Which FH grip should I transition to?

[Andy Zarzuela]

Hi everyone. Here's a few facts about my game:

I am currently a 4.5 player stuck in a rutt...I know at my best and fully trained I could improve to a 5.0, which is my goal this summer!
I hit every shot with a continental grip: serves, forehands, 2-handed backhands.
I have a powerful flat strokes off of both the FH and BH wing.
My backhand is my best shot; Thus, I do not want to change too much with it.
My FH is very powerful, however can tend to get inconsistant.
My first serve is very powerful and effective; however it is also very flat
My 2nd serve is the weakest part of my game; though, it is improving.
I tend to have good hands at the net, however, my transition game can go off with my risky flat shots...by the way I also use the continental grip for my volleys, which works well...

With that said, I would like to know which grip I should make a change to? I've toyed with a semi western and full western, but I cannot seem to get the ball over the net. Also, since I've been playing with the continental grip for so long, a transition to full western seems like too much of a change..Just from what I've read in magazines, a semi-western FH seems like a good alternative. The fact of the matter is, that I definitely need more margin for error on my flat strokes. However, keep in mind that whenever I have "toyed with other grips" that I am not 100 percent sure I was correctly holding the racquet. What is an eastern grip? The only thing I know about it is that Pete Sampras and Anna Kournikova have used that grip...Any ideas on a good grip transition that can help me improve my game's consistantcy would be appreciated. Perhaps some pictures would be nice too! Because as far as I see it, I am not going to improve to the next level with my current grip(s).


THANKS!!

[Fumoffu]

I personally use a grip in between eastern and semi-western (on the forehand), and have found great results. Easy to flatten out a shot when you need it, and will normally give you a good margin for error. As for helping your game, I can't say much because you're better than I am (and most of the board) so good luck on your jouney to 5.0!

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

I personally use a grip in between eastern and semi-western, and have found great results. Easy to flatten out a shot when you need it, and will normally give you a good margin for error. As for helping your game, I can't say much because you're better than I am (and most of the board) so good luck on your jouney to 5.0!

So do i! Only downside to this grip is its hard to get low balls for me...although its easiest for me to hit flat shots with this grip.

[limitup]

Just out of curiosity, how long have you been playing tennis? How can you be a 4.5 player and not know what an eastern grip is???

[glass]

Get some clips of rod laver and have a look at how he generated topspin with a continental. Ofcourse you could always just take some pace off the ball and aim higher over the net for consistency. Obviously as long as you maintain excellent depth at a reasonable pace you should be ok.

[Mattle]

I think an eastern forehand would be perfect for you!! if you have so much control with the continental, you can easily make both top spin,drives and flat shots with it.

[ta11geese3]

Just out of curiosity, how long have you been playing tennis? How can you be a 4.5 player and not know what an eastern grip is???

I find that entirely possible, as many players don't care about what their grip is called. Although it is a bit suspect.

[tennis_nerd22]

I personally use a grip in between eastern and semi-western (on the forehand), and have found great results. Easy to flatten out a shot when you need it, and will normally give you a good margin for error. As for helping your game, I can't say much because you're better than I am (and most of the board) so good luck on your jouney to 5.0!

same grip i use, except mine leans more to the SW side

[tpduke112]

Just out of curiosity, how long have you been playing tennis? How can you be a 4.5 player and not know what an eastern grip is???
No joke...is this 4.5 as self rating?

[35ft6]

Eastern grip. And maybe in a year or two, maybe start moving over a bit towards a semi-western.

How long have you been playing? A continental forehand probably means you started with a wood racket, eh?

[J-man]

I personally use a grip in between eastern and semi-western (on the forehand), and have found great results. Easy to flatten out a shot when you need it, and will normally give you a good margin for error. As for helping your game, I can't say much because you're better than I am (and most of the board) so good luck on your jouney to 5.0!i use the same grip. it's good for the same reasons you stated. you can hit the flat shots and get a good margin for error.

[tennis_nerd22]

you can hit the flat shots and get a good margin for error.

except when there's a lot of wind :mrgreen: ah i hate playing tennis in the wind

[Andy Zarzuela]

No joke...is this 4.5 as self rating?

No. The pro at my club rated me. Plus, I've played some 4.0s, I usually beat them like 6-1,6-1.........I recently played a 4.5-5.0 and lost 3-6, 7-6, 4-6. So...

[Andy Zarzuela]

Let me say that I have a vague idea about the different types for FH grips, but I never put too much thought about them...I've used my continental grip for years, and it has worked well for me....I just want to get more consistancy and topspin. I have no problem producing pace or depth...

[Andres]

Andy, I think, try Eastern first. If you feel comfourtable with continental, and semiwestern is too awkward at first, move your grip a little towards to your left, or your hand to the right. Eastern is a less drastic change for a FH than a SW.

[Andres]

Andy, this is a good resource for tennis grips ;)

http://www.tennis.com/me2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=1164C68C501543D5B6F96AC1FD8A09FC

[Andres]

And this, is even better:

http://tennis.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=&tier=4&id=E0E25DFF246E45A4A9D6F005280C53F2

[jackson vile]

Hi everyone. Here's a few facts about my game:

I am currently a 4.5 player stuck in a rutt...I know at my best and fully trained I could improve to a 5.0, which is my goal this summer!
I hit every shot with a continental grip: serves, forehands, 2-handed backhands.
I have a powerful flat strokes off of both the FH and BH wing.
My backhand is my best shot; Thus, I do not want to change too much with it.
My FH is very powerful, however can tend to get inconsistant.
My first serve is very powerful and effective; however it is also very flat
My 2nd serve is the weakest part of my game; though, it is improving.
I tend to have good hands at the net, however, my transition game can go off with my risky flat shots...by the way I also use the continental grip for my volleys, which works well...

With that said, I would like to know which grip I should make a change to? I've toyed with a semi western and full western, but I cannot seem to get the ball over the net. Also, since I've been playing with the continental grip for so long, a transition to full western seems like too much of a change..Just from what I've read in magazines, a semi-western FH seems like a good alternative. The fact of the matter is, that I definitely need more margin for error on my flat strokes. However, keep in mind that whenever I have "toyed with other grips" that I am not 100 percent sure I was correctly holding the racquet. What is an eastern grip? The only thing I know about it is that Pete Sampras and Anna Kournikova have used that grip...Any ideas on a good grip transition that can help me improve my game's consistantcy would be appreciated. Perhaps some pictures would be nice too! Because as far as I see it, I am not going to improve to the next level with my current grip(s).


THANKS!!


which ever one comes naturally