The Eastern Forehand Grip

I forgot to copy and paste the question in my last post so here it is:

Hey Will,
While using the eastern I find that I'm gripping the racquet mainly with all my fingers (and thumb) except the forefinger. The forefinger lies a little extended and feels like it is not really a part of the grip that I have on the racquet. It almost feels like I could use this grip even if I had a missing forefinger. (hope you get what I mean) However, if I move the heel pad to the 2nd bevel (while keeping the index knuckle on the 3rd bevel) all my fingers are close to each other and I'm gripping with equal force with all fingers.
Maybe this is a stupid question but I think (and hope you agree) every little thing counts if one wants to work towards getting a killer forehand.
(I was using a continental grip on my forehand and am now trying to get used to an eastern - the semi western seems way out of reach for me- I'm hitting everything into the net- perhaps I've gotten used to playing with an unacceptable forehand grip and am now finding it hard to adapt to a new one)

I was reading the old postings and saw one that couldn't have put my question any better than I could have so I'm copying it and pasting it here as it didn't get an answer last time and am hoping for one. Sorry to be so pushy but this would clear up a lot for me!

In your grip, it looks like the back of your heel pad is actually a little bit off of the racquet. Is this intended? If so, should I have my hand this far back on the base with any grip?

I've been a beginner for sometime. During that hard time trying to be like other did, I've found for me a special guide which give so much different in terms of the most suitable grip for everybody and I hope everyone out there must try this theory. First, try to hit the ball with your palm and imagine that it is your racket face. It's up to you either you to spin or just a basic stroke. After you feel comfortable with a couples of swing then get your racket and hold it with its face the same angle with your palm which you feel comfortable just now. Swing it by imagine that the racket face is your palm, trust me! you 'll be suprise. Please try, because I've got my dominant swing with this only for 30 mins time.

Hi guys
im moving from a western grip to a eastern grip, and i tend to overhit alot, high and out the back, any tips? :)

SERVE

yeah, i would also like to know which grip i should use for my forehand... eastern, semi western or western

Hi, I have a question. Does any type of grip make you more prone to injuries than others. I have tried using the eastern and the western forehand grips. The western seemed awkward at first but still was very effective at hitting topspin. My usual grip is the eastern. The tendons in my forearm have become sore, and also I think I have a little bit of tennis elbow. I believe that the eastern grip puts more strain on the tendons in the forearm, especially when hitting alot of topspin, though im sure the tennis elbow is due to poor technique and forcing the ball.
Would it be benificial to change my grip?
Oh, and one more thing. How long does tennis elbow usually take to heal?
Wonderfull Website BTW =D

Hey shuk. I'm not a doctor but I doubt one grip makes you more prone to injuries than another.

RE: tennis elbow, depends on how bad it is. Again, a doctor is a better person to consult about this than I am.

Cheers,

Will

Hey guys would is it a good idea to hit a wind shield wiper with and eastern grip?

Ya that works fine.

trhd

great grip

hhh

wow i learned alot

hi Will i have a question that well might inflict the rest of my tennis career.
Which grip should i use? eastern or semi-western?
I can hit an eastern forehand hard and with control but have a problem with high balls and rallying for a long time.
But with a semi-western forehand i can hit consistent shots but i cant control the directions of the ball.
Please reply!!!!!

I asked myself the same question a few months back. And the answer is somewhere on this website (can't really remember where tough).

It depends on the type of game you want to play. If you want to play agressively, dictate the play, and have a good service, I'd suggest the Eastern grip.
If you want to be a little more on the defensive, and if you don't do many faults just by "pushing the ball" to the other side, semi-western is a good choice. This grip also allow you to do some attacks when you master it (more counter attacks than really agressive shots).

We did a little study in my club. Most of the players played with a semi-western (one has an extreme grip, really hard to get), and were what I call average players. They do less faults, have presence, but never attack decisevely.
The ones with Eastern grip, they use a great serve, and want to end the points quickly. An outside wide serve, and a strong forehand on the other side, usually.

For me, what mattered has been : how agressive I want to play ; the tension of my stringing. I used to play with a tensed racket (28 or 29) and I lowered it in April. Suddenly, an eastern grip seemed really more comfortable for me than my semi-western grip, and after a time of adjustement, I am the one that dictate the play (what I was not before).

So, just look at how you really want to play, and choose. Try for a month or two, and if you see that it is not what suits you the best, just change.

thanks ill keep that in mind
by the way does a windshield wiper forehand help with consistency with an eastern grip? i know i ask very much i just wanna step up my game thats the reason

Not with consistency (if I understand this word correctly, english is not my mother tongue).
I use it not to attack, but to prepare my attacks. Especially on high balls (I suck at this forehand on lower balls). With it, I keep my adversary behind the baseline, making him do runs horizontally and when I get an opening, I attack with a normal, more powerful, forehand.
Maybe that could be your move for high balls if you have problems with your normal forehand with this grip ;)

ok thanks. btw consistency is getting it high above the net about 3ft would do, about 90cm

I disagree about not being able generate as much topspin with an eastern grip as you can with western grips. I used to use a full western grip but later switched to an eastern grip and I generate more topspin now than I did before.

Spin generation is all in the swing and the way you contact the ball. If you try to brush the ball rapidly rather than hit it you will generate tremendous topspin, (a same-side loop technique works very well with this grip.)

I feel that the Eastern Grip is the best forehand grip because you can brush the ball rapidly and generate heavy spin as well you can flatten it out easily and hit with more pace.

Will,
How about adding your answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in another section of your site OR right after the question is asked with each link?
Thanks.

How are we supposed to sign up to your newsletter???????

I don't think I asked the (stupid) question. :) Here it is - is the grip supposed to feel the way I described how it feels to me? Or do I have it all wrong?

Hey Will,
While using the eastern I find that I'm gripping the racquet mainly with all my fingers (and thumb) except the forefinger. The forefinger lies a little extended and feels like it is not really a part of the grip that I have on the racquet. It almost feels like I could use this grip even if I had a missing forefinger. (hope you get what I mean) However, if I move the heel pad to the 2nd bevel (while keeping the index knuckle on the 3rd bevel) all my fingers are close to each other and I'm gripping with equal force with all fingers.
Maybe this is a stupid question but I think (and hope you agree) every little thing counts if one wants to work towards getting a killer forehand.
(I was using a continental grip on my forehand and am now trying to get used to an eastern - the semi western seems way out of reach for me- I'm hitting everything into the net- perhaps I've gotten used to playing with an unacceptable forehand grip and am now finding it hard to adapt to a new one)

Persist Persist Persist and then Persist some more.

This is the Federer's grip

Hi guys!

Hello guys!