Thanks to ProXR for making this video possible! Grab your next ProXR Signature or Sweet Spot Max Paddle on my website! zanenavratilpickleball.com/shop/
The best way to explain grips is by numbering the bevels. Any other way is vague. The first grip you show is Semi Western. Full Western is index knuckle on bevel 5.
Agree with the qualification that it’s also helpful to mention where the fleshy part of the hand sits as well. Is it on a diagonal to the knuckle or more of a hammer like, for example, Thiem’s backhand. But, yeh, Zane gets its wrong from the first grip which is as you say semi-western not western.
Definitely the best "grip" video out there! Thanks! I serve and hit baseline drives/drops with semiwestern for maximum top spin on the forehand side. If I receive serve on my backhand I hit a slice with an eastern grip. As I transition up toward kitchen I then rotate to continental. Solid 4.0 here.
Nice video. Not being a professional (i.e. highly skilled) I will be ignoring anything but Eastern or Continental. The other grips work for all the former high end tennis players coming to the sport but as a recreational player they don't seem practical for me. Keep up the good work.
It actually amazes me that even the players coming out of tennis have no clue as to the history of why these grips were even developed for the tennis game.
The Eastern grip feels the most comfortable for me on forehands and backhands. The continental just felt awkward for my forehands. I got into a habit of "slapping" through the ball instead of brushing up. The Eastern gets my paddle ready to brush up and apply that necessary top spin.
It is a good video. I explain the various grips with more selections than that... most especially the quickest way of switching technique in terms of grip positioning...so you can pretty much defend different type of situations.
Ive been looking for a grip guide that tells me how i should have my grip at certain situations, thank you! If you hit your forehand with a eastern/semi western, if that same ball came to your backhand what grip would you use? eastern but tilted with the left hand? or switch to continental?
holy guac! What was the outcome of that monumental paddle toss? Over the fence and into someone's face? I've been there on paddle tosses, but that one takes the baked cake!
Zane--I love your stuff but you have your grips wrong. Western: Index knuckle BOTTM bevel, Semi western: index knuckle at the bevel between bottom and side, Eastern: index knuckle on side of paddle or same plane as paddle face, Continental: Index knuckle on bevel between top and side bevel. Easter backhand grip puts index knuckle on the TOP bevel as you swing forward. Trust me....I'm grip obsessed.
Thanks to ProXR for making this video possible! Grab your next ProXR Signature or Sweet Spot Max Paddle on my website!
zanenavratilpickleball.com/shop/
That paddle toss was epic!
Best grip explanation I have ever seen! Thanks!
It really helps seeing all the grips presented together with examples in this concise video. Thank you, Zane!
Zane is a mensch.
Wow! What a great explanation and demo of the various grips. Thank you. I'll be experimenting, for sure.
Awesome delivery of info of the grips related to their desired effect on the ball and shot selection!! Thanks , ZN!!!!!!
The best way to explain grips is by numbering the bevels. Any other way is vague. The first grip you show is Semi Western. Full Western is index knuckle on bevel 5.
Agree with the qualification that it’s also helpful to mention where the fleshy part of the hand sits as well. Is it on a diagonal to the knuckle or more of a hammer like, for example, Thiem’s backhand. But, yeh, Zane gets its wrong from the first grip which is as you say semi-western not western.
Wow, this is exactly the information I was looking for! Thanks for sharing and helping us learn. Great job!
Definitely the best "grip" video out there! Thanks! I serve and hit baseline drives/drops with semiwestern for maximum top spin on the forehand side. If I receive serve on my backhand I hit a slice with an eastern grip. As I transition up toward kitchen I then rotate to continental. Solid 4.0 here.
It was very nice meeting you at the Beer City open. Congrats on the win. And great final three points under pressure.
Best grip video by far i seen. I play with with eastern. Will try other grips as well thanks
Nice video. Not being a professional (i.e. highly skilled) I will be ignoring anything but Eastern or Continental. The other grips work for all the former high end tennis players coming to the sport but as a recreational player they don't seem practical for me. Keep up the good work.
Good explanation of the grip positions
Always great Zane vids
Great summary!
Will the thrown paddle make it onto his website for sale as a "gently used paddle"?
Nah... eBay. "Minor scuffing along edge guard."
It actually amazes me that even the players coming out of tennis have no clue as to the history of why these grips were even developed for the tennis game.
you sure JW uses Eastern?
when i met him he told me he uses continental always only easter on the serve.
He and Ben Johns both - at least at the NVZ - appear to use a grip between continental and eastern.
The Eastern grip feels the most comfortable for me on forehands and backhands. The continental just felt awkward for my forehands. I got into a habit of "slapping" through the ball instead of brushing up. The Eastern gets my paddle ready to brush up and apply that necessary top spin.
It is a good video. I explain the various grips with more selections than that... most especially the quickest way of switching technique in terms of grip positioning...so you can pretty much defend different type of situations.
Awesome explanation 👏
Ive been looking for a grip guide that tells me how i should have my grip at certain situations, thank you! If you hit your forehand with a eastern/semi western, if that same ball came to your backhand what grip would you use? eastern but tilted with the left hand? or switch to continental?
Great grip discussion. Can you comment on the equivalent left hand grip for 2HBH when paired with various FH grips?
How do you handle low shots with a full western grip?
Zane, love your sense of humor along with your insight, instruction and knowledge in your videos! keep it up man! Subscribed
holy guac! What was the outcome of that monumental paddle toss? Over the fence and into someone's face? I've been there on paddle tosses, but that one takes the baked cake!
Zane--I love your stuff but you have your grips wrong.
Western: Index knuckle BOTTM bevel,
Semi western: index knuckle at the bevel between bottom and side,
Eastern: index knuckle on side of paddle or same plane as paddle face,
Continental: Index knuckle on bevel between top and side bevel.
Easter backhand grip puts index knuckle on the TOP bevel as you swing forward. Trust me....I'm grip obsessed.
You forgot the kung fu grip