Installation & Use
(1) Attaching Gripsnake
Step 01: Slide on Elastic Bands
Step 01
Start by sliding the two included elastic bands over the racket handle.
Keep one band near the throat of the racket, towards the top of the handle, and the other band near the bottom.
Step 02: Horizontal Alignment
Right-Handed
Step 02
With the racket edge facing up, place Gripsnake over the racket handle. Align the snakehead logo with the handle’s top bevel (bevel 1).
Bevel 1 is the flat edge on top of the handle when holding the racket in the ready position, with the strings facing sideways.
Positioned correctly, the Gripsnake’s letter ‘C’ should be on or close to your racket handle’s bevel 2; the letter ‘E’ on bevel 3; and the letters ‘SW’ on bevel 4.
Although you don’t have to be familiar with bevels, these letter markings can serve as an additional guide for positioning your index finger knuckle.
Left-Handed
Step 02
With the racket edge facing up, place the Gripsnake over the racket handle. Align the snakehead logo with the handle’s top bevel (bevel 1).
Bevel 1 is the flat edge on top of the handle when holding the racket in the ready position, with the strings facing sideways.
Positioned correctly, the Gripsnake’s letter ‘C’ should be on or close to your racket handle’s bevel 2; the letter ‘E’ on bevel 3; and the letters ‘SW’ on bevel 4.
Although you don’t have to be familiar with bevels, these letter markings can serve as an additional guide for positioning your index finger knuckle.
Step 03: Vertical Alignment
Right-Handed
Step 03
Hold the racket with your pinky comfortably wrapped around the handle base.
Then vertically position the Gripsnake on the racket handle so that your thumb rests just below the Gripsnake’s bottom ridge.
Your index finger will be above your thumb, and your remaining fingers below your thumb, similar to how you hold a forehand grip.
Left-Handed
Step 03
Hold the racket with your pinky comfortably wrapped around the handle base.
Then vertically position the Gripsnake on the racket handle so that your thumb rests just below the Gripsnake’s bottom ridge.
Your index finger will be above your thumb, and your remaining fingers below your thumb, similar to how you hold a forehand grip.
Step 04: Secure with Bands
Right-Handed
Step 04
Pull the top elastic band down and the bottom band up. Align them with the Gripsnake’s raised edges, which will hold the bands securely in place.
If necessary, continue making small adjustments by carefully pulling the Gripsnake until its fit on the handle is stable and snug.
You’re all done!
Left-Handed
Step 04
Pull the top elastic band down and the bottom band up. Align them with the Gripsnake’s raised edges, which will hold the bands securely in place.
If necessary, continue making small adjustments by carefully pulling the Gripsnake until its fit on the handle is stable and snug.
You’re all done!
(2) Using Gripsnake
Introduction
Right-Handed
Gripsnake has five ridges:
Ridges A and B: These are for thumb placement
Ridges 1, 2, and 3: These are for index finger placement
Follow along below for step-by-step explanations of each grip.
Left-Handed
Gripsnake has five ridges:
Ridges A and B: These are for thumb placement
Ridges 1, 2, and 3: These are for index finger placement
Follow along below for step-by-step explanations of each grip.
Semi-Western Forehand
Right-Handed
Place your thumb under Ridge B, and your index finger base under Ridge 1.
Wrap your index finger around the handle and rest its tip close to or on top of the small letter ‘R’ (for ‘right-handed’), just above Ridge A.
Your index finger knuckle is on the racket handle’s bevel 4, marked ‘SW’.
This grip generates the heavy topspin of modern ATP forehands.
Left-Handed
Place your thumb under Ridge B, and your index finger base under Ridge 1.
Wrap your index finger around the handle and rest its tip close to or on top of the small letter ‘L (for ‘left-handed’), just above Ridge A.
Your index finger knuckle is on bevel 4, marked ‘SW’.
This grip generates the heavy topspin of modern ATP forehands.
Eastern Forehand
Right-Handed
Put your thumb under Ridges A and B.
Place your index finger under Ridge 2.
Your index finger knuckle is on the racket handle’s bevel 3, marked ‘E’.
Left-Handed
Put your thumb under Ridges A and B.
Place your index finger under Ridge 2.
Your index finger knuckle is on bevel 3, marked ‘E’.
Continental Grip
Right-Handed
Place your thumb under the small Ridge A at the bottom.
Rest the left side of your index finger base below Ridge 3.
Your index finger knuckle is on bevel 2, marked ‘C’.
Left-Handed
Place your thumb under the small Ridge A at the bottom.
Rest the left side of your index finger base below Ridge 3.
Your index finger knuckle is on bevel 2, marked ‘C’.
Eastern Backhand
Right-Handed
Put your thumb below Ridge A and index finger base on top of Ridge 3.
Ridge 3 will now be between your index and middle fingers.
Your index finger knuckle is on bevel 1 (top bevel).
This grip provides stability, spin, and angles for one-handed backhands.
Left-Handed
Put your thumb under Ridge A and index finger base on top of Ridge 3.
Ridge 3 will now be between your index and middle fingers.
Your index finger knuckle is on bevel 1 (top bevel).
This grip provides stability, spin, and angles for one-handed backhands.
All set? Share your setup and tag us on Instagram — @grpsnke. We’d love to see how you’re using #Gripsnake!
Frequently Asked Questions
Gripsnake is an innovative silicone training aid that wraps around your tennis racket handle. It helps you learn or improve hand positioning for all important grips used in modern tennis.
Supported grips include the Semi-Western (SW), Eastern (E), Continental (E), and Eastern Backhand (EB). These can be used for forehands (SW), double-handed backhands (C) and single-handed backhands (EB), serves (C), volleys (C), and touch shots (C). The Western forehand grip is not directly supported given that it’s not suitable for most players. However, you can adjust Gripsnake’s position horizontally to cover even the Western grip.
Gripsnake is for players of all levels and ages who want to:
Build consistent grip habits
Improve technique and timing
Enhance control, power, and spin
Train more effectively, solo or with a coach
It’s especially helpful for recreational and club players, juniors, and intermediate players looking to change or switch between grips.
Gripsnake is designed to fit standard junior and adult tennis rackets. It works with most grip shapes and sizes (typically L1–L5). Individual hand sizes differ, and in some cases small adjustments in positioning might be needed.
We got you covered. Gripsnake is available in both right-handed and left-handed versions. In fact, our founders are left-handed.
Your racket will be slightly heavier (app. 0.4 oz / 12 grams). Most players don’t notice the difference. You might even appreciate the added stability and plow through that some added weight can offer.
Gripsnake is made from thin and soft silicone that gives subtle tactile feedback without feeling bulky or uncomfortable.
It does affect your swing in the sense that it improves your swing path and angles, but that’s exactly what you want!
Gripsnake is designed to stay in place during rallying or drills. It’s perfect for training sessions, basket drills, friendly games, and technique work. It can also be used for match play, although you have to make sure that its use is allowed under the applicable rules.
It’s so easy. Just follow our 4-step process:
Attach the two included elastic bands towards the racket throat and bottom of the racket handle.
Wrap Gripsnake around the handle with the snakehead logo on the top bevel.
Position Gripsnake vertically. When you grip your forehand, your pinky should wrap around the handle bottom.
- Secure the Gripsnake’s top and bottom edges with the elastic bands.
Done!
Gripsnake is fully reusable. Just unwrap and store it when not in use. Please avoid stretching it excessively.
No problem. Once Gripsnake is installed, you can wrap your favorite overgrip around it, if you prefer. You will still feel the ridges.
Not at all. Gripsnake is gentle on overgrips and replacement grips.
Most players will see and feel immediate results, especially. In particular, after a short adjustment period, you will notice a dramatic increase in power and spin on your forehand.
Everybody is different, but players usually see lasting effects and muscle memory after a just few weeks of use.
Oh, definitely.*
(*As long as you also train like a beast, eat like a sports scientist, meditate like a monk, and maybe make a deal with the tennis gods. Gripsnake won’t guarantee Centre Court, but it will help you hold your racket like a future legend.)
Yes. We’re not saying it made him a Grand Slam champ, but we’re also not not saying that.
