Classic One-Handed Backhand Grip

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The classic one-handed backhand grip is where the heel pad and index knuckle of your hitting hand rest on the first bevel of the tennis racket handle (the very “top” of the handle).

At 0:30 in the video above you can see me holding the racket with a classic one-handed backhand grip, and both my heel pad and index knuckle are resting on that top bevel of the tennis racket handle.

A simple way to find the classic one-handed backhand grip is to hold the tennis racket at the throat with your non-hitting hand. Take your hitting hand and put it directly on the top of the handle. Another “hack” you can use to find the classic one-handed backhand grip is to find the western forehand grip and then simply turn your hand and racket over to your backhand side. You’ll have the correct classic one-hander grip.

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  • Anonymous

    it’s not ok the ball will fly to the moon when you it with open racket position. tell your coach to fly with the ball to the moon.

  • Anonymous

    You speak about the serve using a conti grip, but what about the other serve grips using the one hand backhand grips -bevel 1 and 8?

  • Thefonz3606

    Not getting any pictures of your teaching.

  • Mason

    I am sorta new to FYB, but on some videos like on the grips and forehands don’t come up. Can you tell me why?

  • monty

    i like the cheat part xD

  • HHSW99HC

    I’ve been using a one hander for a while but I use it on the 2nd bevel, is that acceptable?

  • Richard

    seems like the classic one handed backhand grip turned over to a western grip could be a decent 1 grip solution? Or am I missing something?

  • KD Guest

    —Yes it is. However, if the grip isn’t centered right not he bevel, it’s borderline painful turning over the racquet face to switch. That’s why you can always see players spinning the racquet in their hands after a shot. It’s not to make a grip change, it’s too get a good feel of the handle. I believe Phillip Kohlschreiber is the one who has done this on tour, the German.—

  • Teddy Jordan

    I remember as a kid I was taught to use your thumb to act as a brace.  The thumb would stick out on bevel 7 if using a continental grip.  They don’t seem to teach this anymore.

    I notice if I play without the thumb support, my shots seemed to pull wide left when hitting a backhand. 

    Is there a reason not to support a racket with the thumb?  Is it too much stress on the thumb?

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  • david

    I think you should clarify one thing in one the videos: that you are supposed to 
    actually change the grip according to whether you intend to hit a forehand or a backhand! Of course this is obvious from the fact that you have separate sections for backhand and forehand grips, but it struck me as rather odd when I came to the site to learn basic technique. I even started to entertain the idea that maybe different grips existed for players with a preference towards hitting forehands or backhands.
    Also it would be good to give explanations on why some grips are preferred. For example, one of the reasons the classical eastern backhand grip is used is that it keeps the racquet face perfectly vertical at the natural point of contact, or so it seems to me. Trying to hit a backhand with an eastern forehand grip would result in a serious tilt. On the other hand, a slight amount of tilt seems necessary for slice, is that why the continental grip is used?Great site by the way!