Tennis Grips Dilemmas
Here are 3 questions and answers about tennis grips that I received recently.
1. What grip do you hold when you are returning a serve (backhand, forehand or in between)?
I generally don’t teach that. I leave it up to the player to find what is comfortable for them.
I personally hold a forehand grip since I find changing to backhand grip easier and faster than vice versa. And I play a one-handed backhand.
Most players with a two-handed backhand also use a forehand grip since it’s easy for them to switch to a continental grip with their dominant hand.
Some players with a one-handed backhand like to have their backhand grip ready since they receive more serves to the backhand than to the forehand side.
Another option is to use a continental grip which allows you to block fast serves on either side and you don’t have to change the grip much if you change to either a forehand or backhand grip.
2. Do you change a grip after you’ve made a shot?
Again, I don’t teach players what to do. If you keep the racquet in front of you when you are waiting for your opponent’s next shot, then the most comfortable grip is typically a forehand grip.
If I hit a backhand, I go back to ready position while recovering and I switch back to forehand grip again.
Only when I come to the net, I prepare the continental grip for either volleys or overheads. I don’t hold a forehand grip when coming to the net.
I rarely have to teach players to prepare the continental grip when approaching the net. Most do it automatically.
3. Do you change the grip between the first and the second serves?
Interesting question. I know that some players choose a more closed grip for the second serve which gives them more spin.
I also know that some coaches teach that. I personally don’t change the grip and also don’t teach that.
I teach continental grip at the beginning. When the player is comfortable with this grip and can serve well all types of serves, I mention that he / she can experiment with slightly different grips and see what helps them hit a more effective serve.
I suggest that you listen to your hands and your body and see what feels the most comfortable when experimenting with different grips.
If you have any more questions related to tennis grips please ask in the comments below!
- Related posts:
