Bevels

What is considered a bevel?

How many bevels are there on a racquet’s handle?

What is the purpose of bevels?

A tennis racquet’s handle has an octagonal shape, and the 8 sides are called bevels. The bevels serve as a reference point for executing certain grip types, as well as providing a comfortable shape to hold the racquet.

Octagonal Shape

A tennis racquet’s handle isn’t squared because that would be uncomfortable to hold, nor is it perfectly round because that wouldn’t provide enough friction to grip. Instead, it has 8 sides called bevels. When looking at the bottom of the racquet handle, the bevels are numbered 1-8 with #1 being the top bevel when the blade of the racquet is perpendicular to the floor.

They are numbered clockwise for a right-handed player, and counter-clockwise for a left-handed player. Therefore, if you’re a right-handed player and you rotated the racquet counter-clockwise, the next bevel faces up would be #2. The same would be true if you rotated it clockwise as a left-handed player.

Bevels for Common Grips

Without getting into too many details about the effectiveness of each grip, we’ll explain how to execute three common grips: the Continental, Eastern, and Semi-Western.

Continental Grip

The “Continental Grip” or “Chopper Grip” is one of the most commonly used grips in tennis. The grip looks as if you were gripping an axe, hence the name “chopper”. To use this grip, place the base knuckle of your index finger on bevel #2.

Eastern Forehand Grip

Using the Eastern forehand grip is a great way to learn forehand. It can also be used for flatter groundstrokes. To execute the Eastern forehand grip, both the heel pad of your hand and the base knuckle of your index finger should rest on bevel #3.

Semi-Western Grip

To execute the Semi-Western forehand grip, place the base knuckle of your index finger on bevel #4. If you’ve never used this grip before, it may feel somewhat awkward at first because of the closed angle of the racquet (facing downwards). This, however, will generate more topspin.

Wolfsburg – Adler Mannheim
Hockey. Germany. DEL
BC Goverla – Kyiv-Basket
Basketball. Ukraine. Superleague
Cherkaski Mavpy – Kryvbas Kryvyi Rig
Basketball. Ukraine. Superleague
Genoa – Fiorentina
Football. Italy - Serie A
Brynas IF – Vaxjo Lakers
Hockey. Sweden. SHL
Farjestad – Lulea
Hockey. Sweden. SHL
Florunda HC – Timra IK
Hockey. Sweden. SHL
HV 71 – Leksands
Hockey. Sweden. SHL
Linkopings – Malmo Redhawks
Hockey. Sweden. SHL
Rogle BK – Modo Hockey
Hockey. Sweden. SHL
Skeleftea – Orebro
Hockey. Sweden. SHL
West Indies – England
Cricket. One Day International
Al-Ittihad Jeddah – Al Ahli
Football. Saudi Arabia - Saudi Pro League
Augsburger Panther – Eisbaren Berlin
Hockey. Germany. DEL
ERC Ingolsadt – Lowen Frankfurt
Hockey. Germany. DEL
Carolina Hurricanes – Boston Bruins
Hockey. NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins – Anaheim Ducks
Hockey. NHL
Charolotte 49ers – Tulane Green Wave
NFL. NCAAF
Edmonton Oilers – Nashville Predators
Hockey. NHL
New York Jets – Houston Texans
NFL. NFL
C. Jourdain – V. Henry
MMA. UFC Edmonton
L. Davies – S. Masoud
Boxing. IBO World Title
P. Munhoz – A. Zahabi
MMA. UFC Edmonton
A.Lipski – J. Jasudavicius
MMA. UFC Edmonton
R. Conceicao – O. Foster
Boxing. WBC Title
C. Anheliger – C. Gibson
MMA. UFC Edmonton
I. Petrovic – J.-L. Horth
MMA. UFC Edmonton
M. Malott – T. Giles
MMA. UFC Edmonton
D. Lewis – J. Diniz
MMA. UFC Edmonton
B. Moreno – A. Albazi
MMA. UFC Edmonton
E. Blanchfield – R. Namajunas
MMA. UFC Edmonton
J. Ennis – K. Chukhadazhian
Boxing. IBF World title