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How do extreme forehand grips help players deal with high balls? It has often been suggested that extreme semi-western grips and western grips are suitable when playing at a level where the player is receiving fast, topspinning balls that are high in the strike zone. Why wouldn't an eastern or moderate semi-western grip be suitable for these balls? In looking back at the Federer forehand article, it seems to me that pairing conservative grips with extreme hand/arm rotation would be just as good at dealing with high balls as the extreme grips. But I just wanted to know, biomechanically speaking, do we know that westernized grips are better suited for high, fast, topspinning balls?
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The ideal point of contact for Eastern forehand grip is between knee and mid-section and out in front.
The ideal point of contact for semi-western FH is between your waist and chest and further out in front than the Eastern FH.
The ideal point of contact for western forehand is between your mid-section and mouth and further out in front than the semi-western FH.
Biomechanically speaking, the backswing should be higher than the point of contact so that "falling down effect" or momentum is created which will translate into forward swing, contact, and follow-through.
Yes, western forehand grips are suitable for handling high balls. Such players have problem with low slices hit to their forehand! If you react and prepare early, you can also return fast balls with western grips! Obviously, western grip forehands require more time and space to execute! -
Mahboob pretty much said it all. Sliding further under makes it easier to still hit up in a higher contact zone.Comment
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