How to hold a Padel racket – continental hand grip

So, you’ve just picked up a Padel racket and need to know how to hold it?

Don’t worry, by the end of this article you’ll practically be on the path to World domination, or perhaps able to hold your own in a local mix-in.  

While there are alternative ways of holding a Padel racket the most common way is known as the continental or handshake grip, this type of grip is the easiest to learn for first-time Padel players.

How to do it

Pick up the Padel racket so that your thumb is on one face of the racket and your fingers are on the other face.

You will notice that the “V” formed between your thumb and forefinger will be bridging the spine of the racket.

Why is it also known as the handshake grip? 

For beginners the easiest way to learn the continental grip is to shake hands with your partner and once you have done your handshake, your partner then holds the racket by the face so that the grip is pointing straight at you. 

You then “shake hands” with your partner again. This time instead of taking their hand in yours, you take the grip of the Padel racket in your hand.

Providing your partner has kept the face of the racket vertical, you will now be holding the racket using the continental grip.

By this point I’m hoping you’ve had a go yourself and if you’ve mastered it just know that learning the continental grip puts you in good company.

After all there must be a reason it’s used by all the top professional players on both the women’s and the men’s side of the World Padel as their default way of holding a Padel racket.

If you’re looking to find a court local to you, our list might be of some help. You can also find out more about the sport here.