It can be frustrating to find yourself drawn to the lightning-fast rallies of table tennis, only to feel awkward and ineffective once you have a bat in your hand. While the right equipment is essential, a powerful game starts with a strong foundation: your grip.
Whether you choose the shakehand or penhold grip, learning how to hold a table tennis bat according to your playing style can significantly transform your game.
The Shakehand Grip
The shakehand grip is the most common type of grip in table tennis. And as its name suggests, you hold the bat as if you’re shaking someone’s hand.
Furthermore, this grip is particularly popular in Europe and is used by the majority of top players worldwide due to its balance and versatility.
The key advantages of the shakehand grip include:
- Versatility and Balance: This grip provides a strong, balanced position for both forehand and backhand shots, allowing for a wide range of strokes without requiring significant adjustments to your hand position.
- Ease of Learning: For many beginners, learning how to hold a racket this way feels natural and intuitive, making it a preferred starting point for table tennis drills and formal training.
- Power and Spin: It also allows for a solid wrist and forearm connection, which is crucial for generating powerful topspin and backspin shots.
However, the primary disadvantage of the shakehand grip is the “crossover point” on the table. In this zone, using the shakehand grip can make it difficult to decide whether to use a forehand or a backhand stroke, often leading to awkward returns.
The Penhold Grip
The penhold grip is easily recognised by the way a player holds the bat, as if they’re holding a pen. This grip has also been a dominant force in Asia, particularly in China, where it has produced numerous champions. Moreover, it’s commonly preferred by players who want a more aggressive and wrist-heavy playing style.
The key advantages of the penhold grip include:
- Excellent Wrist Flexibility: This grip allows for exceptional wrist movement, which is crucial for generating a large amount of spin on forehand loops and serves. This flexibility also gives the player a significant advantage in creating deceptive and dominant shots.
- No “Crossover Point”: Unlike the shakehand grip, the penhold grip uses the same side of the bat for both forehand and backhand shots in the centre of the body. This eliminates the awkward “crossover point” and allows for a smooth, continuous attack.
However, the main disadvantage of this grip is a traditionally weaker backhand. While modern techniques, such as the reverse penhold backhand (RPB), have been developed to compensate for this, mastering the penhold grip still requires dedicated practice and agile footwork to overcome this limitation.
Penhold vs. Shakehand: Which is Better?
While it’s tempting to seek a definitive answer to this question, the reality is that there’s no single “better” grip. The choice between penhold and shakehand is a personal one, with both grips having produced some of the greatest champions in the history of table tennis. So, your decision should depend on your playing preference, your natural feel for the bat, and the type of game you want to develop.
For instance, if you’re new to playing table tennis, the shakehand grip may be a better option due to its balanced nature, offering a straightforward approach to both forehand and backhand shots.
Conversely, the penhold grip offers unique advantages, particularly when you prefer wrist flexibility for powerful and spinny forehand attacks. Therefore, while the shakehand grip has become more prevalent in elite competitive play over recent decades, the penhold grip remains a viable option.
What is the Best Grip for Table Tennis?
Remember, the type of grip you choose should make the bat feel like a natural extension of your hand, not something that causes discomfort or restricts your movement. Moreover, this personal connection to your bat is far more important than any specific style.
For players new to table tennis grips, it’s a great idea to experiment with both the shakehand and penhold grips to find the one that feels right. Additionally, proper technique is more important than the grip itself.
However, getting expert advice is crucial to avoid bad habits and ensure you build a strong foundation.
For tailored guidance and training to find the best grip for your specific playing style, sign up for classes at a professional ping pong academy like Xiao Bai Qiu.
Contact us today to get personalised table tennis training, and let us help you master your game from the ground up.
