If you watch a local open play or tune into a PPA tournament, you’ll notice that no two players hold their paddle exactly the same way. Some keep their hand at the very bottom of the handle for maximum whip, while others move their grip up until their index finger is practically touching the paddle face.
So, should you be "choking up" on your grip? Like most things in pickleball, the answer is: it depends. Let’s break down the "why" behind where you place your hands and how it actually changes the way you play.
Pros Of Choking Up On A Pickleball Paddle
Most players who move their hand higher up the handle are looking for control. By shortening the distance between your hand and the ball, the pickleball paddle starts to feel less like a tool and more like an extension of your arm.
- Pro #1: Winning the Kitchen Battles
When you're locked in a dink rally, a higher grip gives you a better "feel" for the ball. It’s easier to take the pace off a hard shot and drop it into the kitchen. - Pro #2: Faster Hands
If you find yourself getting "jammed" during fast volleys at the net, choking up can help. A shorter lever is easier to move quickly, helping you win those hand battles when the ball is flying. - Pro #3: The "Finger on the Face" Trick
You’ll often see players put their index finger on the back of the paddle. This provides incredible stability for backhand dinks and resets.
Pros Of Staying Low On A Pickleball Paddle
On the flip side, holding the paddle toward the bottom of the handle is the classic "power" grip. If you’re a baseline driver or a player who loves a big overhead, this is usually the way to go.
- Pro #1: Maximum Leverage
The further your hand is from the head of the paddle, the faster that head moves when you swing. This is how you generate that heavy pace on serves and deep returns. - Pro #2: Extra Reach
Pickleball is a game of inches. Staying low on the grip gives you that tiny bit of extra reach on wide lobs or cross-court dinks that can be the difference between a clean save and a miss.
The "Mid-Point" Adjustment
One of the coolest things about pickleball is that you aren't stuck with one grip for the whole game. Because the points often transition from a hard serve to a soft dink rally, many players actually adjust their grip during the point.
You might see a player hold the very bottom of the paddle for a powerful serve, but as they move toward the kitchen line, they’ll subconsciously "choke up" an inch or two to get ready for the soft game.
The Verdict
There’s no "wrong" way to hold a paddle, but there is a right way for your style of play.
- Try choking up if you feel like your soft game is a bit wild or if you’re struggling to keep up with fast exchanges at the net.
- Stay low on the handle if you rely on a big serve and deep drives to win your points.
The best way to find out? Next time you’re drilling or playing a casual match, move your hand around. You might be surprised at how much a half-inch shift can change the way your favorite paddle feels.
Whether you have questions about grip size, overgrips, or finding a paddle with the right handle length, our Paddle Experts are always ready to talk pickleball. Give us a call at 866-382-3465, send us an email at experts@justpaddles.com, or LIVE CHAT now with an expert. We’re JustPaddles, and we’re with you from Click to Court!
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