Table Tennis Grips: Your Foundation for Every Shot
Your grip is the single most important technical decision in table tennis. It determines which shots you can play, how much spin you can generate, and even your strategic approach to the game. Unlike badminton or tennis, where grip adjustments between shots are standard, table tennis players typically commit to one grip style and build their entire game around it.
The Shakehand Grip
The shakehand grip is the most popular grip worldwide and dominates professional table tennis. As the name suggests, you hold the racket as if shaking hands with it.
How to hold it:
- Extend your hand as if offering a handshake
- Wrap your three lower fingers (middle, ring, pinky) around the handle
- Place your index finger on the backhand rubber, resting naturally along the bottom edge
- Your thumb rests on the forehand rubber, opposite your index finger
- The V between thumb and index finger should sit on top of the handle
Advantages:
- Equal strength on forehand and backhand sides
- Natural wrist flexibility for spin generation
- Easy to learn and feels intuitive for most players
- Dominant in modern professional play
Disadvantages:
- The "crossover point" — the transition zone between forehand and backhand directly in front of your body — can be a weakness
- Slightly less wrist snap compared to some penhold variations
Shakehand Variations
Deep shakehand: The hand moves deeper on the handle, with the base of the thumb resting against the blade. This provides more stability and power but slightly less wrist flexibility. Common among European players.
Shallow shakehand: The hand sits higher on the handle, allowing the fingers more contact with the blade itself. This enables finer touch and spin but sacrifices some power. Many Asian shakehand players prefer this variation.
The Penhold Grip
The penhold grip originated in Asia and gets its name from the way you hold the racket — similar to holding a pen. It comes in two major variants.
Chinese Penhold
How to hold it:
- Place your thumb and index finger on the forehand side of the racket, pinching the blade near the handle
- Curl your remaining three fingers on the backhand side of the blade
- The handle points upward rather than extending from your fist
Advantages:
- Exceptional forehand power and wrist snap
- Dominant in short game and serving
- No crossover point weakness — the forehand can cover the entire table
Japanese/Korean Penhold
Similar to Chinese penhold but the three back fingers extend straight rather than curling. This variation uses a rectangular handle and is optimized for forehand-dominant play with strong looping attacks.
Reverse Penhold Backhand (RPB)
A modern innovation pioneered by Chinese players like Wang Hao. Instead of using only the forehand side, players flip the wrist to use the backhand rubber for backhand shots. This eliminates the traditional penhold weakness and has revitalized the grip style at the professional level.
Which Grip Should You Choose?
- New to table tennis: Start with shakehand. It's easier to learn, more versatile, and most coaching resources assume this grip.
- Forehand-dominant player: Consider Chinese penhold if you enjoy aggressive, attacking play centered on your forehand.
- All-round player: Shakehand gives you the most balanced offense and defense on both wings.
- Already using penhold: Learn the reverse penhold backhand to shore up the traditional backhand weakness.
Common Grip Mistakes
- Gripping too tightly: A death grip reduces wrist flexibility and causes fatigue. Hold the racket firmly enough that it won't fly out, but loose enough to generate spin with your wrist.
- Inconsistent finger pressure: In shakehand, varying your index finger and thumb pressure between shots causes inconsistency. Find your natural resting pressure and maintain it.
- Ignoring the grip in training: Periodically check your grip during practice. Bad habits creep in when you're focused on other aspects of your game.
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