Space between palm and handle on racquet

[Clay lover]

I don't know if I am illustrating this clearly enough to you guys, but I'll try my best.

I use a dead-on western grip, and have been struggling to keep the racquet stable throughout the swing. Recently, I have been trying to consciously ensure that there is no gap between the palm and the handle on the backswing and on contact, and that seems to have resulted in better consistency. By ensuring the racquet is in my palm, I don't mean I try to grip the racquet tightly, but rather prioritize the "feel" of my palm on the handle over that of the fingers.

So, racquet in palm or fingers? Should I leave any space between the racquet and palm in a western grip?

 

[aminadream]

All I can say is what I do, and that is to have little to no gap.

Can you elaborate as to what you mean by stable? Is it slipping out of your hand or are you talking about racquet head stability that could be mitigated with a bit of lead/tungsten tape in the right spots?

 

[Deleted member 23235]

I don't know if I am illustrating this clearly enough to you guys, but I'll try my best.

I use a dead-on western grip, and have been struggling to keep the racquet stable throughout the swing. Recently, I have been trying to consciously ensure that there is no gap between the palm and the handle on the backswing and on contact, and that seems to have resulted in better consistency. By ensuring the racquet is in my palm, I don't mean I try to grip the racquet tightly, but rather prioritize the "feel" of my palm on the handle over that of the fingers.

So, racquet in palm or fingers? Should I leave any space between the racquet and palm in a western grip?

i see what you're saying.
for me, though i do have a SW grip, i prefer the racquet in the fingers.
this will allow you to swing faster/freer
over time, i think you'll refine your "slot"
sometimes i do a drill where i only hold the racquet with 3 or 4 fingers to improve rhs, and elim "arming"... basically i'm just throwing the racquet at the ball.
additionally, i'm looking for the feel in my fingers (particularly my index finger), for feedback on how well i hit the ball... if i prioritize "feel" anywhere, it's gonna be in the lower portion of my index finger.
my $0.02

 

[NuBas]

Honestly it's whatever is comfortable to you. Nadal uses such a small grip while the other day I saw Konta's grip up close and its huge, she probably uses more than one overgrip. Find what works for you.