Grip Change Challenge
Coachability
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Practice immediate implementation of a new grip technique introduced by the coach, demonstrating coachability through willingness to change and persist through initial discomfort.
What you need
- tennis racket
- tennis balls
- court
Your focus
Grip changes are one of the most common , and most resisted , coaching interventions, making them an ideal coachability teaching tool. Players who practice accepting grip changes develop a general openness to technical feedback throughout their careers. Normalizing initial discomfort as a sign of growth prevents players from reverting to bad habits when a new technique feels awkward.
Coach introduces a specific grip adjustment (e.g., shifting from Eastern to Semi-Western forehand) and explains why it will benefit the player's game.
Player practices gripping and re-gripping five times before touching a ball, confirming correct hand placement with the coach each time.
Coach feeds 10 balls at a slow pace using the new grip, focusing on contact quality, not power.
Player self-evaluates on a scale of 1-5 how well they applied the new grip and sets a specific target for the next session.
Helpful cues
- Uncomfortable now means better later, trust the process
- Check your grip before every feed, not after
- Tell me honestly: did that feel right? We build from real feedback
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Focus only on the grip check without hitting and use a verbal checklist ('knuckle on bevel 3?') before each feed.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Require the player to apply the new grip in a live rally and call out 'grip check' before each swing to build conscious habit.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.