The Penhold Grip is a way of holdin table tennis that is popular. So, What are the pros and cons of Penhold Grip in table tennis?
Table of Contents
What is Penhold Grip in table tennis?
The penhold grip is a way of holding the table tennis or ping pong paddle popular among players from China and other East Asia. The grip gets its name from the way the paddle is held, which resembles the way one would hold a pen.
When should you use the Penhold Grip in table tennis?
The penhold grip is most commonly used by players from Asia, particularly China. Many of the world’s top table tennis players use this grip, including Ma Long, Timo Boll, Zhang Jike, and Wang Hao. The grip is also used by a number of world-class female players such as Liu Shiwen, Zhu Yuling, and Ding Ning.
1. Pros
This grip allows for a wide range of strokes to be played with great power and control. It is particularly effective for forehand loops, backhand loops, and smashes.
One of the main advantages of this grip is that it allows you to keep your racket in a more stable position. This makes it easier to control the racket and produce consistent shots.
Another advantage is that it gives you more power when you make contact with the ball. This is because you are able to swing your racket more quickly and generate more spin.
2. Cros
The downside of this grip is that it can be difficult to make quick changes of direction. This can be a problem when you are trying to hit the ball into a tight space.
If you are a beginner, it is best to start with a Shakehands grip and then experiment with other grips as you become more advanced. The shakehands grip is the most popular grip in table tennis. It is named after the way you hold the racket, with your palms shaking hands.
This grip is used by a majority of professional players because it gives you a good balance of power and control. The main advantage of this grip is that it is very versatile. You can play a wide range of strokes with it, including forehand and backhand loops, as well as smashes.
How to do Penhold Grip in table tennis
To do the penhold grip, hold the paddle in your hand with the blade pointing downwards. Then, wrap your fingers around the handle so that your thumb and index finger are on one side, and your middle, ring, and little fingers are on the other side. Your index finger should be extended straight, while your other fingers should be curled around the handle.
1. Penhold Backhand grip
To do the backhand with this grip, you will need to use your index finger to hold the racket in place. extend your arm and swing the racket backward so that it hits the ball on the backhand side.
2. Penhold Forehand grip
For the forehand, start with the racket in front of you and your arm extended. Then, swing the racket forwards and hit the ball on the forehand side. Remember to use your index finger to help control the racket.
3. Traditional grip
To do the Traditional penhold grip, hold the paddle in your hand with the blade pointing downwards. Then, wrap your fingers around the handle so that your thumb and index finger are on one side, and your middle, ring, and little fingers are on the other side. Your index finger should be extended straight, while your other fingers should be curled around the handle.
4. Chinese Penhold grip
The Chinese penhold grip is a variation of the traditional penhold grip. In this grip, the index finger is not extended straight, but is instead bent at the first knuckle. This grip is said to provide more power and control.
Guide: To do the Chinese penhold grip, hold the paddle in your hand with the blade pointing downwards. Then, wrap your fingers around the handle so that your thumb and index finger are on one side, and your middle, ring, and little fingers are on the other. Your index finger should be bent at the first knuckle, while your other fingers should be curled around the handle.
5. Japanese penhold grip
The Japanese penhold grip is another variation of the traditional grip. In this grip, the index finger is wrapped around the back of the racket handle. This grip is said to provide more control and spin.
Guide: To do the Japanese penhold grip, hold the paddle in your hand with the blade pointing downwards. Then, wrap your fingers around the handle so that your thumb and index finger are on one side, and your middle, ring, and little fingers are on the other. Your index finger should be wrapped around the back of the racket handle, while your other fingers should be curled around the handle.
6. Korean penhold grip
The Korean penhold grip is similar to the Japanese grip, but the index finger is not wrapped around the back of the racket handle. Instead, it is placed on top of the handle. This grip is said to provide more power.
Guide: To do the Korean penhold grip, hold the paddle in your hand with the blade pointing downwards. Then, wrap your fingers around the handle so that your thumb and index finger are on one side, and your middle, ring, and little fingers are on the other side. Your index finger should be placed on top of the racket handle, while your other fingers should be curled around the handle.
How to Penhold Grip for Beginners?
If you are a beginner, we recommend starting with the Chinese penhold grip. This grip is the most common and will give you the most control over the paddle. Once you have mastered the Chinese penhold grip, you can experiment with the other grips to find the one that works best for you.
If you are thinking of trying out the penhold grip, or are already using it, here are some tips to help you improve your game.
- Use a shorter paddle. The shorter the paddle, the easier it is to control.
- Don’t grip the paddle too tightly. A firm grip is necessary, but if you hold the paddle too tight your muscles will tire quickly and your shots will lose power.
- Use light rubbers. Softer rubbers will give you more control, while harder rubbers will add more power to your shots.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There is no one perfect way to hold the paddle, so try different grip styles and see what works best for you.
- Practice, practice, practice. The more you play, the better you will become at using the penhold grip.
Conclusion
The penhold grip is a popular grip style in table tennis. There are several different ways to do the penhold grip, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The traditional penhold grip is the most common grip used by professional players. This grip provides good control and power, but can be difficult to master. The Chinese penhold grip is another popular variation which is said to provide more power. The Japanese and Korean penhold grips are similar to the traditional grip, but with the index finger placed in a different position. These grips are said to provide more control and spin. Whichever grip you use, practice is the key to success. The more you play, the better you will become at using the penhold grip.
