Backhand Grip
Also known as: grip de revés, eastern backhand grip padel
The Backhand Grip in padel is a slight rotation of the Continental toward the Eastern Backhand position, used by some players to generate more topspin and racket-face stability on two-handed or single-handed backhand drives.
While the Continental is adequate for backhand volleys and defensive shots, some players rotate slightly toward the Eastern Backhand (base knuckle on bevel 1) to close the face marginally and enable brushed topspin drives from the baseline. This grip modification is optional and most padel coaches recommend mastering the Continental first, adding grip variation only once the fundamentals are solid. The risk of a modified backhand grip is slower transitions. This means switching from a forehand Continental to a distinct backhand grip during fast net exchanges is unrealistic. As a result, any grip deviation is limited to slower backcourt rallies.
Master the Continental backhand volley first. This means once it feels reliable, you can experiment with a slight Eastern shift for backcourt topspin drives. But never let the modification creep into your net game.
When using a modified backhand grip for topspin drives from the baseline, have a physical cue to return to Continental before advancing to the net. This means touching the throat of the racket with the non-dominant hand is a reliable reset trigger.
Example
From a settled baseline position, the player rotates to a slight Eastern Backhand grip before driving a two-handed topspin crosscourt. This means then returns to Continental for the following volley.
Why it matters
Excessive grip changes are a common source of timing errors at intermediate level. SwingVantage analyses your backhand face angle at contact to flag grip uneven results.
How it shows up on video
In video, watch for a re-gripping pause between a forehand and backhand on the same rally. This is the signature of a player who uses distinct grips and must transition between them. Compare the racket-face angle on your backhand drives versus your backhand volleys. This means if the volleys show a more open face than the drives, your grip may be shifting between shot types without you realising it.
Common mistakes
- Using a distinct backhand grip in fast net exchanges where there is no time to grip-change, causing mis-hits on rapid forehand-backhand combinations.
- Gripping so far toward the Eastern Backhand that the face over-closes on high volleys, sending them into the net.
- Changing grip on every ball regardless of pace, introducing unnecessary variability into otherwise routine exchanges.
- Confusing a grip problem with a contact-point problem — many backhand errors attributed to grip are actually caused by late preparation rather than the grip itself.
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
Motion Lab compares racket-face angle on backhand drives versus backhand volleys in the same session. A significant difference between the two shot types (greater than 10 degrees) suggests a grip shift between ground-level and net-level backhand contacts.
Related terms
- Continental GripThe Continental Grip is the most versatile hold in padel. The recommended default. This means forehands, backhands, volleys and serves all come off it without the hand moving.
- Wrist SnapWrist Snap in padel is the rapid rotation of the forearm and wrist through impact used primarily in the vibora, bandeja, and aggressive topspin drives to generate additional pace and spin beyond what arm acceleration alone provides.
- Contact PointContact Point in padel is the position in space. This means relative to the body and racket face. This means where the ball and the racket face meet at impact, and is the single most important determinant of shot quality, direction, and consistency.
- Racket PreparationRacket Preparation is the early rotation of the shoulders and positioning of the racket head before the ball arrives. This means the first technical movement of any padel groundstroke and a prerequisite for consistent, balanced shot-making.
Related guides & benchmarks
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