What a great lesson. I’ve never heard any coach explain those details. I’ve struggled with backhand volleys but now have a clear path to improve. Thanks much.

This is really the best volley instruction I have ever received. It changed/improved my volley dramatically and that’s after playing tennis for over 30 years. I played community college level. Thanks Jeremy! I know you’re no longer posting but having the videos here really helps!

Hey Jeremy. Fantastic video. I was using that grip for forehand volleys and I moved back to the continental grip so I didn’t have to change for the backhand volley. But what you say makes so much sense I’m changing back now to the weak continental as you suggest. The bonus tip however on creating tension with both hands pulling on the backhand volley is absolute gold. Thank you so much.

Yes that is correct, that grip is called the "Australian grip" between bevel 2 and 3. And I would like to mention that the grip on volleys must be a little choke up on the handle,that will give you more control on the ball. Thank you.

Jeremy bro you rocks! I can't thank you enough! You explain so well, so detail oriented you're. I'm much thankful for your support and efforts. Please keep guiding! Lots of respect for your efforts!

Love this , i was just put into that grip by my pro yesterday and your video cements my intent to stick with it until it becomes natural for me. I am already hitting my volleys crisper and cleaner! Thx

Wow! I've been playing with continental for 5 decades and this is only the first time about this weak continental and the need of a slight turn so that I can't really help but go to the court tomorrow because I'm sure you really makes sense and that this is the REAL FIX! Thanks a lot Jeremy, happy new year!

Best volley grip video I've ever watched. Awesome instruction and coaching. Bravo. I've never heard anyone discuss this nuance in grip, everyone just says "continental grip only".

Finally!!! A true game-changer! I suspected my problem was how I was "weighting" the racquet in my hand but couldn't explain myself. Now I feel like I have a foundation to work from. Thanks!

Wow. That worth a lot. Fantastic video. I haven't heard this tip until I watch your video. and the "weak continental" is exactly the natural grip for both backhand and forehand volleys. thanks again.

I watched your videos multiple times and learn something new each time.

Bonus tip to bonus tip is totally blasting! Great detailing, great efforts! Huge respect for you for sharing your secrets!

thank you for the great video. i always felt my forehand volley directional control was off and grip was awkward. i stayed with the continental grip because that’s what i heard was correct. i will give this a try.

Omg, these are amazing nuanced golden nuggets of advice that's priceless!

Thank you!! Great video. I was wondering why my forehand volleys weren't as good as my backhand. I'll try this today with the ball machine. Something tells me this is the fix I was looking for. I bet I could go to many teaching pros before one would make this correction. Your check is in the mail. :)

Absolutely agree. My volleys got worse when Switched the grip from somewhat close to eastern to true continental. I used to have so much control and confidence in placing the ball where i wanted to when the grip was close to eastern.

Very interesting. Looking so much forward to try it!!

Hi Jeremy! First of all, your video has been super helpful to me. Your channel is one of the 3 channels I subscribe to. 😄 But I have difficulty hitting backhand volleys with this weak conti grip. Could you plz plz upload a video addressing how to hit bh volleys with this grip?

Amazing video, thanks for explaining the whole thing so clearly! Can you make a video on how to take low balls with extreme Semi- Western grip?

This is the exact grip that I have tried recently. I always find the true continental grip (bevel 2) make it too hard to open the forehand volley. This video explains in details exactly what I want to learn about the 2.5 grip. Thank you very much. Finally found someone who recommends a different grip for volleys.

oooohhhh. It's another fault I need to fix. my continental grip made me slow in reaction and bad aim/direction. when I had the full turn, it's already late or my swing became too wide/big = hit the ball out. What an eye opener. The backhand "open wings" move tip is legit. I used that in baseline backhands to get my ball over the net (I am weak). I need to remember doing that at the net to add more pop to my volley. Thanks so much. You're great.

Your advice to use Continental 2.5 is excellent. In been hitting volleys up more than I’d like and this will help a lot.

Yesss! Thank you for this!! Haven't been able to figure out why I don't have the strength in my wrist returning volleys! Always felt the straight forward continental grip felt a bit awkward and angle was wrong at the net.

Bonus tip is wonderful, absolutely! Thanks much

Wow I didn’t realize I think I naturally developed that very slight grip change when I saw it saying it wasn’t continental I was a little skeptical but you’re exactly right great vid!

You are so right! Suspected it for some time now!

Yep, been using this type grip for years. Probably adopted from early days of ping pong 🏓 play. Good video!

Excellent Video! Little adjustments make a huge Difference...

Will surely try. Makes so much sense.

Superb and rarely discussed technique resulting in better contact on the forehand side. Indeed for most people the backhand volley is much more natural.

Very good, usefull tips.

Great video, thank you so much!!

Forehand volley grip is Australian, a STRONG continental (toward the forehand side). You don’t want to call it a “weak” Continental. That would mean the shot is weaker. And what you and I are both saying is, use a forehand volley grip that is STRONGER than Continental, with the racket face more vertical and hits a stronger flatter shot. Cal it a “strong continental.” And make sure you change it for the backhand or you’ll have way too much underspin and only like low balls. That’s my opinion after 60,000 hours of professional coaching. It’s also Vic Bradens philosophy (where I first leaned it 35 years ago). The tales the player, the more one continental grip for both sores wouldn’t be bad, as low balls are the problem. But for most people, use two different grips on the volley. As Braden said, there’s almost always time for a grip change.

You' re a phenomenon, Jeremy!!👍🎾🎾🎾👏👏👏

Great tip! Thanks heaps.

The 2.5 forehand volley grip is pure gold. Thank you. What is backhand volley position ? Is is covered in another video ?

I use a full on Western grip to volley now !! I recently switched from Eastern .

You’re right. 2.5 forhand grip is the answer for me and very helpful. In serve, index 2.0, pad 1.0 try it~

Very detailed and helpful presentation. Did you say to use the weak continental on the backhand volley also?

I was taught by Vic Braden to use the Eastern forehand and backhand grip to volley. People insists that there is no time to change. But me being a only 3.5 player found that there is plenty of time to change grip if the ball is struck from the baseline. Even in doubles when players volley at each other, I switch to the Continental and play out the rally.

AMAZING TIP about spring-loading with your support hand

Great stuff thanks 😊 for the tip

I agree 100% it helps on the forehand volley but it’s a weaker grip imho for the backhand volley as the racquet face is a bit too open. More difficult to pull the racquet to contact without some supination and I have to break the wrist (slight flexion) to block those balls hit directly at my midline. Even a slightly open faced block with a ball drilled at you is a good way to get a ball in your face. Gain something lose something.

This is the best volley video on KZfaq.

Great video Jeremy. Should we also use the weak continental for the backhand volleys?

Excellent content. Which vid covers how to change to grip for backhand volley?

Glad i discovered you .. good stuff. Whst school did you play for? Did you do a sessipon Did u do a video on the ball toss?

I like your backhand “bom”😊

Very important points on the volley by using the proper grip! This also shows how a few millimeters change in grip location can make a huge difference. Thanks, Jeremy.

Nice, dude!

Again a well explained video. Suoer

Great video. the only other video I actually saw this 2.5 bevel for volleys was Jeff Salzenstein's video (paid online course). Can I ask, for the slice backhand, do you also use bevel 2.5? im guessing yes but just wanted to confirm? thanks!

Best explained!

This is fantastic

Do you do the elastic energy thing with the two arms on the backhand slice too?

Hello Jeremy, I love the video. You're right I haven't seen much people talk about this. I do have a question. What would be the grip for a slice backhand? True continental or weak continental?

Hi Jeremy, I've been for years trying also to find a more natural or way to hit shots not having to change grips..and I know it sounds crazy but after watching Dolgopolov during his match vs Ferrer at US Open, I decided to switch my grip for slices, volleys and drop shots.It took me over 1 year to get it done. It was v difficult but now very rewarding. Also worked on my wrist strength and flexibility. So when attended a wheelchair workshop and I told the presenter that volleys can be done with a SW grip...his answer was...you must have weak volleys.My answer was , on the contrary ! Few people know but in wc tennis the only grip possible to play is SW and everyone hits volleys with a continental grip.Not having to change the grips is a huge plus(I taught my student also the underhand serve..) But I managed to prove it that with a specific work, it can be done with a SW grip both FH and BH !!! And the results are fantastic ! Carving the ball , dying volleys , can all be done with SW grip.Key is maintaining the wrist locked and producing the proper rotation.I admit is v difficult and not everyone would be able to do it.Playing doubles on the ad side..can hit returns Fh, , BH slices and drop shots ,FH and BH volleys with the same grip, and easy to change to 2HBH. This applies easily up to a 5 to 5.5 level.

What a difference 1/2 a bevel adjustment makes! I'll begin teaching my son the 2 1/2 bevel position instead of a pure Continental bevel 2. I hope you continue to bust tennis technique myths that has been taught for decades! In future videos, will you bust the myth that one should use Continental on serves? Is there a more optimal grip for serves that pros use?

Do you suggest using this grip for the slice as well?

Great video. Here's a problem. With the weak continental grip, it will NOT give you a strong grip on the backhand volley as least not with my grip. So on the backhand dont you need to move the racket to more of the traditional strong continental grip?

For someone just making this change, especially the more powerful use of the off hand on the backhand volley, do you have any tips on not having the intended extra tension on the non-dominant side (I call it the slingshot effect) cause undesired tension in the hand and arm of the dominant hand?

Hi Jeremy. Impressive content and presentation in all your videos. My question is if the 2.5 grip is maintained transitioning from net coverage to overhead. Thanks.

Hi Jeremy, thanks for this volley grip, weak continental. My forehand volley became powerful n consistent. The only problem is my backhand with this kind of grip. It's less penetrating tho lot's of spin and hitting the frame more often. Do I have to adjust my grip for backhand? I hope u can see this and give your right fix to my problem. Thanks in advance. More power to you 👍👍👍

Hi Coach, let me get this straight since the whole X thing was a little too much info all together: weak Continental means towards and Eastern forehand grip right? BTW the tip on the BH volley works its magic on BH slice from the baseline too. Thanks and Ciao!

Right! Relaxed Grip. Heel Change, Set racquet ...

you are awesome

Great! Is there a quick way of finding the weak continental grip? For example, for a traditional continental grip, coaches talk about hitting a nail with the edge of the racquet.

Sorry if you have mentioned somewhere, Jeremy, do you recommend using this weak cont. grip by backhand volley too?

Voley is always my problem ,especially 'finishing voley', l'm always late to take the ball to hit when it passes through beside me although the ball isn't that fast,i fell like l have no confidence,but l feel comfortable & solid at the baseline.

Ok, i see. So in between continental and eastern.

This is the grip that I have tried always it is called Australian grip and it is perfect for forehands volleys so you are in the right spot friend great tip.

Legend

great vid Jeremy. so is it bevel 2.5 for the backhand as well?

I have been using this grip on my volleys for years but been bullied so much by people saying ' ha ha you're using a forehand grip on your volleys' I changed it to true continental grip recently. What a strange world!

Do you change grips between forehand & backhand volleys?

is bevel 2.5 the line between 2 and 3? Thanks

How does this grip help the backhand volley? Is this Edberg's grip?

What is the proper grip on the backhand volley? Is it also the weak continental or the conventional continental?

U r right Vic Braden also states the same -

I sort of understand this weak continental grip idea, besides what the author said, that grip will also help on forehand half volley and overhead. However, I like the author to discuss the impact on backhand side. The grip will make racket more open for backhand volley and backhand half volley. How to address those issues?

Should I use this grip for flat serve or true continental is better?

It’s true!

Hi Jeremy, so for the backhand volley grip, do you still have the pistol grip with the trigger finger out or is it more of a hammer grip? Thanks!

Aaaand what is the optimal BACKHAND grip for volleys? 😅

Braden has taught this for forty plus years. Steve smith taught it from him. Two minute tennis taught it from Braden. Jeff Lindsey taught it from Braden and Smith. Important to know the teaching heritage.

Wouldn't this grip be called a "strong" continental (since the face will be more closed)?

Wouldn't that be a stronger grip?

The continental dogmatists ignore so much evidence against their religious belief. Watch Nadal volley. He's closer to an Eastern Forehand grip than continental. His raquet face on his backhand volleys is very open. He has to use much more downward swing on the backhand volley because of this. But he is able to wack forehand volleys because his face isn't so open there. It's always a trade off if you want to use one grip on volleys. As you flatten one side, the other opens. I think your tip is the best compromise. Nadal also hits backhand slices with a grip more towards EF than continental. don't dare to try to tell anyone on a tennis forum this!! "It's continental" despite all photographic and video evidence to the contrary. It's clearly not continental. Also, the opening of the face can always be controlled with the wrist, and if you watch slow mo videos of pros, they are making wrist adjustments on many volleys to either open or flatten the face. No matter what you do with full continental, the face is always going to be open on the forehand volley.

I use an eastern grip for volleys. It’s excellent for drop shots as well.

I totally agree with your weak continental grip on the forehand volley. I have been using this technique for 2 years and it's superior to the continental grip. However, I do change my grip back to the continental grip on the backhand because it will open to the face to much and becomes an unnatural feel on contact. I haven't really found a single grip solution to volleying no matter how hard I try. Thanks for the video.

You don't deserve a like, but too many if it could have been possible!

Sorry young man there is a reason why the greatest modern volleyers use continental or Australian grip. Because volley is primarily a control stroke unless it is a put away high volley. My student Andrew Rueb currently the head coach of Harvard men’s team have years of research into out Andrew himself was the best serve and volleyr in college tennis . Mac , Edberg too have contin.I do agree that it is not pure conti. It however is a grip that is primarily fingers for control . Modern players don’t have the feel for it because they use too much wrist and shoulder rotation . Wrist layback .you are correct but be careful you will have people using Easter grip . Ok I agree weak conti but I would emphasize “ conti”

u forgot to say jeremy malfait. cmon man

do you agree with this guy to change grips, especially to better line up the strings for the backhand volley? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jbWKfZSVs6zRlok.html

i was told by a number of teachers to use continetnal for FH ONLY and it never felt right. Arkward and weak!

Can this be called the modified continental, weak continental sound bad