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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Grip Guide - A Grip on Your Game

Finding the GripsFluid, powerful, and accurate strokes are the combination of many factors. But it all starts with how you hold the racquet.



No matter how much time you spend finding the perfect frame to beef up your game, the most important part of your racquet just might be your grip—not what the handle is made of, but how you hold it. Although they’re largely overlooked, grips are the foundation of all the strokes in tennis. Where you position your hand on the eight-sided handle has a huge impact on each ball you hit. Your grip affects the angle of the racquet face, where you make contact, and ultimately the pace, spin, and placement of your shot. The difficulty with grips is choosing the right one for a particular stroke. The fact is, there is no perfect grip; each has its advantages and limitations. But some are clearly better-suited for certain strokes and styles of play than others. This guide will help you to (1) learn to grasp the racquet for each grip correctly, and (2) determine the best uses of each of the common grips.

FINDING THE GRIPS



There are various ways to explain how to find a certain grip, but the simplest and most reliable is to use the base knuckle of your index finger as the main reference point. The diagrams for each grip show the bottom view of a racquet handle (where the butt cap is attached), which has four main sides and four narrower bevels between the sides.

CONTINENTAL GRIP Continental Grip

The Continental is the one grip that you can use for every shot, but that hasn’t been standard practice since the days of long pants and skirts. The Continental is used primarily for serves, volleys, overheads, slices, and defensive shots. Find the Continental by putting the base knuckle of your index finger on bevel No. 1, which puts the V created by your thumb and forefinger on top of the handle. Lefties put the knuckle on bevel No. 4.

PLUS:


Hitting with the Continental grip on the serve and overhead is standard, as it allows your forearm and wrist to naturally pronate through contact. This results in a more explosive and versatile shot with the least amount of stress on the arm. It’s also the preferred grip on volleys since it provides a slightly open racquet face for underspin and control. Since you need quick hands at net, having the same grip for forehand and backhand volleys is also crucial. As mentioned, your grip affects the angle of the racquet face. The more closed the face, the higher and farther in front of your body your strike zone should be for proper contact. Since the racquet face is relatively square on a Continental grip, for ground strokes the strike zone is low and to the side of the body. That’s why it’s helpful for defensive shots, low balls, and wide balls that you’re late on.

MINUS:


You can hit flat or with slice using the Continental, but it’s tough to put topspin on the ball. That means hitting with power and keeping the ball in play requires you to aim the shot just above net level, leaving you little margin for error. And without that safety spin, returning a ball out of your strike zone can be difficult. So lack of consistency is often a problem.



PROS WHO USE IT:


Virtually all of them, on serves and volleys.



Eastern Forehand GripEASTERN FOREHAND GRIP

Place your hand flat against the strings and slide it down to the grip; put the racquet flat on a table, close your eyes, and pick it up; or shake hands with the racquet. These are just a few of the tricks you can use to find an Eastern forehand grip. The more technical way is to hold the racquet in a Continental grip and then turn your hand clockwise (counterclockwise for lefties), so that the base knuckle of your index finger slides over one bevel.

PLUS:


This is generally considered the easiest grip for learning the forehand. It’s versatile, allowing the player to brush up the back of the ball for topspin or flatten out the shot for more power and penetration. It’s easy to switch quickly to other grips from the Eastern, making it a wise choice for players who like to come to net.

MINUS:


The strike zone is higher and farther out in front than with the Continental grip, but it’s still not a great option for returning high shots. An Eastern forehand can be very powerful and penetrating, but because it tends to be a flatter stroke it can also be inconsistent, making it difficult to sustain in long rallies. It’s not the best choice for players looking to put a lot of topspin on their shots and outlast their opponents.

PROS WHO USE IT:


Tim Henman, Lindsay Davenport

SEMI-WESTERN FOREHAND GRIP Semi-Western Forehand Grip

Moving your knuckle one more bevel clockwise (counterclockwise for lefties) from the Eastern forehand grip puts you in a semi-Western grip. This has become a prevalent grip for power baseliners on the pro tours, and many teaching pros encourage their students to use it.

PLUS:


The semi-Western allows a player to apply more topspin to the ball than the Eastern forehand grip, giving the shot greater safety and control, especially on lobs and short angles. Still, you can drive through the ball with this grip to hit a flat drive for a winner or passing shot. It also affords a player the option of taking a bigger swing at the ball since the topspin will help keep it in the court. With a strike zone higher and farther out in front of the body than the Eastern forehand, it’s good for controlling and being aggressive with high shots.

MINUS:


You can run into trouble returning low balls. Since the grip naturally closes the racquet face, forcing you to swing up from underneath the ball, it can be difficult to return lower shots. This, along with having to make a significant grip change to get to the Continental for a volley, is why so many power baseliners are uncomfortable coming to net.

PROS WHO USE IT:


Marat Safin, Svetlana Kuznetsova

Western Forehand GripWESTERN FOREHAND GRIP

From a semi-Western grip, shift your knuckle one more bevel clockwise (counterclockwise for lefties), and you’ve got a full Western grip. Looking down at the racquet, your knuckle should be on the very bottom of the grip. This puts your palm almost completely under the racquet. Clay-court specialists and players who hit with heavy topspin favor this grip.

PLUS:


This is an extreme grip that puts a lot of action on the ball. The positioning of the wrist forces the racquet to whip up the back of the ball severely, generating tremendous topspin. You can hit the ball well above net level and it will still drop into the court. The resulting shot will usually have a high and explosive bounce, pushing your opponent behind the baseline. The strike zone is higher and farther out in front than all other forehand grips. The ability to handle high balls is what makes this grip so popular with clay-courters and juniors.

MINUS:


Low balls can be murder. That’s why professionals with this grip generally don’t do well on faster surfaces, where the ball stays low after the bounce. Also, you need tremendous racquet-head speed and wrist strength to generate adequate pace and spin. Otherwise, your shots will land short and your opponents can attack them. For some, it’s also difficult to flatten shots out, so putting balls away becomes a problem. And just as with the semi- Western, transitioning to net and hitting an effective first volley is a major challenge.

PROS WHO USE IT:


Rafael Nadal, Amelie Mauresmo



Eastern Backahnd GripEASTERN BACKHAND GRIP



From a Continental grip, shift your knuckle one bevel counterclockwise (clockwise for lefties) so that it’s on the very top of the grip. If you drilled a nail through that knuckle, it would go right through the center of the grip (just don’t try that at home).

PLUS:


As with the Eastern forehand, this is a versatile grip that provides good stability for the wrist. You can roll the ball for some spin or hit through it for a more penetrating drive. Some players can slice with an Eastern grip, but if not, a subtle grip change over to the Continental is easy enough to do. This grip also can be used for a kick serve, and it makes the transition to net for volleys a relatively smooth one.

MINUS:


While solid for handling low balls, an Eastern backhand grip is not ideal for hitting topspin shots from around the shoulders. It can be difficult to control these balls, and many times a player is forced to slice them back defensively. You see this most often when players return kick serves that jump up high in the strike zone.

PROS WHO USE IT:


Roger Federer, Lisa Raymond



Extreme Eastern or Semi-Western Backhand GripEXTREME EASTERN OR SEMI-WESTERN BACKHAND GRIP

The backhand’s answer to the Western forehand (a reason some refer to this as a semi-Western backhand), the base knuckle of your index finger moves one bevel counterclockwise from the Eastern backhand (clockwise for lefties). It’s an advanced grip that only stronger and more accomplished players tend to use.

PLUS:


Just as with the Western forehand grips, this is a very popular choice with clay-court players. It naturally closes the racquet face more than a regular Eastern backhand and moves the strike zone higher and farther out in front of you, making it more conducive to handling high balls and returning them with topspin. Some of the most powerful backhands in tennis are held with this grip.

MINUS:


Its limitations are similar to those of the Western forehand. It’s not well-suited for low balls, and because it’s a rather extreme grip it’s difficult to make quick changes for a transition to net. Players with this grip usually have long, elaborate swings and prefer the baseline.

PROS WHO USE IT:


Gustavo Kuerten, Justine Henin- Hardenne

Two-Handed Backhand GripTWO-HANDED BACKHAND GRIP



There’s no doubting the popularity of this grip, but there is some debate about the ideal way to position both hands. One of the most accepted ways is to hold the racquet in your dominant hand with a Continental grip. Then take your nondominant hand and put it above your playing hand in a semi-Western forehand grip.

PLUS:


This is an excellent choice for players who aren’t strong enough to hit a one-handed backhand. A more compact stroke than the one-hander, the two-hander relies on shoulder rotation and an efficient swing to provide power. That’s why it’s particularly effective on the return of serve. It’s also good on low shots, and the extra arm lets you power through on balls that are at shoulder level.

MINUS:


Because both hands are on the racquet, the two-hander limits a player’s reach. So doing anything with wide shots can be tough, especially since it’s difficult to rotate your upper body when stretched. Also, two-handers can become dependent on topspin. Hitting an effective slice calls for extending through the shot with a steady front shoulder. This is unnatural for two-handers, who are taught to open their hips and rotate their shoulders. Taking the nondominant hand off the racquet to hit the slice or volley is also troubling for many twohanders; it’s the reason why they’re generally not comfortable at the net.

PROS WHO USE IT:


Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Roger Federer Volley

Whether the ball is chest high or around his ankles, Roger Federer maintains ideal form on his volleys.

Roger Federer is fundamentally sound in all areas of the court—he can produce great shots either from the baseline or up at net, which contributes to his success on every surface. These photos illustrate the excellent technique he uses on both high and low volleys. The world’s best player maintains perfect control over his body, making difficult shots look easy.

Chest HighCHEST HIGH

HEAD:

You can virtually draw a line from the center of Federer’s head to a spot right in the middle of his feet. This produces an incredible center of gravity that allows him to move like a ballet dancer on the court.

CHIN:

Federer’s chin is practically touching his right shoulder as he watches the ball into the sweet spot. Many players prematurely pull their heads away to watch the volley and end up shanking the shot.

LEFT ARM:

Like a figure skater or skateboarder, Federer extends his left arm out for good balance. Imagine walking a tightrope— you’ve got to have both arms out to maintain your equilibrium.

WRIST:

By keeping his racquet head above his wrist, Federer can volley with power and control. This kind of technique promotes a stable racquet face.

HIPS:

Federer’s legs and hips are perpendicular to the net, which will help him direct the ball toward his intended target. When the hips open up, you tend to cut across the ball and create difficult-tocontrol inside-out spin.

LEFT FOOT:

Notice that Federer’s left foot is off the court at impact. This means he’s transferring his weight forward through the shot by pushing off his back leg.

Ankle High

ANKLE HIGH

HEAD:

By keeping his head, chin, and right shoulder down through contact, Federer concentrates on hitting and directing the ball. He doesn’t allow his opponent’s movement or positioning to distract him.

LEFT KNEE:

To get down for the ball, Federer bends with his legs, and not just at the waist. His left knee is bent to almost 90 degrees, which gets his eyes closer to the ball for added accuracy.

LEFT CALF:

Look at the muscle definition of Federer’s lower leg. Although he’s known for his quickness, Federer still possesses great lower-body strength. This is particularly helpful for handling low volleys below the tape, which require significant bending and balance.

CONTACT POINT:

Federer hits the ball when it’s just about even with his left foot, giving himself a stable racquet and controlled shot. When the ball is out in front of you, there’s no opportunity to drive the volley, and it’s tougher to direct.

RIGHT HEEL:

The right heel coming off the court shows that Federer has transferred most of his weight forward into the shot. If you don’t do this on the low volley, you can easily pop the ball up.

LEFT FOOT:

With his left foot well out in front of his body and his right foot well behind it, Federer has a wide and balanced base. This will help him stay down through the shot.

RACQUET HEAD:

This is where you can bend the rule about keeping the racquet head above your wrist. Federer needs to get the racquet head below the ball to drive it over the net without scooping it.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Practice Your Returns


With the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday (take the Seahawks and the points) I’ve got football on the brain. I don’t care for either team, but I love the sport so I’ll be glued to my television this weekend. There’s an old football adage that offense sells tickets but defense wins championships. In truth, the best teams have a good balance of both – as do the most effective tennis players. A great example of this is the return of serve. You must defend when returning a powerful serve and be aggressive when taking advantage of a weak one. It’s a hugely important part of the game that not enough recreational players give its proper respect when practicing. Here are a couple of games you can play with a partner to work on your returns:

Game 1: Play out points in the regular format, where your partner gets both a first and, if needed, a second serve. The difference is, if you miss the return of a first serve, your partner wins two points. This will force you to take extra care in getting your racquet on the ball and returning it with plenty of margin. There’s no special weighting of the score on second serves, so you should feel free to take chances on those returns. Play up to 15 or 21.

Game 2: Here your partner gets only one serve. If he misses it, you win the point. But if he gets it in, you only have three swings, including the return, to finish the point. This encourages you to inflict damage with your return so you can make quick work of the point. Play up to 11 or 15.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Focus on Your Non-Dominant Hand on the Two-Handed Backhand

For many players, getting the hang of the two-handed backhand can be a challenge. But you can improve it quickly by placing more emphasis on your non-dominant hand. This may seem counterintuitive, but because the right arm is stronger—assuming you’re a righty—most players tend to use it too much on this shot and end up pulling the racquet instead of driving it. Instead, think of the two-handed backhand as a left-handed forehand with the right hand along for the ride.

Here’s a little trick that will help get your left arm to take control of the swing on the two-handed backhand and encourage the right one to back down. Instead of having your entire right hand wrapped around the grip on your backhand swing, only use your index finger and your thumb—like making the OK sign with your right hand. This will shift all the power over to your left arm while keeping the right arm in the stroke. Now hit a few backhands using this grip. Unless you’re hitting the shot correctly to begin with, at first you’ll probably feel as if your left arm needs an exorcism. But if you keep at it you’ll learn how to use your left arm properly on this stroke and you’ll be rewarded with an improved two-hander.

-source :from the tennis magazine

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Adjust for high balls

One of the toughest shots for most recreational players to handle is the high-bouncing ball, especially if it has a lot of topspin on it. But there’s an easy way to improve your success rate in dealing with these pesky shots: Use a higher backswing.

Lots of players unwittingly lower their chances of returning high balls effectively by taking their racquet back the same way they do for waist-high or low-bouncing shots. By doing so they force themselves to have to swing sharply upward to meet the ball and this puts the racquet and the oncoming ball on very different paths, thus requiring nearly perfect timing to make good contact. Instead, you’d be much better off taking your racquet back higher than usual and adjusting your entire swing up. That way you’ll put your racquet more in line with the ball and improve your chances of making a solid hit.


Thursday, March 01, 2007

Help with service toss


This one of the question asked to Paul annacone( current coach of Tim henman) and his answer.

Q. I'm just starting to play tennis and my service toss is all over the place. How do I fix it?

A. Simple – practice. You have to be consistent with your ball toss – find the correct area where you like the ball to be when you make contact, then repeat the motion, letting the ball drop to the court without hitting it.

See if it lands in the correct spot on the court and if it achieved the proper height – measure yourself. See how many out of 10 you can do properly, and make it a game each day – watch yourself improve. A smooth, rhythmic motion will help you to get it to repeat.

As a rule of thumb, a right hander should have the ball at “1 o’clock” and a left hander should have the ball at “11 o’clock.” You need to make sure the toss is high enough but those general directions should help.