Forehand Dropshot Grip Change

[cg.tennis]

I just watched a WTA match where Cornet did a forehand drop shot. I found that she actually shifted to the opposite racquet face (when switching from semi western to continental grip). I tried it myself. It seems more natural to me, and quicker. Anyone else is using this approach?

 

[heninfan99]

Yeah, the conti grip is great for slicing, dicing and dropping. I'm trying to learn this without changing grip for disguise:

 

[cg.tennis]

Continental grip for sure. My question is more about whether it's easier to use the non-dominant hand to change to the same racquet face or opposite racquet face (for Semi western forehand grip players).

 

[Goof]

Continental grip for sure. My question is more about whether it's easier to use the non-dominant hand to change to the same racquet face or opposite racquet face (for Semi western forehand grip players).

Try both and use what works. My money is on the former. But that's a question that you can answer yourself with two hits of the ball.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Continental grip for sure. My question is more about whether it's easier to use the non-dominant hand to change to the same racquet face or opposite racquet face (for Semi western forehand grip players).

If I understand you correctly, it would be a 2 bevel change in either case. Correct? I'd be more inclined to stick with the same side when making the change. But if the other way is easier for you, then go for it.

 

[moonballs]

Seems like a 90 degrees turn vs 270 degrees turn difference. Whatever is easier for you is fine. I find the 90 degrees easier and the key is to do it in the last possible moment, ie after unit turn, otherwise the opponent may anticipate it.

 

[heninfan99]

Continental grip for sure. My question is more about whether it's easier to use the non-dominant hand to change to the same racquet face or opposite racquet face (for Semi western forehand grip players).

for SW use the non-dom hand to switch to the side of the racquet you use for your regular backhand

 

[Friedman Whip]

Seems like a 90 degrees turn vs 270 degrees turn difference. Whatever is easier for you is fine. I find the 90 degrees easier and the key is to do it in the last possible moment, ie after unit turn, otherwise the opponent may anticipate it.

Gotta disagree. It's really 90 degrees either way. If you hit with the same side of the racquet it's 90 and if you use the other side of the racquet face it's 90.

Also I've read for years about changing to cont. grip for forehand drop shot. It appears to me that many pros don't do that. They appear to hit with just regular fh grip. I've tried both ways and no grip change works better for me. I hit many shots with cont. grip but not this one. 3 reasons. For me it's just as easy to learn, it's much better disguise (I usually take a somewhat exaggerated windup to make it look like I'm really going to smack a drive shot), and you hit the ball more out it front so it cuts down opponent's time to react a bit. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[moonballs]

Gotta disagree. It's really 90 degrees either way. If you hit with the same side of the racquet it's 90 and if you use the other side of the racquet face it's 90.

Also I've read for years about changing to cont. grip for forehand drop shot. It appears to me that many pros don't do that. They appear to hit with just regular fh grip. I've tried both ways and no grip change works better for me. I hit many shots with cont. grip but not this one. 3 reasons. For me it's just as easy to learn, it's much better disguise (I usually take a somewhat exaggerated windup to make it look like I'm really going to smack a drive shot), and you hit the ball more out it front so it cuts down opponent's time to react a bit. Just my 2 cents worth.

yes it is 90 degrees turn in either direction. I can see if you don’t change grip at all, contacting way front will help opening up the racquet face, which is good.

 

[Gyswandir]

I just watched a WTA match where Cornet did a forehand drop shot. I found that she actually shifted to the opposite racquet face (when switching from semi western to continental grip). I tried it myself. It seems more natural to me, and quicker. Anyone else is using this approach?

Not all bevels are created equal. So, while it is 2 bevels in either direction, in terms of the “distance,” what Corent did is shorter due to the 3rd bevel being larger.
If this works for you, use it and abuse it. However, there are other factors to consider, like your next shot. If this is from the forecourt, then are you ok to hit both a FH and BH volley with this “adjusted” continental? If it is from close to the baseline, how easy is it for you to change the grip to either a FH, or BH for a groundstroke? I don’t know about you, but for me there is only one correct side for each of my groundstrokes’ grips.