Adjust Your Grip Depending On The Shot (MUST LEARN SKILL)

 

Mastering Grip Changes in Pickleball

How Adjusting Your Grip Can Transform Your Game

Introduction

Grip technique is one of the most overlooked yet crucial skills in pickleball. Most beginners start with a basic Continental grip, limiting their ability to generate power and spin. But gripping the paddle properly and making subtle adjustments for different shots is key for elevating your game. Tanner Tomassi teaches you the fundamentals of Continental and Eastern grips. He then covers when and how to tweak your grip on serves, returns, dinks, and more. Mastering these small changes will unlock new skills and transform you into a more versatile, dangerous player. So grip it and rip it!

1. 0:10 Continental + Eastern Grip

The foundation is understanding the two main grip types. The Continental grip is holding the paddle like a handshake, with your palm facing the ball. This beginner grip makes it hard to create spin. The Eastern grip angles the paddle slightly, allowing better wrist action and topspin. It's a subtle shift of your bottom three fingers to the right. Practice transitioning between Continental and slight Eastern to feel the difference. The Eastern offers better control for most shots.

2. 0:40 Grip Adjustments

Don't think you need to physically rotate the paddle on each shot. Basic adjustments involve small finger changes that angle the paddle face. Going from Continental to Eastern, for example, requires repositioning just your pinky, ring and middle fingers while keeping your index finger and thumb steady. Make these subtle tweaks depending on if you want to push or spin the ball. It will start feeling natural with practice.

3. 1:24 Serves

Serves require a Continental or slight Eastern grip. As a lefty, I use the Eastern grip on my serve to generate easy topspin without drastically turning my wrist. This creates a heavier, dropping serve that kicks off the bounce. If serving Continental, you need great forearm pronation and wrist snap to spin the ball. Stick with the Eastern grip for an inherently spinnier, more deceptive serve. Minor finger adjustments make a big difference in power and control.

4. 1:56 Returns

You should return serves using the Eastern forehand grip. This closed paddle face lets you take a big upward rip at the ball, snapping it back with pace and spin. The Continental grip reduces control on power shots since the face sits naturally open. With Continental, you must perfectly time an extreme wrist flick to counter the ball's force. The Eastern grip aligns the paddle perfectly for an aggressive shot. Remember, simply adjust your lower fingers to rotate between grips.

5. 2:19 Backhand Dinks w/ Flick

Always use your standard Eastern grip for basic backhand dinks. For bouncing dinks, nothing changes here from serving, returning or forehand strokes. This maintains optimal paddle face angle. However, when forced high on the backhand and needing quick power, turn your grip into Continental. Shift your three lower fingers to square the paddle as the ball approaches and let gravity drop it into the open Continental face. Then punch straight out for a forceful flick.

6. 3:25 Forehand Dinks w/ Flick

The Eastern grip also works best for forehand dinks. Whether going crosscourt or down the line, keep those bottom three fingers in the slight Eastern position. This closed angle creates great clearance for lifting the ball with underspin or driving it hard and low with topspin. Additionally, you can attack high balls off the Eastern grip by accelerating downward into the paddle drop for extra pop. No need to change grips on forehand defense.

7. 4:06 Dinking Straight Ahead

When dinking straight ahead, use a toned down version of your normal Eastern forehand grip. Keep the paddle just slightly closed by maintaining a gentle finger rotation - don't go overly extreme on the angle like other forehand shots. This straightens out the face to push balls back accurately without spin and prepares you for counterattacks. If facing a fast ball up the middle, quickly snap your grip into full Continental by straightening those bottom fingers. This squares the paddle for solid blocking.

8. 5:58 Slow-mo Grip Change

Making anticipation grip changes prepares you to attack vulnerable balls. For example, when hitting effective crosscourt dinks, assume your next shot will sit up. Pre-turn your Eastern grip into full Continental by shifting your fingers in wait of a flick. If the next ball stays low, simply regrip Continental back to Eastern. Remain one step ahead of your opponent by continually adjusting between Eastern control and Continental attack positions depending on what you expect next.

Conclusion

Gripping and regripping the paddle quickly and correctly determines your options on pickleball shots. The basic Eastern grip offers greater potential for power and spin on most strokes. But small tweaks in finger pressure and paddle angle make hard shots easier on the wrist while optimizing pop and precision. Practice subtle grip shifts serving, returning and trading dinks to unlock new skills as you advance. Soon these micro-adjustments will feel natural as you wield a broader range of shots without thinking. Just don't death grip the paddle! Smooth transitions are vital for excelling under pressure.

Timestamps 0:09 Intro 0:10 Continental + Eastern Grip 0:40 Grip Adjustments 1:24 Serves 1:56 Returns 2:19 Backhand Dinks w/ Flick 3:25 Forehand Dinks w/ Flick 4:06 Dinking Straight Ahead 5:58 Slow-mo Grip Change

Testing Your Pickleball Grip IQ

1. What is the name of the basic beginner grip in pickleball?

a) Western b) Eastern c) Continental d) Hawaiian

2. What grip helps create more spin and power?

a) Continental b) Slightly Eastern c) Extremely Eastern d) Western

3. How should you adjust your grip between Continental and Eastern?

a) Physically turn the paddle in your hand b) Shift your pointer finger c) Rotate your bottom three fingers d) Use your palm

4. Which grip offers an inherently spinnier serve?

a) Continental b) Eastern c) Hawaiian d) They are equal

5. When returning serve, which grip is best aligned for an aggressive shot?

a) Continental b) Eastern c) Western d) Hawaiian

6. When should you use a Continental grip for backhand shots?

a) Only for dinks b) Only for attacks c) When forced high and ready to flick d) Never

7. Why use Eastern for forehand dink rallies?

a) Better clearance on spin shots b) Easier to push balls c) Generates more pace d) Improves wrist comfort

8. What is the main reason to use a toned-down Eastern grip up the middle?

a) Creates underspin b) Increases power c) Appropriate alignment to push balls back d) Enables better reaction time

9. When should you switch Continental on straight-ahead dinks?

a) Facing a slow ball b) Expecting a high ball to flick c) Playing an opponent with great returns d) Countering an quick attack

10. Why make proactive grip changes between points?

a) Keeps both hands activated b) Allows down time to reset c) Prepares paddle angle for expected shots d) Allows recovery of wrist strain

11. What is the risk of using a Continental grip on spins shots?

a) Too much power b) Reduced wrist snap c) High error rate d) Chance of injury

12. Why is the Continental grip less effective for serves?

a) Few can pronate properly b) Grip causes wrist tension c) Harder to impart spin d) Promotes illegal paddle lifts

13. What grip tweak improves high backhand power?

a) Western b) Fist c) Full Continental d) Eastern

14. How does the Eastern grip help forehand attack shots?

a) Adds topspin b) Better angles c) Natural acceleration into ball d) Maximizes pace

15. What enables smooth transitions between grips?

a) A loose wrist b) Proper paddle rotation c) Continental base position d) Adjustable paddle handle

Answer Key:

1. c
2. b
3. c
4. b
5. b
6. c
7. a
8. c
9. d
10. c
11. c
12. c
13. c
14. c
15. a