Continental Grip
Also known as: grip continental, hammer grip
The Continental Grip is the most versatile grip in padel — and the recommended default — allowing players to hit forehands, backhands, volleys, and serves without changing grip between shots.
To find the Continental Grip, place the base knuckle of the index finger on bevel 2 of the racket handle (the upper right bevel when holding the racket flat). This "shake-hands" position produces a naturally open or neutral face for forehands, backhands, volleys, and serves. Because padel exchanges happen quickly in the net zone and transitions between forehand and backhand allow almost no grip-change time, the Continental is the practical choice at all levels. Some players use slightly modified grips for heavy topspin drives, but the Continental remains the foundation from which any padel grip education starts.
Example
Using a single Continental Grip throughout a net exchange, the player transitions seamlessly from a forehand volley to a backhand block to a smash without adjusting the hand.
Why it matters
Grip change errors under pressure cause mishits and timing failures. SwingVantage analyses your racket face angle at contact to infer grip consistency across different shot types.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use a different grip for the padel smash?
No. The Continental Grip works for padel smashes. A more closed grip can add power but limits flexibility — most coaches recommend staying Continental.
Related terms
- Backhand GripThe 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.
- 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.
- Racket PreparationRacket Preparation is the early rotation of the shoulders and positioning of the racket head before the ball arrives — the first technical movement of any padel groundstroke and a prerequisite for consistent, balanced shot-making.
- Contact PointContact Point in padel is the position in space — relative to the body and racket face — where the ball and the racket face meet at impact, and is the single most important determinant of shot quality, direction, and consistency.
Related guides & benchmarks
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