Basic Padel Skills (Grips)

Grips in Padel

In Padel, a grip is a way of holding the paddle in order to hit shots during a match. The three most commonly used conventional grips are: the Continental (or "Chopper"), the Eastern and the Western (more common in tennis). Most players change grips during a match depending on what shot they are hitting. In Padel the more common are the continental and the eastern grips.

Grip: Eastern Forehand

Players hold the padel racquets in front with their non-dominant hand. Place the palm of their dominant hand on the face of the padel and then slide down to the handle until “shaking hands” with the grip.

Checkpoints:

The knuckle of the index finger should be on the level of the grip that is parallel to the strings. The “V” formed by the thumb and forefinger is on top of the grip. A shift toward the right is acceptable.

Grip: Continental grip

The Continental grip, also called the Chopper grip or Hammer grip.  It is naturally obtained when holding the padel racquet as if it were an axe, hence the second name “Chopper grip”. The Continental is the one grip that you can use for every shot.

This results in a more explosive and versatile shot with the least amount of stress on the arm. It’s also the preferred grip on volleys since it provides a slightly open racquet face for underspin and control. Since you need quick hands at net, having the same grip for forehand and backhand volleys is also crucial. As mentioned, your grip affects the angle of the racquet face. The more closed the face, the higher and farther in front of your body your strike zone should be for proper contact. Since the racquet face is relatively square on a Continental grip, for ground strokes the strike zone is low and to the side of the body. That’s why it’s helpful for defensive shots, low balls, and wide balls that you’re late on.

Grip: Eastern Backhand

Approximately 1/8 to ¼ of a turn of the hand to the left from the forehand grip so that the writs is farther behind the grip at contact. “V” of thumb and forefinger should be on level behind the hitting side of the paddle (for a right handed player that means to the left of top level), “trigger finger up”.

Checkpoints:

The knuckle of the index finger should be on top of the paddle. For a two-handed grip, the dominant hand assumes a continental grip while the non-dominant hand is placed directly above the dominant hand in a forehand grip.

Teaching Tip: Place the paddle under your left arm (or right arm, if you’re a left handed player) with the grip facing forward. Reach over the paddle’s grip with your right hand and pull the paddle out from under your left arm like a warrior unsheathing a sword. The result is a backhand grip.

(c)Juanra F Lastra California Padel Association 2013