Pickleball Grips (Continental, Eastern, Western)
Also known as: pickleball grip, how to hold a pickleball paddle, continental grip pickleball, eastern grip pickleball, western grip pickleball, what grip should I use in pickleball, pickleball grip pressure
Many coaches teach the continental grip as the all-purpose pickleball grip. Hold the paddle like a hammer, edge up, and it works for dinks, volleys, serves and backhands without switching. An eastern grip, palm behind the handle like a handshake, gives more power on forehand drives.
For the continental grip, stand the paddle on its edge and hold it like a hammer. For a right-hander, the base knuckle of the index finger sits on the upper-right bevel. The face opens slightly on both forehand and backhand. That suits dinks, drops, resets, punch volleys and serves. At the kitchen line the ball comes back too fast to change grips. One grip for both sides keeps your hands quick.
The eastern forehand grip puts your palm flat behind the handle, as if shaking hands. It closes the face a little and makes topspin forehand drives and rolls easier. Some players use an eastern backhand grip, turned the other way, for backhand rolls and drives. The western grip turns the hand farther under the handle. It adds heavy topspin on high forehands but makes low balls, dinks and backhands awkward. Many players avoid it at the net.
Grip pressure matters as much as grip type. Many coaches suggest a light, relaxed hold for dinks, drops and resets. A firmer hold suits drives, blocks and overheads. A relaxed hand absorbs pace and keeps soft shots low.
Tips by skill level
Learn the continental grip first and use it for every shot in your first weeks. Keep your grip pressure light.
Add an eastern forehand grip for baseline drives and rolls once your continental grip is automatic. Return to continental as you move up to the kitchen.
Example
A former tennis player hits every dink with his semi-western forehand grip and keeps popping balls up. He switches to a continental grip at the kitchen. His dinks stay low and his backhand volleys get quicker.
Why it matters
Your grip sets the paddle face at contact. The right grip, held lightly, makes soft shots easier and keeps your hands fast at the net.
Common mistakes
- Squeezing the handle on dinks and resets
- Using a western forehand grip at the kitchen line
- Trying to switch grips during fast exchanges at the net
Frequently asked questions
What grip should I use in pickleball?
Many coaches teach the continental grip as the default. It works for dinks, volleys, serves and backhands without switching. Some players change to an eastern grip for more power on forehand drives.
How do I hold a pickleball paddle?
For the continental grip, stand the paddle on its edge and hold it like a hammer. Wrap your fingers around the handle with a relaxed hand. Your index knuckle sits on the upper-right bevel if you are right-handed.
How tight should I hold my pickleball paddle?
Lightly for dinks, drops and resets. A relaxed hand absorbs pace. Firm up a little for drives, blocks and overheads.
Related terms
- Soft HandsSoft hands is the ability to absorb pace from an incoming ball by relaxing the grip slightly at impact, converting a hard shot into a controlled, softly placed return.
- Paddle Face AnglePaddle face angle is the paddle's tilt at contact. Open (tilted back) sends the ball up, closed (tilted forward) sends it down, and flat sends it straight.
- Paddle Ready PositionPaddle ready position is the neutral, out-in-front paddle hold used between shots. The paddle face stays up and centered, so you can react equally fast to either side.
- Continental GripThe continental grip positions the base knuckle of the index finger on bevel 2 of the handle, the universal grip for volleys, serves, overheads, slices, and drop shots.
- DinkA dink is a soft, controlled shot hit from near the kitchen line. It arcs just over the net and lands in the opponent's kitchen, forcing them to hit upward and preventing an aggressive return.
- Backhand DriveA backhand drive is a firm, low groundstroke hit from your non-dominant side, usually from the baseline. Turn your shoulders early, keep the backswing compact, and swing low to high through contact in front of your front hip. Both one-handed and two-handed backhands work.
Related guides & benchmarks
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