Description:
Jerry Jayapal
Hitting a successful forehand shot in pickleball starts with a proper grip. As you hold the paddle’s face perpendicular to the ground, its edge should line up with the space between your thumb and index finger. Most players hold the base of the handle, but it’s okay if it feels more comfortable to hold the paddle close to its face. In fact, players coming from table tennis may tend to choke up on the handle, and some may even place their pointer finger on the back of the paddle for greater control. Using either approach is fine, but there are some pros and cons to be aware of.
When your hand is closer to the face of the paddle, you’ll have better control. In this position, your hand will feel like an extension of the paddle, and you’ll have better hand-eye coordination. The downside is that you’ll lose power. Conversely, when your hand is farther from the base of the handle, you’ll generate more power but have less control. Ultimately, the grip you choose should be the one that feels most comfortable to you.