What is the Best Way to Hold a Ping Pong Paddle

There is always the best way to hold or handle something. The same goes for holding a ping pong paddle while playing the game. Following are two ways to hold a ping pong paddle that allows you to play the game with perfection.

SHAKEHAND GRIP       

A shake handgrip is the one in which it looks as if the player is shaking hands with someone. In this grip, the head of the racket faces upside throughout the game. The players hold the racket in such a way that the index finger of one hand is placed at the bottom of one side of the racket whereas the thumb of the other hand is placed at the bottom of the other side of the racket while the fingers are curled around the handle.

A shake hand grip provides a firm hold over the handle and is therefore used in those types of shots where the player does not need much flexibility and power. It is known to have emerged from Europe.

PENHOLD GRIP

The pen hold grip is named so because the player holds the racket like a pen. In this type of grip, the players use only one side of the racket. The thumb and the index finger are placed around the handle of the racket in such a way that the rest of the three fingers lay straight or curled at the back of the handle. This type of grip provides more spin and flexibility while hitting the ball. The pen hold grip is of two types which are discussed below.

Chinese Pen hold grip

In Chinese pen hold grip, you hold a ping pong paddle in such a way that your thumb lies in a parallel direction to the handle and the index finger curled around the handle of the racket on the front side whereas the rest of the three fingers are in a bending position at the back of the racket. The players use a short-handled round racket. This grip provides flexibility to the wrist.  

Japanese Pen hold grip.

In a Japanese pen hold grip, you hold the ping pong paddle in such a way that the thumb and the index finger curl much closer around the handle of the racket on the front side whereas the middle, ring, and fourth finger lie straight at the back of the racket. This grip is used when you have to hit the ball with greater power.

TYPES OF HANDLE

ANATOMIC HANDLE

An anatomic handle is the one in which the handle of the rocket becomes wide from the center. Players who prefer to hold the racket with a firm grip by this racket for their game.

STRAIGHT HANDLE

A straight handle is, as the name suggests, a handle having no curves and a straight wood handle from top to bottom. 

FLARED HANDLE

A flared handle has the thickest part on its ends however in the middle it’s comparatively thinner

FAQs

Which side of a ping pong paddle is forehand?

Usually, the red side of the ping pong paddle is used in the forehand because the red side hits the ball much faster with less spin and is therefore usually missed by the opponent. Whereas, the Chinese players use the black rubber side of the ping pong paddle in their forehand.

What racket does Ma Long use?

A list of the rackets used by the world champion of ping pong Ma Long is given below:

DHS W968 

DHS Hurricane 3 National (FH, Black)

DHS Hurricane 3 National (BH, Red)

Is Pen hold better than Shake hand?

Yes, a pen holder is better than a shakehand grip because when you are holding your paddle in a pen hold grip, your wrist can move much freely as compared to the shake hand grip. Also, you have better control over the ball. 

What is the best ping pong grip?

One of the best ping pong grips is that your index finger shall be placed at the lower edge of the backhand side whereas your thumb shall be placed at the lower edge of the forehand side, then keep your wrist in such a way that it isn’t bent. Another best ping pong grip is the pen hold grip.

What are the 2 most popular types of grips in table tennis?

The two most popular types of grips in table tennis are the pen hold grip and the shake hand grip.

How do you hold a ping pong paddle Chinese style?

In Chinese style, you hold a ping pong paddle in such a way that your thumb lies in a parallel direction to the handle and the index finger curled around the handle of the racket on the front side whereas the rest of the three fingers are in a bending position at the back of the racket. The players use a short-handled round racket. 

What is the difference between the red and black sides of a ping pong paddle?

The difference between the red and the black side of the ping pong paddle is that the red side enables the ping pong ball to be shot at a higher speed where are the black side is used for enhancing the spin of the ball.

What is the proper way to hold a table tennis bat?

The proper way to hold a table tennis racket is the shake hand style in which you place the index finger of your hand at the bottom of one side of the paddle whereas you place the thumb of the same hand at the bottom of the other side while the rest of the three fingers curl around the handle of the racket.

How to hold a ping pong paddle while serving?

Many players, at the time of serving, hold the ping pong paddle in such a way that the handle of the racket is encircled by the thumb and the index finger. By doing so, they serve the ball with much flexibility.