Pickleball Paddle: How to Grip It and How to Switch Hands During Play

In a recent Pickleball Fire podcast interview with senior pro Rick Witsken, he talked about switching hands and switching your grip. Can you guess which one you should do and which one is a no no? 

Rick himself is well known for switching the paddle between his right and left hand. While right-hand dominant, he uses his left hand when he needs to extend his reach. This occurs in situations when he is pulled off the side of the court in doubles and in singles when he doesn't want to get passed down the line. Rick will even return a high lob with his left hand as he had to do during the U.S. Open when playing with his partner Scott Moore. So, Rick recommends to switch hands if you need more reach or if you have limited mobility. He even teaches this technique to his students especially when they cannot move as well as they once could.

Switching your grip, however, is an entirely different thing. Rick does not recommend doing this especially when you are at the net in a fast exchange as better players will see this and know where you are going to hit the ball. Really, the best grip in pickleball is a continental grip, as it is considered neutral so you can easily hit a forehand or backhand with it. If you come from a tennis background, you should be familiar with the idea of the eight bevels on the tennis grip. By placing the knuckle of your index finger on bevel 2, you will be holding a continental grip. If you are not familiar with tennis grips, then hold your paddle vertical to the ground. Then grip the paddle like you are shaking someone's hand. Be sure to wrap your thumb around the grip, so essentially your thumb and index finger are making a V on the paddle grip. This is a continental grip and it should be comfortable to hit both forehands and backhands with it.