Continental or Western
 

Hi,

Right when I begun practsing tennis (3 weeks ago), I didn't know there were different ways to hold a raquet. I just found out watching forehand videos that my coach teached me the 'continental' way to hold the raquet. The guy in the video told "me" to hold it in 'semi-western' (if I heard correctly) way.

He says it's easier to hit topspin and I can also hit the ball flat. So, why did my coach teach me continental? I was reading and it seems like noone else uses it anymore. Did he teach me because its the easier way to learn because I have no experience at all with holding a raquet before? Should I talk to him and try to change it to western (or semi-western) right in the next class?

Thanks.

Re: Continental or Western
 

Your coach taught you the eastern forehand, not continental. I don't think anybody who learnt tennis after the 80s learnt continental forehands. Continental is for volleying/serving/slicing and some backhands.
It took me a while to change to semi-western to be honest.

Re: Continental or Western
 

hey gustavo can I have your msn?

Re: Continental or Western
 

If you want to learn the semi western or western grip, firstly you have to learn the correct technique and action to put topspin on the ball.

Re: Continental or Western
 

Trust your coach. I doubt he's teaching you continental, though. Probably eastern, which is fine. Sampras used an eastern grip.