Help for a beginner.

[kdog3682]

I've just started playing for a week and i think i'm decent. However, im not sure as to what my grip looks like. Im trying to emulate a SW grip, but im not really sure if its right. Can sombody post the differences + pictures of the continental/ eastearn / and semi western grips? I don't understand terminology (bevels) so if you could say it as if describing for a dummy would be nice. I've already read alot about the advantages/disadvantages. but what i really want to see is step-by step instruction so i can do the grips correctly.

If you hold out your hand straight infront of you and make a fist, Your wrist is straight. Move your fist up, and your wrist is bent. When you swing the racket, should your wrist be straight or bent? I read some threads that it should be straight, but when i flick my wrist, feels like more power.

For topspin, I brush the ball over the back of the ball, like a graze. All this does is make the ball spin forward and a little slow. if i jus whack it, the ball goes much further. ALso, how do i increase the topspin? I have been doing it at more of a angle, but it does not seem to increase.

What is tennis elbow? After I hit for a while flicking my wrist, my elbow started hurting. Is this why you shouldn't flick wrist and keep it straight?

Additionally, how far on the end of the racket should your hand be.? Should your pinky be on the lowest part so that part of your hand is sticking off of the racket. You should have it as low as possible for maximum power correct? When i have my hand down as possible, the racket is rlly lose in my hand and turns alot when i hit the ball.

Edit: what is a pusher? i see many complaints about how pushers are annoying. What exactly do they do?

 

[zapvor]

hey buddy

welcome to the sport! glad to see you have joined the cool club. about the grips, just search the forum, or google and you can easily find pictures illustrating all the grips.

for swinging the racket, i would stress natural motion over everything. you dont want to force anything that is not natural in your swing motion. so whichever works for you. if your wrists hurts though, i would say stop

for topspin, the harder you swing, the more you will generate, but be sure you have the right swing mechanics.

tennis elbow-google

for holding racket, its better to hold it closer to the end for the wrist, and for better manueverbility. dont hold it so low that you are having loose grip.

finally, since you are starting out i suggest you get a few lessons or get a pro to take a look at you to make sure you have the fundamentals down.

 

[ipodtennispro]

Grips

I've just started playing for a week and i think i'm decent. However, im not sure as to what my grip looks like. Im trying to emulate a SW grip, but im not really sure if its right. Can sombody post the differences + pictures of the continental/ eastearn / and semi western grips? I don't understand terminology (bevels) so if you could say it as if describing for a dummy would be nice. I've already read alot about the advantages/disadvantages. but what i really want to see is step-by step instruction so i can do the grips correctly.

If you hold out your hand straight infront of you and make a fist, Your wrist is straight. Move your fist up, and your wrist is bent. When you swing the racket, should your wrist be straight or bent? I read some threads that it should be straight, but when i flick my wrist, feels like more power.

For topspin, I brush the ball over the back of the ball, like a graze. All this does is make the ball spin forward and a little slow. if i jus whack it, the ball goes much further. ALso, how do i increase the topspin? I have been doing it at more of a angle, but it does not seem to increase.

What is tennis elbow? After I hit for a while flicking my wrist, my elbow started hurting. Is this why you shouldn't flick wrist and keep it straight?

Additionally, how far on the end of the racket should your hand be.? Should your pinky be on the lowest part so that part of your hand is sticking off of the racket. You should have it as low as possible for maximum power correct? When i have my hand down as possible, the racket is rlly lose in my hand and turns alot when i hit the ball.

Edit: what is a pusher? i see many complaints about how pushers are annoying. What exactly do they do?

Go to my site below and look up a recent post called "Gripcoach". It is a video demonstration of the common grips. Also, make sure you "Spread your fingers" when grabbing the racket so it feels comfortable.

Good Luck!

 

[Bottle Rocket]

Check out all of the great videos here->

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-serve-the-basics

They will cover grips and the basics to all the strokes.

No wrist flicking!!!

 

[Tennismastery]

Welcome to this wonderfully challenging life-long sport!

A couple points to save you the time and frustration that so many players starting out encounter.

1. Understand what you are trying to accomplish before you walk onto a court. There are a million ways to hit a ball "over" the net...but only a very finite number of ways that provide you with the means to hit progressively more effective shots.

2. Study tennis: there are many great web sites on tennis that provide a wealth (and several lifetimes of tennis teaching experience!) of tennis information. Be careful of the 'free' ones. There are some interesting methods flying around out there! The big three would be: TennisOne.com, TennisPlayer.net, and hi-techtennis.com. These all provide excellent video clips, articles, lessons and still pictures (as well as some audio and other nice things to help you learn from!) that will help you understand what you are trying to do.

3. Learn from a pro who has a good reputation. There are many pros out there that can be compared to a used car salesman...someone that tells you what you want to hear...instead of telling you what you need to learn.

4. Stay away from technques that focus on "instant gratification"...methods that teach you simple ways to get the ball "over" the net today...(See number 1) If your goal is to become a good player, or a better definition would be to reach your true "Tennis Potential"...then it will take time to learn and master more advanced techniques. Some "Introductory" methods are very difficult--if not impossible--to transition from. So, be careful if the techniques you are learning are ones that MUST change or are methods that will allow you to reach advanced play without specific and manditory changes.

I'm sure you will get a lot more great advice in this terrific forum. There are some very good instructors here. Also, you will probably get some good advice from people who 'have been there.'

Good luck and keep learning!