I know partly disagreeing comments make it all the more confusing but here we go. 1 - I like it that you explain the reason for the continental grip to be the need to lead on edge. Leading on edge increases the racket speed AND improves the stability. The "waiter's serve" using the forehand grip increases air resistance and induces a wobbling effect that reduces stability. I see that very rarely explained and you at least hint at that. 2 - It is also true that a continental grip will allow you to impart spin, while a forehand grip doesn't have that option. However, it's not a necessary consequence of the continental grip: you can still serve flat by pronating into a flat contact. No spin there. With the kick serve or the slice serve, there's less pronation going on and part of the energy is transferred into spin, not speed. So the versatility of the continental grip is key. (I know you know that of course) 3 - The reason why we stand sideways and don't face the court flat out is not really what you describe - I think - because we would never serve with a pure rubbing motion, making the ball travel perpendicular to how we stand. The reason we stand sideways is that we can rotate into the contact, adding rotational speed in (addition to the leg thrust) to our arm speed. You could perfectly face court with a continental grip and pronate into flat (or spin) contact - but you'd miss that rotational force. 4 - A swing path to the right induces kick rather than slice and you can see that in your demonstration of the slice serve at 7:02. Your swing path is not going to the right at all. I think the mismatch between what we see and what you say is confusing. I know you make educational choices and not all is meant to be biomechanically sound, sketching a learning path for your audience rather than giving perfect information. I would not make that choice but you obviously have way more experience and superior technique (and an audience) so I respect it. Cheers!
I agree that you should start the motion holding the Cont grip with strings slightly open. *I would also add this:*
It is frequently mentioned by coaches that the Continental grip places your strings *PERPENDICULAR* to the ground. In other words, the face is neither open nor closed; it is neutral. So in order to start the motion with strings slightly open, you must slightly supinate the forearm. If you simply hold the grip without supinating, the strings will be perpendicular to the ground, not slightly open. I think this is an important point. Correct me if I'm wrong. But there must be a slight supination of the forearm to achieve the desired result of having the strings slightly open at the start of the motion.
30 years of tennis and my mind is officially blown by this video :0 Can't wait to try this out tomorrow! Very nice demonstration of slice serve btw. :-)
Your enthusiasm at, what looks like 6AM, is unparalleled. Thanks. :-) PS. I like how you identify all the different technique mistakes people are going to make, and tell us how to avoid them.
Based on my playing experience, I wholeheartedly agree the grip is far and away the most important element of the serve that will help you reach your potential. Great stuff per usual, Ryan :)
Coach Ryan thanks, this tip about starting with the Backhand grip and the it slides to continental grip really worked for me, I am finally getting a Racquet drop and coming up on edge like I'm supposed to.
Ryann, omgod I laughed so much. You absolutely get it. I am in the same boat. Been playing for a year and half and was finally getting and loving. Behold, my coach changed my grip to continental and I am like 😭. Yes I change the grip the way you have shown. You are a true genius. You have explained all the nano micro points so clearly. Hopefully will soon share a video of decent serve. And you are so right 😂 right now, it’s going totally out of court
Agradezco la claridad y didáctica de tus clases!!!, son magistrales!!!, disculpas porque no manejo bien el Inglés !, te saludo desde Argentina y quiero hacerte una consulta sobre el video : puedes por favor explicar con mas detalle el momento de la pronación? Muchas gracias!!!!! Felicitaciones!!!!!!!
excellent tip on using a "strong" continental grip, a lot of the people unknowingly use an Australian grip(between continental and eastern) and then wonder why they can't get kick/slice going, the australian grip works well only on flat serves(down T on duece and wide out on ad side) I think?
@@2MinuteTennis In my personal case, I tried the "true" continental for my serve, my backhand slice and volleys, for years, but I was never confortable with it. Since I started to use the "australian", between continental and eastern (didn´t knew how it was called ), things began to work well. Andy Murray uses this grip for serve, and Rafa Nadal uses it for backhand slice and volleys, so I don´t think I´m wrong. (Also Mcenroe uses it, and the still beats other ex. No.1, 10 years younger than him).
Yea! When you try the continental and then attempt a flat serve your brain won’t like that so it’ll change your grip halfway through the serve. Embrace leading with the edge
Great video, as always, good information clear and concise. Might you do a video on some racquet recommendations? Things such as racquet weight, string pattern and head light vs head heavy. Thanks for your work I look forward to more great videos.
Really enjoying your videos, they’re very targeted and informative 😊 would you be able to do one on single vs double-handed backhand (pros, cons, advice for both and for those considering switching to one to the other)? Learned tennis when I was 12 with a double and recently switched to a single aged 31 after returning to practice and a lot of thought. Keep up the good work 👍
5:00 I agree that you should start the motion holding the Cont grip with strings slightly open. My reasoning is that having the strings slightly opening discourages going palm up into Waiter's Tray (Note that many players, even if they don't shift the grip to forehand, still go palm up into Waiter's Tray even while holding the Continental grip). Video says, "You want the strings slightly open when learning the Cont grip because it encourages you to stay away from the forehand grip". Not clear on this. Are you saying that starting with strings open discourages you from shifting to forehand grip later in the motion? Or are you saying that even if there is no grip shift to forehand, it is still better to have the strings open when learning the Continiental grip? Also, coaches often mention that the Continental grip places your strings *PERPENDICULAR* to the ground. In other words, the face is neither open nor closed; it is neutral. So in order to start the motion with strings slightly open, you must slightly supinate the forearm. If you simply hold the Continental grip, and the forearm is neutral, the strings will be perpendicular to the ground, not slightly open. So yes, you want to start the motion with strings slightly open. And in order to achieve this open string position, there must be a slight supination of the forearm at the start of the motion to get the strings open. Correct me if I am wrong on this.
Ryan, can I send you some slomo videos of my son’s serve with continental grip? To me it looks ok, but something is causing the inner bicep/tricep area to hurt pretty bad. It seems to hurt after doing several serves, not after any other types of swings for tennis.
Hi! I've been playing for decently long but just recently started getting into watching more detailed things such as grips. Issue that I have is that when I serve I don't really use the eastern forehand grip nor full on continental grip. I feel like I have something in between, perhaps slightly little more towards continental but I feel like not a 100%. Would you say it's really set in stone to have your pointer fingers knuckles on the 2nd pebble for example? It feels somewhat weird and I'd hate to think I have "wasted" so much time trying to improve my serve and all that time I have been doing it all wrong. My first serve is fairly flat tho, and I have been focusing perhaps a little too much on the speed rather than consistency. I hit my peak 1st serve of 191kmh around half a year ago, and ever since I feel like I have been stuck at little lower speeds. Also my first serve isn't as consistent as I would like. overall very well explained video. thank you very much for it. I guess I just have to face it and start working developing this. I would like to think at least some parts of my service motion are good and have not gone all to waste. Cheers! Edit: Also the way I do my 2nd serve then is mostly done by alternating my ball toss mostly, in example if doing a kick serve. I guess that kind of forces me to hit in a different angle to get the spin necessary
Sounds too simple. There should be something else to add to it so the ball does not go too far or too easy for the opponent to hit it very hard or slice it back too easy and lose the point.
How To Serve With A Continental Grip
I know partly disagreeing comments make it all the more confusing but here we go.
1 - I like it that you explain the reason for the continental grip to be the need to lead on edge. Leading on edge increases the racket speed AND improves the stability. The "waiter's serve" using the forehand grip increases air resistance and induces a wobbling effect that reduces stability. I see that very rarely explained and you at least hint at that.
2 - It is also true that a continental grip will allow you to impart spin, while a forehand grip doesn't have that option. However, it's not a necessary consequence of the continental grip: you can still serve flat by pronating into a flat contact. No spin there. With the kick serve or the slice serve, there's less pronation going on and part of the energy is transferred into spin, not speed. So the versatility of the continental grip is key. (I know you know that of course)
3 - The reason why we stand sideways and don't face the court flat out is not really what you describe - I think - because we would never serve with a pure rubbing motion, making the ball travel perpendicular to how we stand. The reason we stand sideways is that we can rotate into the contact, adding rotational speed in (addition to the leg thrust) to our arm speed. You could perfectly face court with a continental grip and pronate into flat (or spin) contact - but you'd miss that rotational force.
4 - A swing path to the right induces kick rather than slice and you can see that in your demonstration of the slice serve at 7:02. Your swing path is not going to the right at all. I think the mismatch between what we see and what you say is confusing.
I know you make educational choices and not all is meant to be biomechanically sound, sketching a learning path for your audience rather than giving perfect information. I would not make that choice but you obviously have way more experience and superior technique (and an audience) so I respect it. Cheers!
I agree that you should start the motion holding the Cont grip with strings slightly open. *I would also add this:*
It is frequently mentioned by coaches that the Continental grip places your strings *PERPENDICULAR* to the ground. In other words, the face is neither open nor closed; it is neutral. So in order to start the motion with strings slightly open, you must slightly supinate the forearm. If you simply hold the grip without supinating, the strings will be perpendicular to the ground, not slightly open.
I think this is an important point. Correct me if I'm wrong. But there must be a slight supination of the forearm to achieve the desired result of having the strings slightly open at the start of the motion.
30 years of tennis and my mind is officially blown by this video :0 Can't wait to try this out tomorrow! Very nice demonstration of slice serve btw. :-)
This planet needs more people like Ryan. Simply explained and showed how to improve serve, this is a game changer. Thank you very much.
Your enthusiasm at, what looks like 6AM, is unparalleled. Thanks. :-)
PS. I like how you identify all the different technique mistakes people are going to make, and tell us how to avoid them.
Haha it was extremely early here yes and during the video I was basically staring into the sun. Haha
Based on my playing experience, I wholeheartedly agree the grip is far and away the most important element of the serve that will help you reach your potential. Great stuff per usual, Ryan :)
Hey thanks Mehrban!
Focusing on the slice serve first with the continental grip is a game chager! You are a great coach! Thanks!!
Learning tennis from Brazil only with this channel, thanks Ryan!!
Coach Ryan thanks, this tip about starting with the Backhand grip and the it slides to continental grip really worked for me, I am finally getting a Racquet drop and coming up on edge like I'm supposed to.
So glad to hear that Omar!!
Ryann, omgod I laughed so much. You absolutely get it. I am in the same boat. Been playing for a year and half and was finally getting and loving. Behold, my coach changed my grip to continental and I am like 😭. Yes I change the grip the way you have shown. You are a true genius. You have explained all the nano micro points so clearly. Hopefully will soon share a video of decent serve. And you are so right 😂 right now, it’s going totally out of court
Very helpful video, thank you Ryan for all the effort. I have to admit that as a beginner, serving is the most confusing part.
New follower. Great video, I am paying a private teacher and this was most informative than my lessons....Thank you.
The best video on the subject I’ve ever seen
Agradezco la claridad y didáctica de tus clases!!!, son magistrales!!!, disculpas porque no manejo bien el Inglés !, te saludo desde Argentina y quiero hacerte una consulta sobre el video :
puedes por favor explicar con mas detalle el momento de la pronación?
Muchas gracias!!!!! Felicitaciones!!!!!!!
Invaluable. Now I know why my serves were going so wide. Thank you.
Fantastic information... I have seen several videos but this one has really helped.... Thanks 👍
So simply explained
Great tips on the slice. I've had issues just chopping at it and it floats into the net. Slice with pronation, will try this on court.
excellent tip on using a "strong" continental grip, a lot of the people unknowingly use an Australian grip(between continental and eastern) and then wonder why they can't get kick/slice going, the australian grip works well only on flat serves(down T on duece and wide out on ad side) I think?
Thanks so much Vikram! And yes, what you said is correct. 🎉✅🎾😊👍
@@2MinuteTennis In my personal case, I tried the "true" continental for my serve, my backhand slice and volleys, for years, but I was never confortable with it. Since I started to use the "australian", between continental and eastern (didn´t knew how it was called ), things began to work well. Andy Murray uses this grip for serve, and Rafa Nadal uses it for backhand slice and volleys, so I don´t think I´m wrong. (Also Mcenroe uses it, and the still beats other ex. No.1, 10 years younger than him).
Wow I've been trying to hit it flat the whole time, this actually makes a lot more sense. Thanks!
Yea! When you try the continental and then attempt a flat serve your brain won’t like that so it’ll change your grip halfway through the serve. Embrace leading with the edge
Thanks !!! now I know why my Continental breakfast goes well with my serve
Love his outro, simple but effective
I learned my lesson and didnt have full volume when I opened this video 👏👏😂
Do you video on how to use the continental grip on a flat serve?
i want to switch my forehand grip serve into a continental grip serve. I hit my forehand serve standing sideways though!
Great video, as always, good information clear and concise. Might you do a video on some racquet recommendations? Things such as racquet weight, string pattern and head light vs head heavy. Thanks for your work I look forward to more great videos.
I ❤️ u bro..coach as simple as it explains so easily.. 😀😂❤️😘😘
No hablo inglés, pero te felicito.Me encantan tus videos y son muy claros!!!
Thanks!
Thank you Ryan!!!
Really enjoying your videos, they’re very targeted and informative 😊 would you be able to do one on single vs double-handed backhand (pros, cons, advice for both and for those considering switching to one to the other)? Learned tennis when I was 12 with a double and recently switched to a single aged 31 after returning to practice and a lot of thought. Keep up the good work 👍
5:00
I agree that you should start the motion holding the Cont grip with strings slightly open. My reasoning is that having the strings slightly opening discourages going palm up into Waiter's Tray (Note that many players, even if they don't shift the grip to forehand, still go palm up into Waiter's Tray even while holding the Continental grip).
Video says, "You want the strings slightly open when learning the Cont grip because it encourages you to stay away from the forehand grip". Not clear on this. Are you saying that starting with strings open discourages you from shifting to forehand grip later in the motion? Or are you saying that even if there is no grip shift to forehand, it is still better to have the strings open when learning the Continiental grip?
Also, coaches often mention that the Continental grip places your strings *PERPENDICULAR* to the ground. In other words, the face is neither open nor closed; it is neutral. So in order to start the motion with strings slightly open, you must slightly supinate the forearm. If you simply hold the Continental grip, and the forearm is neutral, the strings will be perpendicular to the ground, not slightly open.
So yes, you want to start the motion with strings slightly open. And in order to achieve this open string position, there must be a slight supination of the forearm at the start of the motion to get the strings open. Correct me if I am wrong on this.
Thanks 12 min tennis
Love this lesson….I’m learning to serve following your instructions and it’s going well except that I lack accuracy and power…any advice?
Very good lesson, thanks! :o)
1:25 my gosh this is relatable...
I like the slow motion.
Again a great video i am one of the players who changing the grip during the serve :( even when i realy aware of it. It is like a plague.
Hi Ryan, the height over the net tip
Ryan thanks always for the great lessons and videos. Just curious what is the racket you use there. Is it a Babolat pure drive?
Gonna try this tom 🤣
Ryan, can I send you some slomo videos of my son’s serve with continental grip? To me it looks ok, but something is causing the inner bicep/tricep area to hurt pretty bad. It seems to hurt after doing several serves, not after any other types of swings for tennis.
Hey mark! Let’s do a stroke analysis lesson on it. Send me an email ryan@2minutetennis.net. Thanks!!!
Bevel 2 has two edges, can I put my knuckle on the edge that connects with bevel 3?
3:00 that’s exactly what I thought too 🤣 same exact scenario happened to me
Don’t xare bud
Hi!
I've been playing for decently long but just recently started getting into watching more detailed things such as grips. Issue that I have is that when I serve I don't really use the eastern forehand grip nor full on continental grip. I feel like I have something in between, perhaps slightly little more towards continental but I feel like not a 100%. Would you say it's really set in stone to have your pointer fingers knuckles on the 2nd pebble for example? It feels somewhat weird and I'd hate to think I have "wasted" so much time trying to improve my serve and all that time I have been doing it all wrong.
My first serve is fairly flat tho, and I have been focusing perhaps a little too much on the speed rather than consistency. I hit my peak 1st serve of 191kmh around half a year ago, and ever since I feel like I have been stuck at little lower speeds. Also my first serve isn't as consistent as I would like.
overall very well explained video. thank you very much for it. I guess I just have to face it and start working developing this. I would like to think at least some parts of my service motion are good and have not gone all to waste.
Cheers!
Edit: Also the way I do my 2nd serve then is mostly done by alternating my ball toss mostly, in example if doing a kick serve. I guess that kind of forces me to hit in a different angle to get the spin necessary
Great session but it would be better to zoom in to show the difference grips.
Great video! How to hit flat serves with continental grip?🎾
Hey Ryan, what are your tips to play under windy conditions? Of course the normal wind speed of 10 to 15 km/hr that we normaly face in the afternoons.
Tennis technique is “counterintuitive”
i just need a best superfast serve using continental grip..
Why does everyone in these tennis serve videos stand so far away from the camera
La Rochelle v racing metro
👍
Sounds too simple. There should be something else to add to it so the ball does not go too far or too easy for the opponent to hit it very hard or slice it back too easy and lose the point.
2 minute tennis = 12 minute video?
Other than that, good video! Lol
Haha thanks. Do you ever go on Facebook? :)
Its not a book of faces. :)
7:24 slow motion