two heads are better than one
by Don R. Mueller, Ph.D.
How about two tennis rackets?
You've heard the saying, "two heads are better than one." How about using two racquets to play tennis? I'm physics professor Don Mueller and I play two-racquet or "two forehand tennis." The objective of this brief article is to illustrate some of the benefits to playing two-racquet tennis.
I'm not here to violate the rules of tennis. Instead it is my goal to introduce a new and exciting form of tennis. A game that calls on the traditional rules of tennis yet allows for the simultaneous use of two racquets. Perfect for those players who would dare to be different?
Practical benefits to playing with two racquets:
(1) Less bending: Bending forward and extending the two racquets, you simply scoop the ball off the court. People with "bad" backs will appreciate the fact that they don't have to bend over completely to pick up the ball.
(2) Get those "hard to reach" shots: Simple geometry here, as two racquets widen your wingspan. The next time the ball goes whizzing by your backhand side, you might consider going "two-racquet."
(3) No need to use a backhand stroke: For most tennis buffs, the forehand is mightier than the backhand. Many players use the two-handed backhand for power and control. Why not try two forehands? More power, good control.
(4) Reduce the risk of developing tennis elbow: The backhand is notorious for promoting "traditional" tennis elbow. Playing with two forehands reduces this risk.
(5) Lessen arm fatigue: A second racquet into your game will reduce the stress on your racquet arm because you now have two racquet arms! Repetitive strain injuries are less likely to occur in the two-racquet game.
(6) Develop ample hand-eye coordination for
both sides of the body: The goal being to improve both hand-eye coordination and the ability to move laterally while focusing on a moving target.
The Two-racquet Tennis Serve: People ask, ?How can you serve using two racquets?? I do so by tossing the ball up with the one racquet and hitting the ball with the other racquet. The ball, which rests in the "throat" of one racquet, is thrown upward and is then hit by the other racquet. Easy as pie.
I hope I've provided you with a glimpse into two-racquet tennis. The following webpage provides more information: http://drbonesshow.com/links/ambidextrous-tennis.html .
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