Mastering the Continental Grip: The Foundation of Every Great Pickleball Shot

Mastering the Continental Grip: The Foundation of Every Great Pickleball Shot

If you’ve ever watched elite pickleball players glide across the court with fluid precision and power, chances are they’ve mastered one essential technique: the Continental Grip.

While often overlooked by beginners, this single grip style is the foundation of nearly every great shot—from controlled dinks to powerful overhead smashes. And when paired with a high-performance paddle like the JOJOLEMON Shark 100, it becomes a true game-changer.

What Is the Continental Grip?

The Continental Grip, also known as the “neutral grip” or “hammer grip,” is a universal hold that allows players to seamlessly hit forehands, backhands, volleys, serves, and overheads—all without adjusting their hand placement.

To find it:

1. Hold your paddle like you're shaking hands with it.

2. Your knuckles and heel pad should naturally fall onto the second bevel of the handle.

3. The paddle face should remain vertical—neither open nor closed.

It’s comfortable, balanced, and built for adaptability—just like a high-quality paddle should be.

Why the Continental Grip Matters in Pickleball

• ✅ No grip switching: Works for both forehand and backhand shots

• ✅ Better net control: Ideal for volleys, blocks, and dinks

• ✅ Great for spin and touch: Neutral angle helps generate topspin or underspin with ease

• ✅ Faster reaction time: Especially during fast kitchen-line exchanges

Paired with a performance paddle, this grip helps you elevate consistency, speed, and shot variety.

Unleashing the Power of the Grip with Shark 100

If you’re serious about using the Continental Grip to its full potential, you need a paddle that’s built for responsiveness and control. That’s exactly where the JOJOLEMON Shark 100 shines.

🔹 OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE DESIGN

Crafted with advanced materials and thoughtful ergonomics, the Shark 100 offers a balanced feel and smooth handling for players of all levels.

🔹 PREMIUM TORAY T700SC 3K CARBON FIBER

The paddle’s raw 3K carbon fiber face delivers incredible strength, rigidity, and feel—perfect for touch shots like dinks and drop volleys that benefit from the Continental Grip.

🔹 TEXTURED 3K WEAVE FOR CONTROL

Its 4-directional carbon weave expands the sweet spot and reduces dead zones, allowing for precise control on every shot.

🔹 EXTENDED HANDLE FOR TWO-HANDED SHOTS

Love using a two-handed backhand with your Continental Grip? The elongated handle gives you more power and stability.

🔹 JO-SHARKTEX NON-SLIP GRIP

Inspired by shark skin, this innovative grip keeps your hand steady and sweat-free—essential when finesse matters most.

🔹 LIGHTWEIGHT & AGILE

At just 8 ounces, the paddle is featherlight, making it ideal for quick hand exchanges at the net—where the Continental Grip thrives.

🔹 SHOCK ABSORBING CORE

With a 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core and foam edge guards, the paddle smooths out vibrations, giving you cleaner, more controlled contact.

“Shark 100 isn’t just a paddle—it’s the perfect companion to your Continental Grip journey.”

How to Practice the Continental Grip

1. Grip Pressure: Hold firmly, but not tightly. Think of holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing it.

2. Shadow Swings: Practice dinks, volleys, and serves without the ball to get used to the feel.

3. Wall Practice: Hit soft shots against a wall to master control and rebound timing.

4. Record Yourself: Check hand position and paddle angle during play for feedback.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the Continental Grip is one of the most effective ways to level up your pickleball game, unlocking better control, cleaner transitions, and smarter shot selection.

And with the JOJOLEMON Shark 100, you’ll have a paddle that’s engineered to complement and amplify your grip’s full potential—no matter your playing style.

So next time you step onto the court, grip it like a pro—and let the Shark 100 do the rest.