I’ve noticed a lot of players using pickleball gloves recently. I realize many players start using a glove in hopes of maintaining a better grip on the paddle.
Sweaty Hands
Your Pickleball Grip
Instead of gripping your paddle too tightly, allow it to move in your hands while leading with the tip of the paddle. A common tip is to hold the paddle as if it were a bird – tight enough that it won’t fly away but not so tight that it hurts the bird. A light grip encourages paddle head speed, which improves your gameplay.
Hold your paddle at the lower end for better control. You might even let your pinky drop off the handle occasionally, just like how Rafa Nadal holds his racket with only three fingers. Loosening your grip allows the paddle head to accelerate through the ball. Remember to maintain a small space between your palm and the handle, as you should grip the paddle with your fingers, not your palm.
Instead of a Pickleball Glove
- Overgrips: You can find a wide variety of these online. I would recommend you look at the Head Pro Overgrip or Tournagrip.
- Powder: There are other options for sweaty hands such as powders. Much like a weightlifter chalk used in the gym, a powder will dry your hands without adding bulk to your grip.
- Hand Towel: Get in the habit of wiping your hands and your handle regularly during play.
