Mastering the Basics: Your Guide to Grip & Ready Position for All Courts

Welcome to the ultimate guide for a crucial part of your tennis game—the very foundation of every shot. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your technique, mastering your grip and ready position is the key to unlocking consistent performance.

While the principles remain the same on any surface, a few subtle adjustments can make all the difference, especially when you step onto a grass court.

Grips 101: The Handshake and The Frying Pan

The way you hold your racquet determines the spin, power, and angle of your shots. For beginners, we recommend focusing on two fundamental grips:

The Continental Grip: Think of it as a universal grip for essential shots. Hold the racquet as if you’re shaking hands with it, with your thumb and index finger forming a “V” shape on top of the handle. This grip is essential for serves, volleys, and slices because it allows for a fluid, flat motion. For a visual guide, check out this video from Essential Tennis on YouTube.
The Eastern Forehand: This is a fantastic grip for your forehand, offering a great balance of topspin and power. To find it, simply rotate your hand one position to the right from the Continental grip (for a right-handed player). It’s often called the “frying pan” grip because it feels like you’re holding a frying pan in front of you. It’s a comfortable and intuitive starting point for powerful groundstrokes.

The Ready Position: Your Launchpad

The “ready position” is more than just standing still; it’s a dynamic, athletic stance that prepares you for anything. It’s your base of operations for every shot except the serve.

Stance: Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and your weight on the balls of your feet.
Racquet: Hold your racquet out in front of you, supported by your non-dominant hand on the throat. Keep it a little bit forward and high, ready to move in any direction.
Split Step: This is the magic move. As your opponent makes contact with the ball, you perform a small hop or “split step.” This lands you in an athletic, balanced position, allowing you to react quickly and push off to the ball. Learn more about its importance in our guide on Tennis Footwork.

Remember, the ready position isn’t a casual break; it’s a stance of constant readiness and focus. Consistency over power is the beginner’s mantra!

A Grass Court Game: How Grip and Stance Change

While the core principles are universal, the unique characteristics of grass courts demand specific adjustments to your grip and ready position.

The **Lower, Faster Bounce:** This is the most significant change on grass. The ball skids and stays much lower than on hard or clay courts. This means you need to get lower!

Tip for Grips: Because the ball is so low, grips that naturally promote a flatter, more penetrating shot—like the Eastern Forehand and the Continental—become even more valuable. The Continental grip, in particular, is a lifesaver for low-bouncing volleys and for hitting the slice. While extreme topspin grips (like the Western) are popular on other surfaces, they can be a disadvantage on grass.
Tip for Ready Position: To handle the low bounce, your ready position needs to be extra-low. Bend your knees even more, and stay on the balls of your feet, ready to spring into action. This lower center of gravity will help you get under the ball and handle those tricky skids.

Quicker Points: Points on grass are often shorter and faster. The ball gets to you sooner, so there’s less time to adjust.

Early Preparation: You have less time to react. This means your racquet preparation (getting the racquet back) has to be faster. Practice getting into your ready position and taking the racquet back as soon as you see your opponent start their swing.
Footwork: Forget sliding! On grass, your footwork should be all about short, quick, and precise steps. This will help you maintain balance and react to unpredictable bounces without slipping.

Climate & Court Conditions: Does it Matter?

Yes, absolutely! Climate can significantly impact how a tennis ball behaves, which in turn affects your game. For more in-depth advice on adapting to different conditions, check out resources from coaches like The Tennis Foundation.

Heat & Humidity: In hot, humid conditions, the air is denser, making the ball feel heavier and slower. This can lead to longer rallies. Your grip might also become sweaty, so using a good grip tape or an overgrip is crucial to maintain control.
Cold & Dry: In cold weather, the air is less dense, and the ball’s internal pressure decreases. This results in a lower, less bouncy ball. This makes a game feel faster and can be challenging for those who rely on a high bounce. You might want to switch to a more traditional, flatter grip to compensate.
Altitude: At higher altitudes, the air is thinner, causing the ball to fly faster and bounce higher. You might need to adjust by using more topspin or by shortening your swing to keep the ball in the court. For advanced tips on spin, see our guide on Advanced Techniques.

On grass, the climate also affects the court itself. In wet conditions, the court becomes slower and slick, requiring extreme care with your footwork. In dry conditions, the ball skids even more, making for a faster game.

Ultimately, mastering your grip and ready position is about a willingness to adapt. The fundamentals will serve you well, but understanding how to tweak them for the unique feel of grass and the demands of different climates is what separates a good player from a great one.

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