Grips
Eastern Grip
1- Hold the racquet at the throat, and then shake hands with the grip. The base index knuckle should be on the flat side bevel.
2- Extend the index finger as in pulling a trigger on a water gun. This is the eastern forehand grip.
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Western grip
1. Hold the racquet in the Continental or Eastern grip.
2. Move your hand a little to the right, so the palm of your hand is under the bottom flat of the racquet grip.
3. Keep your fingers together, just as you would in the Eastern grip.
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“Tip”
This grip is more for advanced players, most of the Pro players use it because it gives them a lot of topspin on their shots.
This grip is more for advanced players, most of the Pro players use it because it gives them a lot of topspin on their shots.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:29 am
great site helped alot
May 7th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I’m a complete beginner.
I find that if I extend my thumb along the racket (rather than wrapping it), I get much better control using the western grip for forehand shots. However, my backhand technique is *terrible* — which is why I’m here.
Wonder if anyone wants to comment on why you shouldn’t extend your thumb?
July 12th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I’m a beginner, and I find it easier to grip the raquet further up the grip, because I get much more control and power. This also enables me to switch to two-handed quickly.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:57 pm
I’m a beginner as well and I was wondering about which grip would be for more of a tactical player? or or they both universal?
October 15th, 2008 at 7:51 am
well keeping ur thumd closed has one adv i can think of thts it helps u hold thee rac tighter thereby preventing it from turning in ur hand on contact with the ball… any opinion
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Can any one tell me about any killer strikes and how to execute them. I find it annoying that it takes me a while to poach the ball.
April 13th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
You should keep your thumb closed because like raghu says, it prevents the racket from turning upon impact. Also when facing against power players, you will find that it will be impossible to return the ball unless you have a very firm grip. If you are looking for killer strikes Bob, I suggest you try practicing sharp cross-court ground strokes with a lot of top-spin that land near where the service-line and singles-side-line meet. Most average tennis players will find that a nearly impossible shot to return. Also if you simply drive the ball deeper in the court, you increase the pressure and the difficulty to return the ball tremendously; as your opponent either has to back up to hit, attempt a half-volley, or if they are really stupid or really skilled a base-line volley.
June 24th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I’m 11 years old and in P.E we are doing tennis. I came on here beforehand and learned basics.
I’m now the best tennis player in the school.
THANK YOU
September 27th, 2009 at 8:24 am
are there other grips?
November 29th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
DO NOT put your thumb up!!!!!! This could break your thumb! If you become an intermediate or even advanced player and you pick up a hard serve you WILL break your thumb. When I became an intermediate player I sprained mine plenty of times and even though I’ve never broke mine doesn’t mean it won’t happen because plenty of my tennis player friends have broken theirs and it WILL hurt
December 31st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
To position my grip I place the pad of my index finger on a particular bevel.
Continental grip = index finger pad on bevel 2 (for serve, volley, overhead smash)
Eastern grip= index finger pad on bevel 3 (standard forehand grip, strike ball between waist and shoulder , used by Federer)
Western grip = index finger pad on bevel 4 (for a wicked top spin like Nadel, strike ball at shoulder height)
FYI- there are 8 bevels on the handle, bevel 1 is on the top on the handle perpedicular with the ground.
March 11th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
This is a tremendous posting, im glad I came across this. Ill be back down the track to check out other posts that you have on your blog.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Beginner-Intermediate Player. I have been extending my forefinger flat along the back of the grip. I can’t tell from the pictures here what style this makes my grip, but I am wondering what the advantages/disadvantages of this might be. I do it b/c I’m in Texas and it’s really hot and the forefinger seems to give me better control and prevent the racket from slipping in my hands which get pretty sweaty in 108 temperatures.
June 5th, 2012 at 7:41 am
when your opponent strikes and the ball is like over your head should you try to get it or not, is the ball suppose to bounce first before you strike or can you strike while it is still in the air?
February 18th, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Theres also a Semi-western grip which is inbetween the eastern and western grip. provides a solid shot with consistant topspin with not as much torque on the wrist. Also the continental grip is for serving and volleys usually, also I use it for my two-handed backhand. Keep your dominant hand at the bottom of the grip though, choking up on the racquet may feel better, but it limits you.