Twiddling with penhold

Hi Coach!

Is there a  proper technique to twiddle the bat while using the penhold grip?

Thanks,

Nadeeka 

Hi Nadeeka,

Twiddling with a penhold grip can be a bit challenging but definitely achievable with some practice. The key with penhold twiddling is to use your thumb and index finger to gently rotate the racket. There's less emphasis on flipping the whole hand (as often seen with shakehand grip players) and more on subtle, quick finger movements.

Ensure your thumb and index finger are holding the bat comfortably but not too tightly, as you'll need some flexibility in these fingers.  To twiddle, slightly loosen your grip with your thumb and index finger, and use these fingers to rotate the bat. The movement is more about the fingers than the wrist or the arm.   Try practicing this motion slowly at first to get a feel for the bat's rotation in your fingers. You can practice this without the ball, just focusing on the bat's movement.  

Once you're comfortable with this, start incorporating the twiddle into your drills or during casual play. For example, switch from one side of the bat to the other while doing simple forehand to forehand or backhand to backhand exchanges. 

As you become more comfortable, you can work on speeding up the twiddle and using it more strategically during points, like switching between rubber types if you use different rubbers on each side of your paddle. Twiddling effectively in a game scenario can take some time to master, especially ensuring that you regain a firm grip immediately after the twiddle for precise stroke execution. Keep practicing, and you'll find that it becomes a natural part of your game.