Semi-western FH question

[ZhangM58]

Hey everyone, I have a question on the semi-western FH grip. how far do you have your hand up on the grip? my coach tells me the pinky should be on or right above the butt cap of the racket, but I have it about a little less then a inch above the butt cap, i find it to have more control that way, but my coach tells me that you get more power by moving the hand down for the FH. any opinions? -Thanks

[paulfreda]

Power and control are frequently a direct tradeoff. More of one => less of the other and visa versa. This is true in many other sports as well.
Tennis is mostly about technique. Find what works for you and then trust it enough to stay with it.
As for your coach, that is about politics. If he decides if/how often/when you get to play, not following his advice could hurt you. Is he a hard nose and will become angry if you do not do as he suggests or will he just want to see how well you play ? Reading people is not always easy. It certainly can't hurt to give his suggestion a good try by hitting against the wall to see what he is getting at.

[ZhangM58]

Thanks for the reply!

[Superior_Forehand]

I think your coach is right. At least thats how I do it.

[Leon]

I think he is right, you should hold it low.

[player69]

I used to hold my racquet with my pinky on the butt cap, but I've always had problems with control. I gradually moved my grip up about 1/4" - 1/2" above the end of the butt cap for more control. But when I watch pro's grip, they seem to hold their racquet with the pinky at the bottome of the butt cap.

Should I lower my grip position? Are there any Pro's who use grips with pinky's above the butt cap?

[johnmcc516]

I hold my racquet as low on the handle as I can. My pinky is almost hanging off.

[troytennisbum]

We'll I wouldn't hold the raquet with any part of your pinky/hand hanging off the bottom of the raquet...otherwise you will be compromising the stability/control of your grip. But certainly hold it with the end of your hand (ie. pinky) touching the lowest part of your raquet handle for maximum leverage on your shots.

[Leon]

If you hold it higher, you use ~26,5" of the racquet length, junior racquet size? So if you move it all the way down you get the 27".

[Jonnyf]

Maybe it's just me or my Pd+ but with my semi-western grip i find that hitting a weak forehand with top spin is really hard and often hits the net whereas power with top spin is easy

[erik-the-red]

I used to hold it with my pinky ALMOST off.

Now, I have shifted it up about half an inch.

It's personal preference, really.

[player69]

I went out last night and tried holding the grip with my pinky at the end of the butt cap. I do get a lot of power with ease and more manuavability on the wrist, but I still find it harder for control and placement. I had trouble with heavy balls and consistancy. It didn't feel awkward, it just didn't feel as if I had a full handle on the racquet. I moved my grip back up and it felt like I had more control because I had more palm on the racquet to give me better handling. But now I'm confused. If I want to improve and develop a more power game, should I move my grip down?