Video:How to Get a Continental Forehand Grip
with Jeff CooperThe Continental grip was once the most popular forehand grip, but it has been displaced by grips more favorable to topspin. Watch this how-to video from About.com to see how and when it may still be used.See Transcript
Transcript:How to Get a Continental Forehand Grip
Hi, I'm Jeff Cooper for About.com, here to show you how to get a Continental grip, which can be used for forehands or backhands.
What's the Continental Forehand Grip?
The continental grip places the base knuckle of your index finger on the upper right slant bevel, which is 45 degrees above the plane of the strings. As on all grips, you want your hand spread along the handle, not wrapped straight around.
How Does the Continental Forehand Grip Work?
Because the Continental grip is centered above the plane of your strings, it makes your racquet naturally tilt upward. That makes it suitable for slice, but it's weak for hitting flat and very uncomfortable for hitting topspin. As a result, you really don't see it used anymore on the pro tours.
When Was the Continental Forehand Grip Used?
Back in the days when three of the four major pro tournaments were played on grass, and everybody sliced everything, it worked fine, but now that the game is mostly on hard courts and clay, and people are much more oriented toward hitting topspin, you really only see the Continental grip used for volleys, serves, overheads, and also some slice backhands.
For more on grips and everything else in tennis, visit About.com.