The Lesson Lounge - Tennis Warrior

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Grips?

Here is a quick outline of the five different grips and what each one can be used for. All explanations are for right handed players.

1. EASTERN BACKHAND - With the face of the racket perpendicular to the ground, the first knuckle of the index finger is on the self of the top plate of the racket grip. And the V formed by the thumb and index finger is on the top left bevel of the grip.

This grip is used for one handed backhands, some two handed backhands and advanced serving.

2. EASTERN FOREHAND - With the face of the racket perpendicular to the ground the V formed by the thumb and index finger is on the top plate of the racket grip with the first knuckle of the index finger on top right bevel.

This grip is used for the forehand ground stroke, some two handed backhands, and beginner serves and volleys.

3. SEMI - WESTERN FOREHAND - With the face of the racket perpendicular to the ground the V formed by the thumb and index finger is on the top right bevel of the racket grip and the first knuckle of the index finger is on the side plate of the racket grip.

This grip is used for the forehand ground stroke.

4. WESTERN - With the face of the racket perpendicular to the ground the V formed by the thumb and index finger is on the side right plate racket grip and the first knuckle of the index finger is on the bottom right bevel of the racket grip.

This grip is also used on the forehand ground stroke.

5. CONTINENTAL - This grip is found by moving the hand half way between the eastern forehand grip and eastern backhand grip.

This grip can be used for all shots and is considered an advanced volley grip.

SOME FACTS ABOUT GRIPS

1. Western grips are considered to be a difficult forehand grip for low balls because of the position of the racket face when held with this grip.

2. The continental grip is considered to be weak on high balls because of the natural open racket face with this grip.

3. The two handed backhand grip can be achieved with the right hand using either an eastern backhand, continental or eastern forehand grip. The left hand can use either the semi-western, western, or eastern forehand grip.

4. The advanced server uses a continental or eastern backhand grip for added spin and power. The beginner can use the eastern forehand grip.

5. The semi-western and western forehand grips are used to produce heavy topspin forehand groundstrokes.

All pros use a variety of different grips, so do not get hung up on any particular grip as a cure all for playing perfect tennis. Francoise Durr the great French star in the 60's and 70's had an eastern forehand grip when she hit her one handed backhand! She won the French Open and was in the top ten in the world.

REPETITION can just about make anything begin feeling comfortable!

NOTE: If you are going to make any grip changes allow yourself 6 to 7 months to adapt to this new grip.

Tom Veneziano