Pickleball has surged in popularity over the past few years, and mastering the different grips can significantly impact your gameplay. Choosing the right grip can help you control the paddle better, enhance your shot precision, and improve your overall performance. In this blog, we will explore various pickleball grips, outline their advantages and disadvantages, and recommend which grips suit beginners and advanced players.
1. Continental Grip
The Continental grip, often called the “hammer grip,” is one of the most widely used grips in pickleball. To form this grip, hold the paddle as if you are holding a hammer, with the paddle face neutral and your thumb and index finger creating a relaxed “V” along the handle.
Advantages:
Versatility
The Continental grip allows players to hit nearly every shot in pickleball without changing hand position. Volleys, dinks, blocks, overheads, slices, and backhands can all be executed efficiently, which is especially important during fast exchanges at the net.
Quick Reaction and Stability
Because the paddle face stays neutral, the Continental grip excels in quick-hand situations. Players can block hard drives, reset balls into the kitchen, and react to speed-ups with more stability and less wrist manipulation.
Seamless Forehand-to-Backhand Transitions
This grip makes it easier to switch between forehand and backhand shots without adjusting your grip mid-rally. That consistency is critical at the kitchen line, where there is little time to think or reposition your hand.
Excellent for Soft Game Control
Dinking, drop shots, and soft resets are easier to control with a Continental grip. The grip naturally supports a slightly open paddle face, which helps lift the ball gently over the net with precision.
Disadvantages:
Reduced Power on Drives
Compared to more aggressive grips like the Eastern or Semi-Western, the Continental grip may produce less power on full forehand drives and put-aways, particularly from the baseline.
Spin Generation Is More Limited
Generating heavy topspin can be more challenging because the paddle face is not naturally closed at contact. Players must rely more on paddle path and timing rather than grip-based leverage.
What Grip Do Pros Use?
Most high-level pickleball players use a Continental grip for the majority of the game, especially at the net. Many professionals will slightly adjust toward an Eastern forehand grip when driving from the baseline but return to Continental as they move forward. At the kitchen line, nearly all elite players favor the Continental grip because of its speed, control, and reliability during fast hands battles.
Recommendation:
The Continental grip is highly recommended for beginners because it builds strong fundamentals, encourages proper shot selection, and supports the soft game that defines pickleball. Intermediate and advanced players continue to rely on it heavily for dinks, volleys, blocks, and defensive resets. Mastering the Continental grip is essential for consistent play and long-term improvement.
2. Eastern Grip
Advantages:
The Eastern grip is often described as a “handshake grip.” To achieve this grip, hold the paddle as if you are shaking hands with it, allowing the paddle face to close slightly at contact. This grip is especially familiar and comfortable for players transitioning from tennis to pickleball.
Increased Power on Forehand Shots
The Eastern grip naturally positions the paddle face to drive through the ball, making it easier to generate pace. Players often feel more confident hitting aggressive forehand drives and finishing points from the midcourt or baseline.
Easier Topspin Production
Because the paddle face is slightly closed, the Eastern grip makes it easier to brush up on the ball and create topspin. This added spin helps keep aggressive shots in play while increasing the margin over the net.
Comfort and Natural Feel
For players with a tennis background, the Eastern grip feels intuitive and relaxed. This comfort can lead to smoother swings, better timing, and improved confidence when attacking the ball.
Disadvantages:
Backhand Limitations
The Eastern grip is less efficient on backhand shots, particularly in fast exchanges. Players often need to adjust their grip or rely heavily on a two-handed backhand to maintain consistency.
Reduced Net Versatility
At the kitchen line, the Eastern grip can be less effective for dinks, blocks, and quick volleys. The closed paddle face requires more precise wrist control, which can be challenging during rapid-fire net play.
What Grip Do Pros Use?
Many professional players use an Eastern grip primarily on forehand drives from the baseline or midcourt. However, as they move forward, most pros transition back to a Continental grip for volleys, dinks, and hand battles at the net. The Eastern grip is often used situationally, rather than as a full-time grip, to maximize power while maintaining control elsewhere on the court.
Recommendation:
The Eastern grip is best suited for intermediate to advanced players who are comfortable switching grips based on the situation. It is an excellent option for developing a strong, topspin forehand and applying offensive pressure. Beginners may experiment with this grip to build confidence and power, but should also practice transitioning to the Continental grip to develop a complete and versatile pickleball game.
3. Western Grip
The Western grip is less common in pickleball but can be effective for players who rely on heavy topspin and aggressive baseline play. To achieve this grip, rotate your hand far under the handle so the palm faces upward toward the sky. This creates a very closed paddle face at contact.
Advantages:
Extreme Topspin Production
The Western grip excels at generating heavy topspin. The closed paddle face and upward swing path allow players to hit aggressively while keeping the ball dipping sharply inside the court, making shots difficult for opponents to attack.
Trajectory Control on High Balls
This grip provides strong control when striking high balls or looping shots. Players can shape the ball with height and spin, forcing opponents into defensive positions.
Disadvantages:
Backhand Limitations
The Western grip is not well-suited for backhand shots. Players almost always need to change grips, which can be problematic during fast rallies and quick exchanges.
Limited Versatility
Because it is highly specialized, the Western grip struggles with dinks, volleys, blocks, and soft resets. It is less effective at the net compared to more neutral grips.
Comfort and Timing Challenges
For players not accustomed to extreme grips, the Western grip can feel awkward and uncomfortable. It also requires precise timing, especially on low balls, which are common in pickleball.
What Grip Do Pros Use?
Very few professional pickleball players rely on a true Western grip as their primary grip. Some may use a modified Western grip situationally on forehand topspin drives, but most elite players avoid it due to its limitations at the kitchen line. At higher levels, the emphasis on control, speed, and soft game favors the Continental grip.
Recommendation:
The Western grip is best suited for advanced players who intentionally want to add extreme topspin to specific forehand shots. It is not recommended for beginners or most intermediate players, who are better served by developing consistency and versatility with the Continental or Eastern grips.
4. Semi-Western Grip
The Semi-Western grip is a hybrid between the Eastern and Western grips and is commonly used by players who rely on topspin and aggressive baseline play. To achieve this grip, rotate your hand slightly farther under the handle than an Eastern grip, positioning it between the Eastern and Western grip placements. This naturally closes the paddle face at contact.
Advantages:
Heavy Topspin Potential
The Semi-Western grip excels at producing topspin. The closed paddle face encourages an upward swing path, allowing players to brush the ball effectively and keep aggressive shots dipping inside the baseline.
Balanced Power and Control
This grip offers a strong blend of power and control. Players can drive the ball with pace while still maintaining enough spin to reduce unforced errors, making it more forgiving than the full Western grip.
Comfort Compared to Western Grip
While more aggressive than the Eastern grip, the Semi-Western grip feels more natural and manageable than the Western grip. It allows players to generate spin without straining their wrists.
Disadvantages:
Backhand Adjustments Required
As with other forehand-dominant grips, the Semi-Western grip is less effective on backhand shots. Players often need to adjust their grip or switch to a two-handed backhand to maintain consistency.
Limited Effectiveness at the Net
In fast net exchanges, the Semi-Western grip can be less reliable. The closed paddle face makes soft dinks, blocks, and resets more difficult compared to the Continental grip, which is better suited for quick reactions.
What Grip Do Pros Use?
Some professional players use a Semi-Western grip primarily for baseline forehand drives, especially when applying heavy topspin. However, similar to the Eastern grip, most pros transition to a Continental grip as they move forward to the kitchen. At the net, the Continental grip remains the preferred choice for control, speed, and consistency.
Recommendation:
The Semi-Western grip is best suited for intermediate to advanced players who want to add topspin and controlled aggression to their game. It works well for players who favor baseline rallies and topspin-heavy forehands. Beginners may experiment with this grip to explore spin production, but should continue developing the Continental grip for net play and overall versatility.
5. Two-Handed Backhand Grip
The two-handed backhand grip is borrowed from tennis and uses both hands on the paddle handle. The dominant hand holds the paddle lower on the handle, while the non-dominant hand is placed above it to assist with control and power. This grip is commonly used on backhand drives and returns.
Advantages:
Added Power and Stability
Using both hands allows players to generate more power on the backhand side while maintaining stability through contact. This makes it easier to handle fast balls, aggressive drives, and heavy pace from opponents.
Improved Consistency Under Pressure
The two-handed backhand provides better control of the paddle face, helping players stay consistent during rallies and high-pressure situations. Many players find it more reliable than a one-handed backhand, especially early in their development.
Stronger Returns and Passing Shots
This grip is particularly effective on returns of serve and backhand passing shots, where added leverage and body rotation help produce depth and pace.
Disadvantages:
Reduced Reach and Flexibility
Using both hands limits reach, especially at the kitchen line. Players may struggle with wide balls, quick dinks, or emergency stretches where a one-handed backhand would be more effective.
Grip Transition Challenges
Players must release the non-dominant hand to hit forehand shots, which can slow reaction time during fast exchanges at the net.
What Grip Do Pros Use?
Many professional players use a two-handed backhand for baseline drives and returns, but transition to a one-handed Continental grip at the net for dinks, blocks, and quick reactions. At higher levels, grip flexibility is key, and pros often blend both styles depending on court position.
Recommendation:
The two-handed backhand grip is an excellent option for players who struggle with a one-handed backhand or want more power and stability on that side. Beginners can use it to build confidence and consistency, while advanced players often apply it selectively for returns and aggressive backhand shots. Developing comfort with both one-handed and two-handed backhands allows for greater adaptability and improved overall performance.
In conclusion, selecting the right pickleball grip plays a critical role in shot execution, consistency, and overall performance. While the Continental grip provides the strongest foundation for control and versatility, more advanced grips such as the Eastern, Semi-Western, Western, and two-handed backhand can be incorporated as players refine specific aspects of their game. The most effective grip is the one that aligns with your playing style, comfort level, and the shots you want to improve. With focused practice and proper guidance, mastering grip selection can significantly elevate your confidence and results on the court. For personalized lessons, targeted drills, or help correcting specific shots, contact Coach Igor. Even one or two focused lessons can accelerate improvement and help you play with greater control and confidence.
Picture Source: I&G Pickleball