A proper grip is fundamental to mastering pickleball, affecting everything from shot accuracy to power and control. Understanding and applying the right grip can significantly enhance your game, whether you’re aiming for precise volleys or powerful serves. This guide explores the essential grip techniques in pickleball in 3 main ways.
Key Takeaways
- The Eastern Grip is popular for basic forehands, easy to learn, and suitable for beginners.
- The Continental Grip is great for players with a defensive playing style. Each grip style affects accuracy, hand strength, and flexibility when playing.
- The Western Grip is suitable for players who hit long shots requiring strong power.
Method #1: Eastern Grip
The Eastern Grip is a way of holding the pickleball paddle that feels like shaking hands with it. This grip is natural and comfortable for most players.
The biggest advantage of this Eastern Grip style is its familiarity. It provides superior ball control, making accurate shots easier. If you use proper technique and precision, this grip will help you hit powerful and accurate shots.
However, I find that when playing with more advanced players, the grip has many disadvantages because it generates less topspin.
The Eastern grip is a popular grip style, especially favored by beginners and intermediate players. This is because it creates a familiar feeling for players when holding it. Furthermore, this grip provides a balance between power and control, making it easier for players to be flexible when making shots.
When I tried holding it this way, I imagined I was shaking hands with the racket, which created a familiar feeling for me in the early days of learning to play.
Here are some steps to help you hold it the right way:
Step 1: Extend your hand forward
As I mentioned, imagine you are shaking hands with the racket handle. Extend your hand forward as if shaking hands and hold your racket.
Step 2: Hold the racket
Grip the racket handle with your hand. After that, place your index finger on the third bevel of the racket handle.
Step 3: Wrap your fingers
Continue wrapping your fingers around the handle. Next, make sure your thumb rests comfortably along the back of the handle.
Step 4: Check the V Shape
To ensure you are holding the racket correctly, check if the distance between your thumb and index finger forms a V shape.
- For right-handed players, this V shape should be angled to the right.
- For left-handed players, it should be angled to the left.
Method #2: Continental Grip
The Continental Grip is one of the most popular way to hold a pickleball paddle. Continental Grip is often called the “Chopper Grip”, though I am more used to calling it the Continental Grip. This is a flexible grip and is used for many different shots, such as serving, volleys, overhead shots, and slices.
It is called the “Chopper Grip” because it resembles the motion of using a hammer or Axe to chop. This grip is necessary and practical if you want to comprehensively develop and improve your serving and net play techniques.
One thing I like most about holding a racket with the Continental grip is its flexibility. It allows me to perform many shots, such as serves, volleys, slices, smooth overhead shots, as well as defensive shots. I can coordinate both my wrists and forearms, creating extremely effective serves and passes.
Additionally, it helps generate power even when held with the left hand because the hand is positioned in front of the paddle when hitting the ball. Therefore, this style is flexible and suitable for both left-handed and right-handed players without needing to change the grip style.
However, after playing pickleball with this grip style, I found that the Continental grip did not help me generate topspin on my groundstrokes. This means low shots are not as effective when using this grip.
The Continental Grip in pickleball is a highly adaptable grip that many players favor because it works well for a variety of shots and playing styles. This grip is held in a way that lets players easily switch between different types of strokes, which is especially useful for those who play defensively.
Now, I will give you some steps to help you hold it correctly:
Step 1: Position Your Hand
Imagine holding a hammer or ax to chop wood. For a right-handed player, place the base knuckle of your index finger and the heel pad of your hand on the second bevel of the racket handle.
Step 2: Wrap your fingers around the handle
Now, continue wrapping your fingers around the handle. Next, ensure your thumb and index finger form a V shape. The V shape should be in line with the edge of the racket.
Method #3: Western Grip
The Western Grip in pickleball is a grip style where you rotate the paddle handle further than in other grips, making the paddle face point more towards the ground.
Normally, it is also called “Frying pan grip” because you can see the back of the paddle when you hold your arm straight out in front of you.
This style helps players create topspin, which needs no further argument.
For backhand shots, this grip can easily cause the ball to bounce because it tends to open the racket face upward or outward. Besides, it is less flexible than the other two grips when performing low shots or executing cuts on the non-dominant side.
For advanced players, the Western Grip is very suitable. Because, with major tournaments, players are required to create strong spins. It will put pressure on the wrist, allowing the player to stroke the ball up from the back and generate significant topspin.
Here is a guide for holding this style in the right way:
Step 1: Position the racket
Hold the racket so that the racket face is perpendicular to the ground. For right-handed players, count the bevels clockwise. Bevel 1 is the top flat angle, and bevel 5 is the fifth bevel.
Step 2: Place your index finger and heel pad
Place the base joint of your index finger and the heel pad of your hand on bevel 5. After that, continue wrapping your fingers around the handle.
Step 3: Adjust your palm
Make sure your palms are facing more upward, creating a steeper angle. When you hold the racket with your palm facing down, the racket face should be mostly perpendicular to the ground.
Pro Thought – How To Choose The Best
As a pickleball player for many years and having played all three grip styles for a longtime but I still prefer the Continental Grip the most. I find that this grip enhances my performance in serving, passing, and defending. This method allows for greater versatility and control, making it easier to execute various shots with precision. It provides a firm yet flexible hold, which is especially beneficial for spin serves and volley shots. Moreover, it also allows me to perform much better with it compared to the other grips.
In pickleball, the grip you choose can make a significant difference in your performance. From the familiarity and control of Eastern Grip to the versatility of Continental Grip and the spin ability of Western Grip, each style offers unique advantages.
However, if you are a beginner then I think the Eastern Grip or Continental Grip style will be suitable for you. For professional players, Western Grip is a great choice.
Explore our Pickleball Paddle 101 for more tips, experiences and guides about your pickleball journey.
