Technique of the Ready Position & Grip Change
The definition of a tennis grip is: When the racquet face is in its correct/ideal position at the moment of contact and the hitting hand holds the racquet in its strongest position, then you have a good grip.
There are a few different grips commonly taught for the various shots. They differ for subtle reasons of hitting style and the physical ability of the player.
The basic rules for the grip are as follows:
Be very certain of your point of contact and the position of the racquet at that point. This is the most important part of the swing. Whatever the racquet face is doing at the point of contact determines what the ball does.
The ball impacts the racquet on one side; the muscles and bones in your hand and arm must support the opposite side.
To find a good grip, place the racquet at the ideal contact point and then place your hand on the handle so the palm supports the side opposite the impact. If your point of contact is designed for heavy topspin, your hand will grip the side of the racquet as shown in the diagram — DIAGRAM WESTERN GRIP.
If your style is to hit with lighter topspin, you should use a grip closer to the diagram — DIAGRAM EASTERN GRIP.
Modern topspin groundstrokes require much more grip change than older styles (the continental-grip era). The game is faster, and we must create more shot variety with less time. This demands expertise in grip change, ready position, and anticipation.
Grip Change
It is now essential to use the non-hitting hand to assist with the grip change. Right-handed players use their left hand to fully change to their backhand grip, allowing the right hand to focus on supporting the racquet through the shot.
Ready Position
Modern pros use a wide, low stance for explosive movement. Position the racquet in the forehand grip. When moving to the backhand, the off-hand assists with grip change, so give the forehand the advantage of the ready-position setup.
Anticipation
As the game becomes quicker, the ability to anticipate the next ball before the opponent completes their stroke allows you to get to the ball early and stay balanced. Club players can use several patterns to anticipate more effectively.
- Watch the ball, but stay aware of the opponent. Recognize when they are in trouble and likely to hit a defensive shot.
- Know your own strengths and lean toward them.
- Know your opponent’s weaknesses and strengths in order to exploit them.
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