How to hold a padel racket: the grip that works for every shot

Most padel coaches teach one grip for almost every shot: the continental grip. Get it right in your first week and volleys, lobs and the bandeja all become easier. Get it wrong and you'll fight your own racket for months.

Finding the continental grip

1. Put the strap around your wrist first.
2. Hold the racket in your other hand with the face pointing sideways, edge towards the ceiling.
3. Shake hands with the handle, as if you were holding a hammer to knock in a nail.
4. Check the V between your thumb and index finger. It should sit on the top edge of the handle, slightly towards your hitting side.

Swing it like a hammer a few times. The edge of the racket should lead, not the face. That feels odd at first, which is normal.

Why one grip and not several

Padel is fast at the net and the ball comes off the glass at angles you don't expect. There is no time to change grips between a volley and a smash. The continental grip lets you play forehand, backhand, volley and overhead without moving your hand, and it opens the racket face slightly, which suits the slice that padel is built on.

Coming from tennis

Tennis players tend to slide into an eastern or western forehand grip. It works from the back of the court and falls apart at the net, where you'll hit volleys into the glass behind your opponents. Tape a marker on the handle if you have to. It takes a few weeks to unlearn.

How tight?

Looser than you think. On a scale of 1 to 10, hold the racket at about 3 or 4 between shots and squeeze a little harder just at contact. A tight grip all the time tires your forearm and is one of the usual causes of a sore elbow.

Handle size and overgrips

Most padel rackets come with one handle size. If it feels thin, add an overgrip or two. In humid Indian weather a sweaty overgrip slips fast, so change it every few sessions and keep a spare in your bag. A pack of three costs about ₹500 to ₹600 in Indian padel shops.

Base grip or overgrip

Base grip

The thicker layer the racket comes with, wrapped directly on the handle. It gives cushioning and sets the handle size. Most players never change it, or only once a year.

Overgrip

A thin layer wrapped over the base grip for traction and sweat. It wears out fast and is cheap to replace, so this is the one you change.

When to change the overgrip

• The surface feels smooth or shiny.
• It stays wet after you wipe it.
• You notice yourself squeezing harder to stop the racket turning in your hand.
• The tape is fraying or has bald patches.

How to wrap a new overgrip

1. Remove the old overgrip. Leave the base grip on.
2. Peel the backing from the tapered end and start at the bottom of the handle.
3. Wrap upwards in a spiral, keeping the grip under light tension.
4. Overlap each turn by a few millimetres, the same amount every time.
5. Cut off what is left near the top and finish with the tape from the pack.

One overgrip adds a little thickness. If the handle feels too thin even then, add a second. Thicker handles reduce how hard you need to squeeze, which some players with elbow trouble find helps.