Padel Racket Grip Guide

Padel Racket Grip Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Your grip is the connection between you and your racket. Get it wrong and every shot suffers — from volleys that spray wide to smashes that lack control. This guide covers the grips used in padel, when to switch between them, and how to maintain your grip for consistent performance.

The Continental Grip: Your Default

The continental grip (also called the hammer grip or chopper grip) is the foundation of padel. Unlike tennis, where you might switch grips multiple times during a rally, in padel the continental grip handles 90% of your shots.

How to Find It

1. Hold the racket perpendicular to the ground with your non-dominant hand
2. Place your dominant hand on the grip as if you’re shaking hands with the racket
3. The V-shape formed by your thumb and index finger should sit on the top bevel of the handle
4. Alternatively: hold the racket like a hammer — that’s the continental grip

Why It Works for Padel

• Versatility: Works for forehand, backhand, volleys, smashes, and serves without switching
• Slice capability: The natural racket angle produces slice — essential for bandejas and defensive shots
• Quick transitions: In padel’s fast rallies, you don’t have time to change grips. Continental lets you react instantly.
• Wall play: When playing balls off the glass, the continental grip gives you the flexibility to handle balls at any height or angle

The Eastern Forehand Grip

Some players, especially those coming from tennis, use an eastern forehand grip for more topspin on groundstrokes.

How to Find It

1. Start from the continental grip
2. Rotate your hand slightly clockwise (for right-handers) so the V-shape moves to the right
3. Your palm should sit more behind the handle

When to Use It

• Forehand drives: Adds topspin to aggressive groundstrokes
• Forehand volleys: Some players prefer a slightly eastern grip for forehand volleys at the net

Limitations in Padel

• Makes backhand shots awkward without a grip change
• Reduces slice capability for bandejas
• Slows transitions at the net where both forehand and backhand volleys come in quick succession

The Semi-Western Grip

Rarely used in padel, but worth mentioning. This tennis grip puts the hand further under the handle, producing heavy topspin.

• Use case: Almost none in standard padel. Some players use it for specific topspin lobs.
• Problem: Makes volleys very difficult and eliminates slice. Not recommended for padel.

Grip Pressure: The Overlooked Factor

How tightly you hold the racket matters as much as where you hold it:

The 1-10 Scale

• 1: Racket falls out of your hand
• 3-4 (ready position): Relaxed hold, racket secure but wrist loose
• 6-7 (standard shots): Firm at contact, controlling the racket head
• 8-9 (block volleys, smashes): Very firm to absorb heavy pace
• 10: Death grip — avoid this. Causes tension, reduces feel, leads to injury

The Key: Tighten at Contact

Keep the grip relaxed between shots and tighten only at the moment of contact. This gives you better racket head speed (relaxed muscles move faster) while maintaining control at impact.

Grip Changes During Play

While the continental grip covers most situations, there are moments where minor adjustments help:

Forehand Wall Shot

When playing a ball off the side glass on your forehand side, a very slight rotation toward eastern can help you get under the ball more easily.

Two-Handed Backhand

If you use a two-handed backhand (common among players coming from tennis), your dominant hand stays continental while your non-dominant hand uses an eastern forehand grip. The two hands work together for stability.

The Serve

Always continental for the serve. This gives you the slice and kick options you need. An eastern grip limits you to flat serves with less variety.

Overgrips: Maintenance and Replacement

Your grip surface affects everything. A worn or slippery grip causes compensations that hurt your technique.

When to Replace Your Overgrip

• After every 2-3 sessions in dry conditions
• After every session in humid or sweaty conditions
• Whenever it feels slick or starts to peel
• If you notice the racket turning in your hand on impact

Overgrip Types

• Dry overgrips: Absorb sweat, feel tacky. Best for sweaty players and humid conditions. Popular choice: Tourna Grip.
• Tacky overgrips: Start with a sticky feel that gradually wears. The most popular type. Wilson Pro Overgrip, Yonex Super Grap.
• Perforated overgrips: Feature small holes for ventilation. Good for very hot conditions.

For our recommended picks, check the best padel overgrips 2026 guide.

How to Apply an Overgrip

1. Start at the butt of the handle, overlapping the adhesive strip
2. Wind upward in a spiral, overlapping each layer by about one-third
3. Keep slight tension — too loose and it wrinkles, too tight and it stretches thin
4. Finish at the top and secure with the included tape strip

Grip Size Matters

Most padel rackets come with one grip size, but you can adjust using overgrips:

• Too small: Add 1-2 overgrips for extra thickness. Prevents the racket from twisting.
• Too big: Remove the base grip and apply just an overgrip. Be careful — too thin can cause blisters.
• Test: Grip the racket. You should be able to fit your other hand’s index finger in the gap between your fingers and palm.

Common Grip Mistakes

1. Death grip: Holding too tight causes arm tension, tennis elbow, and reduced feel
2. Switching grips mid-rally: In padel’s fast pace, you rarely have time. Stick to continental.
3. Ignoring worn overgrips: A slippery grip forces you to hold tighter, starting a cycle of tension and poor play
4. Tennis grips in padel: Western and semi-western grips from tennis don’t work in padel’s wall-play context

The grip is the most fundamental element of your padel technique. Master the continental grip, learn to modulate your pressure, and keep your overgrip fresh. It’s the simplest change you can make that improves every single shot. For more technique fundamentals, explore our volley guide and bandeja technique guide.