Using Multiple Forehand Grips

[TheGreatBernie]

Would it be unwise to use multiple grips for the forehand? I predominantly use the semi-western, but when I'm having fun with my friends I sometimes switch to the western to generate lots of spin. I'm curious if this is something that's commonly done or if this is bad practice because it will only mess up my strokes?

 

[FREDDY]

i do that exactly like you. idk if it will mess up your strokes though. hopefully not cuz that would mean it will mess up mine. i dont think so.

 

[TwistServe]

You have a chance to throw off your stroke slowly...

 

[Boy Wonder]

You have a chance to throw off your stroke slowly...

I agree. It could develop a bad habit.

 

[eLterrible]

Well doesn't fed vary slightly depending on the shot? It couldnt' be that bad, but going full western from SW is a big change, so i wouldnt' suggest that.

 

[zorg]

Changing them every so slightely for a high ball or a low ball is ok. NOT changin it a whole grip like you want to.

 

[diredesire]

I think it really depends on the balls you hit... if it's a high ball the full western might be "appropriate" i hit with a full western and when i started hitting around in ping pong, there wasn't time to switch grips so i adpoted a continental stroke to rally around, and it actually found it's way to my tennis game... the western grip does not suit low balls well, so sometimes i'll break out a completely flat "push" shot that i push to where i want it instead of let the spin of the ball pull it back into the court. I use this grip solely on the low balls when i get lazy and approach behind it, the ball stays low and gives me lots of easy high balls.

 

[Return_Ace]

you know this strange since i do it too.................but in proper playing eg. club nights, tourneys etc.........................I use a semiwestern-western grip..............its like my index finger knuckle is not on the bottom bevel but not on the heaxagonal bevel as well, its on the ridge......................but then when i return i use a semi-western-eastern..................strange..........................

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Would it be unwise to use multiple grips for the forehand? I predominantly use the semi-western, but when I'm having fun with my friends I sometimes switch to the western to generate lots of spin. I'm curious if this is something that's commonly done or if this is bad practice because it will only mess up my strokes?

Nope, that is perfectly fine. If I approach and the ball is on the forehand side I move to a eastern/continental grip to slice the ball.

On real high balls I will rotate the grip more towards a Western to handle the real high ball. My main grip is inbtween a SW and Eastern.

 

[SageOfDeath]

Would it be unwise to use multiple grips for the forehand? I predominantly use the semi-western, but when I'm having fun with my friends I sometimes switch to the western to generate lots of spin. I'm curious if this is something that's commonly done or if this is bad practice because it will only mess up my strokes?

You COULD switch grips from semi-western to full-western but the contact point is different and the way you finish is different too because with full western its hard to put it over your shoulder to i usually like to finish to the side of my body. I think you should STICK with semi-western for right now because its a versitile grip and if you want extra topspin you could just brush up more. However sometimes players like to use a certain grip to return a serve and switch to their dominant grip. If you want to do that you could but western wouldn't be the ideal choice as it gives you less time to prepare for your shot since your grip is out in front of your body. Maybe a semi-eastern hybrid.

 

[joe sch]

The ability to switch grips for appropriate hits is a weapon, just the ability to switch spins, trajectories and styles. Learn to rotate grips for diff swings & contact points. Learn to top, drive and slice balls for diff angles for passing and hitting winners. The more weapons you have in tennis, the better your chances are at beating lots of different types of players, thus winning tournaments !

 

[troytennisbum]

Would it be unwise to use multiple grips for the forehand? I predominantly use the semi-western, but when I'm having fun with my friends I sometimes switch to the western to generate lots of spin. I'm curious if this is something that's commonly done or if this is bad practice because it will only mess up my strokes?

That is exactly what I like to do. I use the full western for higher
bouncing balls and the SW for lower bouncing balls. For forehand
slice, I use a continental/eastern grip.
Experiment with this, and do what comes natural for you.

 

[Exile]

I don't know, when it comes to groundies, I either use eastern or western. So I go super flat or super spin, that tends to mix it up more than just mixing both in to one shot.

I honestly don't understand why everyone is using western these days.

 

[Rickson]

Would it be unwise to use multiple grips for the forehand? I predominantly use the semi-western, but when I'm having fun with my friends I sometimes switch to the western to generate lots of spin. I'm curious if this is something that's commonly done or if this is bad practice because it will only mess up my strokes?

I've messed around with the western plenty of times when playing beginners and it definitely messes up your stroke. Stick with the sw if that's your grip of choice because your topspin forehand from the sw will not feel the same as if you never messed with the full western. Your sw forehand can generate plenty of topspin and pace so don't worry about extreme grips. Stick with the sw and leave the western to the people who use it full time and not just for horse play.