How to Hold Pickleball Paddle Like Pro

Holding the paddle correctly will undoubtedly affect your performance on the court. Playing with a paddle may seem easy, but it takes practice and time to hold it the right way to enhance your game. 

To hold a paddle, start by gripping it like you would shake someone’s hand. Make sure the “V” formed by your thumb and index finger points slightly to the right of the paddle handle (for right-handed players; slightly left for left-handed players). 

Your grip should be firm and relaxed, allowing you to control the paddle without straining your hand. Always Keep your wrist loose to help with quick movements and better control of the ball. By holding the paddle this way, you’ll have a good balance of power and control for different shots in pickleball.

Well, that’s the short definition of Holding a Paddle. Now, Let’s talk about types of Grips While Holding a Paddle. 

How To Hold A Pickleball Paddle – 3 Different Styles

When playing pickleball, the paddle depends on which grip you use. Pickleball grips can be categorized into three types;

A less common grip, like the Western grip, is known for generating extra topspin and is ideal for adding a spin element to shots.

1. Eastern Grip In Pickleball

The Eastern grip is a way to hold the pickleball paddle so your forehand stroke is more powerful.

To use this grip, place your strongest hand on the handle as if you are shaking hands with it. Your palm should face down towards the paddle face. Your thumb and index finger should wrap around the edge of the paddle on both sides.

This grip is good for beginners learning forehand shots. It allows you to swing the paddle flat through the ball instead of angled up or down.

This generates more power and control on forehand drives and volleys. The Eastern grip also facilitates both forehand and backhand shots, making it easier to switch between them without changing your hand position.

2. Western Grip Pickleball Grip In Pickleball

The Western grip turns your palm up when holding the paddle handle. Place your dominant hand like you are waving hello. Wrap your fingers and thumb around the paddle edge, with your palm facing the sky.

Use this grip for backhand shots. It allows you to swing flat through the ball on backhand drives and blocks. The Western grip sets up the Continental grip for forehand strokes. For powerful backhand shots, it is important to use a firmer grip to maximize power and control.

The advantage of Western grip is that Western grips provide power on backhands and quick transitions to Continental grips.

The disadvantage of this type of racket is that it can be awkward at first and limit your ability to reach low balls.

3. What Is The Continental Grip In Pickleball

The Continental grip is somewhere between an Eastern and Western grip. Place your dominant hand on the handle with your palm facing downwards at a 45-degree angle. You should place your knuckles on the flat bevel of the top.

Holding the paddle in a neutral position is crucial for better control and being prepared for various shots, especially forehand and backhand dinks and drives.

Use this grip when you need both forehand and backhand flexibility. It allows moderate power for drives and control for dinks. The angle sets up easy transitions between Eastern and Western.

Some advanced players like the Continental because it provides flexibility. They don’t have to change their grip as much during a rally. Maintaining Continental can help them react quicker for shots on both sides.

What Is The Best Way To Hold A Pickleball Paddle?

The Continental grip is preferred by most pickleball players. A Continental grip places your palm at a 45-degree angle in the middle of the paddle handle. The ideal height for holding the paddle head is around the belly button level, allowing for equal distance travel to handle high and low shots efficiently.

With a balanced neutral grip, you can control both the forehand and backhand angle of the paddle. It is possible to drive topspin forehands, block backhands, and flip the paddle quickly between sides with this grip.

This grip can transform your pickleball game by enhancing your control and versatility on the court.

Additionally, Continental enables smooth transitions between Eastern and Western forehands and backhands. Your wrist does not need to be completely turned. You just need to adjust the position of your hand slightly.

Does The Grip Matter?

Pickleball relies heavily on proper grip technique. When you make contact with the ball, how you hold the paddle affects the rally. Different grips can significantly influence a player’s playing style, impacting comfort, control, and power.

If you don’t grip it right, the paddle face will be open or closed at contact. The result can be inaccurate shots that fly too far or bounce off the net.

Find the grip that works best for you by experimenting. It is important to adjust your hand positions until you are able to square up the paddle on both sides consistently. The grip is a fundamental skill that makes pickleball shots accurate.

How Tight Should You Hold Your Pickleball Paddle?

It is important to find the right grip tightness when playing pickleball. To control the paddle, you need to hold it tightly. Your wrist shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t even move it.

Coaches recommend starting with a tight grip. Make sure you hold the paddle firmly, but not in a death grip. By doing this, you are able to maintain a steady position for the paddle while still using some wrist movement. 

Additionally, maintaining a softer grip, around 50% of full tightness, can help in executing softer shots such as dinks and blocking drives.

When hitting balls, try different amounts of tightness. A medium-tight grip is best to begin with, then tighten and loosen as needed.

 Find out what gives you the most control and continue playing with the rest of the games. For aggressive shots such as the overhead smash, using a firmer grip can help you add power to your shots.

Tight Grips Vs Loose Grips – Which One Is Better for You?

There are good and bad points to both methods.

1. Tight Grip

If you hold the paddle tightly, you will be able to keep it steady when you are hitting the ball. You may also be able to get more power out of your shots.

However, if you grip too tightly, your wrist can become stiff as well. When it comes to adding spin, you might have a difficult time.

2. Loose Grip

As long as you hold the paddle lightly, your wrist will be free to move. In this way, it can be easier to put topspin on the ball. Your swing will also appear smoother. 

A drawback to this grip is that you could lose control, especially on hard shots

Best Grip For Pickleball

The best grip is in the middle – not too tight and not too loose. Make sure you hold the paddle firmly enough to keep it in place. It shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t angle the paddle face with your wrist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Provided below is a selection of frequently asked questions regarding this topic, each supplemented with their exact answers.

Summary – How to Hold Pickleball Paddle?

That’s all. We have briefly discussed How To Hold Pickleball Paddle , types of grips, whether grip matters, and which grip is best between a tight grip and a loose grip.

Find out what works best for you by trying different types of holding paddles.

Since I recently covered differences between Pickleball and Badminton on my blog, it’s was time to discuss How To Hold Pickleball Paddle?

It’s not that hard, good luck.