BooneTennisNic
New User
Right now I use an eastern forehand grip. I'm probably around a 4.0 ntrp. Im 5'10". My question is should I use a semi western or eAstern grip for a forehand. Id love the topspin but I slice sometimes too. Please help.
Best forehand grip
- Thread starter BooneTennisNic
- Start date
mightyrick
Legend
There is a strong correlation between forehand grip, height, and NTRP rating. Rather than messing with the grip to improve your NTRP rating, I would focus on growing taller. When Roger Federer was 5'10", he wasn't nearly as good as he is now. Since he's grown to 6'1", he's really improved his game significantly.
BevelDevil
Hall of Fame
What problems do you currently have with an Eastern grip? What would you be aspiring to with a SW?
How would you describe your overall playing style, and/or the style you would like to play?
And are you willing to incur the transition cost of changing grips?
Finally, you should keep in mind that there is the intermediate grip of "strong Eastern."
How would you describe your overall playing style, and/or the style you would like to play?
And are you willing to incur the transition cost of changing grips?
Finally, you should keep in mind that there is the intermediate grip of "strong Eastern."
fruitytennis1
Professional
I find with my old grip(extreme easter) too many balls went "just" long.
Switched to SW and all problems are fixed and i hit a bigger ball
Switched to SW and all problems are fixed and i hit a bigger ball
BooneTennisNic
New User
BooneTennisNic
New User
16, 2 years ago. Varsity #9 on a 3rd place division one team in Iowa
martini1
Hall of Fame
I would say grip has more of a correlation to the ball height at contact and type of shot. Like myself I switch between a semi Eastern and a semi Western, even a Western once in a while.
BevelDevil
Hall of Fame
Absolutely. A 1/2 bevel shift makes a huge difference, especially on that wide bevel.
The upside of going from E to strong-E is that you don't have to change your mechanics as much as with a SW. So it's a nice way to experiment with a stronger grip without totally changing your forehand.
Physical height also influences what grips would work well with you since that will influence the relative height of the balls you will be facing.
A short person would tend to have a tough time with an Eastern grip simply because he'll be facing more chest-high balls. Conversely, a tall person would do well with an Eastern grip and will tend to produce more "natural" topspin since he is either reaching down further which closes the racket face, or he's bending his knees more, producing more upwards thrust.
martini1
Hall of Fame
You are assuming these two person (tall and short guy) are hitting relatively in the same area of the court. If that's the assumption, you a probably right. I assume a taller guy would play more forward than the shorter guy. If the ball is kicking up constantly to the short guy's chest and above, he should take a couple of steps back and wait until the ball is his comfort striking zone. Unless he is Agassi-like and can take EVERYTHING on the rise. Like wise a taller guy should take a couple of step forward if the ball is dropping too low in front of him so that he doesn't need to hit knee level balls.
I'll second this. I made this change a couple of years ago and I've been very happy with it. The strong-E (half way between an E and SW) still allows me to hit through the ball very naturally but also gives me access to a lot of TS when I want it.
BooneTennisNic
New User
Thanks guys. I tried the strong eastern and really like it. It will help even more when I switch from an aero pro lite to a pure drive (135 anniversary).
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i'll third this...i did the same a year ago and find that i can flatten out the stroke or hit w/ a fair amount of top as well.
