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I’m a tennis professional who makes a living teaching tennis. I consider myself the luckiest person on earth. I appreciate you visiting the site, and hope you enjoy!

Reno Tennis Center Improvements Coming Soon

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Note: This is an archived community update from 2023. Some details (pricing, court counts, and timelines) are no longer current. For the latest info, visit our Reno Tennis Center page.

The Reno Tennis Center is exactly what its name implies a tennis and pickleball center for the city. By overseeing the operations of the RTC it allows us to breathe new life and energy into a Reno city landmark. Its location and accessibility can pave the way for building an athletic center open to a diverse population. Racquet sports and fitness shouldn’t be exclusive. The RTC has the ability to include all demographics in one central locale. It is the pulse of everyone who places themselves at the Reno Tennis Center, and the much-needed financial assistance, that will breathe life, and energy, into this community center.

Our goal is to fundraise and provide Corporate Sponsorships (Examples include logos on windscreens, court banners, net signs, and other marketing.) to help improve the center. If you are a member thank you for your support! If you are able to donate thank you! If you know of an organization or business that is interested in increasing their exposure in the Reno market while adding value to the community, please let us know.

This presentation for improving the Reno Tennis Center is simply a dream plan. All proposals are subject to approval by the City of Reno. Projected cost figures provided are estimates and subject to change.

Last Year’s Improvements

Time sure does fly, it’s been a little over a year and it’s been a pleasure serving everyone at the Reno Tennis Center. Here are some of the items we were able to make happen last year with the City of Reno.

  • Brought the business online which includes court reservations, registrations, and payments.
  • Formed new strategic partnerships to provide scholarship opportunities for people in the community who want to participate in racquet and paddle sports but are unable to afford it.
  • Installed cameras for our players to see the current court conditions online.
  • Replaced all the lights on courts 1, 2, 5 & 6.
  • Installed new locks on bathroom doors for security. The locks are on timer, so bathrooms remain accessible for players during playing hours and locked overnight.
  • Made new relationships which led to new events being hosted such as a community days, Senior Pickleball Games, and Jr Team Tennis. Along with our long-standing events through Sierra Junior Tennis Association such as Tennis Buddies.
  • Launched new pickleball programs for the community which include drill classes, camps, and leagues.
  • Purchased tennis and pickleball ball machines that are available to rent.
  • Made purchases to maintain the nets, screens, and courts. (Such as snow blower and leaf blower)
  • Employed office staff to work year-round at the center. (Weather permitting)

Now let’s jump into areas for improvement at the Reno Tennis Center. This is not an all-inclusive list. Please share your thoughts below by leaving a comment. Your comments will be taken into account as we prepare for the community meeting taking place at the Reno Tennis Center on February 26th at 2 pm.

Court Resurfacing

Presently, the Reno Tennis Center consists of 14 tennis courts, 8 fixed pickleball courts, and 8 blended lined pickleball courts. Today, the four back courts in the tennis center are in need of complete resurfacing. In order to provide the most value to the community we have proposed expanding court availability to both tennis and pickleball players. 

With the City of Reno, Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, and our community leaders help we anticipate the Reno Tennis Center to receive funding for improvements this year. Funding will help resurface the back four courts which are 13-16. We are hopeful that construction will begin this spring.

reno tennis center dream plan

Courts 13 & 14 Current Condition

Reno Tennis Center Improvements
  • New post tension concrete foundation on courts 13 and 14 (Similar to courts (3, 4, 7 & 8)
  • Two coats of paint and line striping
  • Blended pickleball lines on both tennis courts (4 blended pickleball courts total)
  • Two new tennis nets
  • Four new heavy duty portable pickleball nets
  • Two screen dividers and up to 3 additional posts (Divider runs between courts 13 & 14)

Projected Costs

  • ~$475,000 (Waiting on funding. Anticipated to begin construction this Spring.)

Courts 15 & 16 Current Condition

How Court 15 & 16 Finished Concept Will Look…

  • New post tension concrete foundation on courts 15 & 16 into six fixed pickleball courts
    • Feedback: Six fixed pickleball courts with chain link fence separating the courts would be a higher quality product.
  • Two coats of paint and line striping
  • Six new pickleball posts and nets
  • Chain link fence separating the courts. Additional posts will be needed. 

Projected Costs

  • ~$525,000 (Waiting on funding. Anticipated to begin construction this Spring.)

Fixed Shade Structures

Currently there is a canopy that provides shade to 25% of the center. It runs down the center of the Reno Tennis Center between courts 1, 2, 3 and 4. It is where the community socializes, athletes take breaks between matches, and spectators watch games. 

Extend Fixed Canopy

  • Six 60 ft by 12 ft fixed canopies running down the remainder of the Reno Tennis Center.
    • Feedback: see if the canopies can block 100% of the light while being able to withstand high winds.
  • Feedback: Install fixed canopy on the front left side of the center as you enter the Reno Tennis Center. This can be used as an area for staff to utilize for checking in players and for the community to gather and relax.
    • Benches/bleachers for players/spectators along the center aisle of the center (that don’t obstruct the walkway).

Projected Costs

  • ~$125,000 (For the shaded structures)
  • ~$260,000 (For the installation by a private company)

We are hoping we can work with the city to make this a public works project to bring down the installation cost.

Wind Protection

We live in a windy area with the Reno Tennis Center residing next to the relatively flat Washoe County Golf Course. Here is our proposal to improve the playing experience for the community while beautifying the center.

Windscreens

  • Eleven 120 ft by 9 ft windscreens to span across the length of two tennis courts
    • Immediate need is four of the above windscreens to complete the center.

Projected Costs

  • $42,600
    • Cost for four windscreens ~$15,500

We would like to utilize any new windscreens to help offset current and future costs through Corporate Sponsorship. (Marketing organizations and companies on the windscreens.)

Improving Hitting Wall

Currently we have a cement wall spanning across court 13 and 14. It needs some repairs and freshening up.

Wall Crack Repair and Mural

  • Cement and crack repair on existing cement wall
  • Painted mural by local artist
    • We would like to incorporate silhouettes and targets into the mural for added utility for players.

Projected Costs

  • $15,000+

Improving the Restrooms

Our restrooms serve their purpose however with participation growing improvements can be made.

List of Improvements

  • Expanding to two stalls in the lady’s restroom
  • Installing privacy doors around stalls and urinals 
  • Installing soap dispensers

Projected Costs

  • Determined by the City of Reno
    • Cost is minimal for the soap dispensers. The dispensers need to be purchased and the city will install them. The soap will be purchased and refilled by our staff. A big concern is vandalism which is why city restrooms typically don’t have soap dispensers.

Additional Gate Entrances

Having additional gate entrances on courts 9 and 10 would making getting to pickleball courts more convenient and decrease the number of distributions for players.

List of Improvements

  • Install two walk-in gates (cut into existing fence) at the Northeast & Southwest side corners of courts 9 & 10.
  • Requires install of vertical posts and rails for gate openings.

Projected Costs

  • ~$4,200 (install of vertical posts and rails for gate openings.)
    • In order to be approved by the City of Reno the gates would probably need to be ADA compliant. Which would mean ramps for each gate. The cost of which is unknown.

Fix Existing Fences

Some of the fencing is original to the center and has bent in segments due to the high winds over the years.

List of Improvements

  • Fix or reinforce fences on Court 4 (South End) and Court 7 (North End).

Projected Costs

  • Unknown

Court Crack Repair

Many of the courts at the Reno Tennis Center haven’t been resurfaced or repaired in many years. Specifically, courts 1, 2, 5, 6, 11 and 12. (The back 4 courts are left out as court resurfacing is anticipated to take place this year.) This has left long stretches of cracks throughout the courts that need to be addressed.

List of Improvements

  • Crack repair on courts 1, 2, 5, 6, 11, and 12. Remove existing membrane, fill cracks, recoat repaired areas, and replace striping as necessary.

Projected Costs

  • ~$35,000

Other Suggested Improvements from the Community

  • Metal signs over every gate entrance specifying court numbers (each sign would presumably be a little overhead diagram so people know which is court 1 and which is court 2, etc). Or maybe just a single metal sign showing an overhead map of all courts. (Metal or any other permanent material.)
    • Notes: Maybe able to include in corporate sponsorship package(s).
  • More frequent cleaning of dust-off courts would help maintain their grit texture after they are resurfaced.
    • Notes: Implement schedule for when courts are to be blown off and block courts off accordingly on court reservation system.
  • Wall between the courts and the street to block sound of traffic.
  • Indoor courts for the community.

Business Needs for 2023

  • Additional tennis and pickleball pros (preferably 30+ hours a week) to be able to service our players, bring about more playing opportunities, and improve consistency in programming throughout the year. (Such as events for tennis and pickleball. Pickleball leagues and team competitions.)
  • Streamline programming on the same system (TopDog) for player and staff convenience.
  • Discover and enlist a grant writer. Historically, applying for grants and funding has been the greatest contribution to renovating the center.
  • Build community at the center to reach goals set by the community.

Let Us Know What You Think

This list of improvements is what the center could use in the short term. We are hopeful that we can get many of these items completed. However, we can’t do it alone. We could use your help whether it’s in the form of becoming a member, a donation, a corporate sponsorship or simply helping us improve the center in any way possible. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below and let us know if there are other opportunities. We will be having a community meeting at the Reno Tennis Center on February 26th at 2 pm to go over plans for the center this year where you can attend as well. So, mark the date on your calendar and swing on by.

Reno Tennis Center Community Update

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The Reno Tennis Center is the largest public tennis and pickleball facility in Northern Nevada. In this video, I cover the progress Tennis Nation Racquet Sports has made in the last five months at the Reno Tennis Center, what short term goals are on the way, and what long term goals we have for the facility. My purpose for sharing this update with the community is to receive feedback on how my team can take our products and service to the next level. We are always looking to improve and appreciate your support.

The Past 5 Months

First thing we did at the Reno Tennis Center was take the business online. Now you can:

We realize the importance of making tennis and pickleball accessible to everyone. Fee and scholarship assistance is now available:

We have developed an online presence across several social media platforms where we provide free lessons online for players and players’ parents to enjoy the sport.

We have launched several new classes and city-wide ladders for the community to enjoy.

On September 5th, the City of Reno and TNRS held the Reno Tennis Center’s first ever Free Family Tennis & Pickleball Day for the community to come out and learn tennis and pickleball on us. Other fun activities included face painting and free food provided by some of our local food trucks.

Our team understands the Reno Tennis Center is a community center. We have formed several strategic partnerships. Here are a few of them:

Reno Tennis Center Short Term Goals

Due to the heavy winds and being adjacent to the Washoe County Golf Course we will have the following maintenance tasks to make the courts more enjoyable for the community:

  • Putting up the windscreens in April and taking them down in October.
  • Utilizing a log to ensure the courts are being blown off weekly by office staff.

Improving the courts at the Reno Tennis Center is a must. We have formed a strategic partnership with the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation to assist with raising funds. Here are the current projects:

  • Phase 3: Resurface courts 13 & 14 with a two-inch overlay.
  • Phase 4: Resurface courts 15 & 16 and convert them into 6 pickleball courts.

Pickleball is the fastest sport in the nation and demand is high in the Reno area. Here are items we are launching to grow the sport and provide value to the pickleball community:

Reno Tennis Center Long Term Goals

Creating a community where everyone is can get together comfortably is essential at the Reno Tennis Center. Here is what we would like to do:

  • Extend the shaded structure between courts (1 & 2 and 3 & 4) to run all the way down the tennis center.

Tennis and pickleball courts require continued maintenance. Which means there needs to be a systematic approach to maintaining the courts.

  • Provide crack repair and maintenance for all courts.

Our largest goal as a team is to bring indoor courts back to Reno. We all are upset over the loss of Lakeridge. It is time for us to band together and bring a fixed or temporary system that provides indoor courts for the community. We would need the City of Reno’s approval to do the project at the Reno Tennis Center and obviously a lot of capital to make it happen.

Why Changes had to be Made

Here are some price changes we made at the Reno Tennis Center:

  • Increased court fees from $2 to $3 per person per visit.
  • Changed the seasonal membership to a year-round membership.

Here are some service changes we made:

Here are some reasons for the court fee increase. All prices have gone up nationally for products and services. (The $3 court fee per person per visit at the Reno Tennis Center is still below market value.) The amount we pay our employees has gone up. Our business expenses across the board have also gone up. Court resurfacing costs have risen. (To resurface two courts with a two-inch asphalt overlay cost around $50,000)

Court Fees and Membership Price Comparison

This price comparison is for informational purposes only and is based on information provided at the date of this post.

Reno Tennis Center

  • Court Fees: $3 per person
  • Individual Membership: $200 yearly
  • Family Membership: $300 yearly

Differentiated Services Provided

  • Year-round office staff employees.
  • Tennis and pickleball shop on site.
  • Scholarship – Fee Assistance through Parks and Recreation.
  • Free online reservation system for everyone.
  • Citywide tennis and pickleball ladders.

South Reno Tennis

  • Court Fees: $5 per person
  • Individual Membership: $200 yearly
  • Family Membership: $300 yearly

Differentiated Services Provided

  • Online reservation system for members only.
  • Tennis courts are in better condition being built in 2014.

Caughlin Athletic Club

  • Court Fees/Day Pass: $20 per person
  • Individual Membership: $70-$90 per month
  • Family Membership: $120+ per month

Differentiated Services Provided

  • Year-round support staff.
  • Online reservation system for members only.
  • Tennis and pickleball shop onsite.
  • Full-service racquet sports and aquatics club packed with amenities.

Tennis Lessons, Classes & Program Price Comparison

This price comparison is for informational purposes only and is based on information provided at the date of this post.

Reno Tennis Center

  • Private Lessons: $65 per hour
  • Group Lessons (1 hour): 3 people = $25 per person, 6 people = $15 per person
  • Drill Classes (1.5 hour): $20 per person
  • Youth Tennis: $15 to $25 drop in
  • Academy Tennis: $30 drop in

South Reno Tennis

  • Private Lessons: $75 per hour
  • Group Lessons (1 hour): 3 people = $29 per person, 6 people = $18 per person
  • Drill Classes (1.5 hour): 3 people = $43 per person, 6 or more = $25 per person
  • Youth Tennis: $25 drop in
  • Academy Tennis: $38 drop in

Caughlin Athletic Club

  • Private Lessons: $65 per hour + guest fee
  • Group Lessons (1 hour): 3 people = $25 per person, 6 people = $15 per person (Non-members pay guest fees)
  • Drill Classes (1.5 hour): $20 per person + guest fee
  • Youth Tennis: $20 to $30
  • Academy Tennis: $35 drop in

I want to thank you for making it to the end of this community update. My purpose for sharing this information is to keep everyone in the community informed, and as a way to receive feedback to take our products and services to new heights. Feel free to comment below and take advantage of our discount code for tennis and pickleball products.

🚀 Tools and services I recommend: DIADEM, my choice for Tennis and Pickleball gear. Use discount code TennisNation15 at checkout to obtain 15% off from their website https://diademsports.com/

• The discount code only works on products that aren’t already discounted. If buying tennis ball cases, make sure to increase the quantity rather than purchasing a bundle to increase savings.

How to Hit a Tennis Neutral Stance Forehand

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Neutral Stance Forehand

Today, there are two main types of forehands the neutral stance forehand which is traditional and the open stance forehand which is more modern. Both types of forehands are utilized amongst the professional players today and both can be effective at all levels of play.

Which Forehand Stance is Best?

Tennis teaching professionals often differ in opinion between which stroke is best suited for their students and often coach their students the way that they play. Which makes sense because if you know a better way to do something wouldn’t you do it?

Different Perspectives

  • Some coaches argue that the neutral stance forehand provides more power, is easier to pick up low balls, better for taking balls on the rise, and is less complex for players to learn.
  • Other coaches argue that the open stance forehand allows for greater power, greater spin, and allows for players to recover back into the court more efficiently.
  • Also, there are coaches that believe tennis players should utilize both strokes based on the ball received and based on the player’s court position.

I agree with the latter option and with both stances being presented, along with recommendations for when to use each stance you can choose what will work best for you.

So, what types of situations should I use a neutral stance forehand vs. an open stance forehand?

Neutral Stance Forehand

I recommend that the neutral stance be used when receiving a ball that is around the middle of the court or when moving forward. By utilizing the neutral stance forehand for balls that are generally hit close to you on the baseline you as a player should be able to set your feet perpendicular to the net, remember this is different than stepping across your body which is only done out of necessity, and move forward and take the ball early more effectively.

Also, when you receive a short ball or approach shot I recommend the neutral stance forehand. When moving forward your momentum is already moving linear and the load or set up will take less time than the open stance forehand, allowing you to take the ball earlier which takes time away from your opponent as well.

Open Stance Forehand

Tennis open stance forehand

The vast majority of professional tennis players today are utilizing the open stance forehand when pulled off the court or on the run. This is because the open stance forehand allows a player to generate fluid powerful strokes when on the run and the ability to recover back to the center of the court more effectively than the neutral stance forehand.

Often times when on the run players who hit neutral stance are not able to set their feet perpendicular to the baseline and as a result their shoulders and hips do not rotate through all the way limiting the power of the stroke as well as affecting their ability to recover back to the center of the court effectively.

Neutral Stance Forehand: Tennis Grip

There are three different forehand grips to choose from, the eastern grip which is generally considered the easiest grip for learning the forehand, the semi-western grip, and the western grip.

The majority of the professional tennis players utilize a semi-western grip. The semi-western grip allows players to generate power and topspin efficiently and also is the most well rounded of the three grips in terms of being able to pick up low balls and high balls. An easy way to grip the racquet with a semi-western is to lay the racquet on a table or the ground and place your palm face down onto the grip of the racquet.

For more information on finding the different grips click on the link.

Pro Tip

Remember, when selecting a grip there is some wiggle room. For example, my forehand grip is in between an eastern and semi-western grip. Your hand may naturally find itself in between two of the formal grips which is okay.

Neutral Stance Forehand: Preparation

The footwork is the foundation of solid preparation and this is true on the neutral stance forehand. Before the ball reaches your opponents racquet you will want to try and time your split step so that your feet hit the ground at the exact moment you realize the direction your opponent’s shot is traveling. Once you recognize the ball is going toward your forehand you want to begin rotating your shoulders and hips as you are reacting toward the ball, this will allow for your racquet to naturally begin to be taken back.

Now that you have reacted to the ball and you are running you want to focus on ensuring you have enough distance between you and the ball. Ideally, the ball is going to rise or drop to your comfort zone, around waist high generally, before you set your feet. In order to set up properly for the neutral stance forehand you will take as many adjustment steps as necessary before setting your feet.

Neutral Stance Forehand: Set Up

Now that you have established the proper distance between you and the ball and you have the ball around waist high you want to set your feet properly for the neutral stance forehand. Place your right foot (if your right handed and vice versa if left handed) parallel in relation to the baseline and load your body weight onto your right foot. At this point your shoulders and hips should be turned and your opponent will be able to see your left shoulder blade and your left hip.

Pro Tip

One tip for loading your weight onto your right foot is to bend your right knee slightly as if you were going to begin to sit down.

The next step is to transition your weight forward toward the net by taking your last step forward into the ball with your left leg. On the neutral stance forehand the player’s feet rest somewhat parallel to the baseline or the net, which allows for the player to open up, or unload, their hips and shoulders into the ball.

Neutral Stance Forehand: Swing

As your shoulders and hips rotate to load, your racquet will begin to be taken back as well. When taking your racquet back your hitting elbow rises slightly up and away from the body. You can choose to have your racquet held like a glass on the backswing loop, with your racquet above your wrist when taking your racquet back or with your palm facing down in order to keep your racquet face closed. Your non hitting hand will be extended out around chest to shoulder high, allowing your left shoulder to close, or load.

Once you take your racquet back you are going to drop the racquet head and ensure your racquet face is pointed down by having your hitting hand palm facing down. At this point your hand should be loose and accelerating toward the ball with the butt of the racquet facing the net. The racquet head is now approaching the ball from below, swinging low to high, preparing to swing up through the ball to generate topspin. As your racquet accelerates toward the ball your non hitting hand will move along with your shoulders and hips as they open up to unload into the ball.

Pro Tip

Think of the loading of your shoulders and hips on the forehand to be similar to loading up to toss a medicine ball. To toss a medicine ball you would hold the ball with your arms extended, back straight, and toss the ball with your shoulders and hips.

The Goal of the Preparation Phase, the Set Up, and the Swing

The goal of the preparation phase and the swing is to ensure your body weight transfers into the ball and that you make solid contact with the ball. The contact point for the neutral stance forehand is slightly out in front of your left hip if you are right handed. The ball should feel light and travel toward your target when done correctly.

Neutral Stance Forehand: Follow Through

tennis neutral stance forehand groundstroke

At contact you want to ensure your hand is loose, this will allow for increased racquet head speed and for your racquet to naturally follow through, or finish the stroke, with your hitting hand finishing over your left shoulder or around shoulder level.

What’s Next?

In the next post the open stance forehand groundstroke will be covered.

I hope you enjoyed the article and took away some key points to bring to the practice court. If you found value in this guide follow the link provided for a complete list of guides on tennis technique.

Please share with us. What types of shots have you found are hit more effectively with the neutral stance forehand groundstroke when you play?

Tennis Backhand Volley: Ultimate Guide

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Tennis Backhand Volley

This article explains the differences in the tennis backhand volley compared to the forehand volley. Please refer back to the prior tennis volley posts to review the volley technique if you haven’t already.

Tennis Backhand Volley: Non-Dominant Hand

The tennis backhand volley is very similar to the forehand volley with a few slight differences. Due to having your non-dominate hand grasping the racquet longer on the backhand volley than on the forehand volley, you should know how to use the non-dominant hand to your advantage. Many players will grasp the throat of the racquet with their non-dominate hand and utilize it for racquet stability. The non-dominant hand can help support the racquet head, help guide the racquet head back slightly to open up the racquet face, and act as a wall to ensure the racquet doesn’t go too far back.

For example, I like to hold the throat of my racquet with my non-dominant hand and lift my non-dominant elbow up away from my body creating the wall that prevents my racquet from going further back. Other players keep both their elbows down out in front of their body and inside shoulder width so that the body prevents the racquet from being taken back further. Both ways are equally effective, it boils down to individual preference.

Backhand Volley Technique: Staying on Balance

Once the racquet begins to swing forward to contact the ball the non-dominant hand releases from the throat of the racquet and travels the opposite direction to help your shoulders stay turned sideways and to help keep your body on balance.

Tennis Backhand Volley: Strength and Comfort

Players that are younger or do not feel in control or lack the strength to hit the backhand effectively with the one handed backhand volley may choose to hit the volley with two hands on the grip. The hitting hand will still hold the continental grip and the non-dominant hand will grasp the grip similarly to what is described in he two-handed backhand grip section.

The two-handed backhand volley provides more support and can help players gain confidence on the backhand volley. However, the player sacrifices reach when volleying with two hands and in most cases should be transitioned to the one handed backhand volley when capable.

Tennis Volley Frustrations?

Have you ever felt clueless about what to do when the ball is hit directly at your body? I can remember practicing as a junior and getting frustrated as my friend aimed for my hips on the volleys. I would step backwards, hop out of the way, or do a curtsy as an attempt to try and find space to hit a proper volley. I also wanted to hit a great ball instead of having patience and learning the proper way to volley the ball when it was hit right at me.

There will be times when you don’t have time to take the steps necessary to set up for a traditional volley. This often happens when two players are up at net volleying agressively or the opponent drills the ball with pace right at you. When this happens hitting the backhand volley is typically the best option.

Tennis Backhand Volley: Returning the Ball Hit at Your Body

From the ready position you will bring your hitting elbow up away from your body so that your racquet face is facing the net and out in front of your body’s mid section. From there you want to drive your racquet through the tennis ball with your shoulder, time permitting.

What I have found that helps with volleying balls hit around your hips and you have a little bit of time is taking a step diagonally forward but away from the ball with your inside foot. By taking a diagonal step away from the ball you will be able to create more space and hopefully hit a more formal volley.

Closing Thoughts

Tennis backhand volleys are difficult especially when the ball is hit around your hips.  To develop comfort volleying balls around your mid section takes a LOT of practice. Enjoy the process and have patience.

If you found value in this guide follow the link provided for a complete list of guides on tennis technique.

Please share this guide and come say hi to me on Facebook!

Ultimate Tennis Volley Guide

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Tennis Volley Intro

The tennis volley is an essential aspect of the game for every tennis player. The volley can be utilized to shorten the length of a point and put pressure on your opponent. The volley, from a technical standpoint, is a simple compact stroke. However, due to the different variables that can be present on each volley, many players feel overwhelmed up at net. With the ball being hit at different heights and the court being shortened, the net player has more difficulty getting the ball in the ideal contact zone and limited time to react and set up.

Although the volley can be frustrating, the benefits go beyond the stroke. The volley fundamentals help train players on how to handle the racquet up at net and can help a player understand different concepts such as how the angle of the racquet face can determine the lift and spin on the ball, which carry over to other aspects of the game. By learning the fundamentals of the volley you will have a deeper understanding of the game and of course technically sound volleys.

Tennis Volley Grip

When transitioning up to net you will want to grasp the Continental grip. As you move up to the net place your non dominant hand on the throat of the racquet so that you can adjust your grip easily. As a quick refresher, the continental can be found by placing the heel pad and index knuckle of your palm onto the second bevel of the racquet handle (eighth bevel if you are a lefty).

Why?

The Continental grip is preferred by the majority of players due to the versatility it provides net players by being able to play all shots up at net with the same grip. The choice is also out of necessity by being able to spend your time reacting to the opponent’s shot rather than using the limited time you have trying to switch grips.

Tennis Volley Stance

Reaction time is critical on the volley and the stance allows for you to handle hard hit balls more effectively. When up at net you want to have your elbows out in front of your body with your dominant hand gripping the racquet around belly button height, and your non dominant hand on the throat of the racquet around chest high. This will ensure your racquet head is up and in optimal position to react to balls that come your way.

Why?

If the racquet head is down it will take much more time to position your racquet for the incoming volley due to the longer distance for the racquet head to travel. The volley stance is much like that of a boxer, the hands are up in order to throw or block a punch, or in this case hit or block a volley.

When up at net tennis players are in a position to take charge of the point and pressure the opponent. By having the hands up a player can go to the ball with their legs and have plenty of time to prepare the racquet.

Tennis Volley Preparation Phase

To volley successfully up at net it is important to develop the proper footwork and prepare for the ball. The Split Step is critical. As mentioned before, to develop a split step you want to focus on your opponent’s strings and the ball to attempt to time your feet to hit the ground at the time you recognize where the ball is headed. The net requires more explosive movement so you will want your feet to be a little further than shoulder width apart and your knees bent and legs loaded as your feet hit the ground after your split. By doing so your center of gravity will be lower and you will find that you can push off with more power and pick up low balls more effectively.

Shoulder and Hip Turn

After you recognize where the ball is going you want pivot your feet in the direction you want to react and move forward or diagonally toward the ball, this will naturally turn or close your shoulders and hips. The racquet will be taken back with your shoulder turn and the racquet face should be visible to your opponent. By turning your body it also allows for you to track the ball more effectively into the center of your strings.

The Racquet Head

Once turned, you want your racquet head to lay slightly open, still pointed somewhat upwards, and have the racquet head lag behind your hitting hand due to having your wrist laid back slightly. When seen from the front, on a volley around chest high, you racquet and arm make an L- shape or U-shape if you look at the relationship between your racquet, arm, and shoulder.

It is important to set the racquet slightly above where you anticipate the height of the ball to be at impact. So, if you predict the ball is going to be around knee level the racquet head preparation will be around waist high and if the ball was going to be struck chest high, the racquet head preparation would be around shoulder height.

Pro Tip

Ensure that your hitting hand stays within the width of your chest to prevent taking the racquet too far back.

How to Hit a Tennis Volley

tennis volleyWeight Transfer

After conducting all steps of the tennis volley preparation phase it’s time to execute the volley. To stroke the volley you want to start by stepping forward into the ball with your inside foot. The purpose for stepping into the ball is to transfer your body weight into the ball, so that you can keep the stroke short and compact, relying on the weight transfer to generate the power and the pace.

Slight High to Low Swing

As your stepping forward you want to initiate a very slight high to low swing with your shoulder, having your shoulder, arm, and wrist move together as a unit, to contact the ball out in front of your body. By swinging the racquet slightly high to low you are able to put backspin on the volley, which helps you control the ball and keeps the ball lower for your opponent who will ideally have to hit the ball up to you.

Follow Through and Recovery

After making contact with the ball you want to focus on keeping your racquet driving through the same plane you hit the ball. It is worth mentioning that the follow through is much shorter than on other strokes, and you may find that it will happen naturally.

Once the follow through process is complete your hands and body come right back up to the proper volley stance to ensure you are prepared for the next ball.

If you found value in this guide follow the link provided for a complete list of guides on tennis technique.

I hope you found the tennis volley guide helpful. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Thank you for all your support and if you feel others could improve their volleys with this guide please share it.

Ultimate Tennis Footwork Guide

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Tennis Footwork and the Tennis Ready Position

Tennis footwork is the foundation for preparation on all tennis strokes and arguably the most important aspect of the game. The common theme with all top tennis professionals is that they have outstanding footwork. Many professional players utilize different grips, swing patterns, and styles of play, however, in order for the pros to execute their strokes they need to be able to move to the ball and set up their body properly.

Tennis Footwork Red Flags to Watch For

When a tennis player’s footwork needs improvement often times the player is set up too close or too far away from the ball. Another common habit amongst tennis players is that they let the ball play them with the ball being too high or too low, disrupting their balance. All of the items mentioned above increases the risk of making errors. Proper footwork allows players to set up and deliver their strokes as intended.

Throughout the history of the sport, have come established ways of moving on the court for a wide range of scenarios. Just like in basketball or dance there are technically sound ways of moving, tennis is no different. There are certain ways to move out to the ball and there are certain ways to recover back for each scenario.

The Ready Position

tennis footwork rafael nadal

The ready position is the stance that allows you to react effectively to the actions of your opponent. Just like a boxer has a ready position with his hands up to deliver offense and defense, a tennis player has a ready position that promotes effective movement on the tennis court and the stance is repeated constantly. It is important to learn the ready position so that your opponent is less likely to capitalize on flaws in your movement.

The Components of the Tennis Ready Position

There are specific elements that make up the tennis ready position. The ready position is an athletic stance, with your feet shoulder width or more apart, knees slightly bent, and body weight on the balls of your feet. This will lower your center of gravity and allow you to react explosively in any direction the ball takes you. The upper body is loose, with your hands holding the racquet out in front of your body. The racquet head is held slightly up with the shoulders in line over the hips. The head is level and the eyes are focusing on the ball or the opponent.

Pro Tip

Think about the upper body for the ready position being as if you were sitting in a chair with good posture. For the legs think about being around a foot shorter than your normal height so you can spring quickly to react to your opponents shots.

What cues and clues have you experienced that have helped you identify the need to step up with better footwork?

Tennis Footwork: Split Step

What is a Split Step?

The split step is a small hop that you take from the ready position which allows your body to react explosively to the ball. In order to initiate the split step you want to time your split step by focusing your eyes on the ball and judging when your opponent’s racquet will make contact with the ball. Over a short period of time you should be able to pick up on your opponents stroke patters and time the split step effectively which will be covered shortly.

Is the Split Step Exclusive to Tennis?

The split step is seen in others sports such as soccer when the goalie hops slightly to get ready to react to the opponents shot. The split step only comes off the court by an inch to a few inches and is intended to load your legs with weight like a spring when landing. At landing your legs should be equally weighted and loaded so that you can push off explosively to react to your opponent’s shot.

When Should I Split Step?

The split step should be initiated prior to your opponent making contact with the ball on every stroke. Since the opponent can hit the ball in any direction, you need to be able to change direction and react in any direction effectively and the split step makes that possible.

Timing the Split Step

Timing the split step can be difficult especially if you are not use to doing it consistently. The goal of the split step is to set your feet on the ground and load your legs so that you can explosively react to your opponent’s shot as soon as you realize where the ball is headed.

In my experience I have found that even if I think I know where the ball is headed when my opponent is making contact with the ball, video always shows that I am still in the air at contact which is the norm for all players. Overtime you will find that you get a feel for the split step and you do it habitually, but as with everything it takes a lot of repetitions to build the muscle memory.

Pro Tip

You only land the split step when you know where the ball is headed, not before that time.

In what scenarios do you utilize the split step differently and have you seen the split step in other sports as well?

Tennis Footwork: First Step Reaction and Adjustment Steps

tennis footwork

Tennis footwork builds upon itself and particular section covering the first step reaction and adjustment steps is a continuation from the tennis split step.

Footwork Review

Once you complete your split step, you will have recognized where the ball is headed and begin moving toward the ball which. Let’s assume you are playing on a hard court and you are receiving a baseline groundstroke. First, pivot your feet in the direction you want to move, this will naturally load your weight on your outside leg and rotate your hips and shoulders.

The First Step Reaction

For the first step, push off your outside foot and begin moving to the ball. Think of the outside foot as being the loaded leg of a sprinter in the starting block, the first push off sets the tone. If the ball is hit to you, you can focus on making small adjustment steps to establish your spacing between you and the ball, which we will cover in the next section.

Pro Tip

Focus on the push off for your first two steps to the ball they are critical to great movement.

Adjustment Steps

Now that you have completed your split step, taken your first step reaction, and ran to the ball, it is critical you take the steps necessary to position yourself for your stroke. To ensure you are in the optimal place to set up for the ball, tennis players often utilize adjustment steps, small calculated steps. Adjustment steps can be forward, backward, horizontal, and diagonal movements. Without taking the adjustment steps you may find yourself too close or too far away from the ball, or taking the ball outside of your optimal contact zone.

Pro Tip

Some symptoms that may present you with an opportunity to practice your adjustment steps are when you notice your shoulders lifting up when you make contact with the ball, which is a symptom of being jammed, hoping up on strokes in an attempt to create space, and having your body weight headed in a direction other than what was intended after contacting the ball. Try it out!

What are other ways you have found that help you set up to take your shots at the best height and optimal spacing?

Tennis Footwork: The Back Foot Follow Through

There is a Follow Through for Foot Work?

In tennis there are strokes that require a follow through of the racquet and on certain strokes the back foot should follow through as well.

Open Stance Groundstrokes

When you hit open stance, often times your shoulders and hips are facing the net with your feet relatively parallel to the baseline. That is the ideal finish with the feet.

Closed Stance Groundstrokes

When you hit with a neutral stance groundstroke, ideally the last step is forward into the court toward the net, which opens up your shoulders and hips. After your hips and shoulders have unloaded into the ball, it is important to allow your back foot to naturally follow through forward so that your feet are again parallel to the baseline.

Perfect Tennis Footwork Rarely Happens

There will be times where you need to hit with a closed stance and your last step to the ball is a horizontal movement. This typically happens on the return of serve or a ball that forces you to take the horizontal step out of necessity due to being on the run or stretched out. This is not favorable because your hips have trouble unloading into the ball, however it happens and when it does focus on bringing your back foot all the way around so that your feet are once again parallel to the baseline. The reason for the back foot follow through is recovery. By doing the follow through you are able to recover back to the middle of the court sooner and therefore more effectively.

Pro Tip

A coach may ask a student to hold their back foot back on the closed stance groundstroke, which resembles a golfer’s finish on a drive. The coach may be testing the student to see if he or she can establish balance. Remember there are progressions to each stroke in tennis and it’s important to focus on only one or two things at a time.

Tennis Footwork: Recovering Back to the Center of the Court

The Side Step

Now that you have completed your stroke and your feet are somewhat parallel to one another it is time to recover back to the center of the court. The most common way to recover back is the side step.

The side step is performed by pushing off of your outside foot to step with your inside followed by bringing in your outside foot. When performing the side step your feet should not touch one another and your body posture should be similar to that of the ready position.

Why?

The reason why tennis players choose to side step back to recover rather than run back is due to a few factors. First, due to your body posture, being similar to that of the ready position, it is easy to transition into the split step from the side step. The side step also allows you to change direction quickly, where as running back would make it easy for your opponent to hit behind you and capitalize on your inability to change direction effectively.

The Cross Step

Tennis players often utilize the cross step combined with the side step to recover back in certain scenarios. The cross step is commonly utilized when you are pulled off the court and need to cover more ground to adequately recover. After you have completed your stroke with your feet somewhat parallel in relation to the baseline you can initiate the cross step.

The cross step is performed with the same body posture as the ready position and side step. First, you want to push off with your outside foot and step across your inside foot, while maintaining your posture and having the core of your body facing the net. After you take one cross step, it is important to transition into the side step. The cross step is great for when you need to cover a good amount of court quickly in order to recover.

Pro Tip

Ensure you only take one cross step prior to transitioning to the side step. With the legs crossing each other on the cross step, you must be able to split step prior to the opponent contacting the ball. Taking more than one cross step would complicate your timing of the split step.

The Run Step

Another option to recover back is the run step which is similar to the cross step and the first step reaction. The run step in initiated after you complete your stroke and you have your feet near parallel in relation to the baseline. Similar to the first step reaction, you want to pivot your feet in the direction you want to move, which will naturally turn your shoulders and hips perpendicular to the net. Next, push off your outside foot and take a run step. After one run step, make sure to transition back to the side step so that you can split step prior to your opponent making contact with the ball. This will give you the opportunity to be on balance and react quickly in any direction that you choose.

Tennis Footwork Best Practices

There are some best practices that are worth highlighting that will complement your overall tennis footwork, especially when receiving balls that are not going to land in your optimal contact zone.

Happy Feet

When playing tennis you want to have happy feet at all times. Yes, I said Happy Feet. Happy feet can be described as staying light on your feet by constantly being on your toes and moving. This will allow you to time your split step and react quickly. Whereas standing flat-footed, having your weight on your heels will tend to slow down your reaction time and foot speed.

Take Lots of Steps

Taking adjustment steps, small calculated steps, to ensure you are in the optimal spot to hit the ball is essential to setting up effectively and consistently. There is no restriction on how many steps you can take so make sure you take as many as necessary for your optimal set up.

Move In and Out of the Court as Necessary

Don’t be afraid to vary your depth along the baseline. When the ball is going to land short or deep in the court, you want to move up or back diagonally to meet the ball at your optimal contact point. Often, tennis players will find themselves slotted along the base line, taking the ball at different heights, letting the ball play them. By moving diagonally up and back, taking adjustment steps as necessary, tennis players can simplify their set up by eliminating excess risk that is present on high or low balls outside the player’s comfort zone.

Utilize Your Knee Bend

There will be times when you won’t be able to move fast enough to meet the ball at your optimal contact height. When this occurs, the best tools at your disposal are your knees. It may sound simple, however players don’t often think of their knees as being utilized to adjust your contact height. This is important because by controlling your contact height you can have greater consistency with your body mechanics and swing patters being the same.

Pro Tip

When you find yourself bending at the waist to play a ball, ask yourself if you could have used your footwork and knee bend to play the ball with upright posture.

If you found value in this guide follow the link provided for a complete list of guides on tennis technique.

What other movement in sports can you think of that is beneficial to move toward the Ball and be proactive?

What comes to mind for me is a basketball player goes up for the rebound aggressively. Think how that go to mentality could benefit your game. Let me know your thoughts on the tennis footwork guide and come say hi to me on Facebook!

Ultimate Tennis Grip System Guide

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“System for Finding All Tennis Grips”

The Importance of Selecting Your Tennis Grip

The tennis grip is how you hold the tennis racquet in your hand and impacts every shot you hit in tennis. It is important to know the different grips and the strengths and weaknesses of each so you can determine which grip is best suited for your game. The grip is often not given much thought, which is a mistake.

The tennis grip you select influences how the racquet will tend to swing through the ball, along with the angle of the racquet face and the optimal contact point. Some grips have a natural tendency to swing more through the ball producing a faster and flatter hit ball. Other grips naturally swing low to high generating a ball hit with more spin. It is important to understand these factors when selecting the grip that will compliment your style of play the best.

Your tennis grip can greatly influence your effectiveness in regards to your style of play and before deciding on a grip you should think about the big picture of your game. How do you want to play the game? Do you want to be an all court attacking player like Roger Federer? Federer uses a forehand grip that rests between an Eastern and semi-Western which allows him to swing through the ball, be aggressive, and dictate play. Or is your style of play more similar to a grinder that wares down his opponents like Rafael Nadal? Nadal uses a grip that is close to a Western which allows him to generate extreme topspin, greater net clearance, and in turn consistency. If you have a definitive answer, great! If not that’s okay. It is important to consider these questions because your response will help guide you when selecting your grips.

Remember, no tennis grip is perfect and there is wiggle room when making a selection. Each grip has its strengths and weaknesses. However, some grips are better suited for particular styles of play. The important thing to consider is which grip will compliment your game the best.

A System for Grasping Tennis Grips

Tennis grip system

To find out which tennis grip you are utilizing and to learn how to grasp each grip there are a few tools and tips at your disposal. First, look at the handle of the grip, specifically the butt of the racquet. Notice the grip is an octagon, as it is divided into eight sides or bevels, with the bevels extending throughout the grip of the racquet. With the racquet face perpendicular to the court, making a 90 degree angle, let’s call the top bevel number one, and moving clockwise the next number two, and so on until we reach the final eighth bevel. By defining the bevels and understanding that they run throughout the racquet, it can be utilized as a system for finding each grip for your game later on.

Next, look at the palm of your hand, specifically at two points, the heel pad and the index knuckle. The heel pad is the padded fleshy portion of your hand that is right before your wrist and runs along the bone that connects to your pinky finger. The index knuckle is the padded portion of your palm that is right below your index finger, opposite of your index knuckle. Why is this important?

The tennis grips are technically defined by which bevel(s) of the grip your heel pad and index knuckle are resting on.

tennis grip system

It is also important to realize that there is wiggle room when grasping each grip. For example, many players have slightly modified grips, such as a grip that rests in between an Eastern grip and a semi-Western grip. Modified grips occur over time as each player finds what grip is most comfortable and effective for each one of their strokes. With that in mind let’s get started!

Continental Tennis Grip

The Continental grip was traditionally the grip that was used for every tennis stroke back in the day, but that is no longer the case. The Continental grip is primarily used as the grip of choice for serves, volleys, and overheads. Many tennis players also utilize the Continental grip for hitting slices and hitting the two handed backhand with the dominant hand resting in the Continental.

Finding the Continental Tennis Grip

The Continental tennis grip can be found by placing your heel pad and index knuckle on bevel number two if you are right handed (Bevel number seven for lefties). Start by holding the throat of the racquet with your non dominant hand waist high and perpendicular to the ground, so that you are looking down at bevel number one. Then move clockwise to bevel number two, resting your heel pad and index knuckle onto bevel number two. For lefties, move counterclockwise one bevel and place your heel pad and index knuckle onto bevel number eight.

Continental tennis gripPro Tip

Many coaches state that a V is created by your thumb and forefinger on the top of the handle when holding the Continental Grip.

Strengths

  • Low balls.
  • Backspin.

Weaknesses

  • High balls.
  • Topspin.

What are your best practices for finding the Continental grip?

Eastern Forehand Tennis Grip

The Eastern forehand is a popular choice for attacking players today, such as Roger Federer, due to its versatility. The optimal contact point is waist high and out in front of the body. Due to the contact point, the Eastern forehand will naturally tend to swing more through the ball creating a relatively flat ball compared to other more extreme forehand grips. The Eastern forehand grip is a great option for players who are learning how to hit the forehand and also for players that are looking to attack due to being an easy transition to the Continental Grip.

Finding the Eastern Forehand Tennis Grip

The Eastern forehand can be found by placing your heel pad and index knuckle of the palm of your hand on bevel number three. Start by holding the throat of the racquet with your non-dominant hand waist high and perpendicular to the ground so you are looking down at bevel number one. Then move clockwise to bevel number three and place your heel pad and index knuckle onto bevel number three. For lefties, move counterclockwise to bevel number seven.

Eastern forehand tennis gripPro Tip

Often by doing any of these pro tips your hand will naturally find the Eastern grip.

  • Hold the racquet the same way as mentioned above and shake hands with the grip of the racquet.
  • Place your hand flat against the strings and slide it down to the grip.

Strengths

  • Versatility between creating topspin and flattening out the ball.
  • Transitions quickly to other grips.

Weaknesses

  • Generating extreme topspin.
  • Difficult to strike through balls beyond chest level.
  • What are your thoughts on the Eastern Forehand grip and what would you add?

Semi-Western Forehand Tennis Grip

The semi-Western forehand tennis grip is the most popular grip among touring professionals today. Many players that have been labeled as power baseliners utilize the semi-Western grip. The contact point for the semi-Western is between waist and shoulder height and slightly further out in front of the body than the Eastern forehand. Due to the contact point, the semi-Western forehand will naturally swing low to high through the ball creating greater topspin when compared to the Eastern grip.

The semi-Western Forehand grip is a great option for tennis players of all styles. It can be used effectively on all surfaces, as seen today on the pro tour, and although the transition to the Continental Grip is greater than that of the Eastern Forehand Grip, overtime the transition becomes less noticeable.

Finding the Semi-Western Forehand Tennis Grip

To find the semi-Western, place your heel pad and index knuckle on bevel number four. Start by holding the throat of the racquet with your non dominant hand waist high and perpendicular to the ground so you are looking down at bevel number one. Then move clockwise to bevel number four, resting your heel pad and index knuckle on bevel number four. For lefties, move counterclockwise to bevel number six. When you find the semi-Western try spreading your fingers out to cover more surface area on the grip, you may find it more comfortable when gripping the racquet.

Semi-western forehand gripPro Tip

Place your racquet flat on a table or the ground and pick it up. This should naturally rest your hand near a Semi-Western.

Strengths

  • Versatility between hitting flat and topspin balls.
  • High balls.
  • Short topspin angles.

Weaknesses

  • The racquet face naturally closes and makes it difficult to pick up low balls that are commonly received from balls that are sliced or skidding off the court.
  • Greater transition from the semi-Western grip to the Continental grip when coming up to net.
  • What would you add to the semi-Western forehand grip that could benefit others?

Western Forehand Tennis Grip

The Western tennis grip is favored by clay-court specialists and players who want to wear down their opponent while hitting with extreme topspin. The contact point is around shoulder height. Due to the contact point, the Western forehand will naturally swing low to high through the ball at a greater trajectory creating greater topspin compared to other grip options.

The Western grip isn’t typically used by players that look to attack the net regularly due to the transition to the Continental Grip being sever. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

Finding the Western Forehand Tennis Grip

The full-Western tennis grip can be found by placing your heel pad and index knuckle of the palm of your hand on bevel number five. Start by holding the throat of the racquet with your non dominant hand waist high and perpendicular to the ground so you are looking down at bevel number one. Then move clockwise to bevel number five and place your heel pad and index knuckle onto bevel number five. For lefties, move counterclockwise to bevel number five as well. When you find the full-Western grip spread your fingers out to cover more surface area on the grip, you may find it more comfortable when gripping the racquet.

Western forehand tennis gripPro Tip

Hold the throat of the racquet with your non dominant hand waist high with the racquet face pointing toward the ground. Extend your dominant hand out waist high making a fist pump and with the same hand position grip the racquet handle to find the Western grip.

Strengths

  • Extreme topspin.
  • High balls.
  • Higher net clearance.

Weaknesses

  • Low balls.
  • Can be difficult to flatten out shots.
  • Requires tremendous racquet head speed and wrist strength.
  • Significant transition to the continental grip when coming up to net.
  • What are your thoughts on the Western forehand and what would you add to the conversation?

Eastern Backhand Tennis Grip

The Eastern backhand grip is the most popular grip amongst players who hit with a one handed backhand. The contact point for the Eastern backhand is waist high and out in front of the body. Due to the contact point, the Eastern backhand will naturally tend to swing more through the ball creating a relatively flat hit ball compared to balls hit with more extreme backhand grips.

The Eastern Backhand Grip is a great option for players of all ages and abilities who want to play all court tennis. The transition to the Continental Grip in minor when approaching the net.

Finding the Eastern Backhand Tennis Grip

The Eastern backhand grip can be found by placing your heel pad and index knuckle on bevel number one. An easy way to grip the racquet with the Eastern backhand grip is to hold the throat of the racquet straight out in front of you with your non dominate hand just below shoulder height, the strings perpendicular to the ground, and then place your dominant hand on the grip ensuring your wrist stays straight.

One-handed backhand gripPro Tip

Find the Western forehand grip and simply turn your hand and racquet over to your backhand and you have the Eastern backhand grip.

Strengths

  • Topspin and flat balls.
  • Some players utilize the grip for the backhand slice as well.
  • Easy transition to the continental grip when approaching the net.

Weaknesses

  • High balls.
  • How has your experience been with the Eastern backhand grip and what would you add for others to try?

Semi-Western Backhand Tennis Grip

The semi-Western backhand tennis grip is a popular choice among clay court players and has been utilized to produce some of the most powerful backhands in the game today. The semi-Western backhand grip is advanced and requires more upper body strength than the Eastern Backhand Grip.

The optimal contact point for the semi-Western backhand grip is higher and farther out in front of the body than the Eastern backhand grip. Due to the contact point, the semi-Western backhand will naturally swing low to high through the ball creating greater topspin compared to the Eastern backhand grip.

Finding the Semi-Western Backhand Tennis Grip

The semi-Western backhand grip can be found by resting your heel pad and index knuckle on bevel number eight. Start by holding the throat of the racquet with your non dominant hand waist high and perpendicular to the ground so you are looking down at bevel number one. Then move counterclockwise one bevel, to bevel number eight, and rest your heel pad and index knuckle onto bevel number eight. For lefties, move clockwise to bevel number two.

Pro Tip

Find the semi-Western forehand tennis grip and simply turn your hand and racquet over to your backhand and you have the semi-Western backhand grip.

Strengths

  • High balls.
  • Topspin.

Weaknesses

  • Low balls.
  • More significant of a grip change from the semi-Western to the Continental Grip than that of an Eastern grip when approaching the net.
  • What professional tennis players today can you think of that utilize the semi-Western backhand grip?

Two-Handed Backhand Tennis Grip

The two-handed backhand tennis grip is extremely popular among professional players today. This grip is a good option for all players and a great option for players that lack the upper body strength to hit a one-handed backhand.

Many players have differences when it comes to how they hold the two-handed backhand grip. The important part is to hold the racquet in a way that allows for both arms to strike through the ball smoothly and that compliments your overall style of play.

Finding the Two-Handed Backhand Tennis Grip

Here are a couple of suggested ways to hold the two-handed backhand tennis grip. Place the dominant hand in the Continental Grip or the Eastern Backhand Grip, and the non-dominant hand in an  Eastern Forehand Grip or the Semi-Western Forehand Grip.

There is debate about the ideal two-handed grip, but as we mentioned previously there is no perfect grip. However, the options above and anywhere in between will allow you to come up with the best fit for your game.

two-handed backhand gripPro Tip

When grasping the racquet ensure there is no space between your dominant and non-dominant hand. The hands should be touching but not overlapping.

Strengths

  • Topspin and flat balls.
  • Can handle low balls and high balls below shoulder height.

Weaknesses

  • Limits the player’s reach.
  • More difficult to transition to the slice than the one handed backhand.
  • What comes to mind when you think of the two-handed backhand grip?

That concludes our guide on tennis grips. We hope you enjoyed it and can take some tips to the court with you. You may also want to check out our article on how to measure your grip size and a complete list of guides on tennis technique.

Please take a moment to leave a comment or share this article with your friends on social media using the share links below. See you on the court!

Tennis Shot Selection Drills for Singles

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This tennis lesson with Erica covers tennis shot selection drills for singles that can make the difference between winning or losing a close match. Often times close matches are determined by hitting the right shots at the right time. This can often be confusing with all the decisions you have to make on the court.

In today’s video, I share my simple zone system to determine shot selection. Court positioning and the ball being received determines shot selection. This can help for making those decisions simple and even automatic. In close matches it is critical that you stop overthinking things. By doing these drills over time, your subconscious can take over and allow you to win more matches.

Shot selection drills in this tennis lesson…

Zones in Tennis to Guide Shot Selection

Where you are physically positioned on the court can help guide your shot selection. Here is a framework that can be used as a guide. Utilize the photos below to illustrate the framework as well.

  • Defensive zone is when you’re positioned six feet or more beyond the baseline.
    • Typically in this zone you want to hit your shots at least six feet above the net. This helps limit your chances of missing into the net, can assist with placing the ball deep, and provide yourself time to recover.
  • Neutral zone is when your beyond the baseline but not being pushed back beyond where you would like to stand.
    • When in the neutral zone, it is important to focus on depth and try to keep the ball deep. This keeps your opponent at bay, needing to take on additional risk if they decide to go for an aggressive ball. Hitting balls three to six feet over the net with topspin is a great choice in this zone because it may push your opponent back near the defensive zone and result in your opponent hitting the ball short.
  • The attacking zone is when you’re positioned inside the baseline.
    • In the attacking zone, the court has now shortened. It is important to hit lower over the net keeping the ball within three feet over the net. This will assist in keeping your attacking or approach shots from sailing long
  • The kill zone is when your are positioned around the service line.
    • All the points in the attacking zone apply to the kill zone as well.

The 2-1

  1. First shot is deep to C+ to push the opponent back in the court.
  2. Second shot is wide to D to open up the court.
  3. Third shot is placed to A for the unspectacular winner.
Tennis Singles Strategy The 2-1

More singles strategy to win more matches…

The above tennis singles concepts come from my Singles Strategy and Statistics Playbook.