Lloyd Barcenilla
Professional
Which do you prefer and why?
Western Grip v Semi Western Grip
- Thread starter Lloyd Barcenilla
- Start date
R
remyb2
Guest
I prefer semi-western.
I'm currently almost western as it's more natural but want to be closer to easten as I find it's much easier for approach shots. I'm starting to rush the net more and so a semi-western / eastern grip is alot better.
I find western is just good for baseline.
I'm currently almost western as it's more natural but want to be closer to easten as I find it's much easier for approach shots. I'm starting to rush the net more and so a semi-western / eastern grip is alot better.
I find western is just good for baseline.
Lloyd Barcenilla
Professional
remyb2 said:
With western, do you find it hard to hit winners?
TacoBellBorderBowl1946
Professional
sorry Lloyd, few months back I told you that western was the best grip. I experimented and realized the pro who gave you advice to use the semi-western grip was right. Western gives almost all spin and no pace, and it's tough on low balls. I recently switched back to semi western, and I can hit balls with more pace AND still keeping it in the court. I can handle balls of any height,low or high. I say go with SW, others may have different opinions.
dave333
Hall of Fame
i actually swtich grips to throw people off but i will tell you that the semi-western is a lot more versetile. On higher shots or just for a change of pace, or wear them down w/ a long rally, western. When I go for winners, approach or flatter, stingier shots. its all semi western. its also easier to get heavy w/ semi-western because of the extra pace and pace is the first step to heavy
Playing with the semi-western grip felt like there was a lot of air resistance when I hit my forehand. 2 days ago I then tried to use the same technique using the western grip and I was able to swing the racket faster with the same effort. I am able to hit the ball just as flat and harder. Low sliced balls are not an issue.
When some one slices the ball midway in the court and to the center the point is over. Hit a flat cross court drive to the corner.
I have not had a chance to return low fast balls with this grip, so I'm not sure if my forehand will break down in that situation.
When some one slices the ball midway in the court and to the center the point is over. Hit a flat cross court drive to the corner.
I have not had a chance to return low fast balls with this grip, so I'm not sure if my forehand will break down in that situation.
siber222000
Semi-Pro
yeah, western grip is the grip that uses most energy... gives pressure on ur wrist alsostr33t said:
Mahboob Khan
Hall of Fame
I personally use Eastern grips. As a coach, here is my answer:
I prefer semi western over full western because semi-western is more user-friendly and it's a bit easier to change it to continental (as compared to Western).
I prefer semi western over full western because semi-western is more user-friendly and it's a bit easier to change it to continental (as compared to Western).
oscar_2424
Legend
semiwestern for me
tennis_hand
Hall of Fame
I almost use all grips except the western.
It really depends on the shot you are receiving and your position on the court.
It really depends on the shot you are receiving and your position on the court.
The western grip gives you injuries, trouble handling low balls, difficulties transitioning other grips, disastrous swing paths, a feeling of not hitting through the ball. I gave you this very same advice a while ago Lloyd, and I`ll say it again.
Don`t go to a western forehand grip.
Don`t go to a western forehand grip.
TennsDog
Hall of Fame
I think you're being a bit biased here and not providing solid facts. I play with a western grip and have never had any injuries from it. I prefer to hit balls below my waist and have a hard time hitting near my shoulders. You can change the swing path to be just about anything you want. And I can flatten the ball out any time I want; I never have the feeling of not hitting through. That would only be when I am going for a short angle shot with all spin, which is necessary to be able to hit with any grip.nickybol said:
In general, western grip does tend tto be more difficult on low balls, but it can very well be done, as Roddick demonstrated yesterday in the "Pursuit of Perfection" shot. It also provides much more spin than SW or eastern. It's all about finding what is comfortable and works for you. And, yes, I do find western forehands more comfortable than any other grip.
Lloyd Barcenilla
Professional
TennsDog said:
i find western more comfortable?
Does roddick really use a western grip? It really does look like he hits with a semi-western, he slams it! Must be my technique, Im probly hitting with a swing that is too loopy
"I`ve got a grandfather who smoked all his live and is still alive at the age of hundred"TennsDog said:
Are you sure you are using a western grip? Western grippers usually hit the ball a little bit higher. It could be that you hit through the ball, I don`t know, it`s very hard to tell when I`ve never seen you play.
It is NOT all about finding what is comfortable. If you did that, you`d end up serving with an eastern forehand grip. Tennis is not about finding what is comfortable, but finding what is best. That is my job as a tennis professional.
Lloyd Barcenilla
Professional
nickybol said:
What grip would you say is the best?
TennsDog
Hall of Fame
Yes, I know I use a western grip. I am very knowledgeable regarding tennis and, more specifically, my game. I explain my comfort zone with my forehand by the fact that I developed most of my tennis while hitting against a wall, where the ball rarely bounced above waist high.nickybol said:
I said you need to find what is comfortable AND what works. You need to have both. I don't care how comfortable eastern forehand grips may be for serving. They don't work, so they aren't the best. We have differences in the sport (i.e. grips, service stance, styles of play, etc.) because people find different things comfortable. Assuming it is of sound mechanics, the more comfortable stroke will likely be the best. I grew up playing a one-handed backhand. I switched to two hands by my coach, but I was always more comfortable with the one-hander. I recently switched back, and guess what? My backhand is now better.
I am also supposed to be very knowledgeable regarding tennis, in fact, I get paid for it. I don`t give much about how comfortable something is. If you practice something that is good long enough, it will automatically become comfortable.
The choice for a one-hander or a two-hander should not be made because of personal preference, but because of biomechanical characteristics and playing style.
If I was your coach I`d probably wouldn`t change your grip because you look to old to do that, it is too engrained in your game and motor patterns.
The choice for a one-hander or a two-hander should not be made because of personal preference, but because of biomechanical characteristics and playing style.
If I was your coach I`d probably wouldn`t change your grip because you look to old to do that, it is too engrained in your game and motor patterns.
R
remyb2
Guest
Lloyd Barcenilla said:
Yes
I'm a (self-rated) 3.5-4.0 player so maybe I'm hitting wrong. But with western grip I find I'm brushing the ball more than really hitting it. It takes a lot more energy to get more pace on the ball.
The Nadal and the likes can hit hard winners because they are genetically modified with guerilla genes and are only part human
I am now back to semi-western. Much more easier to control. Played someone who hit the ball hard enough to make my western forehand struggle. Also I feel that the grip has shorter reach which requires extra adjustment steps to hit the ball.
Never felt stable when I was returning those flat shots. Used PD+ strung at 45lbs with luxlilon 5 star. Balls easily flew long if I attempted to hit through those shots.
Never felt stable when I was returning those flat shots. Used PD+ strung at 45lbs with luxlilon 5 star. Balls easily flew long if I attempted to hit through those shots.
Lloyd Barcenilla
Professional
When i use a semi-western, the ball ends up hitting the back fence, or even over the fence in some cases, even though i do put topspin on it
TacoBellBorderBowl1946
Professional
with a western the ball sits up. Sure you get more consistency and angle, but when you need to finish the point the topspin almost always sits up. Look at Nadal and Roddick. I now use eastern, and I find it easier to end points. I may have more unforced errors, but my forehand is now a weapon that my opponent fears.
Semi-western.
It has a ridiculous amount of variety. You can get more power than an eastern grip, you can get more spin than a western grip. If you're hitting long with this grip, it's an easy change to get it to come back in as you can put more spin on the ball because of the swing paths you can choose from. If you're still hitting long --> it's a problem with your technique & ability to control a ball.
You ask how? Simply the stroke motion and where you hit the ball.
Going from low to high -> topspin, going from low to high farther away = more topspin. Going from low to high and closer to the body -> topspin, heavy shot. Hitting earlier allows for more kick, hitting later allows for more power.
Going across your body -> flat shot. The closer it is to your body the more power you can produce from body rotation. The farther away you take it from your body the heavier the shot can be, but also you can pull off a flat inside outside shot.
There's so much you can do with it.
*side note*
On the note of comfortability. Everything is going to be uncomfortable at first; such as serving with a continental. But once you get it down it starts to become comfortable & more natural. It takes hours of hitting and practicing with it.
Personally, choose grips that fit your playing style & tactics.
I stick with my hybrid forehand and my backhand. As I can hit with a lot of topspin (which is what I like), my shots have a lot of kick and spin to them. If you don't get my ball off the bounce it will hit the fence about 5'-6'+ ft. It fits my playing style and my tactical game plans.
Forehand:
Backhand:
It has a ridiculous amount of variety. You can get more power than an eastern grip, you can get more spin than a western grip. If you're hitting long with this grip, it's an easy change to get it to come back in as you can put more spin on the ball because of the swing paths you can choose from. If you're still hitting long --> it's a problem with your technique & ability to control a ball.
You ask how? Simply the stroke motion and where you hit the ball.
Going from low to high -> topspin, going from low to high farther away = more topspin. Going from low to high and closer to the body -> topspin, heavy shot. Hitting earlier allows for more kick, hitting later allows for more power.
Going across your body -> flat shot. The closer it is to your body the more power you can produce from body rotation. The farther away you take it from your body the heavier the shot can be, but also you can pull off a flat inside outside shot.
There's so much you can do with it.
*side note*
On the note of comfortability. Everything is going to be uncomfortable at first; such as serving with a continental. But once you get it down it starts to become comfortable & more natural. It takes hours of hitting and practicing with it.
Personally, choose grips that fit your playing style & tactics.
I stick with my hybrid forehand and my backhand. As I can hit with a lot of topspin (which is what I like), my shots have a lot of kick and spin to them. If you don't get my ball off the bounce it will hit the fence about 5'-6'+ ft. It fits my playing style and my tactical game plans.
Forehand:
Backhand:
nadalito92
Rookie
well i use a western grip and i can hit with TS and flat whenever i want so, i think ill stay with western
O
OSD
Guest
Western all the way, I used that grip before I even knew what it was called. Eastern was extremely uncomfortable, semi western naturally changes to a western after one hit. Although that might be because I lost some ligaments in my wrist. But main problem is definitely pace, but the spins are worth it I guess, I left a burn mark on my bro's back when I landed a top-spin lob on him by mistake.
Captain America
Rookie
IMO there is not one "best" grip...each have strengths and weaknesses. Some people excel using a Western grip, although it's definitely not for everyone.
I use an W and it works best for me. I used a SW previously and it certainly has its advantages but with the W I can hit a heavier ball with extreme topsin that often gives my opponents problems (particularly high kickers to the BH).
IMO you need to find the grip that best suits YOUR game....good luck!
I use an W and it works best for me. I used a SW previously and it certainly has its advantages but with the W I can hit a heavier ball with extreme topsin that often gives my opponents problems (particularly high kickers to the BH).
IMO you need to find the grip that best suits YOUR game....good luck!
carpetgrub
New User
OT: Someone have a link to all the grips?
Anyone point me to a link with all the types of grips, example pictures included?
Anyone point me to a link with all the types of grips, example pictures included?
ryohazuki222
Professional
the one shot in tennis that i cant hit what-so-ever.... is an eastern forehand. to elaborate on that.... i actually cant hit anything with an eastern grip... (unless its an eastern backhand grip... i think thats the same as western forehand?... but im rusty on the grips, so iono...)
ive started changing between western and semi western between points now.... both feel natural, though i can get a lot more pace out of the semi western if im trying to go for broke. semi western feels the most natural to me... but once i hit my 1hbh, i realized that im more consistent on the second shot if i keep the grip the same and hit western, until i have a chance to switch back to semiwestern
the one thing that i do NOT like at all about western... is that i get really confused when switching to continental for the volley after an approach.... im not sure why exactly... but it really messes with my mind...
i say thumbs up for both.
ive started changing between western and semi western between points now.... both feel natural, though i can get a lot more pace out of the semi western if im trying to go for broke. semi western feels the most natural to me... but once i hit my 1hbh, i realized that im more consistent on the second shot if i keep the grip the same and hit western, until i have a chance to switch back to semiwestern
the one thing that i do NOT like at all about western... is that i get really confused when switching to continental for the volley after an approach.... im not sure why exactly... but it really messes with my mind...
i say thumbs up for both.
fx101
Rookie
Captain America said:
Exactly!!! Every grip has its pro's and cons. And yes, Nickybol, comfort is important. Would you hit with a hawaiian grip if it was better? No! It is uncomfortable. The grip is simply the glue that connects you with the racquet. The racquets job is to be an extension of your body. It must feel natural. Some people hit eastern, and I respect that. They can beat me on grass or sometimes on hard court. Some people hit semi-western, they can win on grass or hardcourt or clay, however when are met by some-one toting the specialized grip (eastern for grass, western for clay) they are at a disadvantage. And then the western grippers can easily win on clay or hardcourt. Its more how good your technique is with the grip you have, then the grip itself. For those saying they are not swinging through the ball, it means they are not using the correct swingpath. So comment on your own grip, don't bash other people's grip because you have no understanding of them.
This doesn`t make sense. Comfort is just something you have because you are used to it. If you practise something a thousand times, you will get comfortable with it automatically. Comfort is a combination of practise and biomechanical conditions.fx101 said:
You`re the one that doesn`t know where he is talking about, not me.
