How to Grip Your Pickleball Paddle for Different Shot Types
There are three main types of grips: the western pickleball grip, the eastern pickleball grip, and the continental grip. Each of these common grips is used in various scenarios, and there are no hard and fast rules that demand different grips are used for particular shots. However, it is important that the grip you use is complementary to your style of play.
Pickleball Grips for New Players
Beginners often wonder how to hold a pickleball paddle to begin with and where the face of the paddle should be oriented when making forehand shots. When learning the basics, including the pickleball serve, it is important that new players are shown how the ball performs when using different paddle grips.
Before we get into the types of grips, it is vital that beginners understand how to choose a pickleball paddle with the right grip size. No matter how amazing a paddle is, if the grip size is wrong, you will have poor performance on the pickleball court. One of the easiest ways to measure grip circumference is to use a general measurement based on player height:
For players at 5’2” and below = 4 inches
For players between 5’3” to 5’8” = 4.125 to 4.25 inches
For players taller than 5’8” = 4.5 inches
Once you have a pickleball paddle with the right grip size, it is time to learn the eastern pickleball grip, which is the most basic grip type used by beginning and intermediate players.
The Eastern Pickleball Grip
This grip is suitable for all players and is sometimes referred to as a universal or neutral grip. It is possible to hit forehand and backhand shots without having to think about or adjust the grip in the middle of playing.
The way to find the eastern grip is to hold the paddle out in front of your body with your non-dominant hand and your line of sight, looking down at the edge of the paddle. Place the flat of your dominant hand on the face of the paddle and slide down the paddle head until you grip the paddle handle. Act as if you’re going to shake hands with someone to complete the grip.
The Western Pickleball Grip
A western pickleball grip is great for players who have a strong forehand. To get the western grip, simply take the eastern grip and rotate your wrist 90 degrees clockwise if you’re right-handed or 90 degrees in the opposite direction if you’re left-handed.
The Continental Pickleball Grip
The third main pickleball grip is sometimes referred to as a hammer grip because the paddle is held the same way you would a hammer. It is excellent for players who favor the backhand side of the paddle and have a strong backhand.
Now that you know what the three grip types are, here’s a video from Pickleball Central demonstrating what the grips look like:
3 Main Pickleball Grips
Why Good Grip Pressure is Important
If you come from a racket sports background then you are used to having a fairly tight grip on your racket because this pressure is needed when hitting the ball forcefully. In pickleball, you will find varying the pressure of your grip can improve your game depending on which shot you are hitting.
Most pickleball instructors talk about grip pressure on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being a very loose grip and 10 being a very tight grip. A grip pressure of 10 is one that makes your arm hurt or knuckles turn white.
You should never have a grip pressure that goes above a 7 or 8 as this can cause injuries and isn’t effective in pickleball. With that said, you should have a tighter grip when hitting hard shots from the baseline or when serving aggressively.
The middle and lower end of the grip pressure scale are used for softer shots. If you are hitting a soft shot, like a dink or third shot drop, a grip pressure of three or four should be the level you aim for. Remember to keep a loose grip when someone hits the ball hard at you and you need to block the ball back with a volley. Most players' tendency is to grip the paddle tight when they see a hard shot coming, but it's better to absorb the power and then volley the ball back across the kitchen line to reset the point.
Pickleball Tips for Grip While Serving
We all know that pickleball serves are underhand but what pickleball paddle grips can you use while serving the ball? The western grip offers the best power and spin for most pickleball players because of the wrist action it affords. However, you should use the eastern forehand grip if you aren’t comfortable switching grip after the serve. For more serving tips and to see some of these grips in action, check out these 5 pickleball serving videos.
