Questions About The Grip

Hi, I'm a tennis player and just recently started playing table tennis not too long ago. So after reading your articles about the grip, specifically the shakehand grip, I've noticed that it's the same grip as the eastern grip (on the forehand side) as in court tennis. Since you're an olympic class player, I want to ask you about the technical details of that grip. I read in some articles that the shakehand grip involves the wrist the most compared to any other grip, is that true? And can you tell me some exercise that can increase our wrist's power and speed so that we can swing the bat easily? Thank you.

Hi Jason,

The Penhold grip actually allows you to use your wrist more than the shakehand grip.

The advantage of the shakehand grip is that you can use your backhand better than with the Penhold.

Keep the grip fairly central so that it is easier to switch quickly between the two sides.  You haven't got time in Table Tennis to be changing your grip between strokes.

To increase the speed, it is more about keeping the wrist relaxed rather than using a lot of power by forcing it through.