Anyone serve using an eastern grip for serving flat 1st serve? I use the continental, but when practicing, I find the eastern to be slightly more comfortable. Is there any drawback to using the eastern? And is it true that all the players on the ATP uses the continental for serving flat?
Serving with Eastern Grip?
- Thread starter cukoo
- Start date
By an "eastern" grip, I assume you mean an eastern forehand grip. That's a grip that typically feels more natural to use for people just learning to serve. However, as Voltron pointed out, it's bad form and will inhibit you from developing better and different serves (e.g., effective spin serves) in the future.
There's a bit of a sharp learning curve to get the proper serving technique when using a continental grip, but once you find it, you'll see how much better it is than using an eastern forehand grip. Get some help from someone that serves properly if you need a jump start.
Also, more extremely, the eastern backhand is an excellent service grip. It's good when you want to apply more spin.
There's a bit of a sharp learning curve to get the proper serving technique when using a continental grip, but once you find it, you'll see how much better it is than using an eastern forehand grip. Get some help from someone that serves properly if you need a jump start.
Also, more extremely, the eastern backhand is an excellent service grip. It's good when you want to apply more spin.
TennezSport
Hall of Fame
Becker
Boris Becker used the eastern forehand grip for his first serves and had a very big first serve with it. The problem with the eastern grip is that you cannot generate much spin with the grip, so it makes your serve predicable and a low percentage delivery. However, Becker would go to the continential for his second service.
Good luck with your serve.
TennezSport
Boris Becker used the eastern forehand grip for his first serves and had a very big first serve with it. The problem with the eastern grip is that you cannot generate much spin with the grip, so it makes your serve predicable and a low percentage delivery. However, Becker would go to the continential for his second service.
Good luck with your serve.
TennezSport
s.sharm01
Rookie
yea i use to serve with es. forhnd and i must say for the first serve (flat) its difficult. First i think the margin of error exists... in addition i felt that anything even slightly off center would go no where...
switch to continental and it will feel a bit odd, but work with it and you will get better.
Plus the ability to add spin is awesome.
switch to continental and it will feel a bit odd, but work with it and you will get better.
Plus the ability to add spin is awesome.
I use a near EBH grip for most serves.
But I taught myself to hit with an EFH grip as well for variety to keep opponents guessing and making them look at different types of balls.
Most hit with it as it produces an easier flat ball with good pace that everyone seeks with a serve. This is true.
But you can also generate plenty of spin too. You just need to move the strings from low to high or side to side fast and the brushing will produce plenty of spin.
I find that suppinating thru the ball [rotating my forearm clockwise] rather than the normal pronation of professional technique works best with the EFH grip serve.
Just hit a lot of balls, pay your dues and you can hit a very effective serve with an EF grip IMO.
But I taught myself to hit with an EFH grip as well for variety to keep opponents guessing and making them look at different types of balls.
Most hit with it as it produces an easier flat ball with good pace that everyone seeks with a serve. This is true.
But you can also generate plenty of spin too. You just need to move the strings from low to high or side to side fast and the brushing will produce plenty of spin.
I find that suppinating thru the ball [rotating my forearm clockwise] rather than the normal pronation of professional technique works best with the EFH grip serve.
Just hit a lot of balls, pay your dues and you can hit a very effective serve with an EF grip IMO.
35ft6
Legend
Really? I knew he used an eastern on his serve, I assumed it he did it for both. I had a friend who did that. He was a very solid junior, with a big game, but he hit a serve with a eastern. And it was a big serve and he even got some nice action on his second serve.
I still remember when he went three sets with a kid who was nationally ranked. It was a really bizarre result for him, he had never played a match quite that good before and he never did again. I used to own him and there's not way I could have went three sets with that dude. It was strange to see.
I use eastern forehand grip for first serve (flat serve) and continental for second serve. Sometimes I use a continental for first serve when I go for one with more spin.
I have a decent consistency with my first serve and I get a lot of free points off it though if the opponent gets the return down then I have to be more caeful about placing it. I serve this way cause that is how I was taught and no one ever tried to change it.
I have a decent consistency with my first serve and I get a lot of free points off it though if the opponent gets the return down then I have to be more caeful about placing it. I serve this way cause that is how I was taught and no one ever tried to change it.
