Continental Grip Return

[AngeloDS]

So today, my semi-western forehand grip was not working for me on serve returns. So, I changed to the continental grip on the return for backhands and forehands. I found it comfortable, and it felt I was returning the ball much quicker. As well as I could get better reach and popping it back.

I was curious on how you get more pop and a little topspin on the ball for the continental grip on backhand and forehand for service return.

 

[Rickson]

So today, my semi-western forehand grip was not working for me on serve returns. So, I changed to the continental grip on the return for backhands and forehands. I found it comfortable, and it felt I was returning the ball much quicker. As well as I could get better reach and popping it back.

I was curious on how you get more pop and a little topspin on the ball for the continental grip on backhand and forehand for service return.

Cont is a good grip for serve returns. As for your question, use a short backswing and followthrough ala Agassi and you'll get that topspin you want.

 

[AngeloDS]

Yeah, I use to do my original strokes but today I think the weather was making the balls jump more and be more lively. I could not do anything with my regular strokes, so I changed to a continental to see how that would work. And it worked great. I'd like to focus on this grip for my serve returns and make them have a bit more pace as well as topspin so I can make them go in deep.

 

[KuramaIX]

Cutting balls back are awesome for service returns, I try to slice em back to the forehand side since most people have trouble with those dipping balls.

 

[x Southpaw x]

IMO continental grip for service return is mainly if not only good for taking the ball late... therefore high chance of returning bomb serves. Personally, I'd prefer to use more aggressive grips, Andre Agassi style, dictating point as soon as possible.

 

[x Southpaw x]

Cutting balls back are awesome for service returns, I try to slice em back to the forehand side since most people have trouble with those dipping balls.

Wait... doesn't topspin dip while cutting/slice/backspin float?

 

[SageOfDeath]

Never mind read what you quoted. Yea slice causes a ball to float more and topspin causes it to dip.

 

[Rickson]

You can topspin with continental. Federer uses an eastern on his forehand serve returns and gets plenty of topspin. While it's true that the western grips make topspin easier to do, you can topspin with any grip.

 

[Rickson]

Wait... doesn't topspin dip while cutting/slice/backspin float?

Maybe he meant low bouncing balls.

 

[SageOfDeath]

You can topspin with continental. Federer uses an eastern on his forehand serve returns and gets plenty of topspin. While it's true that the western grips make topspin easier to do, you can topspin with any grip.

But the way kurma phrased it seems like he's slicing. Cutting under the ball doesn't seem like topspin. Brushing up seems more like it.

 

[Tennis Ball Hitter]

to topspin with the continental on return for BH, I hit it with very open shoulders meaning I also have to move across to the ball. ie I am more or less cramping myself for space. I don't think there is much of a backswing but at the point of contact I jump and brush up heavily [with shoulder not wrist] the shot is hit late. Its like the Sampras motion which someone posted on these boards a while ago [those sfw? files - but I dont think he was using continental grip though].

On the FH its the exact opposite for topspin, I can not hit the ball when it comes too close to the body and I have to hit it very early [the closer to the ball I am the earlier I have to hit it]. And the motion is similar to the normal FH where you try to curve the ball back in. In fact I don't think I can hit the continental FH topspin shot without curving it.