If your serve, volley, or slice feels awkward, check where your hand sits on the racket handle. The continental grip is often called the “hammer grip,” but that nickname only helps if you know which bevel your fingers should find.
For a right-handed player, the usual reference point is bevel 2. Here’s how to locate it, confirm your hand position, and choose grip gear that won’t hide the handle’s shape.
What Is a Bevel on a Tennis Racket?
A tennis racket handle has eight flat sides, called bevels. Those faces and the edges between them help your hand settle into a repeatable position. Bevels are easiest to feel through the grip, especially when you hold the racket with a relaxed hand.
Most grip charts number the bevels from 1 to 8, with bevel 1 at the top of the handle. In the common right-handed numbering system, a continental grip places the base knuckle of your index finger on bevel 2. The fleshy heel pad below your little finger should rest on that same bevel.
Numbering diagrams can look reversed depending on how the racket is held or viewed. If a chart’s directions seem confusing, use the hand-position description as your guide—and remember that the left-handed continental grip is the mirror image of the right-handed one.
How to Find the Continental Grip Bevel
- Hold the racket in front of you with the strings facing roughly toward the net.
- Find the top bevel. Turn the handle slightly and feel for the flat face at the top of its octagonal shape.
- Place your index-finger base knuckle on bevel 2 using a right-handed grip chart. Set the heel pad of your hand on that face as well.
- Wrap your fingers comfortably around the handle. Keep a little space between your index finger and the other fingers rather than squeezing the handle like a hammer.
- Check the racket face. The strings should not feel as if they are turned sharply toward the sky or ground when your wrist and arm are relaxed.
If you’re left-handed, use the mirrored hand position. A partner or coach can check your grip against a bevel chart, since it’s easy to mistake the bevel numbering when looking at the racket from the opposite side.
When to Use a Continental Grip
The continental grip is a useful all-court grip because you can move quickly between shots without making a large hand adjustment. It’s especially common for serves, volleys, overheads, and slice shots.
- Serve: It allows the racket to move through contact with a relaxed wrist and can help you hit flat, slice, and kick serves. The grip alone won’t create spin; the swing path and contact matter too.
- Volley: It makes quick changes from forehand to backhand volley easier at the net. You can keep your hand in one position instead of rotating the racket on every ball.
- Slice: It supports a firm racket face and a cut across or under the ball. Use a controlled swing rather than trying to make the ball spin by flicking your wrist.
- Overhead and defensive shots: The grip lets you prepare efficiently for overheads and can help with a short, firm block when you have little time.
It is usually not the best default for a modern topspin forehand. Many players turn the hand farther around the handle for that shot, which helps them brush up the back of the ball. Switching grips is normal: a player might use a continental grip for a volley, then adjust to a forehand grip while recovering for the next rally ball.
Grip Gear That Keeps the Bevels Easy to Feel
Overgrips and replacement grips won’t change which bevel suits your shot, but they affect how clearly you can feel the handle. A single overgrip generally adds some thickness; piling on layers can make the bevels less distinct. The products below suit different preferences, so choose based on sweat, tackiness, and comfort rather than expecting a grip to correct hand placement.
| Grip | Feel and best use | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Pro Overgrip | Thin, soft, and tacky; a versatile choice for players who want a familiar feel. | Comfortable and easy to wrap over a replacement grip. | It can feel slick as it wears, so frequent players may need to replace it often. |
| Yonex Super Grap | Tacky with a cushioned feel; useful for players who want a secure hold without a very dry surface. | Offers a comfortable, grippy surface and comes in several colors. | Its cushioned feel may soften the sense of the bevel edges compared with a thinner overgrip. |
| Tourna Grip Original | A dry-feeling overgrip designed for players whose hands sweat heavily. | Absorbs sweat well and can feel more secure as your hand gets damp. | It may feel too dry to players who prefer a tacky surface, and it can wear quickly. |
| HEAD Xtreme Soft | A soft, tacky option for players who like extra comfort at the hand. | Comfortable and easy to fit over a standard grip. | The soft feel may make the handle seem slightly rounder, especially with multiple layers. |
| Gamma Supreme Overgrip | A tacky, cushioned overgrip for players seeking a comfortable all-around surface. | Provides a secure feel and is straightforward to install. | Players who want a very thin, crisp connection to the bevels may prefer a less cushioned option. |
To keep bevels distinct, use one overgrip at a time and replace it when it becomes slick or compressed. If you change the racket’s replacement grip or add an extra layer, check your continental grip again—the handle may feel larger even though the bevel number has not changed.
Common Continental Grip Mistakes
- Holding the racket too tightly: A constant squeeze can limit wrist and forearm movement. Keep the grip secure but relaxed, then firm it briefly around contact when needed.
- Confusing the bevel with the racket face: The grip is located on the handle, not on a particular string-bed angle. Check the index knuckle and heel pad on the handle itself.
- Using the same grip for every forehand: The continental grip works well for slice and net play, but many players need to rotate the hand for a topspin forehand.
- Making a large grip change under pressure: Practise switching between your serve or volley grip and forehand grip during warm-ups until the adjustment feels small and automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bevel 2 always the continental grip?
It is the standard reference for a right-handed player on many grip charts. The apparent direction of the numbers can vary between diagrams, so confirm the chart’s orientation. For a left-handed player, the hand position is mirrored.
Where should my index finger sit in a continental grip?
The base knuckle of your index finger should rest on bevel 2 in the common right-handed system. Your hand should wrap comfortably around the handle, with the heel pad aligned on the same bevel.
Can I use a continental grip for a forehand?
Yes, particularly for a forehand slice or a quick defensive block. For a regular topspin forehand, many players rotate their hand farther around the handle to support a different racket path and contact feel.
Will an overgrip change my bevel number?
No. The bevels stay in the same places, but extra layers can make them harder to feel and increase the handle’s thickness. If the grip feels too rounded, remove extra layers or choose a thinner overgrip.
Final Thoughts
For a right-handed player, the usual continental grip reference is bevel 2: place your index-finger base knuckle and heel pad on that face, then hold the racket without excessive tension. Practise the position on serves, volleys, and slices, and use a grip wrap that lets you feel the handle clearly. A consistent hand position makes it easier to prepare quickly and choose the right shot.
