No Grip Change from FH to BH?

Forgive me if this has been discussed before.......

My FH grip and BH grip are actually so close in handle position, that I find I am almost able to not make a grip change when hitting from either side (and therefore hit the ball on the same side of the racquet).

I am trying to make a mental change to not switch grips, but have a bit of a block in doing so. My mind still always wants to rotate the grip in my hand rather than just flipping the racquet over. But, not having to switch grips side to side is obviously a very significant time savings, if one can pull it off.

Is this worth learning? And, do any of you guys use this approach if your grips are close side to side? And, how would these grips be classified?

Thanks for the thoughts----

This is my FH grip---

2013-02-12_13-41-06_306_zpscef1acff.jpg

2013-02-12_13-41-36_274_zps7688a69e.jpg


BH grip----
2013-02-12_13-41-51_416_zps74f1bf85.jpg
 

BevelDevil

Hall of Fame
There's nothing wrong with an Eastern bh grip or Full Western fh grip.

Just keep in mind that some players prefer to have the heel pad of their palm in different positions on the bh and fh, even though their index knuckle is in the same spot. This will affect the angle in which the handle fits in your palm.

I suspect grip combinations such as yours are becoming increasingly popular.
 

WildVolley

Legend
Just about every player I work with uses the same grip for both forehand and backhand (well, topspin backhand anyways)

Really?

I had no idea that the Western grip was so dominant these days. Though I see a lot of juniors have more extreme grips than most pros.
 

WildVolley

Legend
WildVolley - yep, well semi-western anyway, but all mine are wheelies!

Yeah, that makes sense. The western grip is definitely good for the high strike zone and topspin. Do they switch to the other side when digging the ball out? (Seems I've gone a little off topic.)
 

WildVolley

Legend
Is the grip in the photos above considered full western?

There always seems to be some judgement on grip classifications.

From the pictures, I'd call that a full western. I think that's farther under the handle than even Djokovic holds it. It is definitely farther under than when I shot video of Nadal practicing.
 
From the pictures, I'd call that a full western. I think that's farther under the handle than even Djokovic holds it. It is definitely farther under than when I shot video of Nadal practicing.

Thanks for the assessment/classification.

I am thinking about trying to bring it back around a bit (more Eastern) to hit a little flatter. This grip is "safe" in that, combined with my trusty Steam 99S frames, keeps most every ball in, but I have found that with speedy retrievers, they can get a racquet on a ball that I think they shouldnt be able to...likely because I dont hit "through" the ball enough sometimes.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I guess one thing missing from wheelie tennis is the two handed prep grip.
Not a bad idea, but it's hard when one hand is needed on the wheel for instant direction changes and starts.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Always been a problem of fast moving flat ball vs hitting a heavy spinning controllable consistent ball.
Players have faced that problem since the beginning of tennis, and are constantly trying to solve the problem.
 
Wheelies face ball that bounce high quite often.

Im too old to be a wheelie, but Ill attest to the fact that the higher bouncing balls are definitely the "norm".

I learned this big time yesterday when hitting against a very good (top ranked 5.0 in my state) flat hitter. So, obviously hes going to hit a good ball regardless, but it takes a serious concerted effort to KNEE BEND when dealing with that low bouncing skidding stuff. I personally just dont see it very often (and Im guessing many folks dont and thats why hes been so successful).
 

mntlblok

Hall of Fame
Same side

I used the same side of the string bed with pretty much the same grip on both sides back when my wrist still allowed me to try topspin forehands. I was more like semi-western on the forehand and *extreme* on the backhand. Made for very few misses on the backhand, as well as a wonderful little dipping cross courter for a passing shot. My sense is that it's pretty close to what Henin and Gasquet must use.

Interestingly, I thought about doing it that way (just using the same side of the strings) for quite a while before getting the nerve up to try it. It turned out that it was no more than one or two practice sessions before it became second nature.
 

TennisCJC

Legend
There was a Spanish pro that did very well at the French playing with the same side of the racket. Like you, he had a W and extreme EBH grip. He just flipped the racket over. I think a full W grip on the FH is a bit limiting but if you are comfortable with it, then go for it.
 

NLBwell

Legend
Looks like close to a standard full-western forehand grip and not all that extreme backhand grip. Most people do go around the long way when switching grips like this. There are changes to the heel pad position like BevelDevil says and it may be easier to get into position going the long way around, plus it keeps the wrist from freezing in the forehand position.

Even with my Continental grip, there is a little change in palm position between forehand and backhand.
 

pkshooter

Semi-Pro
Yeah when i found that out about my grip i was so surprised. It just takes awhile. Having a loose grip in ready position, and doing the take back primarily with your left hand really helps. Still i've found the 1 sec extra you get only matters when rallying with the wall or the one time you get a 5 plus shot rally with someone at the net.
 

Govnor

Professional
I knew someone that did this, but he would contort his body and basically block/push back the backhand. Looked absolutely ridiculous.
 
There was a Spanish pro that did very well at the French playing with the same side of the racket. Like you, he had a W and extreme EBH grip. He just flipped the racket over. I think a full W grip on the FH is a bit limiting but if you are comfortable with it, then go for it.
Berasategui (not sure about the spelling...). Had a great topspin bh.
Edit. Sorry, LeeD ao was there before me.
 

BevelDevil

Hall of Fame
Berasategui used an extreme Western grip (Hawaiian?) on his forehand, so if he had an Eastern bh, he must have changed grips slightly. Btw, his extreme forehand screwed up his wrist. i think this is the same problem that led to Nishikori's wrist problems.
 
Forgive me if this has been discussed before.......

My FH grip and BH grip are actually so close in handle position, that I find I am almost able to not make a grip change when hitting from either side (and therefore hit the ball on the same side of the racquet).

I am trying to make a mental change to not switch grips, but have a bit of a block in doing so. My mind still always wants to rotate the grip in my hand rather than just flipping the racquet over. But, not having to switch grips side to side is obviously a very significant time savings, if one can pull it off.

Is this worth learning? And, do any of you guys use this approach if your grips are close side to side? And, how would these grips be classified?

Thanks for the thoughts----

This is my FH grip---

2013-02-12_13-41-06_306_zpscef1acff.jpg

2013-02-12_13-41-36_274_zps7688a69e.jpg


BH grip----
2013-02-12_13-41-51_416_zps74f1bf85.jpg
Vince Spadea, Almagro, Coco Gauff all do this
 

2-Step-Q

Rookie
I use a SW forehand and recently changed my one handed backhand grip to match. But like what was mentioned before the palm position changes. My FH is hit with a pistol grip while my BH is hit with a hammer grip. Lots of top spin on both. I made the switch to help me drive my backhand more because I always had a moonball of a backhand. But it works well for me! Good luck on yours!
 

NLBwell

Legend
I use a SW forehand and recently changed my one handed backhand grip to match. But like what was mentioned before the palm position changes. My FH is hit with a pistol grip while my BH is hit with a hammer grip. Lots of top spin on both. I made the switch to help me drive my backhand more because I always had a moonball of a backhand. But it works well for me! Good luck on yours!
I can understand doing this with a western forehand grip where your palm is behind the racket in both the forehand and the backhand, but it seems crazy to me to do it with a semi-western forehand grip where you are hitting a backhand with your palm below the racket. How do you hit anything below head height?
 

2-Step-Q

Rookie
I can understand doing this with a western forehand grip where your palm is behind the racket in both the forehand and the backhand, but it seems crazy to me to do it with a semi-western forehand grip where you are hitting a backhand with your palm below the racket. How do you hit anything below head height?
My BH grip used to be a Full Western FH grip but like I said I was moonballing those shots. I’ve never had an issue throwing balls into the net on my backhand. Way too much lift. So I adjusted the grip to bring it down some. And the Full western FH confuses the hell out of me. Idk how people can hit anything over the net lol
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
I can understand doing this with a western forehand grip where your palm is behind the racket in both the forehand and the backhand, but it seems crazy to me to do it with a semi-western forehand grip where you are hitting a backhand with your palm below the racket. How do you hit anything below head height?
Palm is not exactly below the the racquet. Anyhow practice helps:

 
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