If you’re a pickleball enthusiast who wants to improve their game, then mastering the art of grip is crucial. Knowing the different types of grips available can significantly impact your performance on the court. In this post, we’ll explore two of the most popular grips – Continental and Eastern – and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
Practice is the key to success, regardless of the grips you choose. With dedication and commitment, you can perfect your pickleball technique and become an even better player. By the end of this guide, you’ll have invaluable knowledge to help elevate your pickleball skills. So, let’s begin.
Continental Grip
The Continental Grip is the most popular pickleball grip, resembling a tennis grip, and enables players to hit various shots, such as topspin and backspin. This grip offers better ball control as its main benefit, but it may present challenges in generating power.
To execute the Continental Grip, position your index and middle fingers on opposite sides of the ball, while placing your thumb on top of it. Holding the ball in your palm and cupping your fingers slightly around it could be helpful pickleball serves.
Eastern Grip
When you play pickleball with an eastern grip, you hold the paddle in the hand that matches your dominant foot. For example, if you are right-handed, you would hold the paddle in your right hand. The Eastern grip is ideal for beginners and is used for eastern grip backhand strokes since it is one of the easiest grips to learn and execute.
The eastern grip offers many benefits, one of which is the ability to generate a lot of power behind your shots. This grip is especially helpful when hitting eastern grip backhand strokes since you can apply more force behind the ball.
Additionally, this grip provides greater control over your shots, allowing you to place the ball precisely where you want it to go.
If you are new to pickleball, we suggest using the eastern grip. As you become more comfortable with the game and experiment with different strokes, you can try other grips. For now, concentrate on mastering those backhand strokes with the eastern grip!
Eastern Backhand Grip
The eastern grip backhand is a grip that is most commonly used by professional pickleball players. This grip gives you more control over the ball and allows you to generate more power when hitting your shots. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you start with this grip and then experiment with other grips as you become more comfortable with the game.
Continental Versus Eastern Grip: Which is Better?
In pickleball, the two most commonly used grips are the continental grip and the eastern grip. The choice between the two depends on your playing style and preferences.
If you prefer keeping your shots low and close to the net, the continental grip is a better option as it offers greater control and faster shots. However, if you want to hit powerful shots from any part of the court, the eastern grip is the way to go. It allows you to mix power and accuracy, making it a versatile grip.
It’s essential to choose the right grip for your shots to achieve success in your game. Using the wrong grip can limit your shot’s effectiveness. While the continental grip is vital and used for various shots, it has its limitations.
There are times when using a different grip, such as the eastern grip, can give you better results. We’ll dive deeper into the eastern grip for both the forehand and backhand sides and explore the type of shots it’s suitable for instead of the continental grip.
Experiment with both grips to see which one feels more comfortable for you and suits your playing style the most.
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How to Choose the Right Grip for You
When starting to play , many may overlook the importance of the grip they use. However, as one’s skills progress, they will soon realize that the grip can significantly affect their performance. Pickleball players typically use two main grip types: the Continental grip and the Eastern grip.
The Continental grip is akin to how one would hold a tennis racket, with the palm facing downwards. On the other hand, the Eastern grip is similar to how one would hold a badminton racket, with the palm facing upwards.
So, which grip should you use? Ultimately, it depends on your personal preference and comfort. Some players may feel that they have better control with the Continental grip, while others may prefer the Eastern grip as it enables them to generate more power. Experimenting with both grips is essential to find which works best for your playing style.
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Changing From Continental To Eastern
If you’ve been playing pickleball with a continental grip and are thinking about switching to an eastern grip, there are a few things you should know. For starters, the continental grip is more versatile and can be used for different strokes. However, the eastern grip is generally considered more powerful.
When making the switch, it’s important to keep in mind that your strokes will likely be different with an eastern grip. You’ll want to experiment with both grips to see which one feels more comfortable for you. In general, the eastern grip is best for forehand shots and the continental grip is best for backhand shots.
Whatever grip you choose, make sure you’re comfortable with it and that it allows you to play your best game of pickleball!
FAQs
A Continental grip in pickleball is when the player holds the paddle with the palm facing downwards, similar to how one would hold a tennis racket.
An Eastern grip in pickleball is when the player holds the paddle with the palm facing upwards, similar to how one would hold a badminton racket.
The grip you use in pickleball depends on your personal preference and comfort. Some players may prefer the Continental grip for better control, while others may prefer the Eastern grip for generating more power.
Experimenting with both grips is essential to find which works best for your playing style. Try playing with both grips and see which one gives you better control and power.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Continental and Eastern grips for pickleball are both effective and have their own advantages. Choosing between them will depend on your playing style, but either one should help you improve your game. We hope this guide has helped you understand which grip is right for your needs as a pickleball player so that you can make the most of every match!
