The average man is between 4 and 1/2 feet tall. It has several different variations and styles, and each of these can be played using different grips. Then take a look at the chart below to see which grip size you should take. The different grips players use on the pro tour is a hotly debated topic with many differing opinions. The most common tennis forehand grip used to be this. We've sent you a confirmation email. More significant of a grip change from the semi-Western to theContinental Grip than that of an Eastern grip when approaching the net. The most popular forehand grip in tennis for serious players is somewhere between semi-western and full western, enabling them to hit topspin shots. With the wrong grip size, you also won't be playing your best tennis as you won't have all the control, power and feel you need. Shes incredible!! But, if youre still having trouble with your swings and grips, consider booking one of CoachUps private trainers to help you out. This grip will provide the most spin of any grip in tennis. Despite that, we like to share how to form it to give players context for how grips have evolved, but youll also use this grip for a handful of other shots as well cover later on. Others prefer a more traditional Eastern forehand grip, as it provides more power and control. Mastering The Proper Tennis Grip: Types, Steps, And Mistakes The server is more likely to switch during a tie-break, such as after the first point and every subsequent point. How has your experience been with the Eastern backhand grip and what would you add for others to try? Get new doubles tips & strategies every Thursday.Play smarter doubles. In fact, this is the best grip for maximum topspin, so use it to your advantage! Tennis is a popular sport enjoyed by millions around the world. The standard grip allows you to reduce pronation and maximize power and spin potential. Not only isthis playerresponsible for providing awell-positioned and timedball to the hitters, but this, Being active and playing multiple sports will play an important role in your childs athletic journey. If you hold the racquet up as if you were about to hit a forehand, the bevels count clockwise from one to eight. Some people call this the shake-hands grip. While it may be possible to hit topspin and other spin serves with an Eastern FH or SW grip, should it be done? If you have some close-up pictures, I can take a look. Most Common Tennis Grip Size. Often, players will begin by learning a two-handed backhand and then experiment with a one-handed backhand once their skill level and coordination allows them to make the transition. If people practiced their serves instead of imitating grips, they would notice a significant improvement. Generally speaking, the Eastern Forehand Grip is great for quickly switching to another grip when necessary, so its a good starting point for beginners. Tennis Grip Guide: 4 Grips to Tighten up Your Tennis Game The handle on the racket should be larger if the number is L5. In the modern era, tennis grips have evolved along with changing equipment and court surfaces to help shape the progression of our sport. Tennis players typically employ the semi-western grip as their primary grip on the forehand. However, doing so neglects the tendencies, comfort, and preferred playing styles of each player. Last but not least, position the butt of the racquets handle at the base of your palm and then wrap your fingers around the handle. The rest of the team serves with a fully closed stance, and some, such as McEnroe, close so that his back faces his opponent. Doing so will close the racquet face slightly and offer up a bit more topspin potential, but it can be tricky for players initially. The continental grip is the most common grip used in tennis and is the grip that most beginners should start with. Time for a new tennis racket but don't know your grip size? To execute a Continental Grip, the player must first hold the racquet in their dominant hand and then place their non-dominant hand below the handle and grip it with their palm and fingers. Despite its lack of usage, the Western forehand provides extreme topspin. Typically a more western grip will result in more topspin while an eastern grip will have more power and be a little flatter ball. He has an index knuckle of 2, standard continental in his right hand. Mostwomen play with the sizes 1, 2 and 3, while mostmen go for 3, 4 and 5. Most women play with the sizes 1, 2 and 3, while most men go for 3, 4 and 5. Some players will adopt a western grip, where the index knuckle and heel are on bevel 5. And, believe it or not, it is far more complicated than just holding it like you might use a baseball bat or a hockey stick. Next, take your non-dominant hand and place the palm side of your index fingers bottom knuckle against the seventh bevel if youre right-handed and the third bevel if youre left-handed. Virtually all pros are likely to use a continental grip when serving or volleying, but their groundstrokes will be generated with differing grips. When a tennis racket is gripped, its angle of contact with the ball is changed. The grip, of course, works perfectly for the overhead too. They will probably find this easiest with either an eastern grip, where the heel of the hand and the index knuckle rest on bevel 3 or a semi-western grip, where the heel and index knuckle sit on bevel 4. This grip allows the ball to be hit flat and hard, but allowing the left hand to take over can produce more topspin. When a player swings fast with the eastern forehand, he or she will spin the ball a little back with some backspin. Will hitting spin serves with a sub-optimal grip put more stress on the shoulder? There is something between Federers Continental and Eastern Backhand serves to me. Again, some players will compromise by choosing a grip somewhere between western and semi-western. Stop paying full price for tennis gear! Many players struggle with their backhand because it requires that you hit across your body, and historically it has been the weaker shot for most players. For the second method, pick up and grip a HEAD racquet. The coinciding arrival of spin-friendly polyester tennis strings in the 1990s allowed players to swing faster and generate more spin, which controls power. With the Semi-Western grip, it is easier to hit up the back of the ball, generating more spin and power. There are a couple of ways of ensuring you have the right grip size. For players who prefer slow, high-bouncing surfaces such as clay, a more extreme grip can be helpful. More specifically, the handle of a tennis racquet is beveled, so instead of a perfect circle, its the shape of an octagon with eight sides, which we can label in a clockwise fashion for quick and easy reference. Put the base knuckle of your index finger on B2 to make a V-shape with your thumb and forefinger on top of the handle. Most players change grips during a match depending on what shot they are hitting. For the ultimate performance, choose from HEAD's range of the best tennisovergripsor overwraps, which you can secure using HEAD's best tennis grip tape. The handle is smaller if the number is smaller. That distance, between palm crease and, As a general rule, you should go for the smaller of the two tennis grip sizes. A player using the two-handed backhand should hold their forehand grip with their dominant hand but also hold the racquet handle with their non-dominant hand already on the correct bevel for their backhand. The forehand is frequently the best groundstroke for beginners to learn. If you are still having issues, please contact us at, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Subscribe to our Newsletter & get latest updates . Greater transition from the semi-Western grip to the Continental grip when coming up to net. The contact point for the semi-Western is between waist and shoulder height and slightly further out in front of the body than the Eastern forehand. The Eastern forehand grip allows you to flatten out your forehand and finish points, whereas the Full Western grip allows for more topspin. Regularly replacing your. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for visiting my site. So, for right-handed players, put your right hand at B2, and your left on B7 or B8, depending on what feels more comfortable. In fact, this is the best grip for maximum topspin, so use it to your advantage! Then, lay the racquet in your hand with the strings facing up. Smaller ladies can take a 4 to 1/6 or 4 to 1/2. If you want to hit your fastest flat serve first serve with direction, use any grip you like. These include: The Eastern Forehand Grip is the most common tennis grip. How To Make Tennis Grip Smaller? - Tennis Builder Custom Fittings Discover your perfect racket and string combo! When a players foot touches the baseline or the court in front of it, the service fault is known as a foot fault and is treated similarly to any other service fault. The last comment and 4 other comment(s) need to be approved. Place the base knuckle of your index finger on the bevel of the racquet handle. Eastern Grip most common among the pros??!! What Is Grip In Lawn Tennis? - Tennis Builder JOI is where you should go to get tennis elbow treated. Novak Djokovic uses something between a semi-western grip and a full western for his forehand. What are the 3 different types of grips in tennis? Grip size is an important factor in choosing a tennis racquet, as it affects the feel of the racquet in your hand, and can impact your performance on the court. The most common grip is the continental grip, which is grip number two. It is a good all-round grip and is used by both beginners and advanced players alike. Your email address will not be published. The Best Babolat Tennis Rackets (for Every Type of Player). What Is Grip In Lawn Tennis? Lets take a look at the different types of forehand grips. In modern tennis, the Semi-western grip is the most common forehand grip. Ladies in normal sizes are typically 4 to 8 inches in length. Thus, players are often able to hit the ball much harder because the topspin will help it stay in play. This comes down to personal preference but most recreational players who have good forehands use an eastern to semi-western grip. One of the simplest grips to learn is the Eastern forehand grip. The western grip is available on the pro tour, and many amateur players use it. When gripping a tennis racket, the knuckles on your left hand should be aligned with the bevel on the top of the racket, and the knuckles on your right hand should be in line with the bevel on the bottom of the racket. In our view, the reason fans come to different conclusions is twofold. To describe the most popular grips, it will help to look at the bevels, which are the flat sides of the racket grip. It is impossible to spin with a forehand grip, even with a variety of shots. Some players prefer to use a grip somewhere between eastern and semi-western as a compromise. The heel and index knuckle of the left hand will be on or near bevel 7. The right hands index knuckle will be on or near bevel 2, with the heel of the right hand on bevel 1. Independent of the different types of grips you use, its important to make sure you have the correct grip size, which can make it more or less challenging to achieve the proper grip and maintain control. Go out on the court and hit several forehands with each grip to see which one you prefer. Helpful Tip The overgrip provides extra cushioning, sweat absorption, grip width, and traction. First, go all the way to your Continental Grip at B2, from there, shift your knuckle one bevel counterclockwise, and clockwise for lefties, so its now on top of the grip completely at B1. Tennis Grip Guide: 4 Grips to Tighten up Your Tennis Game - 2023 - MasterClass Sports & Gaming Tennis Grip Guide: 4 Grips to Tighten up Your Tennis Game Written by MasterClass Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 3 min read Tennis is a physically rigorous sport that requires every muscle group of your body working in tandem for long periods of time. Thanks Paul! Get deals on shoes, racquets & more up to 70% off. If youre a right-handed player, the grip wrap should spiral from left to right; if youre a lefty, the grip wrap should spiral from right to left (if youre a lefty, wrap the grip for a righty, replace it with a. The Full Western will work better if you prefer to flatten out your forehand. It used to be the standard, but as more players developed topspin during the late 20th century, the continental grip died out. The Most Popular Types Of Tennis Grips | CoachUp Nation Your email address will not be published. Place your hand flat against the strings and slide it down to the grip. With that said, wed encourage new players to steer clear of the continental and Hawaiian forehand grips, which will prevent the vast majority fo players from reaching their full potential. I created a custom vibration dampener thats compatible with all racquets and string patterns. In effect, your dominant hand is using the continental grip, while your non-dominant hand is using the eastern grip. HEAD tennis racquets come in five different sizes, which are numbered from 1 to 5. On the second serve, the only thing I use continental is for the continental breakfast. June 30, 2023 by Michael Williams Tennis is a popular sport enjoyed by millions around the world. The western grip exists on the pro tour, and youll find plenty of amateur players using especially players from Europe where clay is a popular court surface, such as Europe and Latin America. Imagine you're picking up and gripping a hammer. The continental/hammer grip (neutral continental) is the most common, but some players may prefer a different grip position. Avoid using continental or Hawaiian grips for the time being, as they will prevent new players from reaching their full potential. >> Next, read about proper technique, tips, & drills to improve your forehand! At the same time, the open racquet face complements volleys, slice groundstrokes, and the drop shot. Here, well share as much knowledge and experience as we can, so we hope you enjoy it! Learn about the different types of tennis grips from a JOI medical professional. If the racquet is the correct grip size, you should be able to fit the index finger of your other hand between your fingers and thumb. The most popular backhand grip is the double-handed backhand. Your fingers should be wrapped around the base of the grip, with your thumb and forefinger forming a 'V' along the top right edge of the handle. How to measure your tennis racket grip size? Then, position the butt of the racquets handle at the base of your palm and then wrap your fingers around the handle. To execute a Continental Grip, the player must first hold the racquet in their dominant hand and then place their non-dominant hand below the handle and grip it with their palm and fingers. Regardless, we think it suffices to say it falls somewhere between the two. To grip the racquet with a continental grip, grab the neck of the racquet with your right hand. Traditionally, the majority of big tournaments were played on grass, offering a low, potentially uneven bounce. When using this V, you should be able to hit your forehand or backhand shots with the same grip on the bevel on the side of the racket. As we covered in the history of tennis grips section, the continental grip dominated the early years of competitive tennis, but it has disappeared from the modern sport as far as forehands go. With over two decades of experience playing & coaching tennis, Will now works as a doubles strategy analyst for ATP & WTA tour players and coaches. Ive had the chance to play against great names of the new generation, like Christian Garin, Cameron Norrie, and Kyle Edmund. You'll need a ruler or tape measure for the first method. Most women play with the sizes 1, 2 and 3, while most men go for 3, 4 and 5. Did Serena Williams retire from tennis? Many players that have been labeled as power baseliners utilize the semi-Western grip. It has several different variations and styles, and each of these can be played using different grips. When youre using a tennis racket, place the palm side of your index finger against the third bevel, or the seventh bevel, if youre right-handed; and then firmly wrap your fingers around the handle. Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. I understand and accept the use of cookies. As a beginner, you can use that grip for every shot. This size is comfortable for most people and provides a good balance of power and control. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. What are the grip sizes for tennis racquets? As they tend to have smaller hands, women generally use smaller grip sizes than men. When you purchase a racket, you will be given a tennis grip. Furthermore, Federers level of consistency is crucial no matter who he is facing, he is always expected to perform to the best of his abilities. What tennis grip should I use? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It hardly matters whether youre eight or eighteen years-old, it will be tough to adjust to your first football helmet. You can measure in centimetres and millimetres or in inches. The key difference between the various grips is in the placement of the knuckle below the index finger and the heel of the hand. The Continental Grip gives the athlete an explosive, versatile shot that puts less stress on your arm. Hold the racquet the same way as mentioned above and shake hands with the grip of the racquet. This will be the grip you want to use to put as much topspin on the ball as possible. The most common grip sizes are 4 1/8 inches (10.5 centimeters), 4 3/8 inches (11.1 centimeters), and 4 1/2 inches (11.4 centimeters). Doing so allows a player to release their forehand grip and rotate the racquet quickly to find the continental grip so they can execute their backhand without also having to change the position of their non-dominant hand. Tennis Gear Reviews, Doubles Lessons, & Tour News. In tennis, a grip is used to hold the racquet in order to hit shots. To play the game, the player must use the grip that is most comfortable for them. Backhand tennis grips come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including the Eastern Backhand, the Semi-Western Backhand, and the Two-Handed Backhand. With the hold, you can improve your handling and precision by moving quickly and accurately in both small and large moves. What comes to mind when you think of the two-handed backhand grip. 8 Best Tennis Grip For Overhead. The four primary grips on a forehand tennis grip are semi-western, western, Hawaiian, and so on. Top 7 Common Tennis Mistakes And How To Avoid Them? - Super Tennis Racquet Most women will play with a grip size that's a size 1, 2, or 3, while most men will have a size 3, 4, or 5. . It is important to note that the Eastern Forehand Grip is the basis for all other grips, so it is essential to master it before attempting to use any of the other grips. Its a great, controlled way to return serves and low shots and helps provide extra power for balls at shoulder level. It is an essential part of the game, as it allows the player to control the direction and power of the shot. Women usually have smaller hands than men. It simply demonstrates that certain people are better suited to specific grips when top pros are using all of them at the same time. Roger Federer uses what is called an eastern grip whileNadal uses a semi-western grip. To hit the ball, either the right hand will grip the ball in a neutral continental grip, or the left hand will grip it in an eastern forehand grip at the top of the racket handle. As a beginner, the different types of tennis grips are one of the first things youll learn. Serena Williams, for example, uses something between eastern and semi-western for her forehand whilst employing a fairly standard double-handed backhand grip on the other side. Four Steps to Determine Your Tennis Racket Grip Size To gripthe racquet with a full western grip, hold the racquet with your left hand at the neck of the racquet with your strings facing down. In this guide, well explore the different types of grips for essential strokes in tennis, provide you with detailed explanations including advantages and disadvantages, and share pictures that illustrate them, so you know exactly how to form each grip. The handle on the racket is referred to as the size of it. To master a full western grip, you need to practice for hours a day which most players dont have time for. Difficult to strike through balls beyond chest level. My name is Michael and Im a big fan of the sport of tennis. Ill send you 3 Doubles Tactics to Force Errors & Get More Easy Volleys when you subscribe! It is used for all types of shots and is suitable for both beginners and advanced players alike. The racquet face naturally closes and makes it difficult to pick up low balls that are commonly received from balls that are sliced or skidding off the court. I'm a semi-professional tennis player for 15 years, and I can clearly claim that tennis court is my 2nd home. For Nadals two-handed backhand, he uses a continental grip for his dominant hand and a semi-western grip for his non-dominant hand, which is a modification of the typical eastern grip for the non-dominant hand. In the early days of the sport, the continental grip dominated. Women use smaller grip sizes than men because of their small hands. What are some rules that you must follow in order to emulate certain legends? Place the other fingers (middle, ring, and pinky) around the handle. The Continental Grip: The Most Common Tennis Grip Eastern forehands will result in the ball flying over the net if the ball is held. In the womens game, there is a tendency to produce flatter shots, so grips are typically less extreme, and the two-handed backhand is very widely used. Players are faster and stronger than ever, and their grips play a central role in controlling the extra power they can generate with topspin. Your email address will not be published. However, older players who are learning the game often gravitate toward a two-handed backhand because the extra hand helps increase the players control of the racquet on the non-dominant side of their body. This will make it really easier for them to apply a lot of topspin and enable them to deal with higher balls. If you hold the ball with a flat or forehand grip, your wrist and arm joints will be unable to move properly, allowing you to strike the ball face first. One-handed players tend to use their backhand primarily in the eastern direction. It is also used for volleys and the serve, but not recommended for forehand groundstrokes. We don't recommend trying to reduce the size of the grip as that could affect the performance of your HEAD racquet. Your email address will not be published. Hi there! If we had to pick one, wed say hes using a semi-western grip, but we dont think its that cut and dry and believe it falls slightly between a semi-western and full-western. When you make contact with the ball on your forehand using a full western grip, your hand will be under the racquet with your palm facing up. The forehand is often the more natural groundstroke for players to learn and therefore has a tendency to become a players favorite shot. That distance, between palm crease and finger tip, is the size of grip you need. In a standard two-handed backhand, the right hand grips the ball in a continental grip, while the left hand grips it in an eastern forehand grip. Required fields are marked *. Image credit: goldenocala As you grip the racket, place your thumb between your index finger and thumb V shape. At MyTennisHQ, we have all played junior, college, and professional tennis. Players must remain behind the baseline until they are able to hit the ball. To form the eastern grip, place the palm side of your index fingers bottom knuckle against the third bevel if youre right-handed or the seventh bevel if youre left-handed. Using Picasa, you can zoom in on the grip very closely while still retaining the best image. There are several options for your forehand grip in tennis. shot, and also the amount of spin that you can put on the ball. Tsonga is the most basic measurement and the most complex. Despite the fact that most advanced players do not understand what all of the grips are, do not be concerned. As surfaces and technology have changed in recent decades, players have switched to using grips more suited to developing topspin, and the double-handed backhand has become increasingly popular. The semi-western grip picked up steam in the 80s with players like Andrea Agassi making use of the grip and playing almost exclusively from the baseline. Hi Joann, she has a great forehand. It wasnt until the 1970s when players like Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, and Chris Evert burst onto the scene that the two-handed backhand started to emerge. At the time of writing, 88% of the top 100 players on the mens side use a two-handed backhand, and that number jumps to 97% on the womens side. His single-handed backhand uses an eastern backhand grip. This allows players to put more topspin on the ball, which is perfect for lobs and quick, tiny angles. The western grip is the last of the four primary forehand tennis grips, which falls a step beyond the semi-western and allows players to generate maximum topspin. Once a player gets the hang of it, they can begin to experiment with the western grips to see what works best for them. Be the first to rate this post. Download. As you grip the racket, place your thumb between your index finger and thumb V shape. However, these days its become the most prevalent grip that youll find used throughout the ranks, including top pros like Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic. The Hawaiian grip has seen sporadic use in the past, but its use is rare. More often than not, players, The setter is one of the most important positions in volleyball. Check out CoachUps handy guide to grips in order the make the most of your next match! How To Choose The Right Tennis Racquet Grip Size The Eastern forehand grip has long been used by some of the games greatest players. Move your knuckle one bevel clockwise from the Eastern Forehand Grip to B4. To form the western grip, place the palm side of your index fingers bottom knuckle against the fifth bevel if youre right-handed or left-handed its the halfway point around the handle. The continental grip is where the players hand is positioned on the beveled part of the grip, with the thumb and first finger forming a V shape. This allows you to hit your target with a lot of power and spin your forehand. The grip on Roger Federers serve is a semi-Western or continental one. The Best Place To Buy Red Tennis Shoes Is At The Tennis Shoe Outlet. While eastern serves are usually served with flat plates, I prefer continental serves if I need a little spin or want to get away from it all. Most women play in sizes 1 to 3, while men play in sizes 4 to 5. To form the one-handed backhand grip, place the palm side of your index fingers bottom knuckle against the first bevel if youre right-handed or left-handed. You can cite John McEnroe with his continental forehand grip. This serve is primarily used for serves, volleys, overheads, slices, and defensive shots so, a jack-of-all-trades, to say the least. His two-handed backhand grip is similar to Nadals, except that his non-dominant hand is closer to an eastern grip than the semi-western used by Nadal. What are your thoughts on the Eastern Forehand grip and what would you add? The full western grip, which allows for extremely heavy topspin but also complicates matters when dealing with low balls, is used by Nadal, Khachanov, and Sock. More difficult to transition to the slice than the one handed backhand. Lack Of Focus 5. The primary purpose of the bevels is to increase a players traction or, more specifically, prevent the racquet from twisting, but they also happen to serve as guides we can use to form different types of grips. For the serve, a continental or chopper grip is almost exclusively used, and a similar grip is typically employed when volleying. This shot pushes your opponent back in the court behind the baseline, which might set you up for an easy winner.
