Serving grip vs. Shakehand grip

Strokes and Technique

Nik Anderson
Nik Anderson Asked 13 years ago

I couldn't help but notice that you use a different grip when serving in your videos. What is the difference between the serving grip and the shakehand grip?


Alois Rosario
Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Nik,

When you serve the pendulum serve it is best to take the three fingers away from the handle of the bat. This will allow better movement of your wrist and so you will be able to get more spin on your serve.  You can tuck those fingers behind the handle or you can rest them on the edge of the handle as well.  The main thing is to release the grip so that it allows your wrist to move more freely.

Try it out but remember to get those fingers back onto the bat for the next shot. 


Thoughts on this question


Julio Torres

Julio Torres Posted 12 years ago

Hey.... please correct me if i'm wrong but shakehand grip is better for backhand serves and tomahawk serves ... but if you are going to use pendulums and backspin serves on the forehand side i think is better the serve grip.... I hope not to be wrong...

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Hi Julio,

Pretty good summary.  You can also relax your grip on the backhand and tTomahawk serves as well.  Just slightly relax them off the handle, not quite as extreme as the Serving grip. 


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