Still using the ‘frying pan’ grip on your serve?
That might be why your ball floats like a beachball and why your opponents are feasting on second serves like it’s Sunday brunch.
Something I see way too often: players who think they’re struggling with power or consistency… when really, their grip is the silent saboteur.
A grip that’s even one bevel off can wreck your timing, rob your topspin, or straight-up cause injury.
You are about to get a super-practical, game-tested guide to tennis grips: which ones to use, when to use them, and exactly how to hold your racquet for every shot in your arsenal.
Understanding Tennis Racquet Bevels (Made Simple)
What Are Bevels and Why Do They Matter?
Alright, let’s decode the part of the racquet that most players overlook – the handle.
What might look like a smooth cylinder is actually an octagon. Yup, the handle of your racquet has eight sides, and those sides are called bevels.
Why does that matter?
Because each grip you’ll ever use is built around placing your hand on a specific bevel.
Move your hand just one bevel over and suddenly your flat forehand becomes a topspin monster or a shanked mess if you’re not ready for it.
Now, to figure out where your hand should go, we need to identify two things:
- The base knuckle of your index finger (the knuckle where your finger meets your hand), and
- The heel pad of your palm (the meaty part at the bottom of your hand).
These two landmarks determine your grip. Each one should line up with the correct bevel depending on the shot you’re trying to hit.
The Easy Way to Find the Right Grip
Try this: pretend the racquet is a person’s hand and go to shake it. That’s the “shake hands” method.
The way your hand naturally grabs the racquet when you do that? You’ve just found the Eastern forehand grip – and from there, you can adjust.
Another visual cue I teach is the “V” technique.
Look at the V formed by your thumb and index finger.
Where that V points on the bevel will tell you what grip you’re using. Pointing toward bevel 2? That’s continental. Bevel 4? Semi-western. Easy.
And let’s not forget finger placement and grip height.
Holding the racquet too high chokes off your swing.
Too low, and you lose control.
Your index finger should have a little space from the rest of your hand, forming a slight “trigger.” This gives you leverage and finesse, two things you definitely want.
Still worried you “can’t feel the bevels”? You’re not alone. A lot of new players say that.
Pro tip: slap on an overgrip with some texture or bevel ridges.
It’ll give you instant tactile feedback and help your hand learn what each grip feels like – without needing to look.
Photo Source -> https://tennisbuilder.com/pages/grip-overview
The Core Tennis Grips: What They’re For and How To Hold Them
🔧 The Continental Grip (Bevel 2)
The continental grip is essential for serves, volleys, overheads, slices, and even the bottom hand of your two-handed backhand.
If you’re serious about leveling up your game, this is the first grip you need to lock in.
How to hold it: Place both the base knuckle of your index finger and the heel pad of your palm on bevel 2 of your racquet.
It should feel like you’re holding a hammer, because this grip is all about leverage and control.
Why is it so important? Because it’s neutral.
You don’t need to switch grips when you’re at the net volleying forehands and backhands.
It’s also the secret to getting that wrist “snap” on your serve for power and spin.
🔨 The Eastern Forehand Grip (Bevel 3)
If you grew up watching Federer or Del Potro, this is probably the grip that caught your eye.
The Eastern forehand grip is perfect for players who like to hit flatter, more penetrating groundstrokes.
How to hold it: Line up your base knuckle and heel pad with bevel 3 – that’s one bevel clockwise from the continental.
This grip gives you a nice mix of control and power, especially if you’re transitioning out of beginner territory.
I’ll be honest – I still use this grip myself.
It’s “old-school” in a world of semi-western topspin, but if you’ve got good timing and you like flattening the ball out? It still works. And it works well.
💣 The Semi-Western Forehand Grip (Bevel 4)
Welcome to the modern forehand.
If you want to add spin, pace, and net clearance all at once, the semi-western grip is your go-to.
How to hold it: Shift your base knuckle and heel pad to bevel 4. Your palm will feel more under the racquet, giving you that perfect angle to brush up the back of the ball.
This grip is everywhere in the pro game because it gives you the best of both worlds: it allows you to rip topspin with confidence and flatten it out when needed.
It’s also a great grip to transition into from an Eastern if you’re trying to evolve your game.
One of my students once asked: “Will switching to this really add 10–15 MPH to my shots?”
My answer? Absolutely – if you’re hitting with an Eastern and not maximizing your spin, this grip can unlock serious power just by improving your swing path and contact angle.
🌋 The Western Forehand Grip (Bevel 5)
This grip is for the spin-obsessed.
The Western forehand grip lets you hit high-bouncing, heavy topspin balls that jump off the court – especially useful on slow, high-bounce surfaces like clay.
How to hold it: Rotate to bevel 5, putting your hand even farther under the handle. You’ll notice your palm is nearly facing the sky.
This grip creates an extreme racquet angle, which is great for brushing up on the ball and producing that signature “kick” bounce.
But here’s the catch: it’s not beginner-friendly.
It’s tough on low balls, awkward for net play, and it locks your wrist into one position.
My honest advice? Unless you’re a clay-court grinder or training to be the next Nadal, skip this one.
Most players, especially at the club level, will do far better with the semi-western.
🎯 Backhand Grips (One-Handed vs. Two-Handed)
Let’s talk about what’s happening on your non-dominant side.
There’s more than one way to grip a backhand, and the style you choose depends on your stroke mechanics.
One-Handed Backhand: Use the Eastern backhand grip, which means your base knuckle and heel pad go on bevel 1.
This grip allows you to create elegant topspin with variety and angle, but it also demands excellent timing and strength.
Two-Handed Backhand: Your bottom hand (dominant) should be in a continental grip (bevel 2), while your top hand (non-dominant) grabs on with an eastern or semi-western forehand grip (bevel 7 or 8).
Not sure which setup works best?
Here’s a trick: use the hand-to-handle alignment test. When you swing, your palm and racquet face should stay in sync through contact.
If they’re out of alignment, your timing and control will suffer—no matter how clean your footwork is.
Each of these grips unlocks different shot possibilities. And just like tools in a toolbox, having the right one in your hand makes the job a whole lot easier.
Source -> https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/28/tennis-learn-grips
How to Train Your Hands To Feel the Right Grip
Switching Grips Without Thinking
Let’s address a fear I hear all the time:
“Scott, how am I supposed to switch grips during a point without messing up my timing?”
Totally fair question and a legit worry for players stuck between grips.
But here’s the thing: the players you see flowing effortlessly from forehands to volleys to overheads?
They’re not thinking about their grip at all. Their hands just know.
The key is building grip transitions into your muscle memory.
Start by shadow swinging grip changes only. No ball, no footwork – just the motion of switching from a forehand to a backhand to a volley. Then take it a step further: close your eyes.
Yup, seriously.
Shadow swing each grip change with your eyes closed for five minutes a day.
This heightens your tactile awareness and builds “grip feel” faster than any diagram ever will. You’ll stop second-guessing, and start playing smoother.
Top Questions New Tennis Players Ask About Grips
What’s the best grip for beginners?
If you’re just starting out, I recommend learning two foundational grips right away:
- Continental grip for serves, volleys, overheads, and slices. It’s the Swiss Army knife of tennis grips and helps you build strong fundamentals.
- Semi-western forehand grip for baseline groundstrokes. It gives you solid topspin, margin for error, and sets you up for the modern game.
Master these two first, and you’ll be light-years ahead of most beginners who stick to the same grip for every shot.
How do I know if my grip is hurting my game?
Great question and honestly, if you’re asking this, there’s a good chance it is.
Here are the red flags to watch for:
- Floating balls that sail long or lack spin.
- Shanks where the ball hits the frame or shoots off in random directions.
- Flat, weak shots that don’t penetrate the court.
If you’re not sure, record yourself.
You’ll be amazed what you can catch on video that you don’t notice mid-point.
Or better yet – send the footage to a PlayYourCourt coach and we’ll break it down for you.
Can I use the same grip for every shot?
Short answer: yes, but you’ll hit a ceiling.
A lot of beginners use one grip for every shot because it’s comfortable. But here’s the deal: different shots need different racquet angles and wrist positions.
Using one grip across the board might work early on, but it’s going to limit your power, spin, and shot variety as you improve.
If you’re serious about getting better, learn to switch between 3-4 core grips. It’ll feel awkward at first, but the payoff is huge.
Why does my grip feel different mid-match?
This one hits close to home because I’ve felt it too, especially in summer heat.
If your grip feels “off” as the match wears on, it’s likely due to:
- Sweat (slippery hands = lost feel)
- Fatigue (your grip pressure changes without you realizing it)
- Overgripping (you’re squeezing too tight to compensate)
Quick fix: Keep a dry towel nearby, regrip when needed, and focus on staying relaxed. A death grip kills both your control and your joints.
Grip Pressure & Finger Placement: The Finishing Touch
How Tight Should You Hold the Racquet?
Here’s a simple but crucial piece of advice I give every student:
Your grip should feel like you’re holding a bird. Tight enough that it doesn’t fly away, loose enough that you’re not squashing it.
Go for a grip pressure that’s firm but relaxed – about a 4 out of 10 on the tension scale.
You want to feel in control, but you also need your wrist and fingers to move freely for spin, power, and finesse.
Where Should Your Fingers Be?
The way your fingers wrap around the racquet can make or break your swing mechanics. It’s not just about where your hand sits, it’s about how your fingers space out.
Your index finger should form a slight “trigger” shape, like you’re pointing a water gun.
This positioning gives you better leverage and racquet head control, especially on forehands and serves. It also activates the right muscles in your hand and forearm without forcing a tight grip.
Think of it this way: your racquet is a tool to shape the ball. Your grip needs to reflect that kind of touch.
The Grip Is Your Foundation
Your grip is the one thing you touch on every single shot. Get it right, and everything else starts to click. Timing feels smoother. Power comes easier. Even your confidence on court starts to grow.
And here’s the best part: it’s never too late to fix it.
I’ve worked with players who held the racquet wrong for 10+ years. One simple adjustment unlocked more spin, cleaner contact, and fewer shanks, almost overnight.
You’re not starting over. You’re stepping into the next level of your game.
That’s why we built the new PlayYourCourt membership, to give you everything you need to improve every part of your game.
From quick-win coaching videos to step-by-step challenges, live workshops, match tracking, and personalized feedback from top coaches, it’s a complete training ground built for real people who want real results.
So if this article helped you finally understand what’s been off with your grip… imagine what we can do together when we go even deeper.
Explore our membership and let’s keep building your game – one grip, one swing, one breakthrough at a time.
