Show Your Shovel Some Love— Proper Racket Holding Technique
One of the most common questions from new padel players is, “How do I handle the padel racket? ” Do I handle it like a tennis or squash racket?” Which way you hold your tennis or squash racket makes a big difference in the answer to that question. Here’s everything you need to know about the art of holding your shovel:
The most common padel racket holding technique is called the continental grip, often known as the handshake grip.
The continental grip: hold the racket such that your thumb and index finger create a V, which is parallel to the racket’s edge.
For the continental grip, there are two simple methods to get your hands in the proper position. The continental grip may be utilized in a variety of ways after you get familiar with it. Let’s go a little further and see what we can find out.
Hold the shovel like a pro!
Beginner padel players should use the continental grip since it is the most comfortable. Fortunately, learning the continental grip just takes a few minutes.
If you’re just starting out with padel, you’ll be in good company if you master the continental grip. The continental grip is the preferred method of gripping a padel racket by all of the best players on the World Padel Tour, whether they are men or women.
This “V” created between your thumb and forefinger will be crossing the spine of your padel racket if you hold the racket with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other.
Hit the ball like you’re exchanging a handshake
You may teach a new player how to hold a padel racket with the continental grip in two ways. The first technique is most effective when used in conjunction with a partner or coach to educate a novice.
Shaking your racket while holding your hands is a popular teaching technique known as the shake-and-learn method.
You begin by exchanging a handshake with your opponent. As soon as you’ve exchanged a handshake, have your partner hold the racket such that the grip is facing you directly in the eye. Your partner is responsible for making sure the racket’s face is upright during the game.
After that, you and your partner “shake hands” once again. If you want to take their hand, you’ll need to use the padel racket this time.
Using the continental grip means holding the racket with the face of the racket vertical
Alternatively, you may teach yourself the continental padel racket grip on your own.
Hold the padel racket halfway up the head with one hand to begin. You’ll discover that the only way to accomplish this is around the racket’s spine. Your thumb will be on one face of the racket, and your fingers will be on the other.
Once you’re in this position, slide your hand down the racket’s handle until you reach the racket’s base. You’ll note that when you slide your hand, the joint where your thumb joins your hand will remain across the spine of the racket, as long as you maintain your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other.
Maintain the same hand posture with respect to the racket’s spine as you slide your hand along the handle.
To use the continental grip, you’ll need to have your hand exactly where it needs to be.
