Semi-Western vs. Eastern Grip and 1-hbh vs. 2-hbh

[BaselinerEY]

Hello All,

Other than spin, are there any benefits to hitting a semi-Western grip forehand vs. Eastern grip? I've been at the 4.0 level for a while and hit a heavier ball and hit my targets better with the Eastern grip. Plus, I am able to generate ample spin.

My usual hitting partner (who's a 5.0 and coach) says I won't get to a 4.5 or beyond unless I change my grip and switch to a 2-handed backhand. However, I feel it will take a long time to get to where I am with a semi-Western grip.

I play tennis, bat and play hockey right handed so a 2-handed backhand doesn't feel natural as it would be like batting left-handed. Plus, I think a 2-handed back hand limits my reach.

Thoughts?

 

[WildVolley]

I'd say that the main benefit of the SW other than spin is a little easier time with a higher contact point than with an eastern fh. IMO, there's no need to go to a SW, if you want a mild experiment just rotate toward an extreme eastern. You'll need a slight change in timing and contact point, but it may make it easier to get more spin.

If your 1hbh is technically sound there isn't necessarily a reason to switch to the 2hbh. I've played both and I don't think the reach issue is a big deal. Most 2hbh players still use the 1hbh for slice and volleys, so the reach is always there if you want it with the 2hbh. An advantage of the 2hbh is that it is a little easier to hit out of different stances. A problem with switching is that the contact point between the 2hbh drive and the 1hbh drive is big enough to make transitions difficult.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Hello All,

Other than spin, are there any benefits to hitting a semi-Western grip forehand vs. Eastern grip? I've been at the 4.0 level for a while and hit a heavier ball and hit my targets better with the Eastern grip. Plus, I am able to generate ample spin.

My usual hitting partner (who's a 5.0 and coach) says I won't get to a 4.5 or beyond unless I change my grip and switch to a 2-handed backhand. However, I feel it will take a long time to get to where I am with a semi-Western grip.

I play tennis, bat and play hockey right handed so a 2-handed backhand doesn't feel natural as it would be like batting left-handed. Plus, I think a 2-handed back hand limits my reach.

Thoughts?

Before making major changes to your game, you need to fully understand what your weaknesses and strengths are. You need to understand what loses you points, what wins you points, and what changes you can realistically make to your game. The same goes for anyone trying to offer you advice.

For example, if your main weakness is poor shot selection (regularly going for the wrong shot at the wrong time, which leads to errors), then a grip change or backhand change won't really help. You'll still make a lot of errors; you'll just make them with a different grip/swing.

So, why are you considering a grip change and a different backhand? What problems are you trying to fix? What are you hoping to accomplish? How do you think will it help you win more points?

 

[newpball]

My usual hitting partner (who's a 5.0 and coach) says I won't get to a 4.5 or beyond unless I change my grip and switch to a 2-handed backhand.

Your hitting partner is an idiot. Next time when he says that you should counter that you think he will never get to 5.5 with such a fomulaic attitude.

What else gets you to 4.5? Holy water, a better dampener, the latest Babolat racket, juicing, making sure you never get into a 80 feet radius of a smoker?

Fact is that you may never get to 4.5, whatever you do. And if you do have the talent for that you should be able to do with the grip and backhand you are most comfortable with.


:grin:

 

[BaselinerEY]

Thanks for the insight. Very helpful.

 

[BaselinerEY]

Before making major changes to your game, you need to fully understand what your weaknesses and strengths are. You need to understand what loses you points, what wins you points, and what changes you can realistically make to your game. The same goes for anyone trying to offer you advice.

For example, if your main weakness is poor shot selection (regularly going for the wrong shot at the wrong time, which leads to errors), then a grip change or backhand change won't really help. You'll still make a lot of errors; you'll just make them with a different grip/swing.

So, why are you considering a grip change and a different backhand? What problems are you trying to fix? What are you hoping to accomplish? How do you think will it help you win more points?

Shot selection isn't what loses me points. It's usually poor strategy as in being vulnerable to drop shots by deep baseline play, being caught in no man's land vs. approaching the net and I have a tendency to watch my shots rather than get back to the middle. My shots are sound but sometimes I don't get the ball deep enough, which is why my hitting partner is suggesting the change. He says more spin will allow me to hit deeper balls.

 

[BaselinerEY]

Your hitting partner is an idiot. Next time when he says that you should counter that you think he will never get to 5.5 with such a fomulaic attitude.

What else gets you to 4.5? Holy water, a better dampener, the latest Babolat racket, juicing, making sure you never get into a 80 feet radius of a smoker?

Fact is that you may never get to 4.5, whatever you do. And if you do have the talent for that you should be able to do with the grip and backhand you are most comfortable with.


:grin:

Great response.

 

[Lukhas]

He says more spin will allow me to hit deeper balls.

The longer 1HBH stroke with a wider range of motion allows more spin and power while the 2 hander is easier for hitting on the rise. That said, Gasquet has pretty good spin on his 1HBH and he uses Eastern, the same way Nadal uses SW and not W on his FH. Spin is a lot bound to technique at this point.

I tried both and suggest you try both too. When I was often playing on clay I used SW BH a lot, but I switched to hard-courts very often and the lower bounce forced me to bend my knees really low to hit the same ball. I shifted over a strong Eastern grip and will use SW for (really) high balls if I really cannot afford to step back to hit at a more comfortable level.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Shot selection isn't what loses me points. It's usually poor strategy as in being vulnerable to drop shots by deep baseline play, being caught in no man's land vs. approaching the net and I have a tendency to watch my shots rather than get back to the middle. My shots are sound but sometimes I don't get the ball deep enough, which is why my hitting partner is suggesting the change. He says more spin will allow me to hit deeper balls.

Most of the time, a lack of depth is due to poor preparation and/or poor positioning. You can switch to a 2HBH and a semi-western forehand, but you'll still be out of position and you'll still end up hitting short.

So my suggestion would be to work on your movement first and foremost, because that sounds like your biggest problem. Second, work on your volleys so that you'll stop hanging out in no-man's land when you should be moving to the net. Also, if you're playing so far back that drop shots are killing you, then moving forward a bit and learning to hit the ball a bit sooner will help you kill two birds with one stone: preventing drop shots and getting more depth on your own shots.

 

[mightyrick]

Hello All,

Other than spin, are there any benefits to hitting a semi-Western grip forehand vs. Eastern grip? I've been at the 4.0 level for a while and hit a heavier ball and hit my targets better with the Eastern grip. Plus, I am able to generate ample spin.

My usual hitting partner (who's a 5.0 and coach) says I won't get to a 4.5 or beyond unless I change my grip and switch to a 2-handed backhand. However, I feel it will take a long time to get to where I am with a semi-Western grip.

I play tennis, bat and play hockey right handed so a 2-handed backhand doesn't feel natural as it would be like batting left-handed. Plus, I think a 2-handed back hand limits my reach.

Thoughts?

I think changing to an Eastern is not needed. As it is, most people with an Eastern grip are actually cheating over to a mild semi-western anyways. A lot of it depends on the kind of ball you hit. If you are hitting with very little topspin, then the problem isn't the grip... it is your technique. I hit with more spin than most guys who hold semi-western... and I have an Eastern grip.

On the backhand side, it is certainly possible to be successful with a 1HBH. However, I have to agree with your friend. Switching to a 2HBH would make the transition from 4.0 to 4.5 much easier. A 2HBH gives you a lot of natural advantages over the 1HBH in three areas: 1) The return of a heavy serve, 2) The ability to hit a high-ball to your backhand with interest, and 3) The ability to more easily take the ball off the bounce.

At the 4.5 level, guys are going to be serving much bigger, hitting much more to the backhand, and using a lot of loop/topspin. Having a 2HBH is only going to help you deal with those things more effectively.

 

[BaselinerEY]

Most of the time, a lack of depth is due to poor preparation and/or poor positioning. You can switch to a 2HBH and a semi-western forehand, but you'll still be out of position and you'll still end up hitting short.

So my suggestion would be to work on your movement first and foremost, because that sounds like your biggest problem. Second, work on your volleys so that you'll stop hanging out in no-man's land when you should be moving to the net. Also, if you're playing so far back that drop shots are killing you, then moving forward a bit and learning to hit the ball a bit sooner will help you kill two birds with one stone: preventing drop shots and getting more depth on your own shots.

Thanks my footwork is going to be my #1 priority.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Thanks my footwork is going to be my #1 priority.

Don't forget volleys and overheads. Once you can put away volleys and overheads with relative ease, you'll be happy to move to the net rather than staying in no-man's land.

 

[fuzz nation]

Good ideas already in terms of improving movement, preparation, and net skills. Remember that transitioning forward effectively requires certain key elements including a deep approach off a short ball from your opponent (even better if you have the option to slice) and getting comfortable with hitting half-volleys. Just more tools to develop for game day.

As for your backhand, I agree with our pals. If one style was better than the other for everybody, we'd never have to talk about it. I'll bet that your hitting pal has the best of intentions, but I think he should only be telling you to switch to a two-hander if he has spent significant time analyzing your technique while hitting both types of strokes. Sounds as though this isn't the case.

I believe that the vast majority of us have a stronger aptitude for one version or the other and it's a BIG help for any player to have that sorted out. If you're confidence lies with your one-hander, stick with it. If you're not sure, take a quick private lesson and look things over with a pro.

I don't think this sorting out happened for me until my late 30's, but my one-handed backhand has become a very strong shot for me. Most kids I've taught/coached have liked a two-hander, but more than one or two have been frustrated with it. In a couple of cases, they took off in a hurry as soon as they sorted out the essentials for their one-handers.

 

[BaselinerEY]

Good ideas already in terms of improving movement, preparation, and net skills. Remember that transitioning forward effectively requires certain key elements including a deep approach off a short ball from your opponent (even better if you have the option to slice) and getting comfortable with hitting half-volleys. Just more tools to develop for game day.

As for your backhand, I agree with our pals. If one style was better than the other for everybody, we'd never have to talk about it. I'll bet that your hitting pal has the best of intentions, but I think he should only be telling you to switch to a two-hander if he has spent significant time analyzing your technique while hitting both types of strokes. Sounds as though this isn't the case.

I believe that the vast majority of us have a stronger aptitude for one version or the other and it's a BIG help for any player to have that sorted out. If you're confidence lies with your one-hander, stick with it. If you're not sure, take a quick private lesson and look things over with a pro.

I don't think this sorting out happened for me until my late 30's, but my one-handed backhand has become a very strong shot for me. Most kids I've taught/coached have liked a two-hander, but more than one or two have been frustrated with it. In a couple of cases, they took off in a hurry as soon as they sorted out the essentials for their one-handers.

Thanks for the feedback! Sticking with the one hander. My cross court backhand wins me a lot of points.