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The right grip in padel

With the continental grip you play forehand, backhand, Volley and overheads without changing grip. Here is how to hold the racket.

BasicsBeginner

By Yves Richel ·

In padel you play almost every shot with a single grip: the continental grip, also called the hammer grip. The ball comes fast and often bounces back off the wall, so there is no time to change grip. Learn it right early and you play more securely and protect your arm.

How to find the continental grip

  1. 1Put the wrist strap around your wrist. It is mandatory in padel and protects other players if the racket slips out of your hand.
  2. 2Hold the racket with the face vertical to the ground, as if you were holding a hammer.
  3. 3Grip the handle so the V between thumb and index finger sits on the upper left edge (right-handers).
  4. 4Hold it loosely: on a scale of 1 to 10, a 4 is enough. Squeeze only at the moment of contact.

Why one grip is enough for everything

With the continental grip the racket face is slightly open on the forehand and backhand. That is intended in padel: the ball gets some backspin, stays low and bounces up less after the wall.

You also play the Volley, Bandeja and Víbora with this grip. Only for a hard Smash do some players turn their hand a little further.

Common mistakes

  • Using a tennis forehand grip (Eastern or Western): the racket face closes too much and the balls end up in the net.
  • Gripping too tight: your arm tenses up, you lose feel for the ball, and your elbow and wrist take the strain.
  • Letting your hand slide up towards the throat of the racket: you lose leverage and control.

Drill: Grip check at the wall

  1. Stand 2 metres in front of a wall.
  2. Hit the ball against the wall, alternating forehand and backhand, without changing grip.
  3. After every 10 shots, check that the V is still on the edge.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really have to wear the strap?

Yes. The rules require the strap to be around your wrist. It stops the racket from flying away.

How thick should the grip be?

Thick enough that your middle and ring fingers just do not touch your palm. One extra overgrip makes the handle thicker and dampens a little.

Still have a question about technique? Pal, our AI assistant at the bottom right, answers from these pages.