Grips Explained....
“GripCoach – Helping Coaches Coach.”
“GripCoach – Helping Players Coach Themselves.”
GripCoach has been designed so new players can understand and perform the different grips required
in tennis quicker.
GripCoach is an essential part of every player’s introduction to the game. Whether you have
just bought a new tennis racket or are having your first tennis lesson.
GripCoach is an easy to understand tennis-training aid that is guaranteed to teach new players
faster.
When a player attends a tennis lesson for the first time, they are taught the different grips for
the different shots. GripCoach can now become your first coach.
Note: GripCoach is best understood under the instruction of a registered trained tennis professional.
If you look at the bottom of your racket there is 8 segments (referred to as Bevels). The position
of your hand in relation to theses bevels will then determined the type of grip you have. All advanced
tennis player’s hands move around the grip for the different shots.
GripCoach makes it so much easier and quicker to learn these positions.
The main guide used to teach players about the grip is the V that is formed between a person’s
index finger and thumb.
Why is the Grip so Important ?
The grip is the fundamental to all shots. Grips dictate the the way a stroke will be produced.
The grip affects:
The type of backswing.
Some players have a high loop on the backswing while others tend to take the racket straight back.
The swing pattern of the racket just prior to contact.
All players (when hitting topspin) should have a racket trajectory from low to high. However the
grip
dictates on what angle the
racket must travel upwards to produce an effective shot.
The contact point of the racket with the ball in relation to the body.
Depending on the grip
contact points change. Contact points can be in front of the body while others can be in line
with the body.
The racket’s path length and direction in the follow through.
A rackets path after follow through can travel in many ways. The racket can finish across the body,
over the left shoulder or even
on the same side of the body. Once again the grip has a major influence on where the racket finishes.
The stance a player maintains throughout the shot.
Players can hit a tennis stroke with a closed stance, semi open stance, or open stance. The grip
dictates what stance a player
must use to be able to perform a stroke effectively.
Note- It is important to discuss the above points with a trained club professional. The professional
will be able to guide you, in what grip best suits your style of play.
The basic shots of Tennis
Tennis has 6 different shots – with 3 major grips used:
1. Forehand - Eastern (BLUE LINE), Semi–Western (GREEN
LINE)
2. Single Handed Backhand – Continental (RED LINE), Semi-Western
Backhand (BLACK LINE)
3. Forehand Volley – Continental (RED LINE)
4. Backhand Volley – Continental (RED LINE)
5. Serve – Continental (RED LINE)
6. Overhead – Continental (RED LINE)
Eastern Forehand Grip: BLUE LINE
The most common grip taught by tennis professionals to beginner tennis players, because it is the
simplest grip to use and learn. The grip is also known as “ the shake hand grip.” This is because
the grip is obtained by shaking hands with the tennis racket. The grip offers versatility on all surfaces.
Advantages:
-
Easy to learn for beginners.
-
Most comfortable for new players.
-
Generates power.
-
Ideal for waist high and low contact.
-
Small grip change required for volley and backhand shots.
Challenges with the Grip:
Players who Use Eastern Forehand:
-
Roger Federer
-
Pat Rafter
-
Lindsay Davenport
Semi-Western Forehand Grip: GREEN LINE
The Semi-Western grip is the power, control and topspin grip preferred by many professional and
club tennis players. All players feel relaxed with this grip as the racket fits comfortably into
the palm
of the hand. With this grip heavy spin can be imparted to the ball and yet the ball can still
be driven through the court with great pace.
Advantages:
-
Greater margin for error over the net.
-
Spin and speed can be generated.
-
Generates power.
-
Shoulder high balls.
-
Contact allows for disguise of shots.
Challenges with the Grip:
-
Hard to apply slice or backspin.
-
Lower Balls.
-
Low volleys are difficult
-
Requires a greater grip change to backhand and volley grips
Players who Use Semi-Western Forehand:
-
Andre Agassi
-
Martina Hingis
-
Venus Williams
Volley, and Overhead (Continental Grip): RED LINE
The grip used for the volley and overhead is commonly known as the Continental grip. A player holds
the racket as if they were holding a hammer. This grip allows backspin to be imparted
on the ball. The grip is the same for forehand volleys, backhand volleys and smashes. If you can
get comfortable
with the Continental grip, you'll have an advantage in never having to remember to switch
grips, especially in quick exchanges at the net, This grip is not natural and often takes a player
a while
to get the feel and control to feel confident. A player who wants to play tennis to the
highest level, must master this grip.
Note: the continental grip has many other uses. It can be used to hit extremely low balls,
returning big first serves and as a defensive groundstroke.
Advantages:
-
Under spin on volleys.
-
Greater range on motion in smash.
-
Increased control.
-
Drop shots.
-
Many different shots can be played.
-
Allows variation in shots.
Challenges with the Grip:
-
Uncomfortable when first used.
-
Lack of power and control initially.
-
Hard to generate topspin.
Players who Use Continental Grip for Volleys:
Serve (Continental Grip): RED LINE
The Continental grip is used for the serve. Once again this grip is not natural for players to
get a feel for but once they do there are many variations of spin that can be imparted on the ball.
There
are three common styles of serve:
All these styles of serves can be hit using this grip. Players often use the eastern forehand grip
when initially learning to serve. The main problem with this is it limits a player’s
ability to apply spin to the ball. The continental grip on serve is an essential
grip for those wishing to
excel in the game
Advantages:
-
Increases control.
-
Allows for variations of spin.
-
Increased control.
-
Allows for greater range on wrist motion.
-
Increased power and racket head speed.
Challenges with the Grip:
Players who Use Continental Grip for Serves:
Slice or Underspin Backhand (Continental Grip): RED LINE
The Continental grip is used for the slice backhand and most of the specialty shots such as drop
shots and defensive lobs. Most people begin to play tennis by hitting an underspin
backhand but tend to use the eastern forehand grip to do so. When players do this the hand is in
a weaker position
to support the racquet handle under the forces exerted by the stroke. Not only
does this make the shot less effective but also it causes stress to muscles, which can result in
injury. To hit an effective
slice backhand and avoid injury it is important to change the grip to the continental.
Advantages:
Challenges with the Grip:
Players who Use Continental Grip for Slice Backhands:
Single Handed Backhand Grip: BLACK LINE
This is the classic grip for those wishing to hit a single-handed backhand. The grip allows players
the strength to produce topspin drive backhands with power.
Advantages:
Challenges with the Grip:
Players who use Single Backhand Grip:
-
Roger Federer
-
Pete Sampras
-
Alicia Molik
-
Justine Henin-Hardene
Double handed Backhand Grip
BLACK LINE (non-dominant hand) and RED LINE (dominant hand)
Players who find they do not have enough strength when hitting a single-handed backhand often choose
to hit the shot with two hands. It is important to understand the
role of the two hands. While there are many variations on the position of the two hands the most
common
position, for beginners, is
the dominant hand is on the red line and the non-dominant hand is
on the black line. The bottom hand plays a guiding role in the stroke while the top hand becomes
more
dominant and produces the power
and spin.
Advantages:
Easier to generate power for younger and beginner players.
Challenges with the Grip:
-
Takes practice in changing grip.
-
Uncomfortable when first used.
-
Understanding the use of non-dominant side.
Players who use Double Handed Backhand Grip:
-
Williams sisters
-
Lleyton Hewitt
-
Andy Roddick
-
Rafeal Nadal
Volley Assistance Guide
GripCoach also has a volley assistance guide to help players learn to make contact with the ball
on the correct side of the racket for forehand and backhand
volleys.
When players first start playing the game they often hit
the forehand and backhand volley on the same side of the
racket. Commonly known as the “Windscreen Wiper.”
GripCoach has installed an F (Forehand) and a B (Backhand)
on both sides of the aid to help players master the volley
and prevent the dreaded “Windscreen Wiper.”
How it Works
The volley technique requires a short movement of the racquet from the body,
similar to that of a punch. In the early stages of learning
to volley, a player would hold the racket in the position
where contact with the ball was made.
After each shot a player can look at the racket and if correct
contact has been made then they will see the F if a forehand
volley was hit and a B if they have hit a backhand volley.
Players will quickly understand the importance of using
both the sides of the racquet when volleying.
Now the only time a player will use the windscreen
wipers is when they are in a car.