Photo Illustrated Guide of How to Apply an Overgrip

Tennis racket grip demonstration

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Use an inexpensive overgrip to preserve your original grip, keep your racquet from slipping in your hand, and fatten a handle that's a little too small.

01
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Preparing to Wrap

preparing to wrap the overgrip

Jeff Cooper

To reach the point shown in this first photo:

  1. Peel off the transparent plastic covering (if any) on the outside surface of the overgrip.
  2. Peel the covering (if any) off the small sticky tab at the tapered end of the inside surface of the overgrip. Once you have wrapped the overgrip, this sticky tab will hold the end of the overgrip in place until you tape it down. A few brands of overgrip don't provide a tapered end.
  3. Peel the covering off the separate piece of tape.
  4. To have the tape handy, stick the end of the tape to a nearby table or to your shirt.
  5. Hold your racquet in your left hand (if you're a righty) with the butt end pointing straight up.
  6. Place the non-tapered end of the overgrip half an inch below the butt end of your handle, with the outside surface facing out. Starting the overgrip in this position will allow you to overlap it as you begin to wrap, thus keeping it firmly in place.
  7. Hold the end of the overgrip against the handle with your left thumb.
02
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Beginning the First Wrap

Beginning the First Wrap

Jeff Cooper

While you continue to hold the end of the overgrip against the handle with your left thumb, begin to wrap the overgrip so that its upper edge runs along the edge of the original grip underneath. Turn the racquet handle with your left hand while you pull the overgrip gently with your right. Apply a very slight stretch to the overgrip to keep it tightly wrapped against the handle.

03
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Switching to Forefinger

Switch to Forefinger

Jeff Cooper

At some point during the first wrap, it will become too awkward to keep your left thumb on the end of the overgrip, so carefully switch to your left forefinger. Once you have come all the way around and can begin overlapping, you won't have to deal with any more awkward hand positions.

04
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Overlapping End Amply

Overlapping End Amply

Jeff Cooper

This photo shows the starting end of the overgrip being amply overlapped by the beginning of the second wrap. Keep applying just a little bit of stretch to the overgrip as you do the second wrap and all subsequent wraps.

05
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Angling Downward

Angling Downward

Jeff Cooper

Once the top edge of the overgrip is flush with the top edge of the original grip all the way around, begin angling the overgrip downward as you continue to wrap.

06
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Overlapping Each Wrap

Overlapping Each Wrap

Jeff Cooper

How much you overlap each wrap will depend on how long and fat your handle is in relation to the length of the overgrip, but an overlap of roughly one third the width of the overgrip is usually about right.

07
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Sticking the Tapered End

Sticking the Tapered End

Jeff Cooper

If you overlapped each wrap the correct amount, the tapered end of your overgrip should end up where your grip ends. The little sticky tab will keep the tapered end in place while you grab the tape.

08
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Taping the End to Finish

Taping the End to Finish

Jeff Cooper

Apply the tape straight around the final edge of the overgrip so that it covers the tapered end and holds your overgrip in place. Admire your work.