drive and a disguised slice from a similar setup.
Why it matters
A one-handed backhand that breaks down under pace usually reveals an incomplete shoulder turn rather than a strength problem. Motion Lab estimates your shoulder turn at the start of the forward swing, which helps isolate the cause.
How it shows up on video
SwingVantage checks for a complete shoulder turn on the backswing. The back nearly facing the net — and a long arm extension through contact, flagging incomplete rotation as the likely cause of a weak or pushed one-handed backhand.
Common mistakes
- Failing to fully rotate the shoulder on the backswing, leaving the arm to swing without torso support
- Trying to muscle through heavy topspin balls instead of adjusting the contact point and grip pressure
Frequently asked questions
Is a one-handed backhand harder to learn than a two-hander?
It generally requires more precise timing and a fuller shoulder turn because a single hand controls the racquet face. But it offers more reach and disguise once developed.
Related terms
- BackhandThe backhand is a groundstroke hit on the non-dominant side of the body, played either with one hand or two, and can be struck flat, with topspin, or as a slice.
- Two-Handed BackhandA two-handed backhand places both hands on the grip, with the non-dominant hand providing additional stability, power, and disguise through contact.
- Eastern GripThe eastern grip puts the index knuckle on bevel 3, the handle's flat side. It gives a flat or moderate-topspin forehand at a comfortable height.
- SliceIn tennis, a slice is a backspin shot hit high-to-low through the ball, for a low, skidding bounce. A golf slice, by contrast, is a curving mishit.
- Unit TurnA unit turn is rotating the hips and shoulders together as one unit to prepare for a groundstroke. The arm does not take the racquet back on its own.
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