How To Grip A Pickleball Paddle | Eastern, Western, & Continental

blazingfact

Jun 7, 2023

When playing pickleball, the way you hold your paddle can greatly affect your game. There are three main grips commonly used: the continental grip, the eastern grip, and the western grip. Each grip has its own benefits, so it's important to choose the one that works best for your style and comfort.

The Eastern Pickleball paddle Grip

Let's start with the Eastern grip, which is the most popular and recommended grip for new pickleball players. The Eastern grip is a versatile grip that can be used for both forehand and backhand shots, eliminating the need to adjust your grip between the two, as you would in tennis or racquetball.

Eastern grip

To archive the Eastern grip, follow these steps:

Place your playing hand on the face of the paddle.
Slide your hand downward until you can comfortably grip the handle.
Your grip should resemble a handshake, as if you were greeting someone.

The Eastern grip provides a balanced and stable hold on the paddle, allowing for good control and accuracy in your shots. It is a great starting point for beginners, as it offers a natural and intuitive hand position

The Western Pickleball Paddle Grip

The Western grip, also known as the "Frying Pan" grip, is a less common but still used technique in pickleball. It's called the "Frying Pan" grip because it resembles how you would hold a frying pan while flipping a pancake. This grip is favored by some players for its ability to generate a lot of spin on the ball during forehand shots. However, it can be challenging to execute backhand shots with this grip because of the angle it sets up.

Western grip

To achieve the Western grip, you can follow these steps:

Start with the Eastern grip, which is the most common grip in pickleball.
Place your playing hand on the face of the paddle and slide it down towards the handle.
Rotate the paddle approximately 60-90 degrees towards the ground. For right-handed players, this means rotating the paddle to the left side of the face, while left-handed players should rotate it to the right side.
Your grip should feel similar to how you would hold a frying pan.

The Continental Pickleball Paddle Grip

In contrast to the Western grip, the Continental grip is often used to enhance backhand shots rather than forehand shots. The angle at which you hold the paddle in this grip is ideal for executing backhand shots effectively. Many players prefer the Continental grip when they need to block volleys back to their opponents while positioned at the kitchen line. However, it can be challenging to hit forehand shots with this grip without adjusting your hand positioning.

Continental grip

To achieve the Continental grip, you can follow these steps:

Start with the Eastern grip, just like in the Western grip.
Place your playing hand on the face of the paddle and slide it down towards the handle.
Unlike the Western grip, rotate the paddle approximately 60-90 degrees in the opposite direction. For right-handed players, this means rotating the paddle to the right side of the face, while left-handed players should rotate it to the left side.

By using the Continental grip, you will have a grip that facilitates backhand shots, allowing you to react quickly to volleys and return them effectively. However, keep in mind that hitting forehand shots may require you to adjust your grip to ensure optimal control and power.

Conclusion

If you're new to pickleball and need advice on how to hold the paddle, the Eastern grip is a good choice to start with. Mastering the grip is a challenging part of the game, so it's important to learn it early on to improve your chances of success.

So, there you have it! This article aims to assist you in deciding the optimal way to grip a pickleball paddle. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment below.