Pickleball Paddle Grip: Mastering the Art & Science of Holding Your Paddle

Pickleball may be a simple sport, but it requires proper grip technique to play it effectively. One of the most important aspects of pickleball is understanding how to hold your paddle properly. While it may seem like a trivial task, having the right grip can improve your shots, reduce the risk of injury, and elevate your overall performance on the court. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the various types of grips used in pickleball and how to use them effectively. This blog is all coming from the perspective of PPA Pro (current ranking #61) Troy Akin.

1. Continental Grip

The continental grip is the most basic and common grip used in pickleball. In this grip, you hold your paddle as if you're shaking hands with it. This grip is suitable for all types of shots and can help you generate more power while playing. You can use this grip for both forehand and backhand shots. Use this grip as much as you can and pretty much should live in the continental girp for all of pickleball. This makes it easy to switch from forehand to back hand to dink without changing grips. Pickleball can be a pretty fast paced sport. 

2. Western Grip

The western grip is ideal for players who want to put more spin on their shots. This grip is similar to the continental grip, but the position of your hand is slightly shifted towards the bottom of the handle. This grip is suitable for forehand shots, and it can give you more control over the ball's trajectory. This shot is much harder in pickleball than tennis because there are no strings to "catch" the ball. This is a much more advanced shot and its pretty much plastic sliding off plastic. Some Pro's can get away with it like Roscoe Bellamy or Avatar but I would strongly recommend sticking with the Continental Grip

3. Dink Grip

The dink grip is a type of continental grip but maybe even softer. Imagine holding a open bottle of toothpaste.. This grip is ideal for soft shots, such as dinks, where you need more precision than power. This grip is perfect for executing close-range shots and controlling the ball's trajectory effectively.

4. Forehand Grip

The forehand grip is ideal for forehand shots. In this type of grip, your hand should be roughly in the same position as the continental grip. The only difference is that your thumb should be placed a little further up on the paddle's handle. This grip is ideal for generating more power while playing forehand shots.

5. Backhand Grip

The backhand grip is used specifically for backhand shots. In this grip, you should position your hand diagonally on the paddle while maintaining the same grip as the continental grip. This position helps you in hitting backhand shots more effectively.

6. Two Hand Grip

The two hands grip, as the name implies, involves using both hands while holding the paddle. This grip is ideal for beginners or people who lack enough strength or stamina to hold the paddle with one hand. This grip helps you in generating additional power while playing shots.

7. Serve Grip 

The serve grip is a type of continental grip that's used for serving. In this grip, your hand should be positioned slightly below the paddle's handle, giving you more control over the serve. A little bit of top spin is great for a serve you can add some power while still brining it down with the top spin. (like I said in the beginning... use continental for everything)

Bonus: Overhand Grip

An overhand grip is used when hitting overhead shots. In this grip, your top hand should be held just above the end of the paddle's handle. This grip offers more control and accuracy while playing overhead shots.


A good grip can make a huge difference in your game of pickleball. It is crucial to understand the various grips and know when to use them. By knowing the right grip to use in different situations, you'll be able to play with more confidence and control. Practice holding your paddle in different ways and find the grip that works best for you. Eventually, you'll be able to master the art of holding your pickleball paddle.