Hitting on the same side of the racquet?

[limitup]

I hit a SW or sometimes a full Western forehand, and for my 1H BH I use the traditional Eastern grip. I have this habit of just flipping my wrist over and hitting on the same side of the racquet face when I switch from FH to BH grip. All I have to do is make a tiny adjustment to get from a SW FH to an Eastern backhand, so it's about the smallest and easiest grip change in the world. If I hit a heavy topspin FH with the Western grip I don't even need to make a grip change at all to follow it up with a backhand.

Is this a bad habit? I've heard people say it is, but I can't imagine why...

 

[Teh_pwnerer]

i dont think it is, as long as you are hitting with the strings theres nothing wrong with it

 

[tzinc]

The only thing that matters is: does it work.

 

[hector]

I experimented with this for a while when I was full western on both sides. By flipping the racket face I did not need to change my grip from fh to bh. I eventually decided against using it.

You have a small grip change but the racket face has to make a big loop. Not quite sure how to explain this but this will slow you down and interfere with the mechanics of your strokes.

At least that is my conclusion

 

[THSBOI]

I think if its a habit it's a good one because it saves you time changing grip

 

[lethalfang]

I know a guy who hits with a Western forehand, and does not change grip when he hits a backhand.

 

[SFrazeur]

What is important is to make sure you are setting up consistently and have a good, sturdy, and what for you would be a proper grip on the racquet; be it eastern-through-western and in between. If you are consistently gripping the racquet then your speed when obtaining said grip will increase.

Also, as with all matters of strokes, including setting up, you want to be good because of it, not in spite of it.

-SF

 

[Noveson]

The only thing that matters is: does it work.

Ah no, definitely not. What about is it hard on your body/wrist? And will it halt is progress in improving?

 

[limitup]

Thanks for all the replies. It's not hard on the wrist to just move the racquet into position to hit on the same side. And it's no slower than the much larger grip change required if you don't. Not sure how it could halt progress or interfere with anything as it has nothing to do with strokes...

 

[BreakPoint]

Is this a bad habit? I've heard people say it is, but I can't imagine why...

I think it's a bad habit as it's not "proper", not to mention how ugly it looks. It also limits your variety of shots off of both sides. I don't know of anyone that has a great one-handed backhand that hits this backhand with the same side of the racquet as his forehand. Even pros like Justine Henin with her extreme grips off of both sides changes grips and uses both sides of her racquet when going from her forehand to her backhand and vise versa.

Just watch the pros like Federer, Haas, Blake, Robredo, Gasquet, etc. and see how they do it.

 

[Teh_pwnerer]

nadal uses western of both wings rite?

 

[Robbie_1988]

Someone please clarify. I want to know what's bad about changing the grip by going the short way (and consequently using the same side to hit for both forehand and backhand).

 

[HyperHorse]

Wouldn't you wear out one side of the strings more than the other side?

 

[OrangeOne]

Please see this thread....

Is it proper to hit your FH's and BH's using the same side (face) of your racquet?

^^ It has all been discussed there. I have stated my opinions in that thread, as have others.

 

[Rickson]

I've only see one pro do this and I only saw her do it once. Amelie Mauresmo. Amelie uses a western on both sides, but other than that one time I saw her do it, she flips the racquet to the other side. I use a sw fh and a sw bh, but I flip to the other side of the racquet on all backhands.

 

[Squall Leonheart]

It really doesn't matter. If it works for you, keep doing it, if not, you can akways change. Hitting with the same side of your racquet isn't a good tihng, but it certainly isn't a bad thing either: it doesn't matter.

 

[Zachol82]

Yes, I would also like to know if it's bad for your racquet/strings in any ways. Like would your string wear out more on one side because that's all you're hitting?

With me, I have a weird habit of hitting my forehand on "this" side of the racquet while hitting my backhand on "that" side of the racquet. I tried it vice versa but my shots are inconsistent...I think this is a psychological thing for me but who knows.

 

[Rickson]

Yes, I would also like to know if it's bad for your racquet/strings in any ways. Like would your string wear out more on one side because that's all you're hitting?

Are you serious? First of all, rallies are mostly forehand anyway. Secondly, you could always flip the to the other side after you're done with the rally on the next dead ball. Hitting on the same side causes no more wear and tear than hitting on both sides.

 

[Robbie_1988]

Wow I just read through 19 pages of that link 5 posts above from OrangeOne. I can't believe the childish crap I saw in that thread. Just to save any newbie here from reading through all that I'll summarise.

*There is a poll in there which asks: "Is it proper to hit your FH's and BH's using the same side (face) of your racquet?" and the results when I viewed them was 51.96% yes and 48.04% no. So the numbers don't lie. YES reply won and more posters on this board think that it's NOT wrong to hit fh and bh with one side of the racquet.
*The underlying motif of this thread is that there really isn't a right or wrong way to hit. It's about using what's best for you. So rotating the racquet clockwise/counter clockwise in order to change from forehand to backhand is really your business.
*Most in the thread agreed that rotating clockwise or counter clockwise to alternate between forehand and backhand grips has nothing to do and doesn't affect the actual mechanics of the stroke itself.
*Breakpoint constantly emphasises that hitting with both sides and changing grips by rotating via the direction that takes more time looks "smooth" and is the "CORRECT" way.
*Breakpoint supports the legitimacy of this "correct" way by saying that pretty much all the top pros don't do it the "wrong" way. He says that since the best players such as Federer and Sampras don't do it the incorrect way, then the incorrect way is undeniably and truly the INCORRECT way.
*Most of the other posters think Breakpoint is full of ****.
*Breakpoint is pretty much alone in this thread and when almost nobody is agreeing with him, he starts talking about 180 degree wrist rotation and some contortionist crap involved with rotating via the short way, and that hitting with the same face for fh and bh, is according to Breakpoint, a bad thing.
*Most people argue that this 180 degree and contortionist crap that Breakpoint brought up is a futile attempt to twist the debate back into his favour.
*Breakpoint does not accept defeat in that his poll, while incredibly close, shows victory goes to all those who say YES it is proper to hit fh and bh with the same side. He goes on to say that the results are so close they are "within the statistical margin of error and that makes the results between YES/NO even... LOL yeah whatever. I wouldn't be surprised if Breakpoint makes a few new accounts to vote on NO to push the poll back into his favour.

Just a few points I'd like to make:
*Never try to disprove Breakpoint: DON'T even try. He'll never admit being wrong. Even when his own poll results show that he's wrong.
*As to whether you should change fh and bh grip by rotating the racquet clockwise (long way) or counter clockwise (short way), it's really your business. There isn't an incorrect way of doing it and personally I think it's all a matter of personal preference. I prefer the short way simply cause I don't want to waste time fiddling with grips in between shots.
*The previous point is representative of the opinions in the thread link provided by OrangeOne. Most of the posters in that thread are not saying either of the ways are wrong but rather question why doing it the short way is deemed wrong. Breakpoint however is the one saying that to do it any way other than the long way is WRONG. No questions about it. No and/ifs/or/buts.
*Personally I don't think it really matters if I hit with the same side and wear out one side of the strings. So what? My strings will eventually snap anyway so what does it matter that I wear out one side of the strings.
*Lastly, I must say that most things Breakpoint says I usually agree with or think he's right. But one thing that really ticks me off is when he is wrong, he doesn't admit it and throws in a whole heap of technical stuff ala the 180 degree wrist rotation to confuse his debate opponents. You are not above this entire board my friend.
*Personally when I change grips via the short way, my hand releases the racquet and I use my left (non dominant hand) to hold the throat of the racquet and rotate the RACQUET (NOT MY WRIST 180 DEGREES) in order to change between fh and bh. So I have no idea what BP is going on about when he starts with the 180 degree wrist rotation thing (as do most other posters in that hot debate).

 

[BeHappy]

nothing wrong with it

 

[BreakPoint]

nadal uses western of both wings rite?

Yes, Nadal does and even he changes grips and hits his forehands and backhands using the opposite sides of his racquet face.

 

[BreakPoint]

*Breakpoint is pretty much alone in this thread and when almost nobody is agreeing with him,

How can that be when almost half of the people in the poll agree with me that it's not proper??

BTW, if it's OK to do it that way, then how come we hardly ever see any top players doing it? Not just only the pros, but other high level players? Could it be that doing it the wrong way limits your ability to get to the higher levels? I've seen people do this at the lower levels, but I've never seen players do this at the higher levels (e.g., 5.0 +, college, open, futures, pros, etc.)

 

[HappyChappy]

How can that be when almost half of the people in the poll agree with me that it's not proper??

BTW, if it's OK to do it that way, then how come we hardly ever see any top players doing it? Not just only the pros, but other high level players? Could it be that doing it the wrong way limits your ability to get to the higher levels? I've seen people do this at the lower levels, but I've never seen players do this at the higher levels (e.g., 5.0 +, college, open, futures, pros, etc.)

kohlscreiber does it.

 

[BreakPoint]

kohlscreiber does it.

OK, one out of a million high level players.

BTW, are you sure he does it? I've only seen him play once and I did not notice him doing it. Do you have any clips?

 

[Squall Leonheart]

How can that be when almost half of the people in the poll agree with me that it's not proper??

BTW, if it's OK to do it that way, then how come we hardly ever see any top players doing it? Not just only the pros, but other high level players? Could it be that doing it the wrong way limits your ability to get to the higher levels? I've seen people do this at the lower levels, but I've never seen players do this at the higher levels (e.g., 5.0 +, college, open, futures, pros, etc.)

No one has a forehand like Federer, so by your logic, it must be a bad thing because "we hardly ever see any top players doing it." Similarly, Nadal must be equally as bad because no one hits with the spin he does. No one hits their serve like Roddick, so his serve must be terrible, right?

 

[BreakPoint]

No one has a forehand like Federer, so by your logic, it must be a bad thing because "we hardly ever see any top players doing it." Similarly, Nadal must be equally as bad because no one hits with the spin he does. No one hits their serve like Roddick, so his serve must be terrible, right?

Huh? Aren't Federer, Nadal, and Roddick all "top players"?

By your logic, someone who hits with only one side of their racquet would be winning Grand Slams. But they aren't, are they?

BTW, lots of top players hit their forehands like Federer, they just don't do it as well. Lots of top players hit with a lot of spin like Nadal, they just don't do it as well. Lots of players hit their serves like Roddick, they just don't do it as well.

If hitting your forehand and backhand with the same side of your racquet is proper, then why is it that there's not one teaching pro on the planet that teaches a beginner (someone who has never played tennis before) to do it that way? Changing grips and hitting with both sides of your racquet is one of the most fundamental things in tennis, which is why it's usually the first thing that's discussed in most tennis instructional books.

 

[Zachol82]

How can that be when almost half of the people in the poll agree with me that it's not proper??

BTW, if it's OK to do it that way, then how come we hardly ever see any top players doing it? Not just only the pros, but other high level players? Could it be that doing it the wrong way limits your ability to get to the higher levels? I've seen people do this at the lower levels, but I've never seen players do this at the higher levels (e.g., 5.0 +, college, open, futures, pros, etc.)

"Then howcome we hardly ever see any top players using it?" This is because they were told that it was improper either by their coach(es) or by the people they play with or by the posts on these forums. They never had the chance to actually play it their way. People kept telling them that it was wrong so therefore they had to change their style. That's why you don't see many people doing it =/.

 

[OrangeOne]

Wow I just read through 19 pages of that link 5 posts above from OrangeOne. I can't believe the childish crap I saw in that thread. Just to save any newbie here from reading through all that I'll summarise.

*There is a poll in there which asks: "Is it proper to hit your FH's and BH's using the same side (face) of your racquet?" and the results when I viewed them was 51.96% yes and 48.04% no. So the numbers don't lie. YES reply won and more posters on this board think that it's NOT wrong to hit fh and bh with one side of the racquet.
*The underlying motif of this thread is that there really isn't a right or wrong way to hit. It's about using what's best for you. So rotating the racquet clockwise/counter clockwise in order to change from forehand to backhand is really your business.
*Most in the thread agreed that rotating clockwise or counter clockwise to alternate between forehand and backhand grips has nothing to do and doesn't affect the actual mechanics of the stroke itself.
*Breakpoint keeps constantly emphasises that hitting with both sides and changing grips by rotating via the direction that takes more time looks "smooth" and is the "CORRECT" way.
*Breakpoint supports the legitimacy of this "correct" way by saying that pretty much all the top pros don't do it the "wrong" way. He says that since the best players such as Federer and Sampras don't do it the incorrect way, then the incorrect way is undeniably and truly the INCORRECT way.
*Most of the other posters think Breakpoint is full of ****.
*Breakpoint is pretty much alone in this thread and when almost nobody is agreeing with him, he starts talking about 180 degree wrist rotation and some contortionist crap involved with rotating via the short way and that hitting with the same face for fh and bh, is according to Breakpoint, a bad thing.
*Most people argue that this 180 degree and contortionist crap that Breakpoint brought up is a futile attempt to twist the debate back into his favour.
*Breakpoint does not accept defeat in that his poll while incredibly close, shows victory goes to all those who say YES it is proper to hit fh and bh with the same side. He goes on to say that the results are so close they are "within the statistical margin of error and that makes the results between YES/NO even... LOL yeah whatever. I wouldn't be surprised if Breakpoint makes a few new accounts to vote on NO to push the poll back into his favour.

Just a few points I'd like to make:
*Never try to disprove Breakpoint: DON'T even try. He'll never admit being wrong. Even when his own poll results show that he's wrong.
*As to whether you should change fh and bh grip by rotating the racquet clockwise (long way) or counter clockwise (short way), it's really your business. There isn't an incorrect way of doing it and personally I think it's all a matter of personal preference. I prefer the short way simply cause I don't want to waste time fiddling with grips in between shots.
*The previous point is representative of the opinions in the thread link provided by OrangeOne. Most of the posters in that thread are not saying either of the ways are wrong but rather question why doing it the short way is deemed wrong. Breakpoint however is the one saying that to do it any way other than the long way is WRONG. No questions about it. No and/ifs/or/buts.
*Personally I don't think it really matters if I hit with the same side and wear out one side of the strings. So what? My strings will eventually snap anyway so what does it matter that I wear out one side of the strings.
*Lastly, I must say that most things Breakpoint says I usually agree with or think he's right. But one thing that really ticks me off is when he is wrong, he doesn't admit it and throws in a whole heap of technical stuff ala the 180 degree wrist rotation to confuse his debate opponents. You are not above this entire board my friend.
*Personally when I change grips via the short way, my hand releases the racquet and I use my left (non dominant hand) to hold the throat of the racquet and rotate the RACQUET (NOT MY WRIST 180 DEGREES) in order to change between fh and bh. So I have no idea what BP is going on about when he starts with the 180 degree wrist rotation thing (as do most other posters in that hot debate).

^^ Robbie's summary, in my humble opinion, reflects a true, honest and accurate summary of the thread I presented a link to, and anyone posting here would be well-served by at least reading Robbie's summary before choosing to spend their time on this issue.

Kudos Robbie.

 

[Zachol82]

People don't teach it that way because they were told NOT to do so when they learned how to play tennis. So therefore they think that it's improper as well. If Federer or someone of is calibre happens to do this with their BH, people will start saying "wow, that must be another impressive trick out of his bag" instead of "that's not how the fundamentals of tennis was taught". In fact, many pros DO pull out incredible shots that has never before been seen...but no one deems them to be improper now do they?

 

[Shangri La]

haha... very well said, Zachol82 !

 

[NamRanger]

Huh? Aren't Federer, Nadal, and Roddick all "top players"?

By your logic, someone who hits with only one side of their racquet would be winning Grand Slams. But they aren't, are they?

BTW, lots of top players hit their forehands like Federer, they just don't do it as well. Lots of top players hit with a lot of spin like Nadal, they just don't do it as well. Lots of players hit their serves like Roddick, they just don't do it as well.

If hitting your forehand and backhand with the same side of your racquet is proper, then why is it that there's not one teaching pro on the planet that teaches a beginner (someone who has never played tennis before) to do it that way? Changing grips and hitting with both sides of your racquet is one of the most fundamental things in tennis, which is why it's usually the first thing that's discussed in most tennis instructional books.

No one hits their serve like Roddick except for Sampras, Roddick has much better flexibility and explosiveness coming out of his launching position then any other professional player. Also the amount of spin that Roddick has on his serve is unmatched except by the great Pete Sampras himself, and Sampras doesn't have the same amount of speed that Roddick does. The only two things that differentiate the two is that Sampras has better placement and disguise. In any other aspect, Roddick is equal or is even better then Sampras.



No one hits a forehand like Nadal, he has a vertical type component that allows him to generate immense spin along with his extreme grip and his ability to generate insane amounts of speed. His forehand has been shown to equal the amount of topspin that Roddick and Sampras put on their second serve (somewhere between 2500-3000, sometimes 3000+ in excess).



NO ONE has a forehand like Federer. His wrist release component and the explosive racquet speed that he produces is unparalleled in today's game. He also attacks the ball well in front of him, almost no one hits the ball that far out in front of him, the only other two are Djokovic and Nadal. No one has the deadly combination of spin, placement, and pace all together that Federer does.


Your logic makes no sense at all, just give up.



BTW by saying that no coaches teach it means is improper is really dumb. Before no one hit with an extreme grip like Nadal does, nor did they hit from an open stance. Before no one played from the baseline before, and no one taught players to hit across their bodies. If you are following that logic, then everything today that the professionals use would be considered wrong by the standerds of yesterday.

 

[HappyChappy]

No one hits their serve like Roddick except for Sampras, Roddick has much better flexibility and explosiveness coming out of his launching position then any other professional player. Also the amount of spin that Roddick has on his serve is unmatched except by the great Pete Sampras himself, and Sampras doesn't have the same amount of speed that Roddick does. The only two things that differentiate the two is that Sampras has better placement and disguise. In any other aspect, Roddick is equal or is even better then Sampras.

courier hit his serve like roddick, roddick copied all courier's strokes.

No one hits a forehand like Nadal, he has a vertical type component that allows him to generate immense spin along with his extreme grip and his ability to generate insane amounts of speed. His forehand has been shown to equal the amount of topspin that Roddick and Sampras put on their second serve (somewhere between 2500-3000, sometimes 3000+ in excess).

gustavo kuerten hit his forehand exactly like nadal, as does moya.

NO ONE has a forehand like Federer. His wrist release component and the explosive racquet speed that he produces is unparalleled in today's game. He also attacks the ball well in front of him, almost no one hits the ball that far out in front of him, the only other two are Djokovic and Nadal. No one has the deadly combination of spin, placement, and pace all together that Federer does.

davydenko hits his forehand like federer, same grip, same wrist release, same pace.

Your logic makes no sense at all, just give up.

LOL

BTW by saying that no coaches teach it means is improper is really dumb. Before no one hit with an extreme grip like Nadal does, nor did they hit from an open stance. Before no one played from the baseline before, and no one taught players to hit across their bodies. If you are following that logic, then everything today that the professionals use would be considered wrong by the standerds of yesterday.

actually, you're really misinformed here, little bill johnston hit with a full western, huge backswing, open stance, massive spin and power forehand almost 90 years ago.


your welcome

 

[Squall Leonheart]

Huh? Aren't Federer, Nadal, and Roddick all "top players"?

By your logic, someone who hits with only one side of their racquet would be winning Grand Slams. But they aren't, are they?

BTW, lots of top players hit their forehands like Federer, they just don't do it as well. Lots of top players hit with a lot of spin like Nadal, they just don't do it as well. Lots of players hit their serves like Roddick, they just don't do it as well.

If hitting your forehand and backhand with the same side of your racquet is proper, then why is it that there's not one teaching pro on the planet that teaches a beginner (someone who has never played tennis before) to do it that way? Changing grips and hitting with both sides of your racquet is one of the most fundamental things in tennis, which is why it's usually the first thing that's discussed in most tennis instructional books.

Dude, go back to my logic, I said it wasn't a good tihng, and not a bad thing.

 

[NamRanger]

Moya hits like Nadal? Davydenko like Federer? Courier has a Roddick like serve? You honestly make me laugh. You're just being ignorant or trolling on purpose. Gustavo Kuerten hits NOTHING like Nadal, he has a double bend forehand, which is completely different from Nadal.


The only thing that Courier has anything REMOTELY similiar to Roddick is that his serve has a short take back just like Roddick. However Roddick has WAY more pace and way more spin on his serve, and has incredibly more flexibility, allowing him to drop his racquet well below his waist.


Davydenko has a double bend forehand also, you are a complete idiot if you cannot see that. Federer's forehand is much different.


And also no one taught to hit with a western grip, or open stance in the old days. It was all about coming to the net, old school continental grips and such. You really need to learn your information and learn to open your eyes before you even speak to anyone here.


And Bill was the anomoly that started the introduction of the open stance and more extreme grips. The rest of the population didn't do it.

 

[JohnP]

I've always hit with the same side of the racquet on both sides, with the same grip as well (western forehand, western one hander). I think it has alot of benefits, one being on return of serve, I can hold the racquet out in front of me with the racquet face facing the ground and I can bring the racquet back to either side quickly without having to change grip. If you ever see Phillip Kohlschreiber play (he's currently top 40 or so) he hits very closely to the same way.

 

[Leoboomanu]

I am so amazed at what people are willing to do to blast BP...
Even if it's to favor a very wrong technique...

Stupid is what stupid does... IMO reading these posts tells so much of the others poster's playing level...

Enough please...

And those who are open minded enough to listen... Please don't shortcut your grip changes... Always go back to a neutral grip(continental/easternFH) after a FH and a BH... Volley with a continental/easternFH... And also serve with a continental...

Different is not necessarily better...
Different sometimes means "same but done better"...

Peace

Leo

 

[NamRanger]

I am so amazed at what people are willing to do to blast BP...
Even if it's to favor a very wrong technique...

Stupid is what stupid does... IMO reading these posts tells so much of the others poster's playing level...

Enough please...

And those who are open minded enough to listen... Please don't shortcut your grip changes... Always go back to a neutral grip(continental/easternFH) after a FH and a BH... Volley with a continental/easternFH... And also serve with a continental...

Different is not necessarily better...
Different sometimes means "same but done better"...

Peace

Leo

When he starts making statements that people can hit like Federer or Nadal is why he sets himself up to be attacked. He makes statements that really aren't right (like him saying that people hit like Federer, when no one on the face of the planet has the same combination of spin, placement, and pace) or when he says people can hit spin like Nadal (duh, it's called topspin, but can you generate the same amount of pace that Nadal does?). That is when people attack him, as he's using wrong statements to try to prove himself right.

 

[BreakPoint]

Your logic makes no sense at all, just give up.



BTW by saying that no coaches teach it means is improper is really dumb. Before no one hit with an extreme grip like Nadal does, nor did they hit from an open stance. Before no one played from the baseline before, and no one taught players to hit across their bodies. If you are following that logic, then everything today that the professionals use would be considered wrong by the standerds of yesterday.

You're STILL not getting it, are you? Lots of top players, even those that have won Grand Slams, use extreme grips, hit open stance, play from the baseline, etc., etc. But how many top players or Grand Slam winners have made it there by hitting with the same side of the racquet?? That's the BIG difference!

Teaching pros today DO teach extreme grips, open stance, and baseline play. But no teaching pros yesterday NOR today teach hitting with the same side of the racquet.

So I would say it's your logic that makes no sense.

 

[BreakPoint]

Dude, go back to my logic, I said it wasn't a good tihng, and not a bad thing.

Huh? Here's your post:

No one has a forehand like Federer, so by your logic, it must be a bad thing because "we hardly ever see any top players doing it." Similarly, Nadal must be equally as bad because no one hits with the spin he does. No one hits their serve like Roddick, so his serve must be terrible, right?

 

[HappyChappy]

Moya hits like Nadal? Davydenko like Federer? Courier has a Roddick like serve? You honestly make me laugh. You're just being ignorant or trolling on purpose. Gustavo Kuerten hits NOTHING like Nadal, he has a double bend forehand, which is completely different from Nadal.


The only thing that Courier has anything REMOTELY similiar to Roddick is that his serve has a short take back just like Roddick. However Roddick has WAY more pace and way more spin on his serve, and has incredibly more flexibility, allowing him to drop his racquet well below his waist.


Davydenko has a double bend forehand also, you are a complete idiot if you cannot see that. Federer's forehand is much different.


And also no one taught to hit with a western grip, or open stance in the old days. It was all about coming to the net, old school continental grips and such. You really need to learn your information and learn to open your eyes before you even speak to anyone here.


And Bill was the anomoly that started the introduction of the open stance and more extreme grips. The rest of the population didn't do it.

1)Courier's technique is the same as Roddicks, on all shots.

he

a)Same stance

b)jumps off two feet

c)same takeback

d)Same power position, as identified by John Yandell

e)same speed of motion

Roddick hit as big as Sampras when they played, so did courier, radar guns are rigged my friend, numbers go up every year.

-Davydenkoouble bend is irrelevant, everyone has some degree of bend in their arm, or else they have none, it doesn't really matter.

BTW, do you know who else had a straight arm forehand?

edberg

Strong correlation, although not an absolute rule, between grip and degree of bend in the arm.


And once again, you display your breathtaking ignorance as regards Tennis ihstory:


from the art of lawn tennis by bill tilden

Racquet grip is a very essential part of stroke, because a faulty grip will ruin the finest serving. There is the so-called Western or Californian grip as typified by Maurice E. M`Loughlin, Willis, E. Davis, and, to a slightly modified degree, W. M.


-30-


Johnston, the American champion. It is a natural grip for a top forehand drive. It is inherently weak for the backhand, as the only natural shot is a chop stroke.

The English grip, with the low wrist on all ground strokes, has proved very successful in the past. Yet the broken line of the arm and hand does not commend itself to me, as any broken line is weak under stress.

The Eastern American grip, which I advocate, is the English grip without the low wrist and broken line. To acquire the forehand grip, hold the racquet with the edge of the frame towards the ground and the face perpendicular, the handle towards the body, and "shake hands" with it, just as if you were greeting a friend. The handle settled comfortably and naturally into the hand, the line of the arm, hand, and racquet are one. The swing brings the racquet head on a line with the arm, and the whole racquet is merely an extension of it.

 

[BreakPoint]

When he starts making statements that people can hit like Federer or Nadal is why he sets himself up to be attacked. He makes statements that really aren't right (like him saying that people hit like Federer, when no one on the face of the planet has the same combination of spin, placement, and pace) or when he says people can hit spin like Nadal (duh, it's called topspin, but can you generate the same amount of pace that Nadal does?). That is when people attack him, as he's using wrong statements to try to prove himself right.

Which part of "but they don't do it as well" did you NOT understand?

Have you seen all 100 million tennis players in the world play tennis? If not, how do you know "no one on the face of the planet" hits the same forehand stroke as Federer? I'm talking about the grip and the mechanics, NOT how effective it is NOR did I mention anything about the combination of spin, placement and pace. Someone with the same forehand stroke as Federer could hit the ball into the net half of the time, but they would STILL have the same forehand stroke as Federer. PLEASE GO BACK AND REREAD MY POST.

There could be lots of players that swing at the ball the same way as Federer (Boojay here hits a similar style backhand), lots of players that swing at the ball the same way as Nadal, lots of players that have a service motion like Roddick, but of course NONE of them are as good as Federer, Nadal, nor Roddick. We're NOT talking about how good people are nor their effectiveness, are we? We're talking about a technique. I know of almost no top players that hit the ball with the same side of their racquet, regardless of how good or ineffective they are. I'm talking about the technique/mechanics and NOT about effectiveness or what happens to the ball after they hit it.

 

[Rickson]

Break and I are original gangstas and I've got to agree with him on this one. Hitting with the same side is stupid and even a western grip player like Justine doesn't do it. Justine flips her racquet every time when she switches from fh to bh. I've seen some beginners use the same side and that's because they hate hitting backhands. That's what using the same side is, a beginner's move.

 

[NamRanger]

Which part of "but they don't do it as well" did you NOT understand?

Have you seen all 100 million tennis players in the world play tennis? If not, how do you know "no one on the face of the planet" hits the same forehand stroke as Federer? I'm talking about the grip and the mechanics, NOT how effective it is NOR did I mention anything about the combination of spin, placement and pace. Someone with the same forehand stroke as Federer could hit the ball into the net half of the time, but they would STILL have the same forehand stroke as Federer. PLEASE GO BACK AND REREAD MY POST.

There could be lots of players that swing at the ball the same way as Federer (Boojay here hits a similar style backhand), lots of players that swing at the ball the same way as Nadal, lots of players that have a service motion like Roddick, but of course NONE of them are as good as Federer, Nadal, nor Roddick. We're NOT talking about how good people are nor their effectiveness, are we? We're talking about a technique. I know of almost no top players that hit the ball with the same side of their racquet, regardless of how good or ineffective they are. I'm talking about the technique/mechanics and NOT about effectiveness or what happens to the ball after they hit it.

Not one player I've ever seen hits any forehand that is even similiar to what Federer or Nadal does. Why? Because it is unique to them, and even if you try to copy it to every single detail, you can't emulate it exactly as they do, as it is mentally imprinted for them what to do. No matter how hard you try to copy that, you can't.


There is maybe ONE player who has a serve similiar to Roddick, and that is Gael Monfils. Other then that, I don't see many people with the rediculous flexibility of Roddick, as he can drop the racquet FAR below his waist to generate the immense speed that he does.


Technique can be copied up to a certain point, but if it was that simple to "copy" another person's technique, we'd all have people who can hit Roddick serves, Federer forehands, and Nadal spin shots.

 

[limitup]

Break and I are original gangstas and I've got to agree with him on this one. Hitting with the same side is stupid and even a western grip player like Justine doesn't do it. Justine flips her racquet every time when she switches from fh to bh. I've seen some beginners use the same side and that's because they hate hitting backhands. That's what using the same side is, a beginner's move.

Why exactly is it stupid if it's just as fast or faster to change grips between FH and BH, and it doesn't have any negative side effects? This is what I'm trying to understand - people who say "it's stupid" or "it's wrong" never give a single solid fact to support their answer.

 

[Leoboomanu]

When he starts making statements that people can hit like Federer or Nadal is why he sets himself up to be attacked. He makes statements that really aren't right (like him saying that people hit like Federer, when no one on the face of the planet has the same combination of spin, placement, and pace) or when he says people can hit spin like Nadal (duh, it's called topspin, but can you generate the same amount of pace that Nadal does?). That is when people attack him, as he's using wrong statements to try to prove himself right.

Well to an extent, I have known someone to hit everything like Agassi, and he was no slouch... But I bet all my racquets, he won't take a game off A.A or any top pro...

But that's not really the argument, is it?

Posters argue in this thread to the point that--- they seem to advocate wrong technique...

So, I ask you? Do you use the same face of the racquet?

Please answer

Peace

 

[Leoboomanu]

Why exactly is it stupid if it's just as fast or faster to change grips between FH and BH, and it doesn't have any negative side effects? This is what I'm trying to understand - people who say "it's stupid" or "it's wrong" never give a single solid fact to support their answer.

IMO it doesn't make it faster to change grips doing shortcuts... Correct me if I'm wrong but, changing grips and takeback and body turn almost happens in one motion, so where do you save time?

So why prevent the hands from it's natural motion in changing grips?

Well, so many will argue what's natural and what's not... I say I go with 99.99% of the top pros...

One key to improving in tennis is recognizing bad technique and habits and correcting them before it's too late...
If you're used to your 'bad technique IMO', you're already too late... Or are you?

Time to change, change is good...

Peace

 

[Rickson]

Why exactly is it stupid if it's just as fast or faster to change grips between FH and BH, and it doesn't have any negative side effects? This is what I'm trying to understand - people who say "it's stupid" or "it's wrong" never give a single solid fact to support their answer.

Limit, you're only looking for one answer and that's the answer you want to hear. Want my opinion on why it's wrong? I believe your off hand can switch to the other side faster than it can to the same side. If your grip is extreme western, maybe then your switch would be a fraction of a second quicker, but you'd have trouble with low balls. To sum it up, the same side of the face turn is an unnatural feeling turn for most people I believe and if you disagree, that's your right.

 

[BreakPoint]

Not one player I've ever seen hits any forehand that is even similiar to what Federer or Nadal does. Why? Because it is unique to them, and even if you try to copy it to every single detail, you can't emulate it exactly as they do, as it is mentally imprinted for them what to do. No matter how hard you try to copy that, you can't.


There is maybe ONE player who has a serve similiar to Roddick, and that is Gael Monfils. Other then that, I don't see many people with the rediculous flexibility of Roddick, as he can drop the racquet FAR below his waist to generate the immense speed that he does.


Technique can be copied up to a certain point, but if it was that simple to "copy" another person's technique, we'd all have people who can hit Roddick serves, Federer forehands, and Nadal spin shots.

Who's talking about copying??? Out of 100 million players, don't you think that the odds are pretty good that there's at least a few other people that have the same forehand stroke as Federer? I mean, there are NOT 100 million ways to hit a forehand. There are at most 300 different ways, and that's even pushing it. The BIG difference is consistency and effectiveness. Most of the people that have the same stroke as Federer are NOWHERE near as consistent nor as effective. They probably also have much worse footwork and speed. Heck, I hit my backhand very similar to Federer's, been doing it that way since before Federer was even born. But, of course, it's NOWHERE as consistent, effective, or accurate. My footwork is also much worse and I'm much slower. The big reason why Federer has such a good forehand has to do with his incredible footwork and speed, more than the stroke itself. The same above goes for Nadal's spin shots and Roddick's serve. Lots of people use the same techniques as they do, they just don't get anywhere near the same results.

Sure, anyone can copy what the pros do but that doesn't mean you can do it as well as they do nor achieve the same results. It might look like your technique and mechanics are the same as their's, which is what the stroke is, but you still end up losing to that 4.5 player. Why? Because you just don't do it as well nor as consistently as the pros do it.

But getting back to the topic of hitting using the same side of your racquet, would you rather emulate the best players or emulate the not so good players?

 

[Rickson]

Who's talking about copying??? Out of 100 million players, don't you think that the odds are pretty good that there's at least a few other people that have the same forehand stroke as Federer?

The O.G. representing!

 

[BreakPoint]

Why exactly is it stupid if it's just as fast or faster to change grips between FH and BH, and it doesn't have any negative side effects? This is what I'm trying to understand - people who say "it's stupid" or "it's wrong" never give a single solid fact to support their answer.

Because if there were no negative side effects then people doing it would be winning Grand Slams and be ranked #1 in the world.

Have you seen many top level players do it? I mean 5.0+, college, open, futures, pro players? Maybe they got to those levels because they were not held back by the negative side effects of doing it?