A suitable grip helps players align the racket stably and as vertically as possible at the contact point. Especially for beginners, simple memory aids are helpful for finding the correct hand position again and again on their own.
For the Forehand, the palm is first placed on the string bed. From there, the hand slides down the racket to the grip. This makes it easy and repeatable to find the forehand grip.
For the two-handed backhand, two variants are shown:
Variant 1 – two forehand grips:
The right and left hands each hold the racket in a forehand grip. This variant is especially easy for beginners to find and use.
Variant 2 – the „Second Grip“:
The hitting hand holds the racket in the Continental grip, while the second hand stays in the forehand grip. This grip combination makes the player more flexible in the long run: the hitting hand is already in a grip position that can later also be used for one-handed strokes like Slice and Volley.
This makes the „Second Grip“ an important building block for further technical development and later makes it easier to switch between different strokes.
Training Goals
- Find the forehand grip independently via the string bed
- Learn two grip variants for the two-handed backhand
- Learn the „Second Grip“ as a grip combination of the hitting hand’s Continental grip and the second hand’s forehand grip
- Develop secure and repeatable grip changes
- Create a foundation for later one-handed strokes like Slice and Volley with the hitting hand’s Continental grip
Coaching Keys
- String bed as orientation: Place the palm on the string bed and slide down the racket to the grip.
- Feel the forehand grip instead of searching for it: The movement from the string bed to the grip serves as a simple memory aid.
- Backhand – variant 1: Both hands can first take up a forehand grip each.
- „Second Grip“: Hitting hand in Continental grip, second hand in forehand grip.
- Prepare flexibility: The hitting hand’s Continental grip later makes the transition to one-handed strokes like Slice and Volley easier.
- Control the contact point: The chosen grip should support a stable and as vertical as possible racket position at the contact point.
Progression Level 1–4
Level 1 – Grip 1: easy entry
At the beginning, the focus is on a grip that is as simple and easy to repeat as possible. For the two-handed backhand, both hands can be held in a forehand grip. This first grip helps beginners get started and allows them to focus first on contact point, racket control, and playing the ball.
Level 2 – learn the „Second Grip“
As technical development progresses, the „Second Grip“ is introduced: the hitting hand switches to the Continental grip, while the second hand stays in the forehand grip. Players first learn to find this grip combination securely and to switch reliably between forehand and backhand. At the same time, the hitting hand’s Continental grip creates the foundation for later one-handed strokes.
Level 3 – consolidate and transfer the „Second Grip“
The „Second Grip“ increasingly becomes the preferred grip for the two-handed backhand. Players automate the grip change and also use the hitting hand’s Continental grip for one-handed strokes such as Slice and Volley. This connects the grip functionally with further technical development.
Level 4 – apply the „Second Grip“ consistently
At Level 4, the „Second Grip“ is the technical standard for the two-handed backhand: the hitting hand holds the racket in Continental grip, the second hand in forehand grip. The Continental grip allows the hitting hand to be used immediately and flexibly for Slice, Volley, and other one-handed strokes. The required grip changes are automated and situation-appropriate, even under high time pressure.
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