Keep your grip soft

Is there any shot more impressive than a feathery drop volley hit off a driving ground stroke? To execute that difficult touch shot, you need “soft hands.” That’s just another way of saying you should use a relaxed grip. To get the feel for it, try the two-finger volley grip. Rather than holding your racquet like you normally do, grip the handle with only your ring and pinky fingers. Your other fingers should wrap around the grip, but don’t use them to squeeze. This encourages the relaxed, soft feel you need to make those eye-catching droppers and sharp-angle touch shots

Grip Guide - A Grip on Your Game

Fluid, 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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 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 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.

Don’t hog the alley

　　　　

One of the most commonly made mistakes in recreational doubles is for the partner of the server to stand close the singles sideline—some even go so far as to stand in the alley—to prevent the receiver from burning them down the line with the return of serve. While this position certainly reduces the likelihood of that happening, it’s an unwise play for several reasons. Here’s why: – It takes you out of the point: The most likely place for the receiver to aim his returns in doubles is crosscourt or down the middle because they have more court to hit into and the net is lower. Therefore, standing close to the alley means you’re positioning yourself to best cover the least probable return. What’s more, since the receiver doesn’t have to worry about you picking off his returns, you make it easier for him to make what’s already a percentage play while at the same time making it that much more difficult for you to intercept your opponents’ odds-on shot. – The server has to cover too much court: By standing near the alley you leave your serving partner to cover the equivalent of an entire singles court—by himself. Whether he stays back or comes in your position puts him in a tough spot from the beginning and prevents you from being much help at all. So where should you stand? Whenever your partner is serving place yourself smack in the middle of the service box opposite the receiver. This position places you in the best spot to take advantage of your proximity to the net and pick off your opponents’ returns.

Don't Hit the Wall

Perhaps the most frustrating error tennis players make is dumping the ball into the net. Though often caused by ambitious shot selection and balls struck with little margin for error, the transparency of the net is a problem as well. Because you can see through the net to the other side, we often fail to grasp how much of a barrier the net really is.

To prevent this visual trickery, imagine that the net is a solid wall. (Some instructors even go so far as to drape fabric over the net to better get the point across.) This will give you a more realistic view of the obstacle in the middle of the court and encourage you to aim your shots higher. That, in turn, will mean more consistency and greater depth.

Make the Most of Your Volleys

"Sensible technique and thoughtful strategy will turn you into a force at net."
Without question, the baseline is where today’s players conduct business. At every level, though, I still believe the easiest place to finish a point is at net. You pressure your opponents by taking time away and forcing them to pass you. Even if you’re a solid baseliner, it’s important to get to net occasionally to keep your opponent off-balance. And if you’re a frequent doubles player, solid net play is a must. Here’s how to make the volley a valuable part of your game. BEGINNER OBJECTIVE 1: Hold the racquet properly. One of the most important aspects of volleying is holding the racquet so you have the same grip on both the forehand and backhand. I like to tell beginners to hold the racquet like they’re shaking hands with it. But there’s no perfect way to do it. Boris Becker used a grip that was more toward the forehand side, and although it wasn’t textbook, it got the job done. Experiment with your grip to see what you find most comfortable for hitting volleys off either side. OBJECTIVE 2: Keep your swings short and body composed. When it comes to volleying, less is more. You want as little motion with your racquet and body as possible. Big swings and lots of movement lead to inconsistent results. Start with a stable base and turn your shoulders so that they’re as perpendicular to the net as possible. Your racquet should only go as far back as your shoulder turn takes it. To hit the volley, step forward and make contact out in front of you. Use a short, punching swing that’s no more than 1 to 2 feet long. The power on the volley comes from the step forward, the punch, and the pace from your opponent. INTERMEDIATE OBJECTIVE 1:Stay in control on tougher volleys. The ball is going to be moving faster at this level, so you’ll be forced to cover more court. Still, you need to have control over your body. That’s why the best volleyers have great core strength (from the thighs to the midsection). This prevents them from bobbing up and down, particularly on low balls. You need to bend at your knees, not at the waist, and keep a stable upper body when hitting a low volley. Also, with the increased pace and movement of the ball, you may not have the opportunity to step into your volleys. Even so, try to get your shoulders perpendicular to the net before you swing. OBJECTIVE 2: Use angles to finish points. Approaching the net is an aggressive play that generally ends points quickly. The easiest way to hit a winner off a volley is to set it up first with a powerful ground stroke. Putting your opponent on the defensive will allow you to get closer to the net and give you opportunities to angle the next ball away from him. The closer you are to the net, the easier it will be to create a sharp angle. Rather than trying to volley deep into the open court, which can cause you to overhit, angle the ball away from your opponent—this forces him to cover more court. Just remember to catch the outside edge of the ball to produce an angle. ADVANCED OBJECTIVE 1: Pick the right moments to attack. At this level, you need to be smart about how you construct your points at net. Make sure you hurt your opponent with an approach shot that opens up the court and then close in and cover the passing lanes. Once at net, you have to decide when to go for it. A ball around chest height is an invitation to finish the point. But shots from around the knees and below may call for more safety. In this case, open up your racquet face a little bit and do whatever you can to get the ball over the net and deep in the court. This will give you more time to recover and force your opponent to hit a longer passing shot. Going down the middle can be a great play in this situation; if you hit a defensive volley to one corner, you open up angles for your opponent to pass you. OBJECTIVE 2: Use the drop volley. The drop volley is an effective shot to use at net after you’ve driven your opponent behind the baseline. Open up the racquet face a little, soften your hand on the grip, and almost catch the ball on the strings. This helps you deflect your opponent’s shot gently over the net. The secret to a good drop volley is not how short you can hit it; it’s actually how far you can push your opponent back behind the baseline before you attempt it. By not having to hit so close to the net, you significantly increase your margin for error.