Shakehand variation: Use or not?

Hi

I was originally using the "pure" shakehand (no variations) grip until I recently found out that I was inacurate at both serving and at the counter-hit on the forehand side.

I tried to increase the accuracy on the forehand side by, instead of putting my index at the lower end of the rubber, putting it completely in the middle. I figured out that it increased my accuracy, power and balance (somehow). But I, somehow, think that my forehand topspin is supposed to be more spinny than that I am currently doing.

I don't know if I should return to the basic shakehand grip or to keep the current one I am using. And would it affect my performance if I was going into a higher level gameplay?

Thanks for using your time to reply my question and your lessons really helped me progress through the standard techniques and through the choice of the right paddle, although it would of been really great if you added a lesson about the advanced serves like the sidespin pendulum into the silver or gold level when I was a beginner (I now know how to do them properly).

Hi Steve,

An interesting plight.

I think you should definitely keep the conventional grip.  Having your index finger up the bat limits the range of movement with yor wrist and therefore you will not be able to get as much spin and speed with your strokes.

Try taking your hand off your bat and put it into a natural position with your index finger pointing out.  Then place your bat in your hand.  This is how the grip should be. Now try putting your index finger up bat and you will feel that it is no longer in a rexlaed position and you will also feel the tension in your wrist.

Stick with the conventional.  You can develop control with this grip.  It may just take a little longer but the benefits will be better in the long term.