changing grip between fhand and 1hbh?

[pmata814]

Now that I've come back to tennis after several month layoff, I have decided to go back to my 1hbh and I have a question regarding the grip change between forehand and backhand...

I play with a semiwestern forehand, where my index knuckle is between bevel 3 and 4 (closer to 4 though). My grip for my 1hbh would be with my index knuckle on bevel 1 except I find it easier to just rotate the racquet slightly forward so my knuckle is on bevel 5 (I end up hitting with the same face of the racquet for both forehand and backhand). Is it ok to do this or is there a reason I should be rotating all the way back to my knuckle on bevel #1? If so what would be the benefit? Thanks in advance.

 

[fuzz nation]

The only thing I can think of is that you're running the risk of being labeled a "face-ist" in giving preferential treatment to one side of your racquet and not the other. Can't be too politically correct these days...

It's easier for you that way and you're not messing with a mechanical issue that I can see. You're merely taking the quickest, easiest path to a grip change. I've noodled with that myself and it makes sense as long as it works.

I depend on my off hand to hold the throat so that when I put my gripping hand on the racquet for my backhand, I've got the right angle on the face. This helps me a lot because I'll switch from one racquet to another here and there. The bevels from different companies have their own profiles, so that makes for different feel.

 

[ThoughtCrime]

It's essentially the same, so I really don't see the problem with it. Many of my friends who have western/semi-western grips do this and have good backhands.

 

[dasob85]

I do that. it just seems so much quicker

 

[10sEmporer]

The only thing I can think of is that you're running the risk of being labeled a "face-ist" in giving preferential treatment to one side of your racquet and not the other. Can't be too politically correct these days...

it can be a hazard to be politically incorrect on this forum.

 

[KHSOLO]

I use same grip for fh and bh, after some time you get used to rotating your raquet as you make your shots cause it usually slips a bit and needs adjustments as you play your point

Its extremelly difficult to play a point without rotating your raquet

 

[thug the bunny]

I tried that a few times but I was too used to doing it 'old school' so it made me think too much and interfere with my swing. If it feels natural to you though, do it.

 

[BreakPoint]

There must be a good reason why all the top pros use opposite sides of their racquets when hitting forehands and backhands, even the ones that use extreme grips and regardless if they use a 1HBH or 2HBH, e.g., Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Henin, Gasquet, Wawrinka, etc.

 

[DeShaun]

When all your opponent's shots are coming right into your strike zone on either wing, then, keeping the same grip (for both your 1hbh and your extreme/western forehand) seems to work well. Using the same face of the racket for your basic rally strokes off of either wing is possible by adhering to just this one grip. It has been my experience, however, to more successfully exert much greater ball control, in replying to a vaster array of my opponent's shots, by keeping my grip more free-floating than by settling on just one primary grip.

 

[sureshs]

My neutral grip is not continental but eastern backhandish. My neutral position of the racquet is not straight ahead but towards the BH side. For a forehand, I move my racquet and rotate the handle in the palm to make a SW grip. It is really a small adjustment and you get used to it.

 

[escii_35]

Meh, I became a face-ist after redoing my ready position. Even I think it looks wrong. I'm at the age were I get far more improvement to my game through off court training then working on technique so I don't worry about it.

Heck, if I'm playing someone who constantly hits the ball above my head on the BH wing I'll rotate my BH grip a smidge and practice my Barasatagui (sp) impression.

 

[WildVolley]

I assumed most people don't use this technique because it might require moving one hand off the racket during the transition. Specifically, the hand on the throat.

However, after playing with it a little bit, it is probably as fast and maybe faster than keeping the hand steady on the throat and allowing the hitting hand to float to the new position.

Another reason it might not be adopted is that the transition will be different than when moving from a forehand to a backhand at net. You'll need two techniques, one for groundstrokes and another for volleys, but I'm sure that will work fine with practice too.

 

[TennisCJC]

A few pros have been same side hitters but very very few. I think it is basically somewhat limiting in that the grip is usually a full W forehand and a very strong E backhand which are good hi ball topspin grips but are weak for volleys, slices and low balls.

I remember one FO clay courter who used same side. Probably OK for clay courter as hitting high balls with lots of topspin is the norm.

I don't ever remember a good hard court or grass court player with same side grips.

I suggest learning to play with boths sides and learning a conti grip for volleys and slices to become a complete player. Also, being a complete player is key to good doubles and doubles is fun if you attack a lot.

Once you get use to switching grips it becomes instinctive and it isn't difficult. Old teaching pro Vic Braden used to do a volley drill and showed you could actually stand about a dozen feet apart and change grips while volleying the ball in the air with a partner. I don't suggest changing grips for volleys but the drill makes the point that you have more time to change than you think. And, once you have done it a 1,000 times, you will not even thing about it.

 

[Bacterio]

A few pros have been same side hitters but very very few. I think it is basically somewhat limiting in that the grip is usually a full W forehand and a very strong E backhand which are good hi ball topspin grips but are weak for volleys, slices and low balls.

I remember one FO clay courter who used same side. Probably OK for clay courter as hitting high balls with lots of topspin is the norm.

I don't ever remember a good hard court or grass court player with same side grips.

I suggest learning to play with boths sides and learning a conti grip for volleys and slices to become a complete player. Also, being a complete player is key to good doubles and doubles is fun if you attack a lot.

Once you get use to switching grips it becomes instinctive and it isn't difficult. Old teaching pro Vic Braden used to do a volley drill and showed you could actually stand about a dozen feet apart and change grips while volleying the ball in the air with a partner. I don't suggest changing grips for volleys but the drill makes the point that you have more time to change than you think. And, once you have done it a 1,000 times, you will not even thing about it.

I don't think you understood the OP at all. He's talking about switching between his forehand and backhand. No one is talking about slices, volleys, or low balls.

For example, I use an eastern forehand leaning towards semi western where my index knuckle is on the ridge inbetween the standard bevel for those grips. My 1HBH is an extreme eastern (which is essentially the same grip as a semiwestern forehand) so instead of coming all the way around the racket handle when switching grips, I just move over about a centimeter and it causes me to hit with the same face of the racket. It's just the way I learned it and I have yet to see anyone prove that it's actually detrimental to my or anyone's game.

On serves, I'll switch between a continental grip or even an easternBH if I'm trying to impart a particular type of spin. I use continental on my volleys, and on low balls if I'm going to slice, it's usually a continental as well.

Every time this topic comes up there's always that one guy that assumes that what's being asked is, "is it ok to hit EVERYTHING with the same grip and face" and that's no the issue or question at all, lol.