Tennis Grips: The Complete Tutorial

The Tennis Grips Reference Points

(picture courtesy:USTA's Coaching Tennis Successfully)

Brent describes the different reference points when demonstrating the different grips for tennis in the following video.







Semi-Western Grip

When the knuckle is placed on the bevel below and on the right side of the grip (bevel #4), this is a Semi-Western grip. This grip is popular with baseliners who hit lots of topspin because it closes the face of the racquet even more, gets more hand behind the grip for more power and provides a contact point much farther out front. This grip is often used in conjunction with a semi-open or open stance.

Western Grip

This grip is made when the knuckle is placed on the very bottom bevel (#5) and is the most extreme of all grips. This grip provides maximum topspin and power. The Western Grip requires contact point to be even farther out in front, and is best used with an open stance.

While the Semi-Western and Western grips provide more power and topspin because of their contact points and the fact that they close the racquet face so much, they are difficult to use when hitting short, low-bouncing balls. So much so, in fact, that hitting short, low-bouncing balls (especially using slice) is a common tactic used against players with these grips.



Continental Grip

Using the numbers on the bevels of the grip shown in above, a player who places the knuckle of their index figure on the second bevel (#2) would have a Continental grip.

This grip is most often recommended for the volley because teachers feel that because of their proximity to the net, players have less time to change grips. German Tennis Federation research belies this, however, and they (and others) recommend switching grips in order to provide more power and control to volleys.

The Continental is the grip a player should hold when in the ready position, because it is neutral (not a forehand or backhand grip) and allows a player to quickly change to either side for a forehand or backhand.

Using a Continental grip for a forehand provides a comfortable, yet less-stable, less-powerful grip, and places the elbow in an unnatural position. A Continental grip requires a contact point closer to the body than other grips.









Eastern And Semi-Western Grips

When the knuckle rests on the side of the grip (bevel #3), the player is using an Eastern forehand grip. This grip puts more hand behind the racquet handle and increases stability and power. An Eastern grip closes the face of the racquet slightly and provides more topspin. The Eastern grip can be hit a bit farther from the body, and is effective when used with a more open stance.

to be continued for backhand grips....do visit later