Why Your Grip Matters From Day One
Many new players pick up a paddle and hold it however feels natural — often like a frying pan. While you can play casually with any grip, developing a proper grip early prevents bad habits that are very hard to unlearn later. More importantly, your grip directly affects what strokes you can execute effectively and how much spin you can generate.
There are two broad grip families in table tennis: shakehand and penhold. Within each, there are variations. Here's what you need to know.
The Shakehand Grip
The shakehand grip is by far the most popular worldwide, especially in Europe and among recreational players. It gets its name because holding the paddle resembles shaking someone's hand.
How to Hold It
- Extend your hand as if offering a handshake.
- The handle of the paddle rests in your palm.
- Your thumb rests on the flat side of the rubber on the backhand face.
- Your index finger extends along the bottom edge of the forehand rubber face.
- Your other three fingers wrap naturally around the handle.
Deep vs. Shallow Shakehand
- Deep grip: More stability and power. Index finger sits further up the blade. Good for power players.
- Shallow grip: More wrist freedom. Index finger lower on the blade. Better for players who rely on wrist snap and spin generation.
Advantages
- Equal access to forehand and backhand strokes
- Large wrist range of motion for spin
- Easy to learn and widely coached
- Works well for all playing styles
Disadvantages
- The "crossover point" (elbow area) can be difficult to cover — balls to the body are awkward
- Slightly less wrist freedom than penhold at the extreme forehand
The Penhold Grip
The penhold grip is traditional in East Asia, particularly China and Japan. It involves holding the handle between the thumb and index finger — like holding a pen — with the other fingers curled behind the blade.
Chinese Penhold vs. Japanese/Korean Penhold
| Feature | Chinese Penhold (CPen) | Japanese/Korean Penhold (JPen) |
|---|---|---|
| Backhand use | Reverse backhand stroke (RPB) or traditional | Forehand face only — no reverse backhand |
| Wrist flexibility | Very high | Very high |
| Forehand power | Excellent | Excellent |
| Backhand weakness | Manageable with RPB | Significant — requires strong footwork |
Advantages
- Exceptional wrist snap — very high spin potential on the forehand
- Strong forehand from all positions
- Unique stroke angles that can confuse opponents
Disadvantages
- Traditional penhold has a significant backhand weakness
- Less common, so fewer coaches specialize in it
- The reverse penhold backhand takes significant time to develop
Which Grip Should a Beginner Choose?
For the vast majority of beginners, the shakehand grip is the right starting point. Here's why:
- It's the most widely taught grip — you'll find more coaching resources and demonstrations.
- It develops both forehand and backhand naturally and equally.
- The vast majority of professional players use it, so there's no ceiling on development.
- It's more forgiving of positional errors during the learning phase.
If you're drawn to the penhold style — perhaps you've watched Ma Lin or Xu Xin and love their forehand explosiveness — it's a valid path, but be prepared for a longer learning curve, especially on the backhand side.
One Important Note on Grip Pressure
Regardless of which grip you choose, hold the paddle lightly. A death grip on the handle kills wrist movement and creates tension throughout your arm. Think "firm enough not to drop it, loose enough to waggle the wrist freely." You'll generate more spin and feel less fatigue.