The Three Pickleball Grips (& When to Use Them): Continental, Eastern & Western

Pickleball grips might seem like a small detail, but they're actually one of the biggest factors in how you hit the ball where you want it to go.

Whether you're crushing forehands from the baseline or executing delicate volleys at the kitchen line, your grip determines what's possible.

Mari Humberg, a professional pickleball player and coach, breaks down the three main grip types and explains why most players should stick with one instead of constantly switching.

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1. The Continental Grip: The Handshake Hold

The continental grip is what you get when you hold the paddle like you're shaking someone's hand. It's sometimes called "the little hammer," and it's the grip that tennis players use for serves and volleys.

Here's the catch: it's tough to generate topspin with a continental grip. You have to twist your wrist down awkwardly to get any rotation on the ball, which isn't ideal when you're trying to hit with power and control.

So when should you use it? The continental grip shines at the kitchen line for volleys. You can also use it from the transition zone, but Humberg doesn't recommend it from the baseline unless you're hitting a slice drop. Most of her slice shots sit somewhere between continental and eastern, giving her the best of both worlds for those finesse shots.

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2. The Eastern Grip: The Workhorse

The eastern grip is what Humberg uses for the majority of her shots, and it's probably what you should be using too if you're serious about improving.

To find it, start at the continental position and shift your hand slightly over; you want to paddle faced closed about about 20%.

The difference is huge: topspin becomes natural and effortless. You can generate that windshield-wiper rotation without forcing your wrist, which means more power and consistency.

The eastern grip is your go-to for:

• Topspin shots from the baseline
• Topspin drops
• Forehand speed-ups off the bounce
• Most offensive shots in your game

The downside? Slicing is harder because the paddle face naturally closes. But that's why Humberg uses a grip between continental and eastern for her slice shots.

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3. The Western Grip: The Topspin Machine

The western grip is the extreme option. It's the grip that players like Quang Duong use, and it makes generating topspin almost laughably easy. Seriously, the ball practically rolls off your paddle with spin.

But there's a reason most pros don't use it: it comes with major tradeoffs. Countering becomes incredibly difficult unless you're willing to pancake shots, and hitting backhands becomes a nightmare.

Humberg sees more amateur players using the western grip than she'd like, which is why she's clear about her stance: she doesn't recommend it for anything in pickleball.

That said, if it works for your game, go for it. These are recommendations, not rules.

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Should You Switch Grips During Play?

Here's where Humberg gets real: she changes grips more than probably any other pro player on the court. But she's also the first to tell you not to copy her.

Why? She has 20 years of tennis background. That muscle memory and hand flexibility let her switch grips fluidly without thinking about it. If you're new to pickleball or you don't have a racket sport background, trying to mimic that is going to be really difficult.

Her recommendation is simple: find a grip that feels comfortable and stick with it. If she had to choose one grip to play her entire game with, it would be somewhere between continental and eastern. That gives you enough versatility to handle most shots without the mental load of constantly adjusting.

The goal is consistency. Pick a grip, get comfortable with it, and let your muscle memory do the work. That's how you actually improve.