It come down to one foundational concept: different grips angle the racket face differently at contact, which controls how much spin, pace, and height you produce on every ball you hit. Get the grip right, and the shot becomes easier. Use the wrong grip, and no amount of swing technique will fully compensate. This guide covers every major grip in tennis, including the Continental, Eastern, Semi-Western, and Western, explains exactly which shot each grip is used for, how to find each one on the racket handle, what the bevel system means, and why using the wrong grip is one of the most common reasons recreational players plateau or develop wrist and elbow problems. Whether you are brand new to the sport or have been playing for years without ever being taught your grips correctly, this guide gives you a clear and complete answer.
What Is the Bevel System and Why Does It Matter for Tennis Grips?
The bevel system is the numbering system used to identify grip positions on a tennis racket handle. The bevel system matters for tennis grips because the handle of every racket is octagonal, meaning it has eight flat sides. Each of those eight sides is called a bevel, numbered 1 through 8. Bevel 1 is the flat face on top of the handle when the racket strings are perpendicular to the ground. From there, bevels 2 through 8 run clockwise around the handle for right-handed players.
Every grip in tennis is defined by where the base knuckle of the index finger and the heel pad of the hand sit on the bevels. Move the hand one bevel clockwise, and the racket face closes slightly at contact, producing more topspin. Move it counter-clockwise, and the face opens, producing a flatter or higher ball. This system is how coaches across North York and around the world teach grips consistently, regardless of what racket or hand size a player has.
Wikipedia’s reference article on tennis grips confirms that the bevel system is the universal standard for identifying grip positions across all levels of the game, from complete beginners in Bayview Village to professional players competing at Wimbledon. Learning the bevel positions means you can communicate your grip with any coach, read any instruction correctly, and make adjustments precisely.
What Are the Main Types of Tennis Grips?
The main types of tennis grips are the Continental, Eastern Forehand, Semi-Western Forehand, Western Forehand, Eastern Backhand, and the Two-Handed Backhand grip combination. Each one sits at a different position on the bevel system, produces a different racket face angle at contact, and is suited to specific shots. No single grip works for every shot. Learning when to use each one, and how to switch between them quickly, is one of the most important skills a developing player can build.
What Is the Continental Grip and What Is It Used For?
The Continental grip is the most versatile grip in tennis and the one shot every player must learn without exception. The Continental grip is used for the serve, volley, overhead smash, slice, drop shot, and all defensive scrambling situations where there is no time to change grips. To find it, place the heel pad and base knuckle of the index finger on bevel 2 for right-handed players (bevel 8 for left-handed players). A reliable shortcut is to hold the racket by the throat and slide the hitting hand down without rotating the racket. The V-shape formed by the thumb and forefinger will sit on top of the handle.
The Continental grip positions the racket face in a neutral, slightly open angle, which makes it ideal for any shot that requires cutting across or under the ball. For the serve, the Continental allows the forearm to pronate naturally through contact, which is what generates different types of spin, from flat to slice to kick. For volleys, it lets a player react to both forehand and backhand balls without changing grips between shots. Banana Tennis Academy, a coaching resource used by coaches globally, describes the Continental as the grip that every player uses for every shot other than the forehand groundstroke, and that every developing player must master it before advancing to more specialized grips.
Beginners who try to serve or volley with a forehand grip will always struggle with those shots, no matter how hard they practise, because the racket face angle is fundamentally wrong for the mechanics of those strokes. This is one of the most common technical errors coaches see in self-taught recreational players across Willowdale, Don Mills, and the broader North York area.
What Is the Eastern Forehand Grip and Who Should Use It?
The Eastern Forehand grip is the best starting grip for beginner tennis players and the grip used by Roger Federer for his forehand throughout his professional career. The Eastern Forehand grip places the heel pad and base knuckle of the index finger on bevel 3 for right-handed players (bevel 7 for lefties). The simplest way to find it is to shake hands with the racket handle as if greeting someone, or to lay the racket flat on a table, place the palm on the strings, and slide the hand straight down to the handle.
A peer-reviewed study published in PMC examined 100 volunteers hitting forehands with Continental, Eastern, and Semi-Western grips and measuring force production at contact. The study found that force production was significantly greater with the Eastern grip at early, mid, and late contact points than with the other two grips (p less than 0.001). The research concluded that tennis players who want to maximize power production on the forehand should consider the Eastern grip as their primary option, particularly beginners and novice players who lack force generation.
The Eastern Forehand produces a relatively flat ball with good pace and solid control. Its natural contact point is waist height, slightly in front of the body, which is the same comfortable hitting zone most beginners naturally gravitate toward. It also transitions smoothly to the Continental grip for net play and serves, making it the grip that produces the least friction across different shot types during a rally. TennisNation, a respected coaching reference, calls the Eastern Forehand the best starting point for beginners because it is easy to form, produces controlled results, and builds the correct mechanical foundation for topspin development as the player progresses.
Many recreational players in Bayview Village and across the Finch Avenue East and York Mills Road areas who have self-taught their forehand and feel they are hitting with too much arm instead of shoulder and body rotation are often unknowingly using a grip too close to the Continental. Shifting to a clean Eastern Forehand immediately improves the feeling of driving through the ball.
What Is the Semi-Western Forehand Grip?
The Semi-Western Forehand grip is the most popular forehand grip in modern professional tennis and the one used by Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and the majority of top players on the ATP and WTA tours today. The Semi-Western Forehand places the heel pad and base knuckle on bevel 4 for right-handed players, one bevel further under the handle than the Eastern. To find it, start with the Eastern grip and rotate the hand one-eighth of the way further underneath the racket.
The Semi-Western grip naturally closes the racket face slightly at contact, which is what produces the heavy topspin that defines modern baseline tennis. The contact point moves higher and further in front of the body compared to the Eastern, making it ideal for handling high-bouncing balls from the baseline, especially on clay and hard courts where the ball kicks up after the bounce. Wikipedia’s reference on tennis grips notes that the Semi-Western is currently the most popular grip on the professional tour, offering a strong mix of topspin and pace with enough versatility to flatten shots out when the opportunity arises.
The trade-off of the Semi-Western is that low balls are harder to handle because the closed face angle works against getting under the ball cleanly. It also requires more wrist and forearm strength than the Eastern, and transitioning to the Continental for volleys takes a slightly larger grip change. For players who have mastered the Eastern and want to add more topspin to their game, the Semi-Western is the natural next step.
What Is the Difference Between Eastern and Semi-Western Forehand Grips?
The difference between Eastern and Semi-Western forehand grips is one bevel position on the handle, which translates to more topspin potential with the Semi-Western, a higher natural contact point, and a slightly more closed racket face at impact. The Eastern produces flatter, faster balls and handles low balls more easily. The Semi-Western produces heavier topspin, handles high balls better, and is the dominant grip at the professional level today. For beginners, the Eastern is easier to learn and produces consistent results faster. For players who want to develop a heavy, modern baseline game, the Semi-Western is the target grip to progress toward.
What Is the Western Forehand Grip?
The Western Forehand grip is the most extreme forehand grip in tennis and is used almost exclusively by experienced players on slow clay courts who want to generate maximum topspin on high-bouncing balls. The Western grip places the heel pad and base knuckle on bevel 5, the furthest position under the handle. To find it, hold the racket with the face pointing toward the ground and form a fist pump shape with the dominant hand before gripping from that position.
The Western grip produces the most topspin of any forehand grip because it closes the racket face dramatically, forcing an extreme low-to-high swing path through the ball. The disadvantages are significant for most players: it is extremely difficult to handle low balls, it requires substantial wrist strength and racket head speed to execute correctly, and the transition to the Continental grip for volleys is the largest grip change required between any two shots. As of 2023, fewer than a handful of professional players use a true Western grip, and it is not recommended for recreational players or beginners at any level.
What Grip Should You Use for the Backhand?
The grip you should use for the backhand depends on whether you play a one-handed or two-handed backhand. For the one-handed backhand, the Eastern Backhand grip is the standard choice. For the two-handed backhand, the dominant hand uses a Continental grip while the non-dominant hand uses an Eastern or Semi-Western Forehand grip. As of 2023, fewer than 10% of the world’s tennis players use a one-handed backhand, according to Wikipedia’s grip reference article, making the two-handed backhand the clear majority approach across all levels of the game.
What Is the Eastern Backhand Grip?
The Eastern Backhand grip is the standard grip for the one-handed backhand and places the heel pad and base knuckle on bevel 1 for both right and left-handed players. It is essentially the mirror image of the Eastern Forehand grip. The Eastern Backhand produces a relatively flat, controlled backhand with good pace. It handles slice shots well, transitions easily to the Continental grip for net play, and is the most practical backhand grip for all-court play. TennisNation describes it as the best all-court option for one-handed backhand players across all ages and abilities.
The one-handed backhand with an Eastern Backhand grip requires more upper body strength and timing precision than the two-handed version. Players who develop a strong one-handed backhand gain a significant reach advantage on wide balls and the ability to create sharper angles, but the learning curve is steeper and the margin for error smaller.
What Is the Two-Handed Backhand Grip?
The Two-Handed Backhand grip combination uses the dominant hand in a Continental grip (bevel 2) at the bottom of the handle and the non-dominant hand in an Eastern or Semi-Western Forehand grip directly above it, with no gap between the hands. The non-dominant hand is the primary driver of the swing. The dominant hand provides support and helps with direction. This combination is the most widely used backhand grip in the world at every level from beginner to professional.
Research published in StatPearls by the National Center for Biotechnology Information notes that the two-handed backhand is specifically recommended as an injury prevention measure for players at risk of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), because it distributes the force of impact across both arms rather than concentrating it on one. A PMC review of lateral epicondylitis in tennis identified faulty wrist kinematics during the one-handed backhand as a significant risk factor for tennis elbow in novice players, confirming that the two-handed backhand is the safer starting point for beginners.
The two-handed backhand produces excellent topspin, strong stability on high-speed incoming balls, and is significantly easier for beginners to learn than the one-handed version. Its main limitation is reduced reach on wide balls, since both hands must stay on the handle throughout the swing.
Coaches at Bayview Village Tennis Camp’s adult group lessons teach both backhand grip options but typically introduce beginners to the two-handed backhand first, because the added stability makes early consistency far easier to achieve while correct technique is still being developed.
What Grip Should You Use for the Serve?
You should use the Continental grip for the serve at every level of play, from beginner to professional. The Continental grip for the serve places the heel pad and base knuckle on bevel 2. Every coach and every credible coaching resource globally, including TennisCompanion and SportsEdTV, agrees on this point without exception. The Continental is the only grip that allows the forearm to pronate naturally through the swing, which is the mechanical action that produces power, direction, and spin on the serve.
Beginners frequently try to serve with an Eastern Forehand grip because it feels more comfortable and familiar. This produces a “frying pan” serve that limits forearm rotation, kills power, and makes it nearly impossible to develop a kick or slice serve later. Correcting a forehand grip serve after months of habit formation is one of the harder technical fixes coaches have to make. Starting with the Continental from the very first serve lesson is always the right approach.
Advanced players make subtle adjustments around the Continental for different serve types. A slight shift toward the backhand side (a more extreme Continental) helps generate a sharper slice serve that curves away from the opponent. A slight shift toward the forehand side (a weaker Continental) supports the kick serve by allowing greater upward brush through the ball. But all of these variations anchor from the Continental as the baseline position.
What Grip Do You Use for the Volley?
You use the Continental grip for the volley on both the forehand and backhand side. The Continental grip for the volley keeps the racket face in a neutral, slightly open position that works for both directions without any grip change between shots. At the net, the ball arrives too quickly for grip changes. Players who arrive at the net in a forehand grip and try to hit a backhand volley lose control of the racket face completely. The Continental eliminates that problem by working for both sides simultaneously.
The Continental volley feels unusual on the forehand side for beginners because it is not the grip they use for forehand groundstrokes. Feel Tennis, a coaching instruction resource, notes that the forehand volley feels awkward with the Continental only until the player develops the muscle memory through repetition. Most beginners adapt within two to four weeks of consistent net play practice. The payoff is a stable, reliable net game that does not require any mid-rally grip adjustment.
What Grip Do You Use for the Slice and Drop Shot?
You use the Continental grip for both the slice and the drop shot. The Continental allows the racket face to stay open through the low-to-high cutting motion that produces backspin on the slice. It also gives the player maximum touch and feel for the delicate, decelerated contact needed to produce a clean drop shot that stays low after the bounce. No other grip produces the correct racket face angle for these two shots without requiring significant wrist compensation that reduces control and increases injury risk.
What Grip Do You Use for the Overhead Smash?
You use the Continental grip for the overhead smash. The Continental for the overhead smash mirrors the serve mechanics almost exactly: the racket comes from behind the shoulder, the elbow stays high, and the forearm pronates through the contact point above the head. Using a forehand grip on the overhead typically results in the ball being pushed rather than struck, with far less power and directional control. The Continental is the grip that makes the overhead feel like a natural extension of the serve, which is exactly what it should be.
How Does the Wrong Tennis Grip Cause Injury?
The wrong tennis grip causes injury primarily by forcing incorrect wrist and forearm mechanics that overload the extensor tendons of the forearm at the elbow. Research published in PMC on lateral epicondylitis in tennis found that novice players striking the one-handed backhand with their wrist in a flexed position (approximately 13 degrees from neutral) rather than the correct extended position (approximately 23 degrees from neutral) demonstrated significantly elevated extensor muscle loading. This faulty wrist kinematics, often caused by gripping incorrectly for the shot, is identified as a primary risk factor for tennis elbow in recreational players.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), tennis elbow involves degeneration and micro-tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. Incorrect grip size compounds this risk: research published in PubMed found an optimal grip diameter that reduces extensor tendon loading, confirming that both grip style and grip size play a role in injury prevention. A grip that is too small forces over-gripping, which increases muscle strain in the forearm. A grip that is too large limits wrist mobility and puts extra stress on the elbow and shoulder.
The good news is that 80 to 95% of tennis elbow cases resolve with non-surgical treatment according to OrthoInfo, the patient education resource of the AAOS. Correcting grip technique early, before habits calcify and overuse accumulates, prevents the problem from developing in the first place. This is why coaches at structured programs place grip instruction at the very start of every beginner’s development, not as an afterthought once problems appear.
Adults in North York, whether near the Sheppard-Yonge corridor or across the Banbury-Don Mills and St. Andrew-Windfields areas, who have been playing recreationally without proper grip instruction and are experiencing elbow or wrist discomfort should have their grip assessed before continuing to play through pain. A single session with a qualified coach can identify and correct the grip error causing the problem.
The private lessons at Bayview Village Tennis Camp are available seven days a week and include a full technical assessment from the very first session, covering grip position as the first and most critical element of stroke development.
How Do You Switch Grips Quickly During a Rally?
You switch grips quickly during a rally by using the non-dominant hand at the throat of the racket to rotate the handle while the racket is in the ready position between shots. This is the technique used by every professional player on the tour. The non-dominant hand holds the racket throat during recovery, and the hitting hand releases its grip slightly to allow the rotation. As the player reads the incoming ball direction, the hitting hand re-grips at the correct bevel position for the shot about to be played.
For most beginners, the critical transitions to practise are from the Continental (used for the serve and approach shots) to the forehand grip, and from the forehand grip to the Continental or backhand grip. Feel Tennis recommends practising these transitions with a partner calling out shots in sequence so the grip change becomes automatic before it is required in live play. Players who practise grip changes during warm-up and shadow drills develop the switch as a reflex rather than a conscious action, which is the only way it works reliably at match pace.
Beginners enrolled in the junior spring program at Bayview Village Tennis Camp are taught grip changes as part of the footwork-and-stroke integration from their first few lessons. Building the habit of using the non-dominant hand to support grip transitions early prevents the rigid single-grip habit that holds back so many self-taught players for years.
| Shot Type | Correct Grip | Bevel (Right-Handed) | Key Benefit |
| Forehand (Beginner) | Eastern Forehand | Bevel 3 | Flat, controlled, easy power, best for learning |
| Forehand (Advanced/Topspin) | Semi-Western Forehand | Bevel 4 | Heavy topspin, handles high balls, most popular on tour |
| Forehand (Max Topspin) | Western Forehand | Bevel 5 | Extreme topspin, clay specialists only, advanced players |
| One-Handed Backhand | Eastern Backhand | Bevel 1 | Flat and topspin, reach advantage, all-court versatility |
| Two-Handed Backhand | Continental (dom.) + Eastern/SW Forehand (non-dom.) | Bevel 2 + Bevel 3/4 | Stability, topspin, injury prevention, easier for beginners |
| Serve | Continental | Bevel 2 | Natural pronation, all serve types, power and spin |
| Volley (Both Sides) | Continental | Bevel 2 | No grip change needed, works for forehand and backhand |
| Overhead Smash | Continental | Bevel 2 | Same mechanics as serve, natural power through pronation |
| Slice / Drop Shot | Continental | Bevel 2 | Open face for backspin, touch and feel for drop shot |
Sources: TennisNation Ultimate Grip Guide; TennisCompanion grip reference; Wikipedia Tennis Grip article; PMC force production study on forehand grips; ADV Tennis grip guide; SportsEdTV serve grip analysis.
What Grip Is Best for Tennis Beginners?
The best grip for tennis beginners on the forehand is the Eastern Forehand, and the best grip for serves, volleys, and all other shots is the Continental. These two grips together cover the entire beginner game. The Eastern Forehand is the best starting point for beginners because it is the most natural to learn, produces a consistently controlled and flat ball, and builds the mechanical foundation for topspin development when the player is ready to progress to a Semi-Western grip later. TennisNation identifies the Eastern Forehand as the universally recommended beginner grip for exactly these reasons.
The Continental must be learned for the serve from the very first lesson, even though it feels uncomfortable at first. Beginners who are allowed to serve with a forehand grip develop a mechanical habit that limits their serve development for years. Every coach at Bayview Village Tennis Camp introduces the Continental for the serve in the first session, because correcting a serve grip after months of ingrained repetition is significantly harder than learning it correctly from day one.
For the backhand, beginners are best served starting with the two-handed backhand, which provides more stability, is easier to control under pressure, and distributes force across both arms to reduce injury risk. Research published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons specifically recommends the two-handed backhand as an injury prevention measure for players managing or at risk of tennis elbow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grip is best for a beginner tennis player?
The best grip for a beginner tennis player on the forehand is the Eastern Forehand, with the base knuckle of the index finger on bevel 3. For all other shots including the serve, volley, slice, and overhead, the Continental grip (bevel 2) is the correct starting grip. A PMC study on forehand force production found that the Eastern grip produced significantly greater force at all contact points compared to Continental and Semi-Western grips (p less than 0.001), making it the most effective power grip for developing players. Beginners in Willowdale, Don Mills, and the Bayview Village area who start with these two grips build the correct technical foundation for every other shot in the game.
What is the most popular tennis grip used by professional players?
The most popular tennis grip used by professional players is the Semi-Western Forehand for the forehand groundstroke. Wikipedia’s grip reference confirms that the Semi-Western is the dominant forehand grip on both the ATP and WTA tours today, used by players including Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. For all net shots, serves, and slices, the Continental remains the universal standard at the professional level. As of 2023, fewer than 10% of professional players use a one-handed backhand, meaning the vast majority use the two-handed backhand grip combination.
Can the wrong tennis grip cause tennis elbow?
Yes, the wrong tennis grip can contribute significantly to tennis elbow. Research published in PMC on lateral epicondylitis in tennis identified faulty wrist mechanics during the backhand, often caused by incorrect grip position, as a primary risk factor for the condition in novice players. A separate PubMed study on racket grip size and injury found that extensor muscles are highly active during forehand strokes and that grip size is a significant factor in reducing extensor tendon loading. According to OrthoInfo, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons patient education resource, 80 to 95% of tennis elbow cases resolve with nonsurgical treatment, but prevention through correct grip technique from the start is the best strategy of all.
What is the Continental grip used for in tennis?
The Continental grip is used for the serve, volley, overhead smash, slice, and drop shot in tennis. The Continental grip places the heel pad and base knuckle on bevel 2 for right-handed players and is the single most versatile grip in the sport. Banana Tennis Academy describes it as the grip used for every shot other than the forehand groundstroke, and every player at every level must master it. In North York, coaches at Bayview Village Tennis Camp introduce the Continental in the first lesson specifically for serve mechanics, because it is the grip that makes natural forearm pronation possible during the service motion.
What is the difference between Eastern and Semi-Western grip?
The difference between the Eastern and Semi-Western grip is one bevel position on the racket handle. The Eastern places the base knuckle on bevel 3; the Semi-Western places it on bevel 4. That single bevel shift closes the racket face slightly at contact, which produces more topspin, raises the natural contact point, and makes the Semi-Western better for handling high-bouncing balls. The Eastern is better for flat, controlled shots and low balls, transitions more easily to the Continental, and is the recommended starting grip for beginners. The Semi-Western is the dominant professional tour grip today and the natural progression for players who want to add heavy topspin to their baseline game.
Should I use a one-handed or two-handed backhand grip?
Beginners and recreational players should use a two-handed backhand grip because it provides more stability, is easier to control, and distributes impact force across both arms to reduce elbow injury risk. StatPearls, the NCBI clinical reference, specifically recommends the two-handed backhand as a measure to reduce stress on the lateral epicondyle. As of 2023, fewer than 10% of professional players use a one-handed backhand. The one-handed backhand offers greater reach on wide balls and the ability to create sharper angles, but it requires more strength and precision. Most beginners at Bayview Village Tennis Camp and across North York are introduced to the two-handed backhand first, then can progress to the one-handed version if they develop the strength and timing for it.
How do I find the right grip on a tennis racket without a coach?
You can find the right grip on a tennis racket without a coach using the shortcut methods for each grip. For the Eastern Forehand, shake hands with the grip or lay the racket flat and slide your palm down from the strings. For the Continental, hold the racket by the throat and slide your hand down without rotating the handle. The V-shape between your thumb and forefinger should sit on top of the handle. For the Semi-Western, find the Eastern Forehand and rotate the hand one-eighth of the way further underneath the racket. For the Eastern Backhand, find the Eastern Forehand grip and flip the racket face over, bringing your hand to the other side. While these shortcuts get you close, having a qualified coach at a program like Bayview Village Tennis Camp confirm your grip position in the first lesson prevents the small errors that compound into significant technical problems over time.
Recap: Essential Tennis Grips for Every Shot
Tennis grips explained for every shot type come down to a clear and learnable system. The Continental for serves, volleys, overheads, slices, and drop shots. The Eastern Forehand for beginner groundstrokes progressing toward the Semi-Western as topspin develops. The Eastern Backhand or two-handed combination for the backhand, with the two-handed version recommended for beginners and injury prevention. Using the correct grip for each shot is not a small technical detail. It is the foundation that determines racket face angle, power generation, spin production, and long-term joint health. Players who learn their grips correctly from the start progress faster, hit cleaner, and avoid the overuse injuries that stop so many recreational players from enjoying the game long-term.
If you want your grips assessed and corrected by a certified coach from the very first session, Bayview Village Tennis Camp is one of North York’s most trusted tennis development facilities. Located at 30 Elkhorn Drive near the Bayview Village Shopping Centre and Bayview Station on Line 4 Sheppard, the camp offers adult group lessons, private coaching seven days a week, and junior programs for ages 4 to 18 across spring, summer, and fall. Head Coach Peter Nielsen brings over 40 years of coaching experience and a National Senior Championship background to every session. Visit the programs and camps page to see current schedules and enroll today. Getting your grip right from the start is the single fastest way to improve every other part of your game.
