I'm finding full eastern 1hbh grip easier for topspin than SW 1hbh grip..?

[thomasferrett]

Full eastern backhand grip places your knuckles all aligned on the top bevel (bevel 1). Semi-western backhand grip places your index knuckle one bevel behind the top bevel (bevel eight), and the rest of the knuckles on bevel 1.

So, in full eastern grip, your hand is in a 'hammer grip configuration' (all knuckles on same bevel), and in sw grip your hand is in a 'pistol grip configuration' (knuckles spread out over different bevels).

I am finding, because of the great support underneath the racket that you get with all knuckles on one bevel as in the full eastern grip, that it is easier to create a very steep racket swing path in full eastern than in sw 1hbh grip. In sw grip, because the knuckles are spread out across the handle to an extent, the pressure on the grip is not as evenly distributed, and it doesn't feel like there is as much support to swing as steeply at the ball.

So, for me, it feels as if I can get more topspin from the full eastern backhand grip than the sw backhand grip. Is that normal? Or is there probably something wrong with my sw backhand grip technique? Or is my grip size wrong on the racket?

Messing around with it, topspin is easier with the full eastern grip, and handling of very high balls (around head height) is equally comfortable with full eastern and sw grip. I actually achieve better depth off these high balls with my full eastern grip.

Hitting on the rise is easier with full eastern grip, and really, I haven't seen any advantages the sw grip offers me over the full eastern.

Think I may switch from sw to full eastern 1hbh grip. It isn't really a big change anyway I suppose...

 

[Netspirit]

Just use what works. Nothing wrong with the full Eastern.

 

[thebigz]

I think Dimitrov uses a continental, and he doesn't have trouble with topspin.

 

[PhrygianDominant]

I always thought extreme 1hbh grips were strange. Only Henin and guga....

Also dimitrov is not continental.

 

[thomasferrett]

I always thought extreme 1hbh grips were strange. Only Henin and guga....

Also dimitrov is not continental.

I think possibly you can get more drive off of high balls with SW 1hbh grip (though I am not finding that to be the case).

Spin definitely seems easier to achieve with full eastern, and that is what Gasquet uses and his spin is off the charts.

Henin also used a hybrid grip in between SW 1hbh grip and full eastern 1hbh grip. Kuerten was probably the same.

I don't think any notable pro uses the actual SW 1hbh grip. It is as rare or rarer than the Hawaiian forehand grip.

 

[Weaverpsu]

Full eastern backhand grip places your knuckles all aligned on the top bevel (bevel 1). Semi-western backhand grip places your index knuckle one bevel behind the top bevel (bevel eight), and the rest of the knuckles on bevel 1.

So, in full eastern grip, your hand is in a 'hammer grip configuration' (all knuckles on same bevel), and in sw grip your hand is in a 'pistol grip configuration' (knuckles spread out over different bevels).

I am finding, because of the great support underneath the racket that you get with all knuckles on one bevel as in the full eastern grip, that it is easier to create a very steep racket swing path in full eastern than in sw 1hbh grip. In sw grip, because the knuckles are spread out across the handle to an extent, the pressure on the grip is not as evenly distributed, and it doesn't feel like there is as much support to swing as steeply at the ball.

So, for me, it feels as if I can get more topspin from the full eastern backhand grip than the sw backhand grip. Is that normal? Or is there probably something wrong with my sw backhand grip technique? Or is my grip size wrong on the racket?

Messing around with it, topspin is easier with the full eastern grip, and handling of very high balls (around head height) is equally comfortable with full eastern and sw grip. I actually achieve better depth off these high balls with my full eastern grip.

Hitting on the rise is easier with full eastern grip, and really, I haven't seen any advantages the sw grip offers me over the full eastern.

Think I may switch from sw to full eastern 1hbh grip. It isn't really a big change anyway I suppose...

I disagree with your description of hammer grip. No one grabs a hammer in the same manner of having all knuckles aligned. The continental grip is called the handshake grip and that is how one would grab a hammer. Having your knuckles aligned like you are describing is a more extreme grip and will definitely give you more access to topspin. Henin had a grip similar to that I believe. I just studied and passed the USPTA test and have been playing tennis for over 20 years and never heard of a SW backhand grip for a 1 hander. Maybe, I am out of the loop. I use a standard eastern backhand with my base knuckle and heel of hand on bevel 1. My hand is in a pistol grip as you call it. Balls on the short hop, on the rise, and those you are trying for more spin, a more extreme grip will help you. Federer uses a standard eastern like myself (to my knowledge) and may contribute to his slight inability to hit high balls as well as others. However, I've seen him hit a million great returns off of high shots to his backhand. I would look at some Tommy Haas videos. I modeled my backhand after him and others. Good luck.

 

[Weaverpsu]

Also, there is nothing wrong with changing your grip for an individual shot. The one-hander is very versatile. You may want to be just slightly left of a continental for a blocking style return of server but then more full eastern for a down the line attacking topspin approach shot.