Ok this is a really basic question. I have been working on a sw grip for my fh and it works well for ts. I know this may be a super basic question but during a point you dont switch grips during a rally for bh or what not right? I am new and was on the courts last night ans the sw grip on bh just felt weird. Then again so does an interlock grip for a ten fingered grip for a golfer when he changes grip. I guess it would also apply for cont grip serve to a sw during points. I hope what im asking makes sense.
grip question for a noob
- Thread starter Bigjohn89
- Start date
ohbh. so i could serve with conti and hit the shot returned to me with a sw on the same point? just seems complicated for a noob. the sw just feels awkward on bh
ProgressoR
Hall of Fame
when i started not that long ago the idea of grip changes for shots seemed to be far fetched to me, that only the uber serious players did it, those who took it toooooo seriously.
But it really needs to be done. Work on a grip for your FH and a grip for your BH (assuming its one handed). You might find a less extreme grip on the BH might feel more comfortable, something like an Eastern BH.
And of course find a grip for serves, whether its conti (thats not a bad one to get used to for serve), and then its a case of practicing the grip changes during a rally and hitting so it becomes second nature.
And it does become second nature, trust me, just over time.
But it really needs to be done. Work on a grip for your FH and a grip for your BH (assuming its one handed). You might find a less extreme grip on the BH might feel more comfortable, something like an Eastern BH.
And of course find a grip for serves, whether its conti (thats not a bad one to get used to for serve), and then its a case of practicing the grip changes during a rally and hitting so it becomes second nature.
And it does become second nature, trust me, just over time.
ok. So at least I know taht its supposed to be done if i want to be as effective as possible. i feel sw is best for my fh. i seem to get most control/spin/power overall from this on FH
Avles
Hall of Fame
Yes, change your grip--relax your right hand and use the left hand on the racquet's throat to rotate the racquet.
If this feels awkward to you you might want to spend some time practicing just the grip change-- it should be something that you do automatically.
I like to grip the racketthroat with my right hand, and with a very loose grip, switch my grip by rotating my left hand.
Me lefty, of course.
Throat hand is not a deathgrip, but a little solid pressure.
Almost no grip pressure with the hitting hand, allowing it to rotate quickly to the desired grip for the specific shot.
Me lefty, of course.
Throat hand is not a deathgrip, but a little solid pressure.
Almost no grip pressure with the hitting hand, allowing it to rotate quickly to the desired grip for the specific shot.
Here's the simple guide to grips that works from newbies up to pros:
- Use continental for almost everything - all volleys, serves, bh slice ground stroke, and dominant hand on a 2hbh if you hit a 2hbh. There's not a lot of latitude here - just do it this way from the start. Unlike some of the ground strokes I mention below, other grips will just mess you up and then you'll have to spend a bunch of time unlearning stuff.
You can also use continental on fh slices and fh serve returns, especially if the server is pounding the ball at you. As others have said you can hit every shot with this grip if you'd like, but it will limit your ground strokes a bit.
- For a fh ground stroke the SW that you're using is fine. Anything between full E. to full W. is workable. I think some coaches start out with a more E. grip and let the player adjust to a more W. grip as they wish - I think that's a good way to go, though the SW you're currently using is a great grip.
- For a one a 1hbh use an E. backhand grip (index knuckle on bevel one). Again some variability here. Can go SW bh to continental, but like the fh I'd avoid the extremes. You might start more continent and work your way back to an more E. bh.
Yes, you switch grips on your ground strokes. You have plenty of time to do it. As Lee said, use your none hitting hand on the throat of the racquet to aid in the grip switch. That hand also is important in helping for general set-up for your strokes too.
And before someone comes after me with hatchet for stating these grips as kind of absolute, I completely understand that there is variability in grip choice among high level players. I tried to mention where the variability is (mostly in the fh and bh). You can certainly make other grips work, but you'll likely find that you'll have to change it later on if you want to improve past a certain point.
- Use continental for almost everything - all volleys, serves, bh slice ground stroke, and dominant hand on a 2hbh if you hit a 2hbh. There's not a lot of latitude here - just do it this way from the start. Unlike some of the ground strokes I mention below, other grips will just mess you up and then you'll have to spend a bunch of time unlearning stuff.
You can also use continental on fh slices and fh serve returns, especially if the server is pounding the ball at you. As others have said you can hit every shot with this grip if you'd like, but it will limit your ground strokes a bit.
- For a fh ground stroke the SW that you're using is fine. Anything between full E. to full W. is workable. I think some coaches start out with a more E. grip and let the player adjust to a more W. grip as they wish - I think that's a good way to go, though the SW you're currently using is a great grip.
- For a one a 1hbh use an E. backhand grip (index knuckle on bevel one). Again some variability here. Can go SW bh to continental, but like the fh I'd avoid the extremes. You might start more continent and work your way back to an more E. bh.
Yes, you switch grips on your ground strokes. You have plenty of time to do it. As Lee said, use your none hitting hand on the throat of the racquet to aid in the grip switch. That hand also is important in helping for general set-up for your strokes too.
And before someone comes after me with hatchet for stating these grips as kind of absolute, I completely understand that there is variability in grip choice among high level players. I tried to mention where the variability is (mostly in the fh and bh). You can certainly make other grips work, but you'll likely find that you'll have to change it later on if you want to improve past a certain point.
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WildVolley
Legend
Very sensible and straightforward post. Just thought that was worth emphasizing. Do what rkelley says and you'll be off to a good start. His advice is basically a professional foundation.
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