Forehand Grips

Forehand Grips?

Following on from the look at the visual differences between the Federer forehand and the Nadal forehand you need to understand the differences the way you hold the racket can make.

EASTERN FOREHAND

This is the most simple and natural grip you can adopt.

How To Find It

Curl your fingers around the handle near the base so your thumb and forefinger form a V along the top right edge of the handle.

This places the palm of the hand directly behind the handle.

It should feel almost as if you are hitting the ball with your hand.

Players who use this grip are suited to the low to medium high bounces of the grass and faster indoor courts where their grip aids their all court games which includes attacking the net to volley!

This is the grip used by most of the pros on the tour as it is the best way to add topspin to your shots.

Apart from Nadal, Andre Agassi who had an awesome forehand used it and Maria Sharapova who also has a great forehand uses it - to name just a couple.

How To Find It

Unlike the eastern grip where the palm sits behind the handle, with this grip it lies underneath.

This time your thumb and forefinger forms a V pointing into the side of the handle.

A really easy way to find the semi-western grip is to put your racket on the floor and to pick it up by the grip.

It may feel weird at first (if you have used an eastern) but once you get used to it, will allow you to return high bouncing balls with more power and aggression because of the extra spin you will be able to generate.

This grip has become the grip of choice for the baseliner who relishes the long rallies on the higher bouncing clay courts and the slower hard courts.

Well you have probably guessed that the Nadal forehand is over towards the Semi Western (actually it is a bit further round towards Western), whilst the Federer grip of choice is basically an eastern grip but again a little further round (same as Sampras).

This gives Federer the best of both worlds where he can still generate a good deal of spin but also allows him to hit a little earlier and flatter and therefore with more power. It also is ideal for his court position (which is up on the baseline).

The Nadal grip on the other hand (no pun intended!!) is the reason for the tremendous spin we see him put on the ball and is partly the reason for his "way back" court position and no doubt his success at the French Open and other clay court events.


Now you know your forehand grips go HERE for more training info