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Learning correct grip technique is crucial for overall success and long-term development. For beginners, it makes more sense to learn it the right way the first time rather than having to painstakingly change bad habits later down the line. In this guide, we’ll be reviewing each of the major grips.
As we indicate the hand placement on the racquet, we’ll be referencing two things:
The big knuckle of the index finger
Bevels – All racquet grips are in the shape of an octagon. Each side of that octagon is called a bevel.
Bevel 1 – If you hold the racquet with its edge pointing up, the bevel on this edge is called Bevel 1. For righties, we will be referencing each bevel as we rotate clockwise. For lefties, we can discuss the same bevel numbers but we will be rotating in the opposite direction.
Bevel 2 – next bevel over (to the right for righties, to the left for lefties)
Bevel 3 – next bevel over, (on the same plane as the strings of your racquet)
Bevel 4 – next bevel over
Bevel 5 – next bevel over, (on the very bottom edge)
Continental Grip
Placement: Bevel 2, hand should be spread out across the grip
Used for: serve, volley, overheads, forehands
Pros: Makes it easy to use both the forehand and backhand side of the strings, makes it easier to hit slice
Cons: Not ideal for topspin or high balls
ATP Player: Juan Martin del Potro
Eastern Forehand Grip
Placement: Bevel 3
Used for: Forehands
Pros: Can drive the ball or hit topspin using this neutral grip, *we recommend this grip*
ATP Player: Roger Federer
Semi-Western Grip
Placement: Bevel 4
Used for: Forehands
Pros: Good for topspin because it’s easier for players to accelerate in an upward direction; *we recommend this grip for players looking for more topspin
ATP Player: Rafael Nadal
Western Grip
Placement: Bevel 5
Used for: Forehands
Pros: Topspin
Cons: Extreme grip that puts the hand far underneath the grip and gives you very little ability to drive the ball, difficult to hit low balls, very few professional players actually use it and almost no amateur players should be using a full Western
ATP Player: Jack Sock
Two Handed Backhand Grip
Placement: Dominant (bottom) hand on bevel 2, Nondominant (top) hand on bevel 3
Used for: Two Handed Backhands
Pros: most neutral backhand grip, makes it easy to maneuver the racquet for drive or topspin
ATP Player: Novak Djokovic
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