There are two ways to hold a ping pong paddle: the shakehand grip and the penhold grip. Today’s content shares, let’s learn in detail about the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each way of holding a table tennis racket.
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Why it’s important to choose the right grip?
The way you hold your paddle will have a significant impact on your game. It will determine the strokes you can perform and how well you can control the ball. It’s important to find a grip that feels comfortable for you and allows you to play your best.
The two most common grips in table tennis are the shakehand grip and the penhold grip. The shakehand grip is similar to the way you would hold a tennis racket. The penhold grip is where you hold the paddle like a pen, hence the name.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these grips and see what they have to offer.
Best way to hold a Ping Pong Paddle 2022
1. Shakehand Grip
The shakehand grip is the most popular way to hold a paddle, and it is the grip that is used by most professional players. To use the shakehand grip, you will hold the paddle in your hand like you would shaking someone’s hand. The grip for the shakehand is similar to the grip for a tennis racket.
1.1. The Shallow Shakehand Grip
The shallow shakehand grip is when you grip the paddle in your hand with your thumb and index finger wrapped around the paddle. The rest of your fingers will be behind the paddle. This grip is good for players who want more control over their shots.
| Pros | Cons |
| – You have more control over your shots with this grip. – This grip is good for players who want to play a defensive game. |
– You will not be able to generate as much power with this grip as you can with a deep shakehand grip. – This grip is not good for players who want to play an aggressive game. |
1.2. The Deep Shakehand Grip
The deep shakehand grip is when you grip the paddle in your hand with your thumb and index finger wrapped around the paddle. The rest of your fingers will be behind the paddle. This grip is good for players who want more power in their shots.
| Pros | Cons |
| – You can generate more power with this grip. – This grip is good for players who want to play an aggressive game. |
– You will not have as much control over your shots with this grip. – This grip is not good for players who want to play a defensive game. |
2. Penhold grip
The penhold grip is the other way to hold a paddle, and it is most popular in Asia. To use the penhold grip, you will hold the paddle like you would hold a pencil.
2.1. The Chinese Penhold Grip
The Chinese penhold grip is when you hold the paddle in your hand with your thumb and index finger wrapped around the paddle. The rest of your fingers will be behind the paddle. This grip is good for players who want more control over their shots.
| Pros | Cons |
| – You have more control over your shots with this grip – This grip is good for players who want to play a defensive game. |
– You will not be able to generate as much power with this grip as you can with a deep penhold grip. – This grip is not good for players who want to play an aggressive game. |
2.2. The Japanese or Korean Penhold Grip
The Japanese penhold grip is when you hold the paddle in your hand with your thumb and index finger wrapped around the paddle. The rest of your fingers will be behind the paddle. This grip is good for players who want more power in their shots.
| Pros | Cons |
| – You can generate more power with this grip. – This grip is good for players who want to play an aggressive game. |
– You will not have as much control over your shots with this grip. – This grip is not good for players who want to play an aggressive game. |
3. Hybrid Grip
The hybrid grip is a combination of the Shakehand and Penhold grips. It is not as common as the other two grips, but it is used by some players.
3.1. The Shallow Hybrid Grip
The shallow hybrid grip is when you hold the paddle in your hand with your thumb and index finger wrapped around the paddle. The rest of your fingers will be behind the paddle. This grip is good for players who want more control over their shots.
| Pros | Cons |
| – You have more control over your shots with this grip. – This grip is good for players who want to play a defensive game. |
– You will not be able to generate as much power with this grip as you can with a deep hybrid grip. – This grip is not good for players who want to play an aggressive game. |
3.2. The Deep Hybrid Grip
The deep hybrid grip is when you hold the paddle in your hand with your thumb and index finger wrapped around the paddle. The rest of your fingers will be behind the paddle. This grip is good for players who want more power in their shots.
| Pros | Cons |
| – You can generate more power with this grip. – This grip is good for players who want to play an aggressive game. |
– You will not have as much control over your shots with this grip. – This grip is not good for players who want to play a defensive game. |
4. Other Grips
There are other grips that you can use, but they are not as common as the ones listed above.
4.1. The Reverse Penhold Grip
The reverse penhold grip is when you hold the paddle in your hand with your thumb and index finger wrapped around the paddle. The rest of your fingers will be behind the paddle. This grip is good for players who want more power in their shots.
4.2. The Finger Grip
The finger grip is when you hold the paddle in your hand with your thumb and index finger wrapped around the paddle. The rest of your fingers will be behind the paddle. This grip is good for players who want more power in their shots.
So Which Grip is Right for You?
Now that you know the different types of grips, you need to decide which one is right for you. If you want more power in your shots, then you should use a deep penhold or hybrid grip. If you want more control over your shots, then you should use a shallow shakehand or hybrid grip.
You also need to consider your playing style. If you want to play an aggressive game, then you should use a deep penhold or hybrid grip. If you want to play a defensive game, then you should use a shallow shakehand or hybrid grip.
No matter which grip you choose, make sure that you are comfortable with it. You should be able to hold the paddle in your hand without feeling pain or discomfort. You should also be able to move the paddle around in your hand easily. If you are not comfortable with a particular grip, then you should try another one.
You also need to experiment with different grips and see which one works best for you. There is no one perfect grip for everyone. You need to find the grip that feels most comfortable for you and that allows you to play your best game.
5. Conclusion
The best way to hold a ping pong paddle is the grip that works best for your playing style. If you want more power in your shots, you should use a penhold or hybrid grip. If you want more control over your shots, you should use a shakehand or hybrid grip. Experiment with different grips and find the one that works best for you.
