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The thread on forehand supination was so informative that I feel compelled to start a similar thread on the 2-handed backhand.
I am aware that John Yandell has written a great article on the four different types of 2HBH. I just want to explore an aspect that doesn't seem to have been addressed. Please do point out if this has been addressed elsewhere.
One common theme in most pros' 2HBH seems to be that they drop the racquet head just before the forward swing, and swing from the inside to the outside just like the FH. Indeed, the left wrist (for a righty) lays back just like the right wrist does for the FH.
Here's the part that seems to be different from the FH. As the racquet nears the contact point with the ball, the right arm seems to become a pivot point for the pronating left arm. The non-dominant arm by itself, without the dominant arm's help, would probably be difficult to pronate since it has weaker extensor and pronator muscles. But with the right arm serving as a pivot point, it is much easier. This seems to be true with all the four types of 2HBH - but not being an expert in video analysis, I am not certain about this.
In this theory, all the considerations of the FH must also apply to the 2HBH, with minor modifications. For example, the ideal stance for the 2HBH will be more closed than that for the FH because the dominant hand must be accomodated. By the same theory, an SW grip for the left hand is probably ideal, but since the left hand is weaker, probably a more eastern grip - resulting in less spin - is needed to drive the ball deep.
As to grip pressure, I think the dominant arm's grip should be really relaxed so it facilitates the pivot action... but of course, both hands should be "loose" in general for maximal racquet head speed. I am experimenting with the grips at present.
I am aware that John Yandell has written a great article on the four different types of 2HBH. I just want to explore an aspect that doesn't seem to have been addressed. Please do point out if this has been addressed elsewhere.
One common theme in most pros' 2HBH seems to be that they drop the racquet head just before the forward swing, and swing from the inside to the outside just like the FH. Indeed, the left wrist (for a righty) lays back just like the right wrist does for the FH.
Here's the part that seems to be different from the FH. As the racquet nears the contact point with the ball, the right arm seems to become a pivot point for the pronating left arm. The non-dominant arm by itself, without the dominant arm's help, would probably be difficult to pronate since it has weaker extensor and pronator muscles. But with the right arm serving as a pivot point, it is much easier. This seems to be true with all the four types of 2HBH - but not being an expert in video analysis, I am not certain about this.
In this theory, all the considerations of the FH must also apply to the 2HBH, with minor modifications. For example, the ideal stance for the 2HBH will be more closed than that for the FH because the dominant hand must be accomodated. By the same theory, an SW grip for the left hand is probably ideal, but since the left hand is weaker, probably a more eastern grip - resulting in less spin - is needed to drive the ball deep.
As to grip pressure, I think the dominant arm's grip should be really relaxed so it facilitates the pivot action... but of course, both hands should be "loose" in general for maximal racquet head speed. I am experimenting with the grips at present.
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