The Two-Handed Backhand Dink (Twoey): By Mari Humberg

If you've been putting off developing a two-handed backhand in pickleball, you're not alone — but it's time to stop waiting. The twoey has become an essential part of competitive play, and understanding the two distinct styles will help you figure out which one fits your game.

Why the Two-Handed Backhand Dink Matters

The two-handed backhand dink — commonly called the "twoey" — has become nearly mandatory at higher levels of pickleball. It adds power, disguise, and spin options that a one-handed backhand simply can't match. The challenge most players face isn't just learning the shot; it's not knowing how to learn it. That's exactly what this breakdown solves.

The Two Styles of the Pickleball Twoey

Before diving into technique, understand that there are two fundamentally different approaches to the two-handed backhand dink in pickleball, and both are valid.

Style 1: Shoulder and Elbow Driven — This is the more structured, mechanical style. It keeps the paddle tight to the body, uses shoulder rotation and elbow extension, and produces a controlled topspin dink. It may look a little robotic at first, but that's the point — consistency comes from structure.

Style 2: Loose Wrist, Tip-Forward — This is the style you'll see from elite players like Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin. The arm is looser, the paddle tip drops and points toward the target, and rotational power generates the topspin. It creates far more disguise and versatility — opponents genuinely can't read where the ball is going — but it demands exceptional touch and control.

How to Learn Style 1: A 3-Step Progression

If you're newer to the two-handed backhand dink or rebuilding confidence in the shot, Style 1 is where to start. Here's the exact progression:

Step 1: Non-Dominant Hand Forehands Only

Start by hitting crosscourt dinks using only your non-dominant hand, gripping the paddle exactly as you would for a backhand — not like a standard forehand. This isolates the hand that does most of the work in a two-handed backhand dink. Focus on the windshield wiper motion that generates topspin, and keep the ball slightly in front of you. Don't rush this step. Spend real time here until it feels natural.

Step 2: Alternate One Hand and Two

Once your non-dominant hand feels confident, begin alternating — one dink with that hand only, one with both hands. This variation clarifies exactly what your non-dominant hand is contributing and helps your dominant hand find its supporting role without taking over. Notice how low you need to get on these shots. Getting under the ball is non-negotiable with Style 1. A low, bent-knee position is what allows you to generate shoulder-driven topspin on the pickleball dink.

Step 3: Full Twoey with Intent

When your non-dominant hand feels like the dominant force — and you should genuinely feel that shift — you're ready to commit to full two-handed dinks with a purpose. Build patterns: two crosscourt, one to the middle. Two cross, one middle. Adding structure to your pickleball drilling accelerates the learning curve and mirrors real game situations.

Style 2 for Speed-Ups

Here's an important distinction between the two styles: when it comes to speed-ups at the kitchen line, Style 2 wins.

With Style 1, generating power on a pickleball speed-up requires so much shoulder turn that you're immediately out of position for the counter-attack. Style 2's looser mechanics — dropping the paddle tip and using rotational force — let you add pace and topspin while staying balanced and ready for what comes back.

Target selection matters too. Don't just rip the ball hard. Aim for your opponent's hip. The goal is precision, not pace.

Which Two-Handed Backhand Style Is Right for You?

For dinking, either style can work. Choose one, commit to it, and build reps. The three-step progression above — non-dominant hand only, alternate, then full twoey — applies to both styles and is the fastest path to making the shot feel natural in live pickleball points.

For speed-ups and attacking from the pickleball transition zone, Style 2 gives you the better platform. Style 1 is the stronger choice for controlled, defensive, and reset dinking situations.

The two-handed backhand is still evolving in pickleball. Players coming up without tennis backgrounds are already developing variations that may become the next standard. Master these two styles now and you'll be ahead of the majority of recreational and competitive players you face on the court.

For a full breakdown by Mari Humberg, watch here.