Pickleball Grips 101: How To Grip A Pickleball Paddle

Pickleball Grips 101: How To Grip A Pickleball Paddle

Looking for techniques that will help you become the best pickleball player you can be? Before we get to that, let’s review something as simple as how to hold a paddle, shall we? It may sound unnecessary, but it’s actually the foundation that will pave the way for your success. In this blog, we’re going to show you how to hold and grip your paddle.

If you're new to the game, no worries — our blog Pickleball Rules: A Beginner’s Complete Guide will walk you through everything you need to know before hitting the court.

 

How to grip your paddle

There are 3 ways to grip your paddle

The Continental Grip

Also known as the hammer grip. The continental grip is a common grip used among pickleball players and is often taught to new players, as it is the easiest one.

This grip is favored by numerous professional players because it enables them to swiftly switch between forehand and backhand shots, and it is mainly employed for overhead smashes or powerful forehand strokes. However, this grip is not ideal for generating topspin or executing underhand strokes, also known as dinking.

To get this grip:

Imagine you’re holding a hammer, place the knuckle of your index finger slightly to the right of the top flat bevel on the handle. This creates a V shape between your thumb and index finger positioned right on top. If you're left-handed, place your knuckle on the first bevel to the left instead.

The Continental Grip

Pros

  • Close to neutral grip with the V of the hand on top of the handle.
  • Good for powerful backhand shots, allowing for great power since your hand is in front of the paddle when you hit.
  • Enhances power control for both backhands and dinks. 
  • Let players keep the same grip for different shots, which is great for newbies.

Cons

  • Slightly less power on forehand shots.


The Eastern Grip

The Eastern grip ranks just behind the Continental grip in popularity with beginners. It is referred to as the 'handshake' grip because you hold the paddle handle as if you were engaging in a handshake.

If you're after a grip that gives you solid control for your forehand, the Eastern Grip is a great option. It makes hitting those shots a breeze and lets you switch between forehand and backhand pretty easily. Just keep in mind that moving to backhand shots might be a bit trickier than with the Continental Grip.

To get this grip:

Think of it like shaking hands with your paddle. Tilt it to a 45-degree angle, placing your index finger’s knuckle on the second bevel to the right of the top flat part of the handle. Your thumb and index should form a "V" right above the first bevel on the right. For lefties, just put your index knuckle on the second bevel to the left.

The Eastern Grip

Pros

  • The Eastern grip is super popular among beginners.
  • It’s the most ‘neutral’ grip, so you can easily switch between serves, forehands, and backhands without changing your grip.
  • Lots of newbies like it because it's comfy and feels natural in your hand.
  • It offers some good flexibility, which is key when you're just starting out.

Cons

  • For more advanced players, though, the Eastern grip can be a bit limiting.
  • It's not the best for generating topspin, and some feel it lacks the power they want.


The Western Grip

Or also known as: ‘frying pan grip’—a name that gives you a clear idea of how to grip the paddle. This grip may not be commonly used, but some pro players will switch to this so they can hit a certain shot. And it’s also a powerful grip for a forehand shot and for generating a backhand topspin.

To get this grip:

Once you’ve got the Eastern grip down, switching to the Western grip is a breeze. Just rotate your hand a bit more to the right (or clockwise). Your index knuckle should sit on the third bevel to the right of the flat edge, and the V between your thumb and index finger will rest on the second bevel over. For lefties, it’s the same idea but to the left.

Now you’re holding the paddle like you would a skillet for flipping pancakes—hence the nickname 'frying pan grip.' The paddle face will be closed, so you’ll see the back of it when you hold it out in front of you.

The Western Grip

Pros

  • The Western pickleball grip has your hand positioned behind the paddle for forehand shots, which really boosts power.
  • It's also awesome for generating topspin, thanks to the closed face of the paddle.
  • While this grip allows for some seriously powerful shots, it’s not really beginner-friendly—unless you’ve used a similar grip in another racket sport.

Cons

  • The backhand can be tricky. With your hand off-center, the paddle face can angle upwards, making it easy to pop the ball up unless you adjust your wrist.
  • Some players find it easier to hit a "backwards forehand" by turning the paddle clockwise (if they're right-handed) rather than going for a traditional backhand.
  • Another challenge is hitting low shots or producing slice/backspin on the forehand side—it’s tough with the Western grip.

 

In summary

The way you hold your pickleball paddle really shapes your playing style! Each grip comes with its own perks and quirks, so find the one that feels right for you and fits your game. If you're just starting out, try the Continental or Eastern grip first—they're easier to master and will build a strong foundation for your game. Have fun experimenting and playing!


Grab your gear at PickleballGoats.com

Now that you’ve mastered the basics of gripping your weapon of choice, why not gear up properly? Check out PickleballGoats.com for pickleball paddles and hilarious gifts for yourself and everyone you cherish. Because great games deserve great gear (and a few laughs too).


References

JustPaddles. (2025). How To Grip A Pickleball Paddle | Eastern, Western, & Continental. https://www.justpaddles.com/blog/post/how-to-grip-a-pickleball-paddle/?srsltid=AfmBOorF1IXRcx2KWjy-mk85x5CUxk4M5XFEhgpcxCpuOK2_wuWNUwGK

Pickleheads. (2023). 3 pickleball grips - how to hold your paddle. https://www.pickleheads.com/guides/pickleball-paddle-grip

Pickleball Kitchen. (n.d.). Getting A Handle On It: How And Where To Hold A Pickleball Paddle. https://pickleballkitchen.com/getting-handle-hold-pickleball-paddle/

PPA Tour. (2024). Pickleball Grips and How They Change Your Game. https://www.ppatour.com/ppa-blog/pickleball-grips-and-how-they-change-your-game/#:~:text=Eastern%20grip&text=This%20grip%20helps%20provide%20good,hands%20with%20the%20paddle%20grip.%E2%80%9D

The Kitchen Pickleball. (2025). Pickleball Grip Tips: Continental vs. Western vs. Eastern and Why It Matters. https://thekitchenpickle.com/blogs/instruction/pickleball-grip-tips-continental-vs-semi-western-and-why-it-matters?srsltid=AfmBOoqm-CNUSCF9PKLTi7IsvwSySYZnFCz4PzKWQHDTa69bO98eACxn

 

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