Changing from western to semi-western?

[LCeh]

I have been playing tennis for several months. I have been using a western grip forehand, and I find that usually I hit better on low balls than high balls. I see that a lot of players and pros use the semi-western forehand grip, and I am wondering if I should make that change to semi-western.

I haven't tried hitting any balls with the SW grip yet (I only get to play tennis twice a week, so the next time I play will be on Tuesday), but when I hold the racquet with this grip, and I imagine my strokes, I feel that it's A LOT more difficult to generate top spin, especially on low balls. I think I will have an easier time hitting flatter shots at waist/chest level, so I will probably be hitting those shots better with the SW than full western. But what adjustments would I have to make on low balls? And what are some things in general I need to be aware of when I change grips from western to SW?

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I have been playing tennis for several months. I have been using a western grip forehand, and I find that usually I hit better on low balls than high balls. I see that a lot of players and pros use the semi-western forehand grip, and I am wondering if I should make that change to semi-western.

I haven't tried hitting any balls with the SW grip yet (I only get to play tennis twice a week, so the next time I play will be on Tuesday), but when I hold the racquet with this grip, and I imagine my strokes, I feel that it's A LOT more difficult to generate top spin, especially on low balls. I think I will have an easier time hitting flatter shots at waist/chest level, so I will probably be hitting those shots better with the SW than full western. But what adjustments would I have to make on low balls? And what are some things in general I need to be aware of when I change grips from western to SW?

Thanks a lot for your help.

If you are hitting low balls better with the Western something is amiss in the angle your body position is. The Western grip is by design useful for high balls. Or is could be something about the angle your racquet is in.

However, I think you can't go wrong moving to a SW. I think it is the best grip ever. It is versatile, it syncs the wrist and forearm very well, it is an excellent grip to naturally let the arm relax and whip through the ball, etc...

I think it is a wise choice!

 

[AngeloDS]

Semi-western is indeed the most versatile and possibly the best grip one can choose. For me, there's so much variation on my shots because of it.

It's 1. A natural grip, 2. Many different swing paths that achieve different things, 3. Less damaging to the arm, shoulders and elbow.

I can create more topspin than people with a western. I can produce more power than an eastern. I can do a lot with it. It's just a matter of technique and your swings.

Also, I feel you get better angles with the semi-western. As well as the inside outside forehand is easier to do with a semi-western.

 

[Rickson]

I have been playing tennis for several months. I have been using a western grip forehand, and I find that usually I hit better on low balls than high balls. I see that a lot of players and pros use the semi-western forehand grip, and I am wondering if I should make that change to semi-western.

I haven't tried hitting any balls with the SW grip yet (I only get to play tennis twice a week, so the next time I play will be on Tuesday), but when I hold the racquet with this grip, and I imagine my strokes, I feel that it's A LOT more difficult to generate top spin, especially on low balls. I think I will have an easier time hitting flatter shots at waist/chest level, so I will probably be hitting those shots better with the SW than full western. But what adjustments would I have to make on low balls? And what are some things in general I need to be aware of when I change grips from western to SW?

Thanks a lot for your help.

Better at low balls with the western? The western and Hawaiian grips are the worst grips for handling low balls. Eastern and continental are much better for low balls and even the semi western is easier, for most people at least, at handling low balls than the western. I wouldn't worry about low balls if I made the switch from western to semi western, I'd worry more about high balls.