From: clin@eng.umd.edu (Charles Lin)
Subject: Re: Grips for beginners
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 92 08:01:55 GMT
Organization: College of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park
Originator: clin@erlang.src.umd.edu


In article <Bw74yq.M92@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, mfv23060@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Maurice F. Vallejo) writes:
>(posting from a friends account)
>
>My roommate and I wish to learn more about grips.  could someone summarize
>the major grips on the forehand and backhand and which ones are the "best"
>

   I think I've given up on getting the grip names correct.  Ok,
let me first draw a grip, which you are seeing end-on, meaning
you would see the "W" were it a Wilson racquet.

                         ------------
                        /     1       \
                       /  8         2  \
                       |                |
                       |  7          3  |
                       |                |
                        \  6         4 /
                         \     5      /
                           ----------


     Let's assume that at this position, the racquet is sitting on its
edge and you are looking at the butt cap.  1-5 represents the plane
of the racquet.

     Now, suppose you have a pen.  Put your palm face down on a table.
Lift your first finger (the one by the thumb) and place the pen so that
it is perpendicular to the first finger, and lying under the first
finger but over the middle finger and the thumb.  Actually, it won't
be perpendicular exactly.  More of an angle so that you basically
plaec the pen as low as you can.

     I think if you place the pen lying flat on one, (you hand still
supporting the pen as described above), then that is the Eastern forehand.
Place the pen flat on 2 as you hold the racquet, and you have the
Semi-Western.  Place it on 3, and you have a full Western forehand.
Place it at 8 and you have the Eastern backhand.  Between 8 and 1,
you have the Continental grip.  

     The Eastern forehand grip is meant to deal with balls about
waist high, and if you place the racquet near the side, it
should comfortably be perpendicular to the plane of the ground.
This means that if you drew a line through 1 and 5, then it
ought to stick straight up in the ground.  It's the most
traditional grip, and usually taught be US instructors.  However,
only the more orthodox pros play with this grip.

     The Semi-Western grip is usually learned by self-taught players.
It's meant to deal with balls at above waist height and closer
to shoulder height.  If you move the racuqet a little more forward
(to the net) and higher above the ground, the face should be perpendicular.
In the position where it is near the waist or below, the face ought
to point somewhat downward.  It's usually good for topspin
shots, but that also involves low to high motion.

     The Full Western grip or just the Western forehand are typically favored
by European or South American clay courters, but even Jimmy
Connors uses this grip.  You need to have the racquet a little more
forward and a little higher still to get the face perpendicular to
the ground.   For more exaggerated topspin, people use this grip.

     The Eastern backhand is the most traditional of backhand grips.
It places more of the palm behind the racquet than the Eastern
forehand.  If your side ways to the court with your shoulder pointing
to the back fence and your feet also lined up with your shoulders,
and then stick the racquet slightly in front, then this grip
ought to produce a perpendicular face.  Often used as a service
grip.  A little awkward, but makes it easier to impart spin.

     The Continental grip.  Favored by players in older times.  Currently
Martina and McEnroe are about its only users.  Basically used if you
only want one grip.   Good for volleying in fast exchanges, and
good for backhands (most folks using this grip usually slice the
backhand).  Forehand requires a bit more timing since the racquet
face is perpendicular only waist high and a little behind you.
Good for shots hit late on the forehand.  Go to an Eastern backhand
for really late shots.

     In general, you need about three grips.  One grip for the
serve (usually a Continental or Eastern backhand.  Becker and
Jarryd are exceptions and use a forehand grip).  One grip for
the forehand and one for the backhand.

     My feeling is that you would probably use a Semi-Western
grip and a Eastern backhand.

     Anyway, grips are awfully hard to describe in words alone.

--
Charles Lin
clin@eng.umd.edu