Gripping a pickleball paddle is an essential aspect of playing the game and can greatly affect your performance on the court. A proper grip allows you to have better control over your shots and can help you generate more power. However, finding the right grip can be a challenge, especially for beginners.
In this article, we will go over some tips and techniques on how to grip a pickleball paddle to help you improve your game. Whether you are a seasoned player or new to the sport, these tips will give you the foundation you need to confidently grip your paddle and take your pickleball skills to the next level.
What Are The Different Types Of Paddle Grips?
In pickleball, there are three standard paddle grips:
- Eastern Pickleball Grip
- Western Pickleball Grip
- Continental Pickleball Grip
Understanding each of these pickleball grips, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, is crucial since they can affect how the pickleball travels and how quickly you can reposition yourself for the next shot. You can use the information provided by these pickleball grips to gain an understanding of your opponents’ playing strategies and exploit any flaws in their pickleball grips.
Eastern Pickleball Grip – Best Pickleball Paddle Grip for Beginners
The most widely used paddle grip in pickleball is the Eastern pickleball grip. On pickleball courts, beginners and intermediate players should generally employ the standard Eastern pickleball grip. This is so that you may strike both a forehand and a backhand shot with the same pickleball grip. The basic Eastern pickleball grip is universal or neutral. To put it another way, the Eastern pickleball grip is the ideal middle ground between a forehand and backhand pickleball shot.
Hold your pickleball paddle straight out in front of you with your opposing hand so that the paddle face is evenly facing to the left and to the right of your body. This is the Eastern pickleball grip. Put your hand on the pickleball paddle’s face while still holding the pickleball paddle in your hand.
Shake hands with the pickleball paddle grip while sliding your hand along the paddle face.
Western Pickleball Grip – Favors Forehands on the Pickleball Court
Start with an Eastern grip and rotate your wrist either 90 degrees clockwise for righties or 90 degrees counterclockwise for lefties to find the Western pickleball grip. On the pickleball court, the Western pickleball grip provides a lot of topspin but makes it very challenging to hit backhand shots.
Your palm will typically be behind the pickleball paddle when playing with a Western pickleball grip, which produces strong pickleball forehands. However, if you play pickleball with a Western grip, your palm will typically be in front of the pickleball paddle on the backhand, which will reduce the power of your backhand shots. Because of this, players that employ the Western pickleball grip frequently forehand shots on the backhand side. So, if you’re playing against someone who has a Western pickleball grip, attempt to hit him or her on the backhand side. Be mindful, too, that some players who utilize the Western pickleball grip will use a two-handed backhand to make up for a subpar backhand shot.
Continental Pickleball Grip – Favors Backhands on the Pickleball Court
The hammer grip is another name for the Continental pickleball grip. This is due to the fact that the Continental pickleball grip requires you to hold the paddle like a hammer while striking a nail. To find the Continental pickleball grip, start with the Eastern grip and move your wrist slightly in the other direction for righties or the opposite direction for lefties so that the V-shape between your thumb and index finger is slightly toward the side that won’t be holding the paddle.
The Western pickleball grip is exactly what the Continental pickleball grip is not. As the Continental pickleball grip somewhat favors backhands, it generates great drinks and backhands but makes it more challenging to hit forehand shots on the pickleball court.
Your palm will typically be behind the pickleball paddle while using a Continental pickleball grip, which produces strong pickleball backhands. The Continental pickleball grip, however, leads your palm to typically be to the side or in front of the pickleball paddle on a forehand, making it difficult to position your pickleball paddle to play a forehand shot squarely. Since they will have problems flipping the pickleball paddle to strike a forehand, players with Continental pickleball grips should be targeted on their forehand-side shoulder and put into an uncomfortable chicken wing position.
How To Properly Grip A Pickleball Paddle
1. There are a few different ways to grip a pickleball paddle, but the most common grip is called the continental grip. Here’s how to properly grip a pickleball paddle using the continental grip:
2. Place your dominant hand on the handle of the paddle, with your thumb on top of the handle and your fingers wrapped around the bottom.
3. Hold the paddle with a relaxed grip, not too tight or too loose.
4. Keep your wrist straight and your elbow close to your body.
5. Your non-dominant hand should be positioned about 6 inches from the handle, with your fingers wrapped around the top of the paddle.
6. You should be able to easily rotate the paddle in your hands, as this will allow you to make quick adjustments to your shots.
7. Practice your grip by hitting some balls, making sure to keep a relaxed and comfortable grip on the paddle.
How To Maintain A Proper Paddle Grip
To maintain a proper pickleball paddle grip, it is important to first find a grip that feels comfortable and natural for you. This may involve trying out different grip styles, such as the continental or eastern grip until you find one that works best for your hand size and playing style.
Once you have found a comfortable grip, it is important to keep your hand relaxed and avoid gripping the paddle too tightly. This will help you maintain control over your shots and prevent fatigue in your hand and arm muscles.
To further maintain a proper grip, be sure to regularly clean and dry your hands and the handle of the paddle to prevent slipping or losing your grip due to sweat or other moisture. Additionally, you should replace the grip on your paddle when it starts to wear out or become slippery, as this can affect your ability to maintain a proper grip during play.
Overall, maintaining a proper pickleball paddle grip involves finding a comfortable grip that feels natural for you, keeping your hand relaxed and the handle of the paddle clean and dry, and replacing the grip when necessary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gripping a pickleball paddle correctly is important for improving your game and reducing strain on your hand and wrist. There are several different grip options to choose from, including the Continental, Eastern, and Western grip. It’s important to experiment with each grip to find the one that feels most comfortable and effective for you. Additionally, make sure to maintain a relaxed grip and avoid gripping the paddle too tightly, as this can lead to fatigue and decreased control. With practice and experimentation, you can find the perfect grip for your pickleball game.
