Scott Leese’s Advice for a Better Tennis Serve: The

Continental Grip

The Continental Grip

A dedicated athlete, Scott Leese enjoys a variety of sports, from surfing to tennis. Scott Leese enjoys discussing tennis tips with other individuals whenever possible. While many, he notes, recognize the importance of grip during normal volleys, he finds that several talented players do not appreciate the importance of a correct grip for a fast serve. The best grip for a serve is the continental grip. To achieve this, the player holds the racket as if it were a hammer with the strings perpendicular to the ground. To test the grip, a player should practice bouncing a tennis ball between the ground and the bottom edge of the racket, as if “chopping” the ball with the racket. Ideally, the bottom knuckle of the index finger fits into the second bevel on the grip. This grip allows a player to create a streamlined serving motion, focusing all power onto the ball. Also, the grip provides for ideal pronation, the turning of the thumb into the body as the player strikes the ball. The racket should approach the ball with the little finger pointed toward it. The player then rotates his or her hand, moving the thumb in toward the ball as if giving it a high five. This motion mimics that of cracking a whip and will produce a very speedy serve.