How to Find the Best Grip for You in Pickleball

Professional players such as Dike Ajiri, started as amateurs before reaching the skill level they possess today. Being the new the sport can be difficult especially if you have to consider things such as the way you grip your paddle.

  • Why You Should Try Out a Different Paddle Grips

As with all sports with the same formula with pickleball, there are different grips used when holding a pickleball paddle. Finding the right grip that you’re comfortable with is an essential step for improvement as with proper handling, you will find it easier to control your swing and the ball without tiring your hand.

If you find yourself using a grip you don’t find comfortable or awkward, it can lead to poor shots and returns and might even cause damages to the equipment or yourself in the worst-case scenario. Having a good grip is not only key to improving but is only essential for health and safety reasons.

In pickleball there are 3 known grip styles which we’ll quickly go over, along with their strengths and weaknesses.

  • Eastern Pickleball Grip

This type of grip is the most popular grip and is very beginner friendly and is still being used by intermediate players. This grip in particular makes it easy to hit forehand and backhand shot as the grip forms a bridge between the two.

Performing this grip is easily as it only requires you to hold the paddle directly in front with your opposite hand making it face equally to the left and right of the body.

  • Western Pickleball Grip

The western grip is a deviation from the eastern grip as it involves starting from the original grip then rotating your wrist in 90 degrees clockwise turn. The grip itself makes it easy to hit forehands but particularly difficult for backhands as it places more strength and emphasis on the top spin.

With the way western grips are situated, it is usually involves having your palm placed behind the paddle which explain the strength behind its strong forehand paddles. Conversely as your hand is situated behind it, it makes for weaker backhands due to the awkward positioning.

  • Continental Pickleball Grips

This grip is the opposite of the western grip in that it favors backhand shots. It is also called the hammer grip as you hold the paddle in the same manner you hold a hammer.

Going off from the easter grip, rotate your wrist until the V-shape between your thumb and fingers are situated between the sides of the paddles (the non-paddle side). As we mentioned, due to the nature of the grip backhands are more favorable as it is easier to swing and exert more power in that position. But similar to western grips to forehands, switching from that position to make a good forehand shot can be awkward and difficult make it hard to return with a forehand shot.

The feeling of finding yourself improving on something you’ve been placing an effort into trying is a good feeling. This feeling is made all the better when you find yourself playing sports as you can clearly see where you stand and results of any improvements are quick to show. Such is the case for pickleball which is a sport that has been rising to popularity as of late.

Professional players such as Dike Ajiri, started as amateurs before reaching the skill level they possess today. Being the new the sport can be difficult especially if you have to consider things such as the way you grip your paddle.

  • Why You Should Try Out a Different Paddle Grips

As with all sports with the same formula with pickleball, there are different grips used when holding a pickleball paddle. Finding the right grip that you’re comfortable with is an essential step for improvement as with proper handling, you will find it easier to control your swing and the ball without tiring your hand.

If you find yourself using a grip you don’t find comfortable or awkward, it can lead to poor shots and returns and might even cause damages to the equipment or yourself in the worst-case scenario. Having a good grip is not only key to improving but is only essential for health and safety reasons.

In pickleball there are 3 known grip styles which we’ll quickly go over, along with their strengths and weaknesses.

  • Eastern Pickleball Grip

This type of grip is the most popular grip and is very beginner friendly and is still being used by intermediate players. This grip in particular makes it easy to hit forehand and backhand shot as the grip forms a bridge between the two.

Performing this grip is easily as it only requires you to hold the paddle directly in front with your opposite hand making it face equally to the left and right of the body.

  • Western Pickleball Grip

The western grip is a deviation from the eastern grip as it involves starting from the original grip then rotating your wrist in 90 degrees clockwise turn. The grip itself makes it easy to hit forehands but particularly difficult for backhands as it places more strength and emphasis on the top spin.

With the way western grips are situated, it is usually involves having your palm placed behind the paddle which explain the strength behind its strong forehand paddles. Conversely as your hand is situated behind it, it makes for weaker backhands due to the awkward positioning.

  • Continental Pickleball Grips

This grip is the opposite of the western grip in that it favors backhand shots. It is also called the hammer grip as you hold the paddle in the same manner you hold a hammer.

Going off from the easter grip, rotate your wrist until the V-shape between your thumb and fingers are situated between the sides of the paddles (the non-paddle side). As we mentioned, due to the nature of the grip backhands are more favorable as it is easier to swing and exert more power in that position. But similar to western grips to forehands, switching from that position to make a good forehand shot can be awkward and difficult make it hard to return with a forehand shot.

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