Advantages of a smaller grip

[patrick922]

what are the advantages of a smaller grip? i have heard it produces more topspin and a little more whip on the ball.
and is it better to have a smaller grip or a bigger grip.
[i have heard that smaller grip is good for whipping [more wrist] and bigger grips are good for muscling [not much wrist movement]]
any input?

[TennisAce101]

the advantages of a smaller grip is future long term wrist injuries... also big grips as well...

[zhan]

i find smaller grips i have more racquet head speed

[Triple S]

Yeah I suggest not getting a grip too small, or too big, it will damage your wrists like Ace said

[Tim Set Match]

I am currently experimenting with two identical head light racquets; the only difference in them is the grip size. One is an L5 (my correct size according to the index finger rule) and the other is an L3.

The smaller size increases fluidity when I brush up on the ball when hitting topspin. My shots are a bit loopier too... they have more net clearance; (they're flatter with the larger grip). The smaller one also feels a lot better in my hands, and it makes the racquet feel more maneuvarable.

The bigger grip feels a little hefty on the forehand side, but it feels better than the smaller grip when I'm hitting a backhand (one handed). I don't have to hold the racquet as tensly as I do when hitting a backhand with the smaller grip. Strangely, the bigger grip seems to give me more control when serving. Also, while the smaller grip is more maneuvarable, the bigger one gives more stability when volleying.

So it seems that each size has its advantages. Don't go with a grip that's way too small for you though; this will hurt your wrist... it happens to me when I occasionally hit with the racquet I had as a kid.

[tennis_hand]

Just stick to the grip rule.

but I also find that the grip size that you measured using the graph is always a little bit bigger than the size you can comfortably use.

[atatu]

I find it a bit easier to switch grips with the smaller ones, but larger grips do seem to be more stable off the forehand side, especially if you've got a semi western grip.

Hey Patrick, I went to West Springfield HS back in the early 80's, is it still standing ?

[chess9]

I am currently experimenting with two identical head light racquets; the only difference in them is the grip size. One is an L5 (my correct size according to the index finger rule) and the other is an L3.

The smaller size increases fluidity when I brush up on the ball when hitting topspin. My shots are a bit loopier too... they have more net clearance; (they're flatter with the larger grip). The smaller one also feels a lot better in my hands, and it makes the racquet feel more maneuvarable.

The bigger grip feels a little hefty on the forehand side, but it feels better than the smaller grip when I'm hitting a backhand (one handed). I don't have to hold the racquet as tensly as I do when hitting a backhand with the smaller grip. Strangely, the bigger grip seems to give me more control when serving. Also, while the smaller grip is more maneuvarable, the bigger one gives more stability when volleying.

So it seems that each size has its advantages. Don't go with a grip that's way too small for you though; this will hurt your wrist... it happens to me when I occasionally hit with the racquet I had as a kid.

I'd pretty much ditto all of that, except for the serving. I have better snap/speed on my serves with the smaller grip. I've actually gone down from a 4 5/8 with an overgrip, to a 4.5 with an overgrip and that's the best compromise grip for me.

-Robert

[patrick922]

yeah when i hold the racquet i there is a space in between [approximately the size of a pinky] is this size alright?

and yes atatu west springfield hs is still standing. they were in our district last year and we destroyed thier tennis team 9 matches to 0. btw i went to robert e lee hs

[Mr.Federer]

what are the advantages of a smaller grip? i have heard it produces more topspin and a little more whip on the ball.
and is it better to have a smaller grip or a bigger grip.
[i have heard that smaller grip is good for whipping [more wrist] and bigger grips are good for muscling [not much wrist movement]]
any input?


lol.."it produces more topspin"...the grip doesn't do anything...there's no advantages of using a small grip...it's all about comfort.

[fx101]

Find something that feels comfortable for you. Anything else will just cause injuries.

[TDabone]

If you need to figure out what your grip size is, go here:

http://www.tennisthing.com/files/tutorials/gripsize.pdf

Print that out.


www.MyTennisTournaments.com

[tempura_MAKI]

Smaller grip does nothing for me. Having a larger grip for me increases power, and i have no noticeable changes in topspin or spin in general.

[tennis_hand]

If you need to figure out what your grip size is, go here:

http://www.tennisthing.com/files/tutorials/gripsize.pdf

Print that out.


www.MyTennisTournaments.com


the file is corrupted.

but generally, find the grip size according to the Wilson graph, then build the racket handle size a little smaller than that. I find this is better because you will use your wrist more thus reduce the strain on your elbow. so you can say the conventional measure is outdated. It should be a little smaller than that.

Agassi, at 180cm( 5'11'' ) uses a 4 3/8. Federer at 186cm(6'1'') also uses 4 3/8. Don't have to follow them, but it seems to be generally accepted that a "slightly" smaller grip is better.

[tennishack1]

Many pros use a leather grip to feel the bevels better, then they put an overgrip on to deal with the sweat. Whatever size u use the grip will feel smaller with the leather, but the edges will be more pronouced allowing u to feel the grip change better. Also the leather is a bit heavier so it will help you with racket diflection on the volley and change the balance of the racket u use to slightly more handle heavy making the head swing through the groundstroke a bit faster.:mrgreen:

[MasterTS]

lol.."it produces more topspin"...the grip doesn't do anything...there's no advantages of using a small grip...it's all about comfort.

Wrong... Smaller grips produce more racquet head speed.. this is why ATP pros use 4 3/8 and 4 1/4 grip sizes.. You these 6'2 players are using 4 3/8 because they have small hands while us regular folks use 4 1/2 because our hands are so big? lol

[Jay27]

lol.."it produces more topspin"...the grip doesn't do anything...there's no advantages of using a small grip...it's all about comfort.

I have to disagree with your assumption. When I switched from a 4 5/8 to a 4 1/4, I saw a huge difference. I thought I liked the larger grip, but the second I switched to a smaller grip, I found that my forehands were much better (especially on short balls). I didn't feel like I was holding a huge club; it was much more maneuverable and much whippier when I swung the racket. My serve speed went from lower to mid 90's to about 105 (average first serve) (I use the speedchek radar). And, the one point that I do agree with you on is that my switch did produce a lot more topspin. I didn't lose any power and didn't lose any accuracy (I feel that I've gained more accuracy). The point is, I don't feel like I have to muscle the ball as much with a smaller grip.

Also, my 1hbh was a thousand times better with the smaller grip! I think the grip makes a huge difference. I realize there are people out there that like the larger grip, but my experience is that I enjoy the smaller grip much much much better--especially on short balls.

There wasn't a noticeable difference for me on the volley.

[tennis_hand]

Forehand and backhand will definitely feel better, I believe.

For volleys and blocking, a larger grip makes the racket more stable. But most players play forehands and backhands most of the time nowadays, so a smaller one will be beneficial. They only occasionally volley, so it is alright.

but you probably don't want it to be so small that your ring finger touches your palm when you squeeze it, because the racket could twist in your hands. make it smaller, but not too small.

Jay27: that is a dramatic change from L5 to L2. :o

[Tim Tennis]

Very interesting. I have to say that I like a fairly small grip, maybe 1/4 inch space between the closest finger and the palm of your hand. With a small grip your hand has contact with a higher % of the circumference of the racquet handle. With a gap of 1/2 inch your hand has contact with a lower % of the circumference of the racquet handle. Using extreme analysis just think of a basketball, most of us cannot even palm it, just think if your hand could go even just half way around it, the control you would have. So it sounds like smaller grip size would be better.

But if you take a baseball bat and with one hand grab it close to the end of the handle and with the other hand grab it further up the handle where the circumference is greater and twist, which hand slips, the one on the smaller end. The hand further up the handle has more leverage. So in this scenario it sounds like a larger grip would be better, at least more stable.

As far as serving, I think the smaller grip might be better, within reason of course, because if you use the continental grip, as you pronate the gap between your closest finger and the palm of your hand is facing directly forward or there abouts. This is the weakest part of the grip when making contact with the ball. The opposing energy is applied direct to this gap. The larger the gap the weaker this area will be. It would be the same affect on the SW as you created the upward motion. So maybe that is why some of you think you hit the SW better with a smaller grip. You might also want to take into consideration that the smaller grip caused you to close your racquet face slightly more. Who knows?

Well I am sure I confused everyone. I am obviously very interested in the shape and size of the handle as all you guys are. This was/is a good thread.

Best regards,

Ed ***en
Tennis Geometrics
Power -V-Grip
http://www.tennisgeometrics.com

[Tennis_Monk]

I prefer a Larger Grip. When i switched frm Smaller to Larger, My FH was more consistent (btw I use the Wonder Wedge alias Power V grip) and powerful. When i used smaller grip, it is very wristy and inconsistent at best.

So I guess the bottom line is, Go with what works!