Loose or Firm Grip for Looping?

Strokes and Technique

Timothy Woo
Timothy Woo Asked 11 years ago

Hello PingSkills,

I am an intermediate player attempting to learning the forehand loop; currently, my main means of attacking is through the counterdrive, but after being humbled by a better player, I feel that I need some significant improving. At the moment, I understand the theory behind the loop and have tried to practice it. However, I am slightly uncertain whether I should have a firm or loose grip when playing this shot. I noticed that my hold on the bat is fairly hard when driving. I have done some research, but some say you need a loose grip for looping and a firm one for driving/hitting, while others say that you need a firm grip throughout (apart from sensitive shots). I'm confused! I have tried both methods for looping and found that it is easier to "brush" and close my bat angle (rather than flat hiiting) with a loose grip, but I get less power. I suppose it might be just down to my inexperience, but can you pass on some tips? Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you guys at PingSkills - you've really brought my game up a notch with your helpful tutorials.

Many thanks,

Tim


Jeff Plumb
Jeff Plumb Answered 11 years ago

Hi Timothy,

It's great to hear that you are developing your game.

Tension is not a good thing when you are playing your strokes. You want to have a fairly relaxed grip but no so loose that it comes out of your hand. Watch our video called Get a Grip and you'll see Alois demonstrate how tightly you should be holding the bat.

Although it might seem like you can get more power with a really tight grip, once you relax you arm, wrist and grip, you'll be able to move your bat much faster with less effort and this will translate into more power.


Thoughts on this question


Duncan Wraight

Duncan Wraight Posted 11 years ago

I'm gripping my bat far too tight - I have little blisters on the palm of my hand just below my smallest and middle fingers.

It's just a confidence thing I think; if I'm hitting hard I grip hard. Opposite for serve returns.

Either way it's a habit I certainly need to get out of - if nothing else, just to get rid of the blisters!


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Even if you are gripping the bat fairly loosely you can still get blisters if you play a lot. Eventually your hand will get used to it though and the skin will toughen up!


Atanas Atanasov

Atanas Atanasov Posted 11 years ago

My hand also gets tight and very wet but that's because I use my wrist in the forehand topspin and my rubbers are a bit heavier than the normal rubbers. I want to stop my hand in the right finish position so I clench my bat just to stop my wrist. If I play just one topspin, it's OK but in a the training sessions I hit a lot of topspin strokes from my forehand and that makes my hand very tight and wet. How to avoid that?

 


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Hi,

Just concentrate on the looseness of your grip during training.  At the start in the on-table warm up you can spend a few minutes thinking about this.  It will help.


Ji-Soo Woo

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 11 years ago

The no.1 tip I would give to any table tennis player would be to hold the bat as loosely as you think you can, and then hold it twice as loose as that!


ker Gordon

ker Gordon Posted 11 years ago

oh no. I've been playing for 7 years(since 11) and never been told this. I've also had a tight grip on my racket despite being a qualified coach myself!!.Should i start playing with a loose grip??.  


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

I think so.  It will allow you to do a lot more with your hand and wrist.


ker Gordon

ker Gordon Posted 11 years ago

k thanks i loosen wrist for flicking and serving but always had mega tight grip and Alois are u watching the tennis??


Duncan Wraight

Duncan Wraight Posted 11 years ago

I've heard some players suggest that as you become more advanced with your play, you can loosen the wrist and hand but tighten briefly on impact to get more power.

What's your verdict on that Alois?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Ker,

I am watching the tennis but only on television.  I love watching and my favourite player is Federer because of his relaxed and fluent strokes.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Duncan,

I don't think you need to tighten your grip on impact.  The speed of the racket will get the ball moving faster.  By tightening you are just slowing down the racket.


ker Gordon

ker Gordon Posted 11 years ago

yeh love federer and Murray!!!!!


ker Gordon

ker Gordon Posted 11 years ago

Thanks for your help


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Ker,

I knew you would love Murray, being Scottish... wish the Aussies had someone up there now.  We are all out.


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