Which Grip Takes the Least Effort to Hit With?

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lordmanji

Guest
i was watching these two guys hit yesterday with what looked like either eastern or continental grips and they were hitting the ball very cleanly with little effort. their techniques weren't great - both let their non-dominant arm dangle, footwork wasn't always set well - but they seemed to hit with pace and sufficient clearance/topspin and consistently so. and then there i was with my full western taking huge swings and loading up on my legs with arm all across the body exerting all that effort but i think they hit a better more consistent ball. :confused:
 

KiNG

Rookie
Definitely continental. I switch back and forth between Cont. and western and I always like the simplicity of hitting with Cont. If your lazy person like me and taller than 5'8" you'll find Cont. a pretty good alternative forehand grip. You bend your knee much less with Cont. But then again its so old school I get killed so much easier by modern hitter.
 

wihamilton

Hall of Fame
Well I'd say an eastern. It's what I would start a beginner w/because it's pretty stable and the swing path is basic vs a more extreme grip. Continental not an acceptable forehand grip in today's game.
 

Tim Tennis

Professional
Forehand: IMO the Eastern forehand grip, the hand shake grip. It is the beginner grip that most people start out with. For topspin the Semi-Western grip is great and easier for most people versus the Western forehand grip. The hand rolls under the handle to give more support for the steeper swing path.

Backhand: IMO the Continental for slice and the Eastern backhand for hitting a flat shot or topspin.

How well you grip the handle and can control the racquet head angle will determine how well you will be able to play this great game.

Best regards,

Ed
Tennis Geometrics
http://www.tennisgeometrics.com
 

rubberduckies

Professional
Definitely continental. I switch back and forth between Cont. and western and I always like the simplicity of hitting with Cont. If your lazy person like me and taller than 5'8" you'll find Cont. a pretty good alternative forehand grip. You bend your knee much less with Cont. But then again its so old school I get killed so much easier by modern hitter.

You switch between continental and western? How does that work?

As for OP, those two guys you watched may not look like they have great technique, but the fact that they are generating effortless pace, as you say, means that they are doing a lot of things right.
 

NLBwell

Legend
Most effortless would be hitting flat. Probably eastern on the forehand (you do tilt your wrist a bit on the continental) and continental on the backhand.
 

mtommer

Hall of Fame
Hmmmm.....I would have to go with the cannon grip. The cannon grip is a relatively new but very powerful grip. In fact, all you have to do is hold down the button to the lighter accessory that comes with every instruction sheet, light the wick to the cannon, grip the cannon and point it where you want the ball to go and you are guaranteed a ball that cannot be returned by the opposing player. In fact, if you're really good with this type of grip, you can make it so that you'll never have to play that player ever again and neither will anyone else.

(or you could just listen to wilhamilton as he seems to know what he's talking about)
 
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LeeD

Bionic Poster
Conti, and chop/slice off both wings.
Least effort, physically, to hit the ball.
Most effort, physically, to retrieve because the other guy is having fun making you run.
 

lovin'it

Rookie
i don't think this is a new thread need, but, by 'least effort'...could i also assume this to mean 'most arm friendly' ? (re: tennis elbow?) know i need to refine my strokes, and plan to work with a pro as soon as i find one i think is appropriate for this, but perhaps my western/semi western forehand grip (people see it as extreme 'round here) is some of the problem? sounds like most agree the continental is the way to go, i am not exactly an old lady, but at 48, i know i need to take advantage of the youth i have and preserve it so i can be playing when i am that old lady!!
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I used to play with lots of +70 year olds.
Most hit with slice, and conti grip favors slice.
As you and me get older, we lose our ability to cover court, so a slow ball can still be a winner. Also, we lose our rotator cuff functions, and lifting the racket thru the strokes gets harder with age.
Slice is the easest on the body for sure.
Flat takes timing, good eyes, much more shoulder strength.
Extreme tops are impossible for older peeps.
I'm old at 60.
 
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