Forehand Grip Dilemma

[AmericanTemplar]

I have had this constant problem with my grip slowly migrating from a semi-western to an extreme western every couple of months. That is, I prefer to hit with a semi-western forehand grip, but my body seems to want to hit with an extreme western grip. My frame will start to nick the ball on my follow-through and then I will check my grip, and sure enough it has migrated futher west. Yesterday I was telling someone else about my problem, saying that I thought that maybe I should just embrace the extreme western grip rather than constantly having to repair my strokes. He agreed, suggesting that I focus more on watching my racquet hit the ball rather than what grip I am using.

The reason that I prefer a semi-western grip to an extreme western is that I feel as though it takes less energy to generate more power with a semi-western grip. I also think that there is a slimmer margin of error with a semi-western, since it allows me to shorten my swing, which is especially helpful on service returns. Factor in the windiness of SF and it makes the precision that is required to consistently hit clean shots with an EW extremely difficult.

On the other hand, with the extreme western grip I hit the ball with heavier topspin that many of my shorter opponents (SF is mostly Asian) find troubling. When the ball does catch the frame, it generally stays within the lines and is a difficult (junk) ball to return.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Do you think that I should just stick with an EW grip and focus more on positioning and timing, or should I try to change my grip back to a SW?

One thing that I should add is that I try not to think too much about grips when I am actually playing, because I find that "thinking" tends to produce negative results. That is the reason that I never catch this problem early enough to correct it before I groove my stroke with an EW grip. On a positive note, since this problem occurs so frequently, I can groove my forehand with a SW grip in a couple of days. Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[cstephenson]

well you could super glue your hand to the handle or just accept that you body wants to hit with a full western grip. Its not a bad or wrong thing, Just go with the flow. Get lower on low balls and make the adjustments you need to make it work. No sense relearning semi-western every couple of days. In short I hope you get really good and start kicking everyone's arrsssssss with whatever grip you so fancy. BAM!!!!!!

 

[K-LEG]

Exactly the same with me! I want to use the Semi-Western grip because it is more versatile then the Western by far, but everytime I hit a forehand I find that I'm using a western grip...

 

[Muses]

same thing happened to me i was eastern/semi western now im semi western almost full western. I just let my hand move along. Just go with what you feel comfortable with. Unless your grip is moving on the left side of the racquet(If your a righty) now thats just absurd.

 

[MooreTennis]

One thing that I should add is that I try not to think too much about grips when I am actually playing, because I find that "thinking" tends to produce negative results. That is the reason that I never catch this problem early enough to correct it before I groove my stroke with an EW grip. On a positive note, since this problem occurs so frequently, I can groove my forehand with a SW grip in a couple of days. Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions.

I think you are on the money here, don't 'overthink' the situation. Let the feeling of the grip come into it, and I guess in some ways if the grip for the time being feels a little uncomfortable then you are probably holding with a SW grip.

I would advise against the EW grip just because of its lack of ability to play all shots. I use a SW grip myself and can play a good range of high and low balls, and also varying spins that come towards me.

There is also the thinking of working with what you've got, but it comes down to what you want out the shot and how prepared you are to change.

What are the reasons you want to change your grip?

Anthony

 

[AmericanTemplar]

What are the reasons you want to change your grip?

I thought that I covered that, but maybe not. I prefer a semi-western because it is easier to hit through the ball, which enables me to produce more power with a shorter swing. The shorter swing is also better for service returns, is easier on the body, and it narrows the margin of error.

 

[Thomas Bird-Itch]

You probably just need to play more and get accustomed to which grip works in each situation or against a particular type of player. Then you can decide which works best for you. I think it's ok to use both grips for different situations, but I agree that it can be easy to "overthink" on the court. In time you'll probably feel natural with the one that works for most situations. I wouldn't worry much about it now unless you're serious about playing competitively in the future. I find western works well for loopy shots and SW works well for everything else. I use them both.

 

[AmericanTemplar]

You probably just need to play more and get accustomed to which grip works in each situation or against a particular type of player. Then you can decide which works best for you. I think it's ok to use both grips for different situations, but I agree that it can be easy to "overthink" on the court. In time you'll probably feel natural with the one that works for most situations. I wouldn't worry much about it now unless you're serious about playing competitively in the future. I find western works well for loopy shots and SW works well for everything else. I use them both.

Play more? I play daily, 20+ hrs/week. I think the problem is that I learned an EW when I was younger and I have experimented a bit with other grips, but my body always wants to revert to what it knows most.

 

[Tim Tennis]

Lock and load with the SW

Good comments, common problem. IMO, once you leave the EF the bevels are not large enough for most people to easily find the SW or the Cont. grip for that matter. To make matters worse the grips that the racquets come with nowdays are so concerned with cushoning that the points where the bevels meet don't have enough definition which makes it even harder to move your hand accurately on the handle.

American Templar, I'm with you on the SW grip. It is a great grip. If you want to really "lock down" the SW I suggest you visit this link.

http://www.tennisgeometrics.com/SemiWestern_power_forehand.html

Best regards,

Ed
President

Tennis Geometrics
http://www.tennisgeometrics.com

 

[paulfreda]

I have this problem too.
For me it is because I like getting power from releasing my wrist in to the ball.
But with a SW the ball will fly if you do this. So I naturally gravitate to Western which solves the problem.
Another adjustment would be to hit with the SW with a more closed stance to help keep the ball in.
Or you can just swing flatter with the SW, but that reduces margin for error.
Also contact point is critical. With the SW I hit it later which keeps it from flying and also naturally yields more power.

My solution recently has been to use a grip in between SW and W.