Pickleball Grips – The Continental Grip and How to Hold the Pickleball Paddle

One of the most important aspects of pickleball is the grip. The grip is the way you hold your paddle when playing pickleball. It affects your control, power, spin, and comfort on the court. The grip also determines the angle and direction of your shots, as well as your ability to switch between different strokes.

There are many types of grips in pickleball, but one of the most common and versatile ones is the continental grip. The continental grip is also known as the neutral grip or the hammer grip. It is suitable for all levels of players and all kinds of shots. In this article, we will explain what the continental grip is, how to find it, how to use it, and what are its advantages and disadvantages.

The Continental Pickleball Grip – A Neutral Grip

The continental grip is called a neutral grip because it allows you to hit both forehand and backhand shots with ease. It does not favor one side over the other, unlike some other grips such as the eastern or western grip. The continental grip also works well for volleys, dinks, serves, and overheads. It is a versatile grip that can adapt to any situation on the court.

The continental grip is also called the hammer grip because it resembles the way you hold a hammer when nailing something. Your palm should be facing the side of the paddle, not behind or in front of it. Your index knuckle should be on the top bevel of the handle, which is the flat edge that runs along the top of the paddle. Your thumb should be slightly wrapped around the handle, not pointing up or down.

To find the continental grip, you can use two simple methods:

• Shake hands with your paddle as if it were a hammer. Your hand should naturally fall into the continental grip position.
• Hold your paddle perpendicular to the ground in front of you and place your hand on the side of the paddle. Your palm should be facing the net and your index knuckle should be on the middle bevel of the handle.

You can check if you have the correct continental grip by looking at the letter V formed by your thumb and index finger. The V should point towards your right shoulder (if you are right-handed) or your left shoulder (if you are left-handed). The V should also be aligned with the center of the paddle face.

Bevels

Bevels are the flat edges that run along the handle of your paddle. They are numbered from 1 to 8, starting from the top bevel and going clockwise (for right-handed players) or counterclockwise (for left-handed players). Bevels help you identify and change your grip quickly and accurately.

Count Bevels Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise? Are you Right or Left Handed?

As mentioned above, bevels are numbered differently depending on whether you are right-handed or left-handed. This is because your hand rotates in different directions when changing grips.

For right-handed players, your hand rotates clockwise when switching from forehand to backhand, and counterclockwise when switching from backhand to forehand. Therefore, you count bevels clockwise from 1 to 8.

For left-handed players, your hand rotates counterclockwise when switching from forehand to backhand, and clockwise when switching from backhand to forehand. Therefore, you count bevels counterclockwise from 1 to 8.

Big Knuckle of your Index Finger

The big knuckle of your index finger is a key reference point for finding and changing your grip. It should always be on one of the bevels of your handle, not in between them. The position of your index knuckle determines which grip you are using.

For example, if your index knuckle is on bevel 1 (the top bevel), then you are using the continental grip. If your index knuckle is on bevel 2 (the right upper bevel), then you are using a weak continental grip or a strong eastern forehand grip. If your index knuckle is on bevel 3 (the right lower bevel), then you are using a western forehand grip. And so on.

The Continental Grip – The “Hammer” Grip, Bevels and the Letter V

As we have seen, the continental grip is the grip where your index knuckle is on bevel 1 (the top bevel) and your palm is facing the side of the paddle. It is also the grip where you hold your paddle like a hammer and the letter V formed by your thumb and index finger points towards your shoulder.

The continental grip is a neutral grip that works well for all shots in pickleball. It allows you to hit both forehand and backhand shots with ease, without changing your grip too much. It also gives you more control and accuracy, as your paddle face is perpendicular to the ground and aligned with the direction of your swing.

The continental grip is especially good for volleys, dinks, serves, and overheads. These are shots that require quick reactions, minimal backswing, and precise placement. The continental grip enables you to hit these shots with a compact and consistent motion, without losing balance or power.

The continental grip is also good for changing grips quickly between shots. Since it is a neutral grip, you can easily switch to other grips by rotating your hand slightly in either direction. For example, if you want to hit a forehand drive with more topspin and power, you can switch to an eastern or western forehand grip by moving your index knuckle to bevel 2 or 3. If you want to hit a backhand slice with more spin and angle, you can switch to an eastern or western backhand grip by moving your index knuckle to bevel 7 or 8.

The continental grip is not only a grip, but also a transition point between other grips. It is a versatile and adaptable grip that can suit any situation on the court.

Spread Your Hand across the Grip

One of the common mistakes that beginners make when holding the paddle is gripping it too tightly or too loosely. Gripping the paddle too tightly can cause tension in your arm and wrist, which can reduce your control, power, and feel of the ball. Gripping the paddle too loosely can cause instability in your paddle face, which can lead to mishits, errors, and injuries.

To avoid these problems, you should hold your paddle with a relaxed but firm grip. You should not squeeze your paddle or let it slip in your hand. You should also spread your hand across the grip, not bunch it up or leave gaps between your fingers.

Spreading your hand across the grip has several benefits:

• It increases the contact area between your hand and the paddle, which improves your feel of the ball and reduces vibration.
• It distributes the pressure evenly across your hand, which prevents blisters and fatigue.
• It creates more leverage and torque, which enhances your power and spin.
• It allows you to adjust your grip size and shape, which improves your comfort and fit.

To spread your hand across the grip, you should follow these steps:

• Place your index finger slightly apart from the rest of your fingers. This creates a gap that helps you balance your paddle and control its angle.
• Extend your fingers along the handle, not around it. This creates a flat surface that helps you stabilize your paddle and align its face.
• Wrap your thumb around the handle, not over it. This creates a hook that helps you secure your paddle and generate power.

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Should I use the Continental Grip for Longer Shots & Drives?

The continental grip is a great grip for short shots such as volleys, dinks, serves, and overheads. But what about longer shots such as drives, lobs, and groundstrokes? Should you use the continental grip for these shots as well?

The answer is: it depends.

Some players prefer to use the continental grip for all shots in pickleball. They find it easier and faster to use one grip for everything, rather than changing grips constantly. They also believe that using one grip helps them develop a consistent and reliable stroke technique.

Other players prefer to use different grips for different shots in pickleball. They find it more effective and comfortable to use grips that suit their style of play and preference. They also believe that using different grips helps them create more variety and deception in their shots.

There is no right or wrong answer here. Both approaches have their pros and cons. The best way to decide which one works for you is to try both and see which one feels more natural and comfortable for you.

Here are some tips and guidelines for using different grips for different shots in pickleball:

Grip for the Pickleball Forehand Drive

The forehand drive is a powerful and aggressive shot that aims to hit the ball hard and low over the net. It is usually used to attack a weak or high ball from your opponent, or to start a rally from the baseline.

To hit a forehand drive, you need a grip that allows you to generate more topspin and power. The continental grip may not be the best choice for this shot, as it can limit your wrist action and paddle angle. Instead, you may want to use an eastern or western forehand grip.

The eastern forehand grip is a grip where your index knuckle is on bevel 2 (the right upper bevel for righties, the left upper bevel for lefties). It is a slightly stronger grip than the continental grip, as it allows you to tilt your paddle face more downwards and create more topspin. It also gives you more leverage and torque, as your hand is closer to the edge of the paddle.

The western forehand grip is a grip where your index knuckle is on bevel 3 (the right lower bevel for righties, the left lower bevel for lefties). It is a very strong grip that favors forehand shots. It allows you to tilt your paddle face even more downwards and create even more topspin. It also gives you more power and speed, as your hand is further away from the edge of the paddle.

To switch from the continental grip to the eastern or western forehand grip, you need to rotate your hand slightly clockwise (for righties) or counterclockwise (for lefties). You can use the letter V as a guide: it should point towards your right ear (for righties) or your left ear (for lefties) for the eastern forehand grip, and towards your right eye (for righties) or your left eye (for lefties) for the western forehand grip.

The advantages of using an eastern or western forehand grip for the forehand drive are:

• You can create more topspin and power, which makes your shot more difficult to return and more likely to land in.
• You can hit the ball at a higher contact point, which gives you more margin over the net and more depth in your shot.
• You can hit the ball with a more open stance, which gives you more balance and mobility.

The disadvantages of using an eastern or western forehand grip for the forehand drive are:

• You may find it harder to hit backhand shots, as you need to change your grip more drastically.
• You may lose some control and accuracy, as your paddle face is less perpendicular to the ground and less aligned with the direction of your swing.
• You may experience more stress and fatigue in your arm and wrist, as you need to use more force and rotation.

Grip for the Pickleball Backhand Drive

The backhand drive is a similar shot to the forehand drive, but on the opposite side of your body. It is also a powerful and aggressive shot that aims to hit the ball hard and low over the net. It is usually used to attack a weak or high ball from your opponent, or to start a rally from the baseline.

To hit a backhand drive, you need a grip that allows you to generate more topspin and power. The continental grip may not be the best choice for this shot, as it can limit your wrist action and paddle angle. Instead, you may want to use an eastern or western backhand grip.

The eastern backhand grip is a grip where your index knuckle is on bevel 7 (the left upper bevel for righties, the right upper bevel for lefties). It is a slightly stronger grip than the continental grip, as it allows you to tilt your paddle face more downwards and create more topspin. It also gives you more leverage and torque, as your hand is closer to the edge of the paddle.

The western backhand grip is a grip where your index knuckle is on bevel 8 (the left lower bevel for righties, the right lower bevel for lefties). It is a very strong grip that favors backhand shots. It allows you to tilt your paddle face even more downwards and create even more topspin. It also gives you more power and speed, as your hand is further away from the edge of the paddle.

To switch from the continental grip to the eastern or western backhand grip, you need to rotate your hand slightly counterclockwise (for righties) or clockwise (for lefties). You can use the letter V as a guide: it should point towards your left ear (for righties) or your right ear (for lefties) for the eastern backhand grip, and towards your left eye (for righties) or your right eye (for lefties) for the western backhand grip.

The advantages of using an eastern or western backhand grip for the backhand drive are:

• You can create more topspin and power, which makes your shot more difficult to return and more likely to land in.
• You can hit the ball at a higher contact point, which gives you more margin over the net and more depth in your shot.
• You can hit the ball with a more open stance, which gives you more balance and mobility.

The disadvantages of using an eastern or western backhand grip for the backhand drive are:

• You may find it harder to hit forehand shots, as you need to change your grip more drastically.
• You may lose some control and accuracy, as your paddle face is less perpendicular to the ground and less aligned with the direction of your swing.
• You may experience more stress and fatigue in your arm and wrist, as you need to use more force and rotation.

What Grip Should I Use when Hitting Pickleball Drives & Topspin with a 2-Handed Backhand?

Some players prefer to use a two-handed backhand instead of a one-handed backhand. A two-handed backhand is a shot where you use both hands to hold the paddle and swing it across your body. It is usually used to hit drives, topspin, and slices.

To hit a two-handed backhand, you need to use two different grips for each hand. The dominant hand (the hand that holds the paddle normally) should use an eastern or western backhand grip, as explained above. The non-dominant hand (the hand that supports the paddle from below) should use an eastern or western forehand grip, as explained above.

To switch from the continental grip to the two-handed backhand grips, you need to rotate both hands slightly in opposite directions. The dominant hand should rotate counterclockwise (for righties) or clockwise (for lefties), while the non-dominant hand should rotate clockwise (for righties) or counterclockwise (for lefties). You can use the letter V as a guide: it should point towards your ears for both hands.

The advantages of using a two-handed backhand are:

• You can create more topspin and power, as you have more leverage and torque from both hands.
• You can hit the ball at a higher contact point, as you have more reach and height from both arms.
• You can hit the ball with more stability and consistency, as you have more support and control from both hands.

The disadvantages of using a two-handed backhand are:

• You may find it harder to hit volleys, dinks, serves, and overheads, as you need to change your grip more drastically and release one hand from the paddle.
• You may lose some flexibility and mobility, as you have less range of motion and freedom from both arms.
• You may experience more stress and fatigue in both arms and wrists, as you need to use more force and rotation.

What Grip Should you use for Pickleball Drop Shots, Resets, and Slices?

Drop shots, resets, and slices are shots that aim to hit the ball softly and low over the net. They are usually used to slow down the pace of the game, create angles and spin, or force your opponent to move forward.

To hit drop shots, resets, and slices, you need a grip that allows you to generate more underspin and touch. The continental grip may be the best choice for these shots, as it gives you more control and accuracy. It also allows you to hit these shots with a compact and consistent motion, without losing balance or power.

The continental grip is especially good for volleys, dinks, serves, and overheads. These are shots that require quick reactions, minimal backswing, and precise placement. The continental grip enables you to hit these shots with a compact and consistent motion, without losing balance or power.

The advantages of using the continental grip for drop shots, resets, and slices are:

• You can create more underspin and touch, which makes your shot more difficult to return and more likely to land short.
• You can hit the ball at a lower contact point, which gives you more margin over the net and more angle in your shot.
• You can hit the ball with a more closed stance, which gives you more stability and readiness.

The disadvantages of using the continental grip for drop shots, resets, and slices are:

• You may find it harder to hit drives, topspin, and lobs, as you need to change your grip slightly or adjust your paddle angle.
• You may lose some power and speed, as your paddle face is more perpendicular to the ground and less tilted downwards.

Final Thoughts

The grip is one of the most important aspects of pickleball. It affects your control, power, spin, and comfort on the court. It also determines the angle and direction of your shots, as well as your ability to switch between different strokes.

There are many types of grips in pickleball, but one of the most common and versatile ones is the continental grip. The continental grip is also known as the neutral grip or the hammer grip. It is suitable for all levels of players and all kinds of shots.

The continental grip is a grip where your index knuckle is on bevel 1 (the top bevel) and your palm is facing the side of the paddle. It is also a grip where you hold your paddle like a hammer and the letter V formed by your thumb and index finger points towards your shoulder.

The continental grip is a neutral grip that works well for all shots in pickleball. It allows you to hit both forehand and backhand shots with ease, without changing your grip too much. It also gives you more control and accuracy, as your paddle face is perpendicular to the ground and aligned with the direction of your swing.

The continental grip is especially good for volleys, dinks, serves, and overheads. These are shots that require quick reactions, minimal backswing, and precise placement. The continental grip enables you to hit these shots with a compact and consistent motion, without losing balance or power.

The continental grip is also good for changing grips quickly between shots. Since it is a neutral grip, you can easily switch to other grips by rotating your hand slightly in either direction. For example, if you want to hit a forehand drive with more topspin and power, you can switch to an eastern or western forehand grip by moving your index knuckle to bevel 2 or 3. If you want to hit a backhand slice with more spin and angle, you can switch to an eastern or western backhand grip by moving your index knuckle to bevel 7 or 8.

The continental grip is not only a grip, but also a transition point between other grips. It is a versatile and adaptable grip that can suit any situation on the court.

However, the continental grip is not the only grip in pickleball. There are other grips that may suit your style of play and preference better. For example, if you want to hit more powerful and aggressive forehand or backhand drives, you may want to use an eastern or western forehand or backhand grip. If you want to hit more stable and consistent two-handed backhands, you may want to use two different grips for each hand.

The best way to decide which grip works best for you is to try different grips and see which one feels more natural and comfortable for you. You should also consider your skill level, your paddle size and shape, and your playing style.

You can also customize your pickleball grip by adding or replacing the original grip on your paddle. There are different types of grips available, such as rubber grips, wrap grips, or overgrip wraps. They vary in thickness, texture, cushioning, and moisture absorption . You should choose a grip that suits your hand size, sweat level, and preference.

To measure your ideal pickleball grip size, you can use a ruler or a tape measure to measure the distance from the tip of your ring finger to the bottom crease of your palm on your dominant hand. This measurement should match the circumference of your paddle handle. Alternatively, you can use the index finger test: place your index finger of your non-dominant hand between your fingers and palm of your dominant hand when holding your paddle. If there is no space or too much space between your finger and palm, then your grip size is too small or too large .

To replace or add a pickleball grip, you will need some tools such as scissors, tape measure, utility knife, double-sided tape, electrical tape, and a hair dryer. You will also need to follow some steps such as removing the old grip, applying the new grip, trimming the excess material, securing the end with tape, and heating the grip to make it stick better .

We hope this article has helped you understand what the continental grip is and how to use it in pickleball. Remember that the grip is not something that you should take for granted or ignore. It can make a big difference in your performance and enjoyment of the game.

If you have any questions or feedback about this article or anything related to pickleball grips, please let us know. We would love to hear from you.

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FAQs

What is a continental grip in pickleball?

A continental grip in pickleball is a neutral grip that works well for all shots in pickleball. It is a grip where your index knuckle is on bevel 1 (the top bevel) and your palm is facing the side of the paddle. It is also a grip where you hold your paddle like a hammer and the letter V formed by your thumb and index finger points towards your shoulder.

What is the difference between Eastern and Continental grip in pickleball?

The eastern grip is a slightly stronger grip than the continental grip, as it allows you to tilt your paddle face more downwards and create more topspin. It also gives you more leverage and torque, as your hand is closer to the edge of the paddle. The eastern grip can be used for forehand or backhand shots, depending on which bevel your index knuckle is on.

The continental grip is a neutral grip that works well for all shots in pickleball. It allows you to hit both forehand and backhand shots with ease, without changing your grip too much. It also gives you more control and accuracy, as your paddle face is perpendicular to the ground and aligned with the direction of your swing. The continental grip is always on bevel 1 (the top bevel).

Also Read; pickleball grip

How do you hold a pickleball paddle for continental grip?

To hold a pickleball paddle for continental grip, you can use two simple methods:

• Shake hands with your paddle as if it were a hammer. Your hand should naturally fall into the continental grip position.
• Hold your paddle perpendicular to the ground in front of you and place your hand on the side of the paddle. Your palm should be facing the net and your index knuckle should be on the middle bevel of the handle.

You can check if you have the correct continental grip by looking at the letter V formed by your thumb and index finger. The V should point towards your right shoulder (if you are right-handed) or your left shoulder (if you are left-handed). The V should also be aligned with the center of the paddle face.

Do pro pickleball players change their grip?

Yes, pro pickleball players change their grip depending on the shot they want to hit. They use different grips for different shots to create more variety and deception in their game. They also use different grips for different situations to adapt to their opponents and the conditions of the court.

However, pro pickleball players do not change their grip too much or too often, as it can cause inconsistency and errors. They usually stick to one or two grips that suit their style of play and preference. They also practice changing grips smoothly and quickly, so that they do not lose time or rhythm in their strokes.