How you hold the racket changes everything in padel - which shots are natural, how much wrist you can use and how comfortable the racket feels on different contact points. Getting the grip right early saves a lot of bad habits later.
Quick answer: the continental grip is the standard in padel and what most coaches teach from day one. It works for every shot without a grip change - which matters in a fast game with short reaction times.
The Continental Grip
The continental grip is sometimes called the "hammer grip" because it's the natural way most people would hold a hammer. Place your hand on the handle so the base knuckle of your index finger sits on the top bevel of the handle. The V between your thumb and index finger should point toward the top-left edge of the handle (for right-handed players).
Why continental works in padel
- No grip change needed between forehand and backhand
- Natural for volleys, blocks and defensive shots at the net
- Works well for the bandeja and vibora - padel's key overhead shots
- Gives good wrist mobility for generating spin and disguise
- Reduces reaction time - critical in fast exchanges at the net
The trade-off
For players coming from tennis with a strong forehand grip, continental can feel awkward at first on forehand groundstrokes. The racket face angle is different and topspin is harder to generate than with an eastern or semi-western grip. This matters less in padel where groundstrokes are less central to the game.
The Eastern Grip
The eastern grip shifts the hand slightly further around the handle. The base knuckle of the index finger sits on the right bevel (for right-handers) rather than the top. This opens the racket face naturally for forehand groundstrokes and makes it easier to hit flat or with topspin on the forehand side.
How eastern feels in padel
- More natural for forehand drives and baseline play
- Comfortable for players coming from tennis
- Requires a grip change to handle backhand volleys cleanly
- Less suitable for fast net exchanges where there's no time to adjust
- Can make the bandeja and smash feel less natural
How Grip Works Differently in Padel vs Tennis
In tennis, using different grips for forehand and backhand is standard - you have time to change between shots. In padel, rallies at the net happen much faster and the court is smaller. Having to shift your grip mid-rally costs you reaction time you don't have.
Padel also uses the walls. Shots that come off the back glass or side glass arrive at unpredictable angles - your grip needs to be stable and consistent to handle them cleanly. The continental grip handles this better than a grip optimised for one side.
The continental grip doesn't mean your forehand will be weak in padel. The padel forehand is a different shot to a tennis forehand - less topspin-heavy, more placement-focused - and continental handles it perfectly well once you've adjusted.
Coming from Tennis - What to Expect
Tennis players are the most common group who struggle with grip in padel. If you've spent years with a semi-western forehand grip, the shift to continental will feel unnatural at first. Here's what typically happens:
The forehand adjustment
Continental forehand drives feel flat and slightly awkward initially. You'll generate less topspin than you're used to and the contact point shifts slightly. This typically resolves within a few sessions as muscle memory adjusts. Don't fight it - the continental forehand in padel is a fundamentally different shot, not an inferior version of the tennis forehand.
The backhand benefit
Continental will immediately feel natural on the backhand side, especially for net play. Backhand volleys, blocks and defensive shots all feel instinctive. Tennis players often find their backhand padel game develops faster than their forehand for this reason.
The overhead transition
The continental grip is also what you'd use for a tennis serve - so the bandeja and smash in padel should feel relatively natural from day one if you're coming from tennis. This is a genuine advantage over players without a racket sport background.
Which Grip Should You Use?
For almost all padel players, the answer is continental. It's what coaches teach, what tour players use and what the game is designed around. The eastern grip can work for players who really struggle with continental on the forehand side, but it creates problems in net play that outweigh the forehand benefit for most people.
Start with continental if you are...
- A complete beginner with no tennis background
- A tennis player willing to make the adjustment
- Focused on net play and all-court development
- Working with a padel coach
Eastern might suit you if you are...
- A casual player who plays primarily from the baseline
- Struggling significantly with continental on the forehand after extended practice
- Not playing competitively and prioritise comfort over technique
If you're serious about improving, go continental and stick with it through the adjustment period. The short-term awkwardness on the forehand is worth the long-term benefit of a versatile, fast, all-court grip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Good technique starts with the right equipment. Browse our full range or take the quiz to find your match.
