GatorNation
New User
I just want to know if you can develop a game with a Continental Grip on a 1 Handed Backhand? I have used one for nearly a year but am being told by several people to switch. What do you guys think?
1 HBH with a Continental Grip?
- Thread starter GatorNation
- Start date
tennisdad65
Hall of Fame
If you want to play attacking tennis like Edberg/Mac, then Conti for everything works well.
If you want to stand back and rally like most most modern 1HBH guys then EBH is probably better.
It just depends on your game.
If you want to stand back and rally like most most modern 1HBH guys then EBH is probably better.
It just depends on your game.
bump for this thread, I too am interested in this
I am committed to making the painful switch to the 1 hbhd from a 2 hander (usta 4.5), and feel comfortable with a blend between eastern and continental but now is the time to change if necessary.
curious to see the feedback from more experienced members.
GatorNation
New User
But have you been able to get penetration through the court. I will admit my backhand is my weaker stroke and it may be due for a change.
WildVolley
Legend
The continental is fine for slice and low balls, but it is definitely harder to hit heavy topspin on high balls with the continental grip.
I'd switch to eastern backhand for flat and topspin drives.
I'd switch to eastern backhand for flat and topspin drives.
Frank Silbermann
Professional
Hitting topspin on _any_ kind of backhand is _supposed_ to be difficult.
WildVolley
Legend
Yeah, on the rec courts where I mostly play few people hit a topspin 1hbh and quite a few only slice.
However, if you want to hit the higher balls back with topspin, going to the eastern bh grip definitely makes it easier. I think this is why there are so few pros on the tour that only hit the 1hbh with a continental grip these days, even if the continental is still preferred grip for the slice. Guys who are blasting the ball, like Gasquet, Almagro and Wawrinka, are all eastern or more extreme.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
It's really great for slices and volleys.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
The Conti grip is probably ok for many balls when hitting underspin, hitting flat or hitting with mild topspin on the BH. However using a Conti grip on the BH for heavy topspin may eventually result in micro-tears in some of your tendons = tennis elbow? Ok to use the conti for slice BHs but you should really switch to something like an EBh grip for your topspin shots.
greystar403
Rookie
I like it. People say I'm crazy and it's too old school, but it just works for me.
Main reason I like it is because most of the time I don't have to deal with high balls because it's so easy to take it on the rise.
Main reason I like it is because most of the time I don't have to deal with high balls because it's so easy to take it on the rise.
K
Kilco
Guest
I wouldnt advise it it puts a lot of stress on the wrist hitting topspin, Go eastern you can hit flat and hit spin adn its very easy to get used to just hit a couple thousand backhands with it!
TimeSpiral
Professional
This sort of question is going to get a lot of "hit with the grip that I use" responses.
It's all about ability, perhaps even more so than technique. You can develop the ability using a variety of techniques. If you commit to the 1HBH Conti grip, you'll make it work.
Conversely, if you commit to a grip change, you'll probably make that work as well.
It's all about ability, perhaps even more so than technique. You can develop the ability using a variety of techniques. If you commit to the 1HBH Conti grip, you'll make it work.
Conversely, if you commit to a grip change, you'll probably make that work as well.
Manus Domini
Hall of Fame
You definitely can, but there are limits.
First off, you'll have to hit earlier (read: on the rise), simply because you won't be able to handle high balls as well, if not the natural inclination to flat versus topspin.
Secondly, you'll want to be playing an attacking game. Slices are almost always with conti, so you don't have to learn a new grip for them.
Whatever works for you is what you should go with. I'd advise EBH, but I have experimented with all three one-hander styles.
But, whatever you do, don't use Hawaiin for forehands, like people who use SW for both forehands and backhands. Bad things happen. Terrible, unspeakable things. (Not to mention they work for two completely different playing styles.)
First off, you'll have to hit earlier (read: on the rise), simply because you won't be able to handle high balls as well, if not the natural inclination to flat versus topspin.
Secondly, you'll want to be playing an attacking game. Slices are almost always with conti, so you don't have to learn a new grip for them.
Whatever works for you is what you should go with. I'd advise EBH, but I have experimented with all three one-hander styles.
But, whatever you do, don't use Hawaiin for forehands, like people who use SW for both forehands and backhands. Bad things happen. Terrible, unspeakable things. (Not to mention they work for two completely different playing styles.)
corbind
Professional
Did someone teach you to use conti or it just felt right? Do you hit almost all slices? If slicing conti is the best one. But hitting topspin conti is a no-no. Sure classic players got away with it many decades ago because racquets were smaller and hitting was flatter.
When someone is feeding you balls have you tried topspin Eastern BH or 2HBH? Those are WAY better choices than conti topspin.
prostaff_fan
Rookie
Depends on racquet too
I think it depends on the racquet too. When I switched to the prostaff 90, which is inherently better for the 1 handed backhand, I found the continental grip works well since the racquet has so much control.
I think it depends on the racquet too. When I switched to the prostaff 90, which is inherently better for the 1 handed backhand, I found the continental grip works well since the racquet has so much control.
