How to Hold a Tennis Racquet With a Continental Grip

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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This is the most universal grip. In fact, Continental means all-around grip. It was once known as the Aussie grip. This grip is used for any shot, although it is mostly used now for the serve and volley.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Tennis Shirts
Tennis Shoes
Tennis Shorts
Tennis Socks
Sports Drinks
Tennis Bag
Tennis Balls
Tennis Racquets

Step1

Put the racquet in your hand, perpendicular to the ground.

Step2

Place your hitting hand on the racquet, as if you are shaking hands.

Step3

Study the racquet handle. It is eight-sided: four sides are flat; four sides are beveled.

Step4

Place the index finger's base knuckle on the top right bevel. The side of the thumb should be resting along the back of the racquet, or, the opposite side of the grip.

Step5

Make sure the second and third fingers are slightly separated.

Step6

Test the grip by bouncing a ball on the bottom edge of the racquet frame. It should feel as though you are slicing the ball in half.

Tips & Warnings

Give yourself time and practice if you are attempting to use this grip to serve, especially if you are transitioning from using another grip.
Be aware that the Continental grip (also called the service grip) will allow your wrist to snap through, whereas other grips do not allow this to happen.

Comments

aego said

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on 9/1/2008 I didn't think the description was so bad. I think what was meant was to try bouncing the ball on the court using only the bottom edge of the racket, rather than the racket face. This would require a downward chopping motion, as though you were trying to cut the ball with a cleaver. Another way I've heard this grip explained is to hold the racket as though you intended to hammer a nail with the bottom edge of the racket. It amounts to the same thing.

wvoigt said

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on 8/11/2008 Incomprehensible description. Example. In step 6 it says: To test the grip "bounce a ball on the bottom edge of the racquet frame". Bouncing a ball means throwing the ball at the racquet and cause the ball to bounce. How do you throw a ball at the bottom edge of the racquet?. Impossible.
Then it says: "It should feel as though you are slicing the ball in half" ??? I don't know how that feels. I could only possibly know if I had taken a knife and laboriously cut a ball in half!!
This really poor english and not much brains.

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