What grip do you recommend for return of serve?

[6-0 6-0]

I have a question regarding the return of serve. I hit an Eastern forehand. I hit a Western backhand. So the problem comes into play with trying to decide which grip to start with while waiting to hit the return. I usually start with my backhand grip in place and try to adjust, but it makes it difficult when reacting to someone who hits a hard serve. I usually will just use a Continental grip on the forehand and just slice the back back if they hit to my backhand. This doesn't put me in a very aggresive mode as far as returning goes. Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

It depends on who you talk to. This is really a preference area.

Some wait in the forehand grip and turn the grip as the shoulders rotate for the backhand. Some find this very comfortable.

Some wait inbetween grips.

Some wait in the backhand grip.

Sorry.

 

[TennsDog]

I agree with BB, it depends on personal preference for feel and ability. It seems a little odd to me to use an eastern forehand and western backhand, but whatever works. I hit full western on both sides and start with racket in roughly continental grip with right hand, which essentially puts it into backhand grip and I also follow my racket back with my left hand for forehand which allows me to easily and efficiently change grips for forehand return. If I am feeling aggressive I will just start with western forehand grip and look to rip a forehand, and if I get a backhand I can just hit a heavy topspin one-hander. The grip on return of serve is rather underestimated and too little thought given to it. You kind of need to practice a lot and figure out a way you can quickly and easily get to the grip you need and still be able to hit a good shot. But, again, your two widely varying grips may cause a slight issue with that. I often use your same strategy for waiting for a forehand and slice a backhand if it comes, so I may suggest working on a more penetrating backhand that you can hit low and deep. This would solve your dilemma. Hope this has helped at least a little...

 

[prince]

i always use the forehand grip .
But when the opponent is serving like hell and mixing it up well - i use the continental grip and just chip everything in and charge.

 

[mikemasonx]

i agree with prince, with most players i'm able to sit back with my western forehand. unless they can really place their serve, it's not usually a problem.
sometimes i'll get lucky with players who serve weaker to my backhand than forehand, giving me time to adjust. overall, i guess its just preference and it really depends on your opponent.

 

[dscw]

i use in between

 

[the_arod]

i hit a semi-western forehand and with my double handed bh my upper (left) hand is also in semiwestern.

For the return grip I have my right hand in the forehand grip and the left hand in the backhand grip. That means if serve goes to forehand I just release left hand. If the serve goes to backhand i turn right hand into continental and hit like a normal backhand. This is the best way for me and i think you should at least give it a try

 

[johnmcc516]

I wait in a continental grip, then switch to the grip for whatever shot I need to hit. If its a wide forehand, I hit it continental and punch/slice it. If its a wide back hand I keep it continental and slice it. If it sits up, I smoke it with my top spin 1hbh, or my semi-western fh.

 

[ChipNCharge]

I wait with a forehand grip. I found that when I was waiting with a backhand grip, I would actually slide to my backhand side if a serve was hit right at me, which is what I don't want to do (I need to hit as many forehands as possible).

I also find it easier to switch from a forehand grip to a backhand grip than vice versa.

 

[bigcattennis]

I hold my forehand grip and switch to continental to chip the return or semi western backhand grip to come over it. If the player is really ripping serves I hold continental and chip everything.

 

[takeuchi]

i hold it in my 2bh grip of eastern/continental. This way i can chop or block a serve out of my reach on either side with continental already set, and if i have time on the fh i just switch to semi-western (for bh, grip is already set).

 

[antontd]

I use Continental, with my left hand on the throat; I switch unconscionably between Eastern 1H BH, E/SW/W FH and Continental Slice.

 

[troytennisbum]

BB said:

Some wait in the forehand grip and turn the grip as the shoulders rotate for the backhand. Some find this very comfortable

yep, thats exactly what I do because my forehand is stronger then
my backhand.

The only reason why I wouldn't do this is if my oppnent had the skill and
intention of always serving out to my backhand.

 

[mucat]

If it is a fast serve, BH grip definitely. If it is a slower serve I can setup, FH mostly, but it doesnt matter for slower serve, I will have lots of time to change grip.

 

[Ethan04]

For me, it depends on:

1) Strength of my opponents.
2) My opponents' serve tendency.

 

[johnmcc516]

I wait in a continental. Why? I use continental for forehand slice and backhand slice. On first wide first serves, its hard to hit a topspin return, so I slice/chip/block it back. If its a 2nd serve, I have a little more time to change grips and can switch to the eastern back hand or semi-western forehand. Thats what I do. Everyone is different.

 

[bpp]

Anyone with a 2HBH hold a FH grip with the dominant hand and hold the normal BH grip with the nondominant hand? In other words, my dominant hand would still be on my FH grip and nondominant at normal position for BH returns. I think I used to do this when I hit 2HBH and there are some advantages/disadvantages but I was able to get away with it. Obviously its a bit harder if you have Western FH grip but anything less extreme and you wouldnt have to worry about switching grips. I think I hit with a continental grip for my dominant hand on BHs though.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ Why would you use a BH grip on your non-dom hand for your ready position? Most 2-handed players will use some sort of FH grip on their non-dom hand for the 2HBh stroke -- why bother to switch from BH to FH grip on the non-dom hand?

I agree, that the conti grip for the dominant hand is a good way to go for the 2HBh stroke. It seems to offer the greatest flexibility -- it allow yous to do more with the other (non-dom) arm.