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Tennis · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Sub-level 3.1

Grips and the Ready Position

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

The bevels of the racket handle, the main forehand, serve, volley and backhand grips, how a grip is changed and held, and the ready position.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Forehand gripsTake a test

  1. The handle is an octagon, and its eight flat sides are numbered as bevels.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  2. The Western grip sits furthest round, with the palm well under the handle.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  3. Rotating the grip under the handle closes the racket face, which helps brush up the back of the ball.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  4. Moving the hand round from Eastern towards Western gives the Semi-western grip.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  5. The closed racket face is awkward on low balls and takes time to change for the backhand.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  6. Grips are named by the bevel on which the base knuckle of the index finger rests.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  7. The closed face works best when the ball is struck out in front and at a good height.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  8. Continental sits on bevel 2, Eastern forehand on 3, Semi-western on 4 and Western on 5.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  9. The palm-on-strings method gives an Eastern grip because the hand lands on bevel 3.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · applied

  10. The index knuckle on bevel 3 is the Eastern forehand grip.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · applied

Test 2Serve, volley and backhand gripsTake a test

  1. The Continental hold resembles gripping a hammer, which suits serves and volleys.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  2. A net player rarely has time to change grips, so one hold covers both sides.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  3. The turn of the forearm, called pronation, is easiest with a Continental hold.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  4. The Eastern backhand grip rotates the hand over towards the top bevel.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  5. On an Eastern backhand the base knuckle rests on the top flat, bevel 1.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  6. Too much tension stiffens the forearm and cuts the feel of the stroke.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  7. The free hand at the throat steadies the racket while the hitting hand rotates it.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  8. Holding the racket edge-on puts the hand on the bevel that feels like holding a hammer.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · applied

  9. A quick look at the knuckle position confirms or corrects the hold.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · applied

  10. The index knuckle on bevel 2 is the Continental grip.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · applied

Test 3Holding and changing the gripTake a test

  1. A handle that is too small makes the hand clench, which stiffens the arm.

    Source: Wilson, How to choose a tennis racket · recall

  2. A loose hold between points saves energy and keeps the arm ready.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  3. A death grip stiffens the arm and dulls the feel for the ball.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  4. A gentle firming at contact keeps the racket stable as the ball arrives.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  5. Watching the V helps a player repeat the same hold every time.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  6. A net exchange is too fast for a grip change, so one hold is used for both sides.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  7. Net play uses the Continental, so baseline hitters shift towards it.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  8. Support the racket, turn the handle, check it and then get ready again.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · applied

  9. A relaxed hold between shots firms slightly at contact.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · recall

  10. Moving a bevel clockwise from 2 to 3 takes the hand from Continental to Eastern forehand.

    Source: General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system) · applied

Test 4The ready positionTake a test

  1. Shoulder-width feet give a stable base from which to move either way.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · recall

  2. Weight on the balls of the feet lets a player push off quickly.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · recall

  3. Slightly bent knees let the player spring in any direction.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · recall

  4. A forward racket speeds up the first move to either side.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · recall

  5. Facing forward lets the player push in either direction.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · recall

  6. A springy stance shortens the reaction time to the first step.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · recall

  7. Being ready before the opponent's contact allows an immediate response.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · recall

  8. A player sets the base, the knees and the racket, then times a split step.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · applied

  9. Readiness grows as weight moves forward and the racket comes up.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · applied

  10. Parallel feet, shoulder-width apart and facing the net, make the ready position.

    Source: General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork) · applied

Sources

ITF coach-education materials, ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, federation curricula, general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered ITF rules belong to the Rules category.

  • General coaching reference (grips and the bevel system)29
  • General coaching reference (groundstroke stances and footwork)10
  • Wilson, How to choose a tennis racket1