Backhand slice with eastern backhand grip.
- Thread starter Paul Yoon
- Start date
Yeah, sometimes, it definitely has advantages in certain situations. (Replying to; 1.) high balls, a) where you can't get close enough to hit the outside of the ball, b) you get caught on the back foot [esp when you have to hit away from your body (off bh), from the centre of the court] 2. Semi half volleys (contact just after the half volley), this grip makes it easier to control the direction of your reply.
In general, direction control can be an advantage over continental, as it tends to take the movement in the air out of the shot as you are by necessity hitting with a horizontal racquet.
There are probably other situations, but those are the ones that come to mind.
However if you wanted to use one grip for all slices, on the backhand wing, it would probably be continental.
In general, direction control can be an advantage over continental, as it tends to take the movement in the air out of the shot as you are by necessity hitting with a horizontal racquet.
There are probably other situations, but those are the ones that come to mind.
However if you wanted to use one grip for all slices, on the backhand wing, it would probably be continental.
weelie
Professional
I think my grip moves towards forehand for slices that need to be dug out. So I assume for high slices, I might grip more towards BH grip. But as my 2HB is probably my most solid shot, and works great for high balls, I don't really play the slice off high balls. Actually, on my 2HB the grip also changes, I've recently realized (usually, I grip with an eastern BH grip on my dominant hand, but sometimes on low balls, I bunt with continental instead).
Don't think it will hurt to use both grips and see which one works well. There are no absolute rules in tennis.
unknowingly i used to use an slightly eastern bh grip to slice the ball... great to hit a drive slice,...
main issue i had was the confusion of conti vs. ebh on other strokes... touch volleys, serve, 2hbh (imo ebh right hand was too extreme for me)
anywho, spent a bunch of time making everything conti.. i lose a bit of pace on slice drive (not an issue imo, as it's a rhythm changning shot, or defensive shot)... lose some spin on serve, but can still hit a kicker fine, 2hbh grip is less extreme (good), volleys... easier to switch between fh/bh...
anywho, my $.02
main issue i had was the confusion of conti vs. ebh on other strokes... touch volleys, serve, 2hbh (imo ebh right hand was too extreme for me)
anywho, spent a bunch of time making everything conti.. i lose a bit of pace on slice drive (not an issue imo, as it's a rhythm changning shot, or defensive shot)... lose some spin on serve, but can still hit a kicker fine, 2hbh grip is less extreme (good), volleys... easier to switch between fh/bh...
anywho, my $.02
Yes. Its a great way to hit a drive slice. I can control the ball so much better with EBH grip as well. As people mentioned there is no "absolute way" to hit a ball.
yup, just have to know the pros and cons of a grip, and find a way around the cons.
Curious
G.O.A.T.
Can we add continental grip to backhand and forehand drives as well for full peace of mind? Is it likely still to control the groundstrokes that way? How long would it take to master this say you’re switching from eastern grips on both sides?
PS: just assume that I’m happy to give up on speed and wanna focus mostly on consistent placement with slice, flat drives like the green shirt brother.
not tracking your question...
but yeah, if you want to go old school (ala mcenroe), and want to do conti bh/fh flat-drive/slice/lob, it works,
how long it takes to master, switching from eastern grip? all depends on you. your effort, etc... seems like a variation of "how long to get to 5.0" threads.
RiverRat
Professional
I use an eastern backhand grip for both topspin and underspin. It has a little sidespin like Tiafoe's, as the head dips down and comes across as opposed to opening the face for a traditional slice. I use the same prep to provide disguise, which is an advantage, but the greatest advantage is having more time to make a final decision on shot selection. No opponent can sneak in when they see the slice coming. Similarly, I use a semi-western on the forehand for both slice and topspin.
hehe i just swung a few like you described... feels awkward as hell, but yeah i can see benefit of concealment... got a vid? never seen anyone hit like that, at a high level. i think i can improvise that at say the 3.5 level when everything is moving slow.
RiverRat
Professional
I don't have any videos. No doubt it will feel awkward. I've made so many grip changes in my 50 years of tennis, and each one has felt awkward as hell until it hasn't. My, hopefully, final grip changes have all been for ease and convenience. When I serve and volley with that backhand grip I hit all of my volleys and half-volleys with that same grip, so I have three grips:S&V, forehand groundstrokes and backhand groundstrokes. I've had extreme grips in my life but they all require auxillary grips for all the finesse shots. I also find that by reducing the grip changes I add to my touch because of the variety of shots I'm hitting with the same grip.
i don't mean awkward because it's a new stroke, but awkward because i feel like my skeletal structure is compromised and not supporting the point of contact. ie. swinging a hammer this way will lead to pain very quickly... but i can see why one might do it (to avoid having to learn different swing paths/grip changes)
RiverRat
Professional
Interesting. The only anatomical compromise I have to make on the underspin backhand is to slightly flex my hand forward,putting the racquet face into the same position that a continental grip would produce. The way I produce sidespin is my choice, it isn't necessary. Next Monday morning I'm playing with a buddy and I'll try to get some video. There's nothing radical in my strokes. I'm a classical tennis player with nothing extreme.
yeah, that slight flex is what i mean...
try holding a hammer with a slight eastern bh vs. conti grip, minor deviation to me makes a big difference in feel.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
No, not possible. racket angle will be too closed. this only works if you have 2-handed backhand slice. if you have 2-hands, you could manipulate the racket angle better. but with 1-hander, continental is much better. and eastern backhand grip will limit you and make you hit bad slices