Pickleball Paddle Grip Techniques

Mastering Pickleball Paddle Grip Techniques for Enhanced Control and Comfort

Many indoor sports leagues have become infatuated with pickleball. It is an extremely fun and competitive game that has exploded onto the scene over the last few years. With more and more people picking up the game and trying to perfect their craft, mastering the necessary techniques has become an essential part of playing it.

Close up of player with pickleball paddle and ball on an outdoor court.

The technique that every player absolutely needs to start working on is their pickleball grip. The way that you hold your paddle dictates so many different aspects of your performance that it is impossible to be effective without the right one. A better grip will do the following:

• Make you better: Simply put, a better pickleball grip will make you a better pickleball player. Better grips allow for improved control and paddle management on every shot. You will be able to place the ball with more accuracy and with better skills and stroke patterns.
• Create spins: Similar to control, having a better grip will allow you to keep a firm wrist and put more spin on the ball when you hit it. Players that can create spin become unpredictable, explosive, and play at a higher level compared to those that cannot.
• Makes it comfortable: Any sport that you play is based on how comfortable you are when you’re playing it. A grip needs to be comfortable. All of your movements are connected in ways that you wouldn’t think of.
• Match stamina & energy management: Having a consistent grip will allow your game to go to the next level. You will be able to play longer, more intense matches. When you’re comfortable with your grip, most of your shots will become an automatic reaction. Your game will change if you can always hit with the same motions and know where the ball will go.

Understanding the Basics of Pickleball Paddle Grip

A pickleball paddle grip is not just a spec or feature but it is also a technique that is just as important because it directly relates to your performance. You have to be able to grip your pickleball paddle with control in a game and rally. It’s as simple as that. The better your grip is, the better your shots will be, and the better (and faster) you can respond to a shot. Just being able to grip the paddle more securely lets you place the shot more accurately and with more consistency. There are different grip techniques (continental grip, eastern grip, etc.) that are optimized for play and multiple advantages. They let you apply more power to each shot and place the shots more accurately. These grip techniques are specialized and many are often used by a player in a single pickleball game, using each in different situations for different shot-types. So if you’re a serious player, you should definitely have some kind of grip-technique.

Key Pickleball Grip Techniques

The Continental Grip holds sway as the king of versatility. It’s great for serves, volleys, and everything in between. It lets you hit every shot in the book and offers stability for both offense and defense. If you’re hitting at a net, it’s exceptionally simple because it allows you to react without a lot of wrist bending.

On the other hand, the Eastern Grip is used to hit most modern forehands, balancing a fair amount between power and spin. This grip lets you hit the perfect shot for rallies. It’s a formidable tool because it can give you a comfortable swing path. It’s perfect for players who prefer a tennis-like style.

Finally, the Western Grip is king for very heavy topspin shots. It’s perfect if you prefer to load up a ton of baseline winners who are hoggin’ the line. It’s difficult to master and carry around with you all the time, but it’s the best possible option if you simply want to run players around. It’s perfect for players who want to dip their shots with topspin.

Portrait of a young, happy and smiling curly haired girl holding pickleball paddle and a ball on a court

Tips for Improving Your Pickleball Paddle Grip

Getting the correct grip size is key for pickleball. You don’t really want the paddle twisting in your hand. Grip size is a bit of an art, with some professionals suggesting adding an overwrap for a grip that’s too small. Others suggest ways to custom fit a paddle handle to your hand to get the perfect grip size. Most players will find that a smaller grip size allows for better wrist action while getting a bit more spin, weighted more for control. Likewise a larger grip size leads to less control, but because the handle is larger, allows you to grip the handle harder to get extra power. Use the same over-wrap brand and type so you can quickly change it out when it gets sweaty.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Pickleball Paddle Gripping

In pickleball, I see many players who hold their paddle incorrectly. Most players make the mistake of gripping the paddle handle too hard or at the wrong angle. As a result, they play poorly because they lack control of the ball. Their shots lack consistency, so they don’t know what will happen next.

unrecognizable man in blue shirt and black sports pants with a paddle and some pickleball balls in his hand on a blue background

Some players’ hands are so limp that their shots don’t produce enough power when needed, while a vast majority of players grip the handle so tightly that their hand can’t move properly to guide the ball with precision and spin. Having a more relaxed grip pressure allows for more total speed on the swing, more margin for error in terms of timing, and makes it far easier to hit effective shots from compromised positions. It is important to not grip the paddle too hard, but also to not grip it too softly. Finding a happy medium is sometimes all you need to find extra consistency and spin. A free-moving wrist is crucial for competitive play, and keeping a relaxed grip allows for greater movement and grip adjustment.

Final Takeaways For Grip Techniques

If you want to continue to enhance your game, devote time to improving your pickleball paddle grip techniques. The right grip offers added control, spin, and comfort. Everyone is different, so try an eastern, continental, or western grip to see what feels the best for you. Once you find the grip you prefer, work within that grip area to find your correct hand placement. Together, the hand placement and the handgrip will give you control and confidence to elevate your game.

Learn to hit a consistent shot and understand why your ball does what it does. If you can keep your eye on the ball and understand your contact point, create topspin or backspin, or hit incredible angle shots, you’ll be ahead of the majority of pickleball players.