Forehand grip and its advantages/disadvantages

svsgbs · Jan 18, 2019

Hi All,
I am a beginner and I have a question about forehand grip. I played a few times and I found a grip to be resurceful to me.
Grip description- roll all 4 fingers normally; but instead of rolling the thumb tightly against any bevel, I put my thumb completely in line with the bevel#1, which is parallel to the raquet string.
This creates SPACE within my grip and more stress on my thumb and index finger knuckle, but gives me good control while playing slow balls. This grip weakens and sometimes I lose control when the opponents hit really hard and flat.
My observations aside. What advantages/ disadvantages does this grip really have from a technical standpoint? Please educate me.

Thanks

Deleted member 23235 · Jan 18, 2019

i don't quite understand what you're describing, but if there's any one finger i'd be focused on, with the fh grip, it's the index finger.... for me that's what is guiding the racquet to the contact, and giving me feedback on whether i hit it well.

side note: my thumb curls around the handle... vs. lying "straight" on a single bevel. so i can hold on better.

svsgbs · Jan 18, 2019

nytennisaddict said:
i don't quite understand what you're describing, but if there's any one finger i'd be focused on, with the fh grip, it's the index finger.... for me that's what is guiding the racquet to the contact, and giving me feedback on whether i hit it well.

side note: my thumb curls around the handle... vs. lying "straight" on a single bevel. so i can hold on better.

Please check this link to see what I am exactly describing. The image has a badminton grip, but you can imagine the same with a tennis racquet.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yHyk2mIbTh0/maxresdefault.jpg

Thanks

WildVolley · Jan 18, 2019

svsgbs said:
Hi All,
...
Grip description- roll all 4 fingers normally; but instead of rolling the thumb tightly against any bevel, I put my thumb completely in line with the bevel#1, which is parallel to the raquet string.

My observations aside. What advantages/ disadvantages does this grip really have from a technical standpoint? Please educate me.

Thanks

I would discourage you to put your thumb in line with the handle (this is more commonly seen on beginners hitting a 1hbh, with the thumb behind the racquet head while parallel to it).

IMO opinion it is a less natural grasping position and diminishes control over the racquet when swinging fast. I've never seen a top ATP player who uses this grip. Just hold a normal grip.

Deleted member 23235 · Jan 18, 2019

WildVolley said:
I would discourage you to put your thumb in line with the handle (this is more commonly seen on beginners hitting a 1hbh, with the thumb behind the racquet head while parallel to it).

IMO opinion it is a less natural grasping position and diminishes control over the racquet when swinging fast. I've never seen a top ATP player who uses this grip. Just hold a normal grip.

+1 on "don't do it that way"...
right now you're swing slow, and maybe it feels ok, but later, you'll be swinging much harder, and your racquet will fly out of your hands, and kill a small child in the adjacent playground..
you're welcome

svsgbs · Jan 18, 2019

WildVolley said:
I would discourage you to put your thumb in line with the handle (this is more commonly seen on beginners hitting a 1hbh, with the thumb behind the racquet head while parallel to it).

IMO opinion it is a less natural grasping position and diminishes control over the racquet when swinging fast. I've never seen a top ATP player who uses this grip. Just hold a normal grip.

I guess you are describing similar grip but 90 degrees apart from what I am saying. Yes, what you said works sometimes for backhand. But please check this image link where you can find what I am trying to explain.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yHyk2mIbTh0/maxresdefault.jpg

The image shows my forehand grip for a leftie. In the image it has a badminton racquet but I think you can understand what I am saying. Just imagine the same with a tennis racquet.

Thanks

svsgbs · Jan 18, 2019

nytennisaddict said:
+1 on "don't do it that way"...
right now you're swing slow, and maybe it feels ok, but later, you'll be swinging much harder, and your racquet will fly out of your hands, and kill a small child in the adjacent playground..
you're welcome

WildVolley · Jan 18, 2019

nytennisaddict said:
+1 on "don't do it that way"...
right now you're swing slow, and maybe it feels ok, but later, you'll be swinging much harder, and your racquet will fly out of your hands, and kill a small child in the adjacent playground..
you're welcome

Thinking about it, the only guy who does wonky things with his hands like this on the forehand is Richard Gasquet.

Three points: 1) I think Gasquet would have a better forehand if he wasn't doing weird things with his fh grip, 2) Gasquet has a very customized racquet handle which keeps the racquet from flying out of his hand and killing small children, and 3) Gasquet is a tennis prodigy who hit better than normal humans at a very young age. I think he would be more successful if someone had convinced him to make his fh less eccentric.

Deleted member 23235 · Jan 18, 2019

WildVolley said:
Thinking about it, the only guy who does wonky things with his hands like this on the forehand is Richard Gasquet.

Three points: 1) I think Gasquet would have a better forehand if he wasn't doing weird things with his fh grip, 2) Gasquet has a very customized racquet handle which keeps the racquet from flying out of his hand and killing small children, and 3) Gasquet is a tennis prodigy who hit better than normal humans at a very young age. I think he would be more successful if someone had convinced him to make his fh less eccentric.

i thought the same thing about gasquet watching a practice vid of him... all that talent, and he ended up with some idiot who didn't know or have the balls, to tell him to change his grip. if only he had found ttw... he coulda been a contenda...

svsgbs · Jan 18, 2019

nytennisaddict said:
i thought the same thing about gasquet watching a practice vid of him... all that talent, and he ended up with some idiot who didn't know or have the balls, to tell him to change his grip. if only he had found ttw... he coulda been a contenda...

I did not know he has a crazy forehand grip, but surely the FH shots are loopy with no power. His backhand, on the other hand, a treat - delicious.

Thanks

Doc Hollidae · Jan 18, 2019

You can always buy a western grip.....

svsgbs · Jan 18, 2019

Doc Hollidae said:
You can always buy a western grip.....

In my case, I am not timing well while using a western grip. Semi-western works OK for me. I have been playing only for 3 weeks now, without a coach. May be that's why I am unable to time well with western grip.

Thanks

IowaGuy · Jan 18, 2019

nytennisaddict said:
i thought the same thing about gasquet watching a practice vid of him... all that talent, and he ended up with some idiot who didn't know or have the balls, to tell him to change his grip. if only he had found ttw... he coulda been a contenda...

Poor Gasquet, probably has to resort to dumpster diving with only $17 million in prize money

Hmgraphite1 · Jan 18, 2019

IowaGuy said:
Poor Gasquet, probably has to resort to dumpster diving with only $17 million in prize money

Starting gofundme and I think some here should offer discounts on coaching

Forehand grip and its advantages/disadvantages

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