From Jeff Cooper,
Your Guide to Tennis.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

The more western two-handed backhand grip puts the left hand in a Semi-Western forehand position and the right hand in roughly an Eastern backhand position. This grip doesn't have an official name. Some call it "extreme," "Western," "heavy," or "severe." Heavy topspin hitters, especially those who use Western forehands, often like its topspin potential, and it puts the right hand in an excellent position for hitting by itself when needed. The biggest drawback is a point of contact farther forward than the other two-handed grips. The more western grip has more trouble with low balls than its cousins, but it excels at handling high balls.