I hit w/ the same side of the racquet for both fh and bh - is this bad?

[oneguy21]

So I hit with the same side of racquet since my fh and bh grip are the same (semi-western for fh and extreme eastern for bh). Is this bad in any way?
I think it's an advantage because I could return serve with the same grip.

Also, a sw fh grip is held exactly like an extreme eastern(sw) bh grip right?

 

[LeeD]

If it works for you at the level you need to play, then it's fine.
Traditional coaches would say to shift it slightly between full western forehand and backhands, and use opposite sides.
Some older shorter pro players used the same side, Dibbs, Solomon at times, Barasetechi (sp), and a few more I can't recall.
Some even hit low volleys and half volleys really well, but specialize in putting away high volleys.
And taking the ball early on the backhand is not the worse thing to do.
Lotsa grips to remember, but if you can, it can work. I've seen even taller guys do that, up to 6' tall, and very effective in serve volley doubles.

 

[GeorgeLucas]

I do this too - SW grip and extreme Western 1 hander. It's beneficial on returns, like you said, but for typical groundstrokes, I spin my racquet anyway.

 

[mikeler]

I do this during a heavy topspin rally, otherwise I use the more traditional method of using the opposite side of the racket for my forehand and backhand.

 

[Ballinbob]

no its not bad. That's just how it is when you have an extreme backhand grip.

Btw, I ended up staying with an Eastern bh grip for my one-handed backhand. I took an hour an half lesson with my pro just to fix my backhand, and he said that you can generate more than enough topspin with an eastern backhand grip.

The key is getting your whole racket under the ball and getting low. That was my biggest problem. It sounds simple, but you'll be surprised how many people have this problem. If your racket isnt under the ball, you'll end up hitting a really flat backhand (like the one in my vid).

I suggest you give the eastern bh grip one more try, for it will help with low balls+will allow you good enough topspin. If you really want the extra topspin though go for it, but that's my opinion. An eastern backhand all in all is more versatile though

 

[lovethetriangle]

check out that chick in the aussie open quarters navarro, same thing

 

[jessey]

You mean you hit with the same grip or the same side of the racquet?

(How do you hit with the same side of the racquet on the backhand? You like flip the racquet around or something?)

 

[Sublime]

You mean you hit with the same grip or the same side of the racquet?

(How do you hit with the same side of the racquet on the backhand? You like flip the racquet around or something?)

Same grip, same side of the racket. Do a WW motion and you're in your BH grip.

I do the same thing... If I was a kid, teen, even HS player, I'd expect a coach to be all over me for it and they'd be right. At my age, it's whatever works

I hold it in almost a western forehand / almost eastern backhand. I do cheat around on occasion depending on the circumstance.

 

[southpaw]

Also, a sw fh grip is held exactly like an extreme eastern(sw) bh grip right?

Yes they are the same, and despite what the majority of people will say there is nothing wrong with those grip choices either. There aren't many of us out there, so be proud oneguy21.

 

[Sublime]

I was thinking about this yesterday as I was playing. I wonder if this will become more of a norm for players learning to play, especially with extreme FH grips and WW finishes become more of the norm and less of the exception.

If you finish a WW forehand then need to hit a 1HBH, you're pretty much set. Grab the throat and maybe you need to move a bevel.

However if you hit a classic FH, the other way is simpler. Grab the throat, readjust your hitting hand.

So a player (like Navarro) who's likely been hitting with an extreme FH grip and a WW finish for most, if not all, of her tennis life, would gravitate to this method.