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IT'S NOT A CLUB; Don't Hold It Like
One
A tennis racquet has magical
properties&endash;&endash;but only when it's held properly.
An adult camper's unsuccessful attempt to hit low-angled
forehand volleys was clearly caused by her Western grip. I
walked to the net, took her hand, moved it into a
Continental grip, then pressed on her forefinger.
"It's this finger that makes the ball go crosscourt," I
said. "You hold the racquet head up by using this grip, you
hit the outside of the ball with this
finger&endash;&endash;this grip and this
finger&endash;&endash;it's the only way to make the ball go
there."
I put her in the correct volley position, fed her a dozen
balls, complimented her success, walked to the net, then
checked her grip again. Before asking her to pick up balls,
I said, "Until you leave this court, keep holding the
racquet with this grip. When you go to lunch, carry your
racquet with you, with this grip. When you eat lunch, use
this grip on your fork."
With beginning students I go to great lengths to
demonstrate how the grips make it possible to control the
ball, and how important it is to hold the racquet correctly
with both hands.
Hands down, arms relaxed When the body gets out of
the way, the racquet does its work. This is facilitated by
waiting for the ball with the arms comfortably extended (as
opposed to elbows bent and the forearms resting against the
ribcage).
Fingers cradle the throat In a ready position, and
between shots, the racquet is held in the non-dominant
(left) hand, which allows the dominant (right) hand to
relax. This enhances the player's sense of
timing&endash;&endash;the elemental sequence of relax and
squeeze&endash;&endash;a key to naturally powerful
shotmaking.
Staying loose longer is the idea. It's easier when the
player is taught to hold the racquet in the left hand.
Fingers are spread, the wrist is supple-&endash;&endash;like
you're holding a water glass. Meanwhile, the right hand
rests on the handle, relaxed, ready to respond.
Spin, twirl and swing the racquet Watch a good
player between points and you'll notice a lot of twirling,
spinning and swinging. More than nervous energy being
expended, it's his attempt at maintaining feel of the
racquet.
It's the head of the racquet, like the head of a golf
club, or the barrel of a baseball bat, that propels the
ball. The player spins the racquet from edge to edge,
feeling the eight edges of the handle and how his hand rests
just so for the different grips.
After picking up a ball, he walks back to the baseline,
holding the knob of the grip, swinging the head like a
pendulum&endash;&endash;again, feeling the weight.
As he stands and waits for the server, he points the tip
of the racquet forward, directly at the server, as if to
focus his attention on the ball's source. With his left
hand, he spins the racquet from edge to edge, thus keeping
his hand loose, his wrist and arm relaxed and responsive.
Slice and topspin grips On the backhand there's a
difference between slice and topspin grips. For the slice
(Continental) grip, the heel of the hand and the base
knuckle of the index finger rests on the bevel (outside
edge); for topspin, the heel moves on top of the handle,
thus making the racquet face on edge or slightly closed,
which facilitates topspin.
Most players use an Eastern (shake hands) grip on the
forehand. The hand and knuckle are aligned on the side
panel, behind the racquet. This grip is popular because of
its versatility&endash;&endash;topspin, flat and slice shots
can be hit. Plus it allows the wrist flexibility to adapt to
lower and higher balls.
Racquet head high at the net The ball can be
angled only when the racquet head is up. Besides using a
Continental grip, it's helpful to develop the habit of
elevating the racquet head in a ready position. Another one
of tennis' unnatural feelings: crimping the wrist, almost
like you're pointing your fingers toward the sky.
Hand open on the backswing To enhance their sense
of timing, I encourage my students to slightly open their
dominant hand on the initial part of the backswing. This
helps develop the habit of drawing the racquet back with the
left hand, which assists in keeping the dominant hand
relaxed.
Slide your hand up! A nasty habit is to walk
around between points with the racquet handle still buried
in the palm of your hand. Besides contributing to tennis
elbow and a sweaty grip, it makes your hand tired as the
match wears on. (And you look kinda goofy!) A healthy habit
is to slide your hand up the handle as soon as the point
concludes, then to take the racquet into your left hand
while you relax and dry your hand.
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