Moving the fingers on the bat from backhand to forehand
Strokes and Technique
David Rus Asked 12 years ago
Hi there.
I know this sounds a stupid question, but it really bothers me.
Before I started playing table tennis at a club, about 1 year ago, i was holding the bat with the finger in the middle of the forehand side (never played backhand). After i met a coach, i learned to hold the bat correctly? . Time of a year, i was playing at a basic, slow level. But after i increased the speed of my play i realised there is something wrong with the way i hold the bat. When i change from forehand topspin to backhand topspin or the opposite, i change a bit the position of the fingers on the bat, and now as the speed has increased i can't get my hand ready for some balls. I tried alone to stop moving the fingers but i kind of hold it very tight and i'm asking myself if i'm doing the right thing. I want to learn it correctly even if it means i can't play at the same level for a while.
So what should i do? How can i know which way of holding the bat ( the one i use for backhand, or the one i use for forehand is wrong? Also i would like to know how can i get used to hold the bat correct in a fast way?
Many many thanks,
david.
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi David,
This is a problem that you can fix with a little focus on it during training.
Firstly focus on holding the bat as lightly as possible in your hand. The bat should be able to be taken out of your hand easily by someone else. See our lesson on Get a Grip to show you what I mean.
Then keep the grip in your forehand grip position with the finger low on the backhand side of your bat. One way that I use is to get the player to put a small coin under their pointer finger. This helps them to keep the finger in position during a rally. Each rally keep your focus on this to keep reminding yourself. With a bit of training you will solve the problem.
Thoughts on this question
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Jonathan Huynh Posted 12 years ago
Does he 'shot flop' technique work? you firstly play your shot, then you let it hang loosely by your side and wait for it to come to the bat, the you play the shot. you do that while having your grip hanging loosely. My coach said that it should slightly sway when you play your strokes. Oh, and should you tighten your grip and tiny bit when your doing topspins or loops or any strokes that make you swing fast and long?
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Jonathan,
I'm not sure what you mean. Take a look at our video lesson Get a Grip and it should explain the important aspects of your grip. For all strokes you don't want to be gripping the bat too tightly. If you have too much tension it will actually slow your swing down.
Jonathan Huynh Posted 12 years ago
Hi jeff,
How do you stop the tension in your arm when you do a sidespin hook or fade, I can't help it but let it tense. I can still play the shot but it's a bit slow.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Jonathan,
Really focus on this during your training. It is a matter of control of the muscles in your arm which you can focus on and change with training and a bit of time. Just relax the wrist and only use the muscles you need to get the hand into the right position.
Rory Scott Posted 12 years ago
I'm loving the idea of holding a coin with the index finger to keep the finger in place. With my players I've tried placing a pin in the bat, sellotape & even elastic bands. I have also used 5 sit ups for anyone holding the bat incorrectly. I am keen to try out the coin idea & will do so today!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Just watch out for flying coins!
Jeffery Liem Posted 12 years ago
sorry, i don't underdtand how to put a small coin into the shake racket grip during a rally?
"Then keep the grip in your forehand grip position with the finger low on the backhand side of your bat. One way that I use is to get the player to put a small coin under their pointer finger. This helps them to keep the finger in position during a rally. Each rally keep your focus on this to keep reminding yourself. With a bit of training you will solve the problem."
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Jeffrey,
You place a coin under the tip of your finger, between the finger and the rubber. If you keep your finger in the right place then the coin won't move but if you are moving your finger around the coin will fall. I hope this explains it for you.
Rory Scott Posted 12 years ago
I tried this on Monday & it worked well but some of the players needed two coins-one for the index finger & one for the thumb. I did if the coin drops the point is lost.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Thanks Rory, good suggestions. Do you feel like they have made changes to their grips now without the coin, or will it take more time?
Rory Scott Posted 12 years ago
It will probably take more time, but as they didn't like having to play with the coin(s), it is an incentive to change their grip.
An interesting observation is that some of the players have sticky rubbers & I noticed they didn't have to hold the coin and it stayed on anyway. To remedy this I put a bit of a plastic bag between the rubber & the coin to stop it sticking to the bat.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Thanks Rory for the greater insight. I find these sorts of changes do take a while most of the time. I like the suggestion of the plastic under the coin.