Continental Grip
Also known as: chopper grip, hammer grip, continental
The continental grip positions the base knuckle of the index finger on bevel 2 of the handle, the universal grip for volleys, serves, overheads, slices, and drop shots.
The continental grip is the "neutral" or "hammer" grip in tennis — the feel is as though the player is holding a hammer with the edge of the head facing down. The index-finger base knuckle sits on bevel 2 of the octagonal handle (counting from the top flat for a right-hander). Because the face angle at contact is perpendicular to the ground, the continental grip is ideal for any shot requiring a flat or sliced contact above or below the wrist: volleys, serves, slice backhands, drop shots, and overheads. It is NOT comfortable for topspin groundstrokes from below the waist because it requires extreme wrist extension. Coaches introduce the continental for serves first, then volleys, then slice; topspin groundstrokes typically use eastern, semi-western, or western grips.
Example
Switching from a semi-western forehand grip to a continental for the volley allows the net player to handle both forehand and backhand volleys without a grip change between shots.
Why it matters
The continental grip is the foundation of the net game. Players who volley with a semi-western forehand grip produce only forehand volleys — the backhand cannot be hit with the same grip. SwingVantage checks whether grip-related issues are causing volley errors.
Across sports
- Pickleball
- The continental grip is the most common pickleball grip — the shorter backswing and quick exchanges make switching grips impractical.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the continental grip?
Place the racquet flat on the ground and pick it up naturally like a hammer — that is the continental. Or place the base knuckle of the index finger on the top bevel and rotate one bevel toward the forehand side.
Related terms
- Eastern GripThe eastern grip places the base knuckle of the index finger on the flat side bevel of the handle (bevel 3), allowing a flat or moderate-topspin forehand with a comfortable contact height.
- Semi-Western GripThe semi-western grip (base knuckle on bevel 4) is the most popular modern forehand grip, balancing topspin capability with comfortable contact across a wide range of ball heights.
- Western GripThe western grip rotates the hand fully under the handle (base knuckle on bevel 4–5), enabling extreme topspin on high balls while making low-ball and flat shots very difficult.
- Grip ChangeA grip change is the adjustment of hand position on the handle between shots to match the optimal grip for the incoming shot type — most commonly shifting from a forehand grip to continental for volleys, serves, or slices.
- Volley TechniqueVolley technique refers to the mechanics of striking the ball before it bounces, using a short, firm punch action rather than a full groundstroke swing.
- Flat ServeA flat serve is struck with minimal spin at maximum racquet-head speed, producing the highest velocity and least margin for error of the three main serve types.
- SliceIn tennis, a slice is a shot hit with backspin by swinging high-to-low through the ball, producing a low, skidding bounce. (This differs from a golf slice, which is a curving mishit.)
Related guides & benchmarks
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