When to Use Two Hands: Stop Flinching & Win Your Backhand

When to Use Two Hands: Mastering the Modern Pickleball Backhand

He froze at 8–9. Mid-rally, mid-pivot, mid-battle. A backhand came screaming across his left hip, and he just… flinched. One hand too late, too soft, too unsure. Game over. I’ve seen it a hundred times, strong forehand, decent hands, but that backhand? The decision lag kills them every time.

In short: Knowing when to use two hands on your backhand in pickleball helps you unlock more power, spin, and confidence while avoiding pop-ups, flubs, and frozen panic at the kitchen line.

Quick Summary

• What this is about: Understanding when to use two hands for your backhand in pickleball, and when not to.
• Main insight #1: Two hands offer more stability, but the tradeoff is reach and finesse.
• Main insight #2: Players who learn to toggle between one and two-handed backhands gain an edge in resets, counters, and dinks.
• Why it matters: Backhands are no longer the “weak side”, they’re a weapon, and the right grip could win you the point.

• What Is a Two-Handed Backhand?
• Why Two Hands Give You an Edge
• How to Build Your Two-Hander
• Common Mistakes & When to Let Go
• Drills to Dial It In
• FAQ

Who This Helps

This article is perfect for:

• 3.0–4.5 players who panic when fastballs hit their backhand side
• Beginners coming from tennis or paddleball with zero backhand comfort
• Advanced players chasing a reliable topspin backhand or speed-up option

What Is a Two-Handed Backhand in Pickleball?

A two-handed backhand means placing your non-dominant hand above your dominant hand on the paddle to help stabilize and power the shot. It helps generate topspin, adds control, and absorbs pace, especially in speed-ups and counters.

Why Two Hands Give You an Edge

Let’s be honest: a one-handed backhand looks cleaner. But clean doesn’t win battles at 9–9. When a drive comes at your ribs or you’re trying to rip a roll dink crosscourt, you don’t need elegance. You need torque, you need grip, and you need that second hand.

“Why do pros like Anna Leigh Waters and Riley Newman swear by it?”

• More topspin = safer aggression. The second hand helps brush up on the ball for sharp angles that still dip in.
• Added stability = fewer pop-ups. Especially in speed-ups or midcourt resets, your paddle doesn’t wobble.
• Compact swing = disguise. Less telegraphing and faster transitions than long one-handed backswings.

Quick takeaways:

• The two-hander isn’t just a power shot, it’s a control shot under pressure.
• It shines in resets, counters, and topspin dinks.
• If you’re struggling to “hold the line” at the kitchen, this is your upgrade.

Get this wrong, and you’ll stay the target in every fire fight.

How to Build a Solid Two-Handed Backhand

Most players mess this up by trying to muscle the shot with both arms. It’s not about biceps. It’s about sequencing, and letting the non-dominant hand do the work.

“How do I set it up?”

1. Dominant hand uses a continental grip low on the handle.
2. Non-dominant hand sits above, almost like a lefty forehand (for right-handers).
3. Backswing stays compact, think hip height, not shoulder.
4. Lead with the hips, then uncoil. Let the non-dominant side drive the paddle through.
5. Brush up for topspin or drive flat through depending on contact height.

Pro Insight: Connor Garnett’s Twoey Approach

In his Twoey video, Connor breaks it down: small swing, big legs. The power comes from the kinetic chain, not arm hacks. He starts the paddle below the ball and lifts through with the body. And when he speeds up off the bounce? Same setup, just more intent. He hits it like he’s trying to punch a hole through the court, but with surgical precision.

Quick takeaways:

• Let your left hand (for righties) lead the motion, your right hand is support, not driver.
• Keep swings short and punchy, think of a boxer’s jab, not a tennis loop.
• Stay low, rotate through, and recover fast.

Get this wrong, and you’ll swing big, miss wide, and stay stuck in no-man’s land.

Jump to: Benefits | How It Works | Mistakes | Drills | FAQ

Paddle Handle Length: Your Two-Handed Backhand’s Best Friend

You’ve got the motion, the grip, the intent, but something still feels off. Your non-dominant hand’s cramped. Your swing feels tight. Resets aren’t clean. It might not be your mechanics. It might be your paddle handle length.

If you’re trying to play two-handed with a standard 4.8″ or 5.0″ handle, you’re basically asking for trouble. You’re trying to fit two hands in a space built for one. That’s like an adult trying to swing a youth baseball bat, it works until it doesn’t.

Why Handle Length Matters for Two-Handers

• More Room to Breathe: A longer handle (usually 5.5″ or more) lets both hands grip without awkward overlap or slipping.
• Increased Leverage: The extra inch acts like a longer wrench, more torque, more power, more control on your counterpunch.
• Stability Under Fire: Full grip = full paddle stability. Especially when you’re blocking speed-ups or ripping a low roll dink.
• Slight Reach Boost: Two hands reduce reach, but a longer handle gives you back just enough to stay dangerous.

But What About One-Handed Shots?

Fair question. If your backhand is your weapon, don’t let your gear sabotage you. Most paddles must fit within a 17-inch length cap per USA Pickleball’s rules, so longer handles mean less face, but that grip room? It’s worth every inch. One paddle. Two hands. Zero excuses.

Coach’s Take

Coach’s Take: If you’re serious about building a two-handed backhand that holds up at game point, don’t let your gear sabotage you. Look for a paddle with a handle length of at least 5.5″. Better yet, demo a few and feel the difference. You wouldn’t buy shoes two sizes too small. So why cram both hands on a grip built for one?

Bottom line? If you’re flinching, popping up, or can’t commit to the shot, it might not be your brain or your form. It might be your handle. Fix that, and you unlock the shot for real. Ready to find the right paddle? Explore our in-depth pickleball paddle reviews to find your perfect fit.

Advanced Scenarios: Using Two Hands to Dominate the Middle

At higher levels, the two-hander becomes more than a tool, it’s a threat. Doubles teams target the middle relentlessly, especially during speed-ups. A strong two-handed backhand lets you punch through the seam or hold the line without giving ground.

• Middle Control: Two hands give you a sturdier platform to hold the T and counterattack directly between your opponents. No reach, no flail, just punch through with precision.
• Drive Threat: With better grip torque, you can rip low backhand drives through tight gaps, even from your non-dominant side.
• Stacking Insurance: If you or your partner stack and shift quickly, the two-hander gives you faster transition defense during chaotic swaps or miscommunications.

For advanced players, this isn’t just about adding a shot, it’s about expanding your tactical arsenal. When both hands are locked in, you’re not just reacting. You’re dictating.

Common Mistakes & When to Let Go

If your two-hander feels clunky or late, you’re not alone. The biggest rookie mistake? Trying to use it for every backhand, even when stretched or rushed. Sometimes, you need to ditch the second hand and flick it with one. It’s like trying to open a pickle jar with a hammer when grabbing a towel would do the trick.

“Why do my resets always pop up?”

• Gripping too tight with both hands, let the paddle absorb, don’t fight it.
• Standing tall instead of staying low through contact.
• Swinging too big, compact is king.

Quick takeaways:

• Use two hands when the ball is within your body frame.
• Switch to one hand when reaching wide or dinking low.
• Practice both, but don’t force either in a bad position.

Pro Insight: The One-Hander’s Place

Even top pros like JW Johnson or Julian Arnold strategically use a one-handed backhand for reach on wide balls or for a quick block. It proves it’s not just a beginner fallback, but a pro-level option when the situation demands it.

Stick with one hand, and you become predictable. Mix in the two-hander, and now they’re second-guessing everything.

Drills to Dial It In

You don’t master the two-hander by watching slow-mo clips. You build it with reps, short, focused, sweaty reps. Think of it as forging steel, not painting a masterpiece.

“How do I train my two-hander?”

• Wall work: Two-hand drives into a wall, focusing on hip turn and non-dominant wrist roll.
• Topspin dinks: Practice both sidspin and topspin variants, alternating shot types like Connor Garnett.
• Live speed-ups: Feed a medium ball and practice off-the-bounce two-hand counters. Then switch to one hand and compare.
• Solo Shadow Swings: No partner or wall? Shadow swing with a towel draped around the paddle. This forces wrist discipline and full-body rotation, making your form perfect without a ball.

Coach’s Take: Most players bail on the two-hander too early. It’ll feel weird at first. That’s not failure, that’s muscle memory forming. It’s supposed to feel like you’re trying to write with your non-dominant hand; awkward, but necessary for new skills. You’ll stop flinching and start firing, one punchy rep at a time.

Quick takeaways:

• Start slow. Repetition > power.
• Use a ball machine or partner to get predictable feeds first.
• Film your motion, you’ll catch habits you never noticed.

Get this wrong, and you’ll abandon the shot before it becomes your weapon.

FAQ

Turn Strategy Into Action

Try it for 14 days. Not once a game, every single drill, every speed-up, every dink. Make it your default and feel the difference. It might feel stiff today, but two weeks from now? You’ll own your backhand battles instead of flinching through them.

Dare yourself to commit, your future self won’t flinch at 9–9. Two weeks from now, you’ll take that same shot in a tied game, and hit clean through it like it was nothing.

Want to master your mental game too? Check out our guide on Confidence & Focus.