Penhold defense
Strokes
Botond Vasvary Asked 12 years ago
Dear Pingskills. I am Botond from Hungary. I want to know , if it is possible to play a defensive chopper style with the penhold grip , or I should switch to the shakehand grip. My personal favourite is Joo Se Hyuk , and this is the reason why I want to play in a defensive style. I received an expensive japenese penhold racket as a Christmas present , and I don't know what to do... Is it possible to use the shakehand grip with a penhold racket effectively , or it's unnecessary to try it.
( I have seen almost all of your videos , and I have to admit that your Youtube channel and your tutorials are the best I've ever met. )
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Botond,
Firstly thanks for you kind words about the site. We are always happy to hear that we are able to help players from all around the world.
Regarding your game, if you have been playing for many years with the penhold grip i would stay with it. However if you are really keen to play well with the defensive game it is much easier with the shakehand grip. It is difficult to change sides with the penhold grip and changing the rubber you use to get variation is an important part as you progress.
I have seen players use the penhold grip to chop reasonably well but the numbers tell the story. Almost all defensive players use the shakehand grip.
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eduardo espinosa Posted 12 years ago
Hello, Botond. I wonder if you have been playing already w/. the penholder grip or is it that you only want to use your new racket. I know japanese penhold style well enough to tell you it is the last style that suits the traditional defensive game. Although you have to develop defensive skills w/. any style, j-pen (as we abbreviate it) for it's characteristics, is an all out offensive style. Many years ago there use to be an exceptional player from China that used the traditional chinese penholder bat to play very effectively a defensive game. I suggest you negotiate that expensive racket for a more suitable one.
Billy Bob Posted 12 years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld0o6oMRpXc
A penhold chopper in action
Great video. It sure is interesting to see how fast and spinny rubbers have now changed the game.