DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
So I have been hitting with a semi western grip but I really want to get effortless power and have a straight arm forehand and can I do that with a semi western grip instead of eastern like fed uses
Is it ok to copy federers forehand with a semi western grip instead of eastern
- Thread starter DeepTopspinToBackhand
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Topspin Shot
Legend
Yes. See Verdasco.
enishi1357
Semi-Pro
IMO federer uses a grip between eastern and semi-western. nadal uses semi-western. I think I have straight arm forehand. I've tried eastern and it's too flat for straight arm. Never tried semi-western with straight arm.
SinjinCooper
Hall of Fame
Do whatever you want. If it works, I recommend you keep doing it.
styksnstryngs
Professional
I cannot have any control with a true straight arm. I do feel like copying Federer's takeback has helped me keep my forehand much more relaxed than otherwise, however.
C
Chadillac
Guest
If murray and djok cant clone the fed forehand, what makes you think you can with a different grip? 
kramer woodie
Professional
Deep
Yes, you can copy Fed's forehand. In fact you can use both an extreme eastern or semi-western grip. You can change back and forth between
the 2 grips to create spinner strokes and flat strokes. The whole point of Fed's forehand is making contact with the ball with the arm
straight and the wrist laid back.
In fact the ex-pro who's students I help teach commented to me that at age 72, that I have developed a new modern forehand, contact
with ball, arm straight, wrist laid back, low to high swing. The power I am able to generate is easy and sometimes overpowering. More
than one opponent has had the racquet twist out of their hand trying to return my forehand.
Throw the racquet at the ball using ISR and always follow through to complete the stroke.
Aloha
DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
Wow, I never knew Verdasco had such a fluid, yet effective forehand. Surprising that the best he ever advanced in a GS was AO Semis in 2009.
DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
Thanks a lot, but isn't the wrist supposed to release while making contact for additional spin and power?
DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
Lucky for me I have time to practice tennis more than a couple hours a day so that's not a problem for me
DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
It's because I've been hitting with a double bend but have been getting tennis elbow because of the extreme torque, I'd like to hit with a straight arm and not strain the elbow and use physics in my favor to generate power
Topspin Shot
Legend
If you're getting hurt, you aren't doing the double bend right. Which means you won't be doing the straight arm right either because you don't have the basics down. So you should stop posting here, find a reputable pro, and fix your forehand. Taking the advice of armchair coaches will lead you nowhere.
DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
There was nothing wrong with my double bend, the only problem was I was hitting to much topspin, like kyrgios on his double bend, with a straight arm the force on the elbow is none. So you shouldn't be the one talking, I'd bagel you even if I was slicing all my forehands.
Topspin Shot
Legend
Whatever you say. What's your UTR?
P
PittsburghDad
Guest
"Effortless power". Always one of my favs.....(eye rolling emoji)
DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
If you've got nothing good to say then get the hell out of here
P
PittsburghDad
Guest
Effortless comeback bro. How many accounts you going to set up TTPS?
DeepTopspinToBackhand
New User
You know what, I don't have time for smartasses like yourself
P
PittsburghDad
Guest
Hang around the boards long enough. People will say things like "effortless power" and "how to make my FH like FED". It helps to be a smart###.
kramer woodie
Professional
Deep
Yes, your wrist will release naturally IF your arm, wrist, and grip are Relaxed. The stroke is a fluid natural use of the big muscles of the
kinetic chain, powering the weaker muscles of the arm. Dry swing very slowly to see (feel) how the body naturally moves. You should
recognize how the wrist release leads to the windshield wipe along with pronation of the forearm and the elbow starts to naturally bend
into the follow through. Use your free hand like a gun sight, out away from your body pointing to the contact point. Don't move the free
hand until just slightly before ball contact. Let your natural body motion move the freehand as you uncoil, catching the racquet
throat above your front shoulder at competition of the stroke.
Something you really need to focus on is Do Not look up to where you want to hit the ball. Keep your eyes glued to the contact point
of the racquet hitting the ball until you finish the stroke catching the racquet with the free hand above your front shoulder. Then you
can look up. You will have plenty of time to react for prep for your opponents return of the ball. If your copying Fed's forehand watch
and pay attention to how long his eyes stay focused at ball and racquet contact before he lifts his eyes.
As you practice Fed's forehand, I recommend you use a semi-open stance. Using semi-open will help you place more weight on your
back foot and keep your front foot light so that you can move the front foot to neutral, closed, or open easier. It will also allow you to
more aggressively shift your weight to the front foot (step to the ball, pushing with the back foot) increasing your power level and learning to take the ball out in front on the rise redirecting the power of your opponent.
Good Luck!!! Remember, it's not about muscle, but about racquet head speed. Muscle gets in the way of speed. Let the stroke flow,
think of throwing the racquet at the ball. Start slow, build up speed and don't try for incredible spin levels until your stroke is
relaxed, smooth, and natural use of the kinetic chain. The power will come from you feet, leg, hips, and torso uncoil.
Aloha
Limpinhitter
G.O.A.T.
Absolutely! I recommend it for most players. But, a straight arm isn't required for a great forehand.
Limpinhitter
G.O.A.T.
Not really.
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