Technique
Pickleball Paddle Grip
How you hold your paddle affects every shot you hit. Grip type determines paddle face angle at contact; grip pressure determines touch and power. Most beginners hold too tight and in the wrong position, fixing your grip is one of the fastest ways to improve.
Grip types
The continental grip is standard for most players.
Continental grip
Recommended for most playersV of thumb and index finger on the top bevel, like shaking hands with the paddle edge-on
Pros: Works for forehand AND backhand without grip change. Essential for fast kitchen exchanges and volleys.
Cons: Slightly less natural power on aggressive forehands compared to eastern grip
Eastern forehand grip
Power playersPalm placed flat behind the paddle face, V sits on the right bevel for right-handers
Pros: More natural power and topspin on forehand drives. Many beginners fall naturally into this grip.
Cons: Requires a grip change for backhand shots. Problematic in fast dinking exchanges at the net.
Two-handed grip
Backhand stabilityNon-dominant hand added to the grip above the dominant hand for backhand shots only
Pros: Added stability and power on backhand drives. Reduces arm fatigue for beginners.
Cons: Limited reach on wide backhand shots. Not useful for volleys or dinks.
Grip pressure scale
Most players grip too hard. Loosen up.
Too loose
Paddle rotates on hard shots, inconsistent contact
Correct for dinking and touch shots
Soft hands, feel for ball, accurate placement
Correct for drives and volleys
Controlled power without tension
Too tight
Elbow and wrist tension, reduced feel, arm fatigue and injury risk
Grip size guide
Small hands, most women, juniors
Most common for women
Small-medium hands
Good all-around size
Medium hands, most men
Most common for men
Large hands
Add overgrip if your paddle came with 4.25
Measure from palm's lower crease to ring finger tip to find your size.
Grip maintenance tips
Replace grip tape every 10-15 hours of play
Worn grip tape becomes slippery, especially outdoors in heat. A tacky grip reduces over-gripping and improves touch.
Use overgrip over your base grip to fine-tune size
Overgrip adds ~1/16 inch per layer. Wrap one layer over your existing grip to increase size without replacing the base.
Keep a relaxed grip during dinking rallies
Consciously check your grip pressure during a rally, most players tighten up under pressure and produce pop-ups as a result.
Hold the paddle at the base of the grip, not the throat
Choking up on the throat reduces paddle face size and control. Hold near the butt cap for maximum leverage and reach.
Frequently asked questions
How do you hold a pickleball paddle?
Hold a pickleball paddle with the continental grip: place your hand on the grip as if you were shaking hands with the paddle handle, with the V formed between your thumb and index finger aligned with the top bevel of the paddle. Grip pressure should be about 4-5 out of 10, firm enough to control the paddle, loose enough to maintain feel. The continental grip is used for most shots including forehand, backhand, dinks, and volleys without changing grips.
What grip size should I use for pickleball?
Pickleball grip sizes typically range from 4 inches (small) to 4.5 inches (large) circumference. The right size: measure from your palm's lower crease to the tip of your ring finger, that measurement in inches corresponds to your grip size. A too-small grip causes over-gripping (tension) and the paddle can rotate; a too-large grip limits wrist mobility. Most women and smaller-handed players use 4.0-4.125 inches; most men use 4.25-4.5 inches. When in doubt, go smaller, you can always add overgrip to increase size.
What is the continental grip in pickleball?
The continental grip is the standard pickleball grip where you hold the paddle as if shaking hands with it, the V between thumb and index finger sits on the top bevel (edge) of the paddle face. The continental grip allows you to hit both forehand and backhand shots without changing grips, essential in fast kitchen exchanges where there is no time to adjust. It provides a neutral paddle face angle that works for dinks, volleys, drives, and most specialty shots.
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