Semi Western Backhand Grip

The Semi-Western backhand tennis grip is a popular choice among clay court players and has been utilized to produce some of the most powerful backhands in the game today. The Semi-Western backhand grip is advanced and requires more upper body strength than the Eastern Backhand Grip.

The optimal contact point for the Semi-Western backhand grip is higher and farther out in front of the body than the Eastern backhand grip. Due to the contact point, the Semi-Western backhand will naturally swing low to high through the ball creating greater topspin compared to the Eastern backhand grip.

The Semi-Western backhand grip can be found by resting your heel pad and index knuckle on bevel number eight. Start by holding the throat of the racquet with your non dominant hand waist high and perpendicular to the ground so you are looking down at bevel number one. Then move counterclockwise one bevel, to bevel number eight, and rest your heel pad and index knuckle onto bevel number eight. For lefties, move clockwise to bevel number two.

Find the Semi-Western forehand tennis grip and simply turn your hand and racquet over to your backhand and you have the Semi-Western backhand grip.

Strengths:

• high balls;
• topspin.

Weaknesses:

• low balls;
• more significant of a grip change from the Semi-Western to the Continental grip than that of an Eastern grip when approaching the net;
• what professional tennis players today can you think of that utilize the Semi-Western backhand grip?