Hi. I'm a 4.0 high school team player and currently using mild semi-western grip on my forehand. I'm thinking of modifying grip a little bit because extreme semi-western grip gives me more topspin and control. I know how to hit with extreme semi-western grip and have been practicing it. I just want to use extreme semi-western because of the control I get, and it feels like extreme version fits better to me. However, I've read an article talking about the disadvantage of extreme semi-western grip limiting the level of play for the future. So, I just want to know if it is a bad idea to go from mild semi-western grip to extreme semi-western grip which gives me more control.
Switching from mild semi-western to extreme semi-western
- Thread starter mishin900
- Start date
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
What did you hear was so bad about extreme semi western? I get decent results with mine. There is no "best" grip, pay no attention to BS articles like that. If you want more spin then that's the way to go, you might even want to go full western if you're looking for a big difference in spin.
Just be sure to be aware of your technique as well, a grip won't just suddenly give you more spin, it takes practice.
Good luck!
Just be sure to be aware of your technique as well, a grip won't just suddenly give you more spin, it takes practice.
Good luck!
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
yea that's what I thought. I think I should start playing with extreme semi-western since it gives me both more spin and control
Just be careful and don't become reliant on topspin. I can't finish short balls sometimes because I hit EVERYTHING with a huge wind shield wiper motion. Not cool.
stormholloway
Legend
Mild semi western to extreme semi western? Is this a joke?
You don't know what mild semi western and extreme semi western are? 3 1/2 bevel to 4 1/2 bevel, It's not a small change.
That's how I also hold. I'm going to be playing mostly in hard courts and sometimes in clay court. But is there any problem with it because you said you had to change? I'm not getting any pains from this grip.
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
Why get so riled up about the grips? Yes, all this talk can get confusing, but come on, the guys looking for help.
stormholloway
Legend
Wait a second now. If it's a semi western, whether mild or extreme that should put it on the same bevel. If it's not on that bevel then it can't be called semi western. If your knuckle is on bevel 3 then it's an eastern variant.
Anyway, why would you want to make that kind of leap? Why not just try a standard semi western before going "extreme" with it?
stormholloway
Legend
I'm not riled up. What I visualized was moving the knuckle along bevel 4. I mean, the bevel itself isn't very wide. He's talking about going from bevel 3 to bevel 4. That sounds like eastern to semi western to me.
Let's face it, this terminology is pretty much limited to this forum. "Extreme semi western"? I bet players on tour who use this grip don't even know what that means. So it would help if the OP would explain exactly what this grip is.
I mean when you google that term you'll laugh at the first to entries to pop up, and at the total number of results altogether. I just found it amusing that's all.
the knuckle should be at 4th bevel for any semi western, but it's just my hand with big palm and relatively short fingers that put my knuckle naturally as I described. Anyways, I've experienced difference between the modifications and I was just worried to go to extreme side b/c of the bs articles on google. And I've been playing with regular textbook semi western for 2 years and just wondering if it's not a bad idea to go extreme. You didn't have to reply if you weren't trying to help me.
stormholloway
Legend
I really didn't come here to have a go. I just didn't see it as a major change. I'll step aside and let others assist you.
What exactly are you having trouble with with your current grip? Do you find the ball flying long on your normal rally ball, or is it only when you try and drive the ball through the court?
You mention better fit. Can you elaborate on that?
Personally, I don't get too wrapped up with grip stuff - I tend to be of the mind that technique should be sound with your current grip before making any change. If you find that you're sending balls long on your regular forehand, you may be lifting out of the stroke, which is changing the angle that your strings take to the ball.
jjordache
Rookie
I thought the the difference between a "mild" SW grip and a "full" (or "extreme" ?) SW grip is where the heel of the palm is in relationship to bevel no. 4... isn't that right ?
I mean, I keep the index knuckle on bevel 4 but the heel of the palm is more over to bevel no.3 and I thought that would be classified as "mild semiwestern"
When I move the heel completely on bevel 4 I do feel is easier a bit to generate topspin and naturally brush up on the ball.
Just my 2 cents...
I mean, I keep the index knuckle on bevel 4 but the heel of the palm is more over to bevel no.3 and I thought that would be classified as "mild semiwestern"
When I move the heel completely on bevel 4 I do feel is easier a bit to generate topspin and naturally brush up on the ball.
Just my 2 cents...
I mean, it's not like a major change, but as I said above, some articles mentioned it as a big thing and I just wanted to know if there would be any bad effects if I make that slight change.
I'm not having any troubles with my current grip, but I just realized that I was getting better spin and control without sacrificing hitting through the ball. There were some bs articles that made me worried about making a slight change.
I might look stupid to make this slight change a big deal, but it was just some articles that made me worried. Anyways, thx for the replies.
I had started using it after using between an eastern and continental. The problem was when I hit a forehand I had to much of a tendency to use a less extreme grip when changing grips within points and then I would use the wrong swingpath. Also during the winter season my college team was playing indoors and because I am injured I play with the bottom of the team who hit low flat balls and on the indoor surface they stay really low and I couldn't hit it so I had to change my grip. My shoulder is also really weak and to damaged to hit with such upwards motion so I was forced to use a flatter swingpath.
I may go back to it after I graduate and stop playing for a few months.
Tim Tennis
Professional
Power V Grip II Fits under the original grip
Hi Guys,
Well, I am a big fan of the SW grip myself. Slight changes in the racquet head angle related to how well the handle fits in your hand can have a tremendous impact in your game.
We have just come out with a new product called the Power V Grip II. It is only 1/8 of an inch high and comes off the handle at a 45 degree angle for both the Cont. and SW grip. This builds up bevel 2 (cont.) and 4 (SW) yet keeps the angles these grips come off the handle basically the same.
The original Power V Grip is 1/4 inch high. It is more aggressive and it changes the angles to approximately 55 degrees for both the Cont. and the SW. This basically moves your hand more towards the WF grip so I think you could say it creates an Extreme SW as mentioned above.
You might find this link very interesting.
http://www.tennisgeometrics.com/tennis_grips.html
Best regards,
Ed
Tennis Geometrics
http://www.tennisgeometrics.com
Hi Guys,
Well, I am a big fan of the SW grip myself. Slight changes in the racquet head angle related to how well the handle fits in your hand can have a tremendous impact in your game.
We have just come out with a new product called the Power V Grip II. It is only 1/8 of an inch high and comes off the handle at a 45 degree angle for both the Cont. and SW grip. This builds up bevel 2 (cont.) and 4 (SW) yet keeps the angles these grips come off the handle basically the same.
The original Power V Grip is 1/4 inch high. It is more aggressive and it changes the angles to approximately 55 degrees for both the Cont. and the SW. This basically moves your hand more towards the WF grip so I think you could say it creates an Extreme SW as mentioned above.
You might find this link very interesting.
http://www.tennisgeometrics.com/tennis_grips.html
Best regards,
Ed
Tennis Geometrics
http://www.tennisgeometrics.com
