Help on making flat shots
- Thread starter RCizzle65
- Start date
Steady Eddy
Legend
I'm confused as to why you use a western grip is you want flat shots. The western grip is for making topspin. If you want to hit flat shots you're probably better off using an eastern grip.
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
Have you ever considered using a semi-western? It offers the best of both worlds, IMO.
Bagumbawalla
Talk Tennis Guru
Certain grips make certain strokes a bit easier or feel more "natural".
This does not mean that you cannot hit heavy topspin with a continental (Laver did it) or hit flat balls with a western (Nadal does it on grass).
What is important in every case is the path of the racket head through the ball.
So, though it may take some extra condentration/focus on your part, it can be done. What you have to do is imagine you are hitting through the dead center of the ball-- straight through, like an arrow-- aiming low over the net with almost no low to high followthrough. In fact, at first, it may feel awkward-- more like you are hitting slice rather than flat-- it is a psychological thing.
Your other option is to modify your grip for the shot when you decide to hit flat, and re-grip to more of an eastern style-- (though I would not normally advise changing around to a lot of different grips).
Usually, one chooses a grip style because it suits ones requirements and style of play. Clay-courters who prefer baseline manuvering, consistancy and creating angles opt for the western.
Players who tend to have a more all-court game and play on faster surfaces go for something less than a full western.
So, the question is; what are your ultimate goals, what kind of game do you see yourself playing and on what surface?
If you are not intending to play clay courts exclusively, I would suggest a less extreme grip for all-round play.
This does not mean that you cannot hit heavy topspin with a continental (Laver did it) or hit flat balls with a western (Nadal does it on grass).
What is important in every case is the path of the racket head through the ball.
So, though it may take some extra condentration/focus on your part, it can be done. What you have to do is imagine you are hitting through the dead center of the ball-- straight through, like an arrow-- aiming low over the net with almost no low to high followthrough. In fact, at first, it may feel awkward-- more like you are hitting slice rather than flat-- it is a psychological thing.
Your other option is to modify your grip for the shot when you decide to hit flat, and re-grip to more of an eastern style-- (though I would not normally advise changing around to a lot of different grips).
Usually, one chooses a grip style because it suits ones requirements and style of play. Clay-courters who prefer baseline manuvering, consistancy and creating angles opt for the western.
Players who tend to have a more all-court game and play on faster surfaces go for something less than a full western.
So, the question is; what are your ultimate goals, what kind of game do you see yourself playing and on what surface?
If you are not intending to play clay courts exclusively, I would suggest a less extreme grip for all-round play.
DarthCow
Rookie
I use the western grip as-well and had the same problem as you at the start of the year.
I asked the same question , and was suggested to switch grips. I only need to completely flatten out my shots for explosive shot speed, not rally balls.
I'd suggest focusing on taking out some of the low to high motion, and make it a little more horizontal.
Its not impossible to hit flat with western, and topspin with continental.
I asked the same question , and was suggested to switch grips. I only need to completely flatten out my shots for explosive shot speed, not rally balls.
I'd suggest focusing on taking out some of the low to high motion, and make it a little more horizontal.
Its not impossible to hit flat with western, and topspin with continental.
Vincent Left
New User
It is not very easy to hit flat if you have western grip. I use semi-western or western forehand, when I wanna hit the ball deeper and flatter, I move my weight forward when hitting the ball.
When you hitting a stroke, the move of weight, turn of body, and motion of arm is the three basis of power. So if you don't wanna change grip, use the other two to attack your ball more aggressively.
When you hitting a stroke, the move of weight, turn of body, and motion of arm is the three basis of power. So if you don't wanna change grip, use the other two to attack your ball more aggressively.
