Grip when waiting for return

[lightning.lu10]

What grip should I be using when I am waiting to return a ball from my opponent and return of serves? I have been using a continental because i felt it was easier to switch to either the backhand or forehand that way and I could slice if necessary. Is this the right way to go, or should I hold my forehand grip?

 

[firstblud]

a lot of times i guess where the ball's gonna go. so if i think it's going left, i'll hold continental so i can slice it back or change to a backhand grip, for example.

if i'm 50/50.. i guess i tend to hold with my forehand grip

 

[VGP]

I wait with my forehand grip.

I have a one-hander on the backhand side. If it comes to that side, when I turn for the shot, I use my off hand at the throat of the frame to help turn it into position.

That's just my habit on groundstrokes in general.

 

[Wes_Loves_Dunlop]

if you have a 2hbh, hold your right hand in your forehand grip.
and hold your left hand as you would on a backhand. that way you just use your left hand to turn the racket and you just move one hand instead of two

 

[Blake0]

I'd say stick with the continental grip. Easy grip to switch from, slice back, or block back whenever needed.

 

[Viper]

I'm a horrible returner, or well I used to be. I just block back the ball with a continental grip and pray I can control the point.

 

[lightning.lu10]

I use a 1hbh, and find that on serve returns against a good server sometimes I have a hard time switching to my eastern FH quick enough to do damage on the return. I can switch grips quick enough on normal returns, but not hte serve.

What do pro's do? Do they hold a continental, or their regular FH grip?

 

[Blake0]

I use a 1hbh, and find that on serve returns against a good server sometimes I have a hard time switching to my eastern FH quick enough to do damage on the return. I can switch grips quick enough on normal returns, but not hte serve.

What do pro's do? Do they hold a continental, or their regular FH grip?

It's usually a personal preference. Some pro's hold it on continental, others on FH, and some on BH grip.
I usually hold it on continental, because i can block the return, chip the return, slice the return, switch really easily to my eastern 1hbh or eastern FH grip, or just hit the ball back like a groundstroke with the continental grip.

 

[PeppermintMocha]

I usually hold continental and then react to the serve... but if I know the server does not have a great serve (no good placement, no good pace... etc) I'd switch to my forehand grip as he/she toss the ball and run around to rip a forehand.

 

[draconis228]

Depends where the server tends to go for, adapt to they're plan. If they go wide on both sides then get ready by holding that particular grip. For example, I'm a rightie so when they kick it out wide on the deuce i hold a forehand and if its on the add side i lean towards the backhand grip.

 

[kopfan]

While waiting on rally and first serve return, I am in continental and for 2nd serve, I am in semi western grip to allow me power back a high bounce serve that goes either side with my forehand or backhand.
During rally, i am holding continental. if the ball went far wide or too fast, i am always ready to slice back on either side.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

On return of serve:

Some will wait in a BH grip, and some will wait in a FH grip.

But it is better to understand the serving patterns of the server. If he serves more to your BH, then wait in a BH grip; if he serves more to the FH then wait in a FH grip. If the server is unpredictable, then of course, try to read the toss, and angle of racket prior to contact, and go to the correct grip.

On ground strokes rally: It is better to change grip during rally. If you have hit a very good deep cross court, you may stay in a FH grip, because in this situation it will be difficult for your opponent to hit down the line to your BH.

If your shot is easier/shorter to his FH, you may then switch to BH grip because he is likely to hit to your BH.

Similarly, if you have hit a great cross court to his BH, wait in a BH grip because in this case he will find it difficult to go down the line to your forehand.

Your own shots will allow you to change your grip to the anticipated return from your opponent.

Again, if you watch your shot, the body position of your opponent, and the racket face just prior to during contact, you will have enough time to change to the correct grip.

With experience, the grip change becomes automatic.

Good day,

Mahboob Khan

 

[madmanfool]

if you have a 2hbh, hold your right hand in your forehand grip.
and hold your left hand as you would on a backhand. that way you just use your left hand to turn the racket and you just move one hand instead of two

yup, that's how i do it

 

[lhstennis12]

I hold my racquet in continental. That way, if the serve goes to my backhand, or I want to slice a forehand back, or throw up a defensive lob, I don't have to change my grip. I only have to switch it for my forehand return.