Two-Handed vs One-Handed Backhand in Pickleball: Which Is Better?

The backhand is where a huge number of pickleball points are won and lost — it’s the side opponents pick on, the wing that breaks down under pressure. So one of the first real questions players ask is whether to hit it with one hand or two. The honest answer is that both work, the best players use each at different moments, and the right choice depends on you. Here’s how to decide.

One-handed vs two-handed: the quick answer

There is no single “correct” backhand in pickleball. A one-handed backhand gives you more reach and a softer, more delicate touch — which is exactly what you want for dinks and resets at the kitchen, where the vast majority of your backhands actually happen. A two-handed backhand gives you more power, more stability against pace, and easier topspin — ideal for drives and returns. So the real question isn’t “which is better,” it’s “which do I need, and when?”

The one-handed backhand: pros and cons

The strengths:

• Reach. With one arm you can extend much farther for wide balls — a real advantage in doubles where you cover the middle and the sideline.
• Soft touch. One-handed is far better for dinks, drops, and resets, the soft shots that decide kitchen rallies. The hand stays loose and feels the ball.
• Speed. In fast hands battles at the net, one hand resets and re-fires quicker than two.

The trade-off: less raw power and less stability on drives, and it can feel weak against pace if your grip and wrist aren’t solid. That’s a fixable technique issue, not a dealbreaker.

The two-handed backhand in pickleball: pros and cons

The strengths:

• Power and stability. The second hand adds force and keeps the paddle face steady, so the ball doesn’t knock your shot off line under pace.
• Easier topspin. Two hands make it simpler to brush up the ball for a dipping backhand drive or roll.
• Forgiveness. For a lot of players, the extra hand makes a clean, repeatable swing easier — there’s simply more control over the paddle.

The trade-off: noticeably less reach — you can’t stretch as far for a wide ball — and it’s a touch slower to deploy in rapid exchanges. You also still need a one-handed touch for dinks, since two hands at the kitchen feels clumsy.

Which backhand should you use?

A few honest guidelines to point you in the right direction:

• Coming from tennis with a two-handed backhand? Keep it — your drive will be a genuine weapon. Just spend time developing a one-handed dink for the kitchen, because that’s the gap.
• New to racket sports? A two-handed backhand is often easier to control and build early confidence with.
• Struggling with weak, floaty backhand dinks? Work the one-handed version — touch and reach live there, and that’s usually the real weakness.
• Struggling with backhand drives that sail or lack pop? A two-handed drive will add the stability and power you’re missing.

You don’t have to pick just one

Here’s what most 4.0-and-up players actually do, and it’s worth copying: one hand for dinks, resets, and reaching balls; two hands for drives and returns. The off-hand naturally comes off the paddle for soft, stretchy shots and snaps back on for power. You’re not choosing a side for life — and building both gives you the most complete, hardest-to-attack backhand. Start with whichever feels natural, then add the other for the situations it’s built for.

How to hit a clean backhand (either style)

• Prepare early. The backhand needs an earlier shoulder turn than the forehand — get the paddle back before the ball arrives, not as it does.
• Contact out in front. Meet the ball in front of your body, not beside or behind you, for control and direction.
• Stay low and use your legs. Bend the knees and drive up through the ball rather than flicking with the wrist.
• Match your grip to the shot. Loose and relaxed for touch shots like dinks and resets; firmer for drives.

Common backhand mistakes

• Late preparation. The number-one backhand killer. Turn and prep sooner than feels necessary.
• All arm, no body. Drive with your legs and rotation; the arm just guides.
• Death-gripping dinks. Soft backhand dinks need a relaxed hand — squeeze and they pop up.
• Avoiding it entirely. Constantly running around your backhand to hit a forehand leaves huge court open and exhausts you. Build the backhand instead of hiding it.

Frequently asked questions

Is a two-handed backhand better in pickleball?

Not universally. A two-handed backhand gives more power and stability for drives, while a one-handed backhand gives more reach and a softer touch for dinks and resets. Many players use both depending on the shot.

Do pros use one or two hands on the backhand?

Both. Many top players use a two-handed backhand for drives and a one-handed backhand for dinks, resets, and wide balls, switching based on the situation.

Which backhand is easier for beginners?

Many beginners find a two-handed backhand easier to control and keep stable. Players coming from tennis usually keep whatever backhand they already have.

Can you use both backhands in pickleball?

Yes, and most well-rounded players do: one hand for dinks, resets, and reaching balls, and two hands for drives and returns. The second hand comes on and off as needed.

How do I fix a weak backhand in pickleball?

Prepare earlier, contact the ball out in front, drive with your legs instead of just your arm, and use a loose grip for soft shots. Drill it deliberately rather than running around it.

Build a backhand you trust

The fastest fix for a shaky two-handed backhand or one-hander is a few focused reps with someone watching your prep and contact point — it’s hard to self-diagnose. I run private lessons and clinics here in Central Mass. A control-friendly paddle helps too — take the Paddle Finder quiz, then find a court to drill at in our New England directory.