HOLDING YOUR PADDLE
WEAKNESSES OF THIS GRIP:
1. You will lose a little power.
2. You will lose a little bit of reach.
WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM USING
THIS GRIP?
1. Control players and dinkers.
2. Senior players who are playing against
young players and want to keep the young
players from using their power, strength
and reflexes.
3. Former table tennis players.
SWITCHING GRIPS
There are also a few top players who are able
to actually switch grips as they play depending
upon the shot that they are hitting. You may
have seen players able to hit high volleys using
only one side of their paddle. This does allow
these players to appear to have very quick
hands but actually by only using one side of
their paddle, they have earlier preparation.
Sometimes these players will have a blocking
motion at the net that makes their paddle
look like a windshield wiper.
Most of the players who can do this are
switching to a grip that is either a very strong
backhand grip or a western forehand grip.
Now these are extreme grip changes and it
can be very difficult to quickly change to this
A PLAYER SWITCHING TO A STRONG
FOREHAND GRIP IN ORDER TO
USE THE FOREHAND SIDE OF
PADDLE TO HIT A BACKHAND
grip at the right time. Usually when a player
is using an extreme grip like this they have
extreme strengths and extreme weaknesses.
This would be a bad grip to use for reaching
to either side or for dinking. It is a great grip
for hitting the slightly higher balls that are
between your shoulders. The great players
who do this are able to switch grips quickly
at just the right time. Top players who can
switch their grip quickly are Pat Kane, Gigi
LeMaster, and Mona Burnett.
I have noticed that all of these great
switch‑grip players look like they are holding
the paddle very loosely in their hand during
their ready position. I think this may help
them to switch grips more quickly.
STRENGTHS OF SWITCHING GRIPS AS
YOU PLAY:
1. Can give you some very strong shots.
2. Can help you reach farther into the kitchen
to hit the volley.
WEAKNESSES OF SWITCHING GRIPS AS
YOU PLAY:
1. Many players are unable to switch their
grip quickly enough.
2. Can cause simple mistakes just because of
not switching to the proper grip.
TABLE TENNIS GRIP
WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM
SWITCHING GRIPS?
1. Players who have the skills of switching
grips quickly.
2. Players who like to pop the ball as early as
possible during a rally.
3. Players who want to take advantage of
their long reach.
I suggest that all players experiment with
different grips. By trying these different grips
you might find one that better fits your game
than the current grip you are using. You will
also have a better understanding of strengths
and weaknesses of various grips, which could
help you come up with better game plans
against your opponents. •
Steve Paranto has been
playing tournament
pickleball since 1974. He
was involved with paddle
development with his
father in the early ‘80s.
He is a 3-time National
Champion in Men’s
Senior D oubles and a
4-time Huntsman World
Senior Games Singles
Champion. He has a
master’s degree in Physical Education and tennis
teaching endorsement through Vic Braden’s Tennis
Academy. He has been involved in teaching all ages
the sport of pickleball for over 35 years.
CONTINENTAL
EASTERN GRIP WITH FINGER
KEEPING THE ELBOW OUT IN ORDER
TO HIT A BACKHAND VOLLEY WITH
THE EASTERN FINGER GRIP
JANUARY 2016 |
MAGAZINE
49