Abstract: A hand paddle for a paddle ball game includes a back member with a back surface which is conformed generally to the shape of either a user's right or left hand. The paddle includes a contoured palm support region, a plurality of elongated finger receiving depressions extending from the palm support region and a thumb manipulation region adjacent to the palm support region and the elongated finger receiving depressions. Each elongated depression has a finger gripping ridge transverse thereto at a distal location relative to the palm support region for being gripped by the end of the finger positioned in that elongated depression. The back surface also includes a thumb gripping ridge adjacent the thumb manipulation region for being pressed against by the user's thumb to facilitate gripping of the back surface of the back member. Retention straps, including finger straps, crisscrossed hand straps and a crisscrossed wrist strap are attached to the back member for holding the hand paddle on the user's hand.