Same grip for forehand and backhand?

[always_crosscourt]

I used to use a full western grip for my forehand, and a very extreme eastern (almost semi-western) grip for my backhand. I realized the grip change was very problematic for me - especially returning serves.

Since then, I've shifted my forehand grip to from full western to semi-western. The benefit I've found from this change is not that I can flatten the ball out easier - but directional control of my forehand is a lot easier. With the palm less under the racket and more behind the racket - it's way easier to control where you're hitting the ball. Topspin generation is barely compromised at all.

My backhand grip is now simply my forehand grip turned over - it's now a semi-western single handed backhand grip. Counter-intuitively, I've found this grip more forgiving than my previous backhand grip even though it's more extreme. Because so much of your palm is behind the handle - if you happen to catch the ball too late (eg. if the opponent hits an unexpectedly deep shot) - you can give the ball a strong block without much spin to return it. Having the palm more behind the handle also helps with directional control - just like with the forehand. But obviously hitting heavy topspin and hitting high balls are the best thing to face with this grip, as you can aggressively loop them by supinating over the ball, or flatten them out for a kill shot. On the other hand, very low balls are harder to deal with, and I'd need to change grip to slice them anyway.

Return of serve is now much more simple for me - before I'd have to guess whether to expect a forehand or backhand. Now I just use continental grip to return 1st serves, and semi-western forehand/backhand grip for 2nd serves.

Does anyone else hit forehands and backhands with the same grip? What grip is that - and what have you found are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

 

[comeback]

i personally don't use your grips but i think this former Italian pro Alberto Berasategui did..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0l97WLuF0M

 

[pkshooter]

Yep I do, if you look you'll find like one post like this a week.

 

[BevelDevil]

i personally don't use your grips but i think this former Italian pro Alberto Berasategui did..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0l97WLuF0M

I think he used a Hawaiian fh grip and regular Eastern bh grip.

 

[always_crosscourt]

I think he used a Hawaiian fh grip and regular Eastern bh grip.

Beveldevil - I've seen you preaching on here that one shouldn't use a full semi-western 1hbh grip because it's too extreme.

You should try it - it's not uncomfortable. Moonballers got very easy to play and if you have time to set up - you can easily make balls kick up over people's heads.

I'm still not great at playing good players who hit heavy topspin - but it's nothing to do with the height of the bounce (which I actually like), and more to do with my crappy timing when the ball kicks forward. But at the same time I know my backhand is also doing this to people as they say it kicks forward and upwards and makes life unpleasant.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

If you know your opponent you know his serve preferences both in the deuce and ad courts. This allows you to anticipate better.

Also, as the toss goes up try to read it, and then read the angle of the racket before and through contact and react accordingly.

If you read the serve well you will have the time to line up with a correct grip.

Unless you hit all your shots with continental grip there is a change of grip.

 

[BevelDevil]

Beveldevil - I've seen you preaching on here that one shouldn't use a full semi-western 1hbh grip because it's too extreme.

You should try it - it's not uncomfortable. Moonballers got very easy to play and if you have time to set up - you can easily make balls kick up over people's heads.

I'm still not great at playing good players who hit heavy topspin - but it's nothing to do with the height of the bounce (which I actually like), and more to do with my crappy timing when the ball kicks forward. But at the same time I know my backhand is also doing this to people as they say it kicks forward and upwards and makes life unpleasant.

But what about low balls? How do you do passing shots and hitting on the run?

Also, just curious, where is your heel pad? I've found that an extreme eastern with the heel pad on the back of the handle is plenty extreme for head-high balls. (Although I don't use extreme eastern bh).

Unless you hit all your shots with continental grip there is a change of grip.

This is probably correct IF you are hitting with the opposite racket face on each side.

However, if you hit with the same face on each side, then Full Western fh and Full Eastern bh are doable. So are Hawaiian fh /Mild-Eastern bh and Extreme SW fh / Extreme Eastern bh.

In all cases (including continental), there is likely to be a change in the heel pad positioning, though.

 

[always_crosscourt]

But what about low balls? How do you do passing shots and hitting on the run?

Also, just curious, where is your heel pad? I've found that an extreme eastern with the heel pad on the back of the handle is plenty extreme for head-high balls. (Although I don't use extreme eastern bh).




This is probably correct IF you are hitting with the opposite racket face on each side.

However, if you hit with the same face on each side, then Full Western fh and Full Eastern bh are doable. So are Hawaiian fh /Mild-Eastern bh and Extreme SW fh / Extreme Eastern bh.

In all cases (including continental), there is likely to be a change in the heel pad positioning, though.

I don't know where my heel pad is, mainly because I don't exactly know what the heel pad is.

I can tell you that my pinky knuckle is on the ridge between bevels 8 and 1, and my index knuckle is on bevel 8. I make absolutely no adjustment to my grip when hitting a fh or bh.

For low balls you have knees - you must bend them! I squat down extremely low to topspin low balls, but I can deal with them. I always do this sort of motion though, even when slicing low balls - so it's no major inconvenience.

Dipping passing shots are good, passing shots on the run tend to be hit down the line unless I get to it very early, since the contact point is so far out in front.

To help, I do weight training as well, and I purposely strengthen areas of the musculature used in hitting 1hbh's - your posterior deltoids, lateral deltoids, mid-back and wrist extensors.

It's always been my goal to have a stronger backhand than forehand, simply because I'm a contrary ar$ehole of a person, and whatever are most people's weaknesses, I like to make them my strengths, and whatever are most people's strengths, I like to make them my weaknesses.

 

[pkshooter]

I hit a ohb guys it perfectly normal.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=454548
This thread pops up constantly.

 

[Buford T Justice]

I hit a ohb guys it perfectly normal.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=454548
This thread pops up constantly.

Yes..... I thought this topic seemed familiar

 

[Broly4]

i personally don't use your grips but i think this former Italian pro Alberto Berasategui did..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0l97WLuF0M

Dude, Italian?? he's from Spain, and used a "Hawaiian" grip.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

He used a PC600, right? Seems a bit unlikely racket for loopy topspin shots, but maybe it is just me.

 

[I Heart Thomas Muster]

I use the same grip for both. A western forehand and then whatever that turned over is for the backhand. I assume it's an extreme eastern grip but don't know for sure. I played on red clay for years and never had a problem. On hard courts the only issue that pops up from time to time is on low forehands. For some reason I have no issue with low topspin backhands.

 

[LeeD]

Using the same grip can work up to pretty good levels, but it's usually something done for a shorter player who needs to hit lots of high balls.
I DO know one 4.5 level doubles player who uses a W grip no change except for serves.
You can do it, but you're probably handicapping yourself a little from the lack of grip switch.

 

[Broly4]

If used effectively, it can save time. I hit with a full western, and sometimes I feel it's too radical a grip change, especially after serve or a slice.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I tried to use the same side of the racket for BH and FH, because after all it is a smaller grip change (for me just about one bevel), but I could not get used to it.

 

[LeeD]

The two one side racket user's I know don't really change grip the traditional way, but rather move their thumb inward and shift their forefingers just a little to get the backhand hammer grip.

 

[pkshooter]

Oh my god why is this thread still here... lol. The amount of time it saves you is so minute, it'll only making a 100th of a point dif per set. And its not truly the same grip even though your knucle doesn't move. Also you are changing your grip, so for those who want to flame about not changing grips, try it: semi western, flip your wrist and then bam you got that ohb grip i'll be it semi western but...

 

[BevelDevil]

The two one side racket user's I know don't really change grip the traditional way, but rather move their thumb inward and shift their forefingers just a little to get the backhand hammer grip.

Yeah, that's basically what I do. Except my index knuckle ends up repositioning by half a bevel when I do this, so I go from Eastern bh to strong SW forehand by pivoting the handle, rather than rotating it.