If you are new to table tennis, or even if you have been playing for a while, you might have come across players holding their paddles differently from how you hold it. This can sometimes get confusing, as you may wonder what grips are correct, what grips are legal, and whether a different grip would improve your game.

Officially, table tennis rules do not have any restrictions on how players should hold their paddles. That is why you may see different grip variations in international competitions. So how many different grips are there? Do they have names? And most importantly, which grip is the best?

To answer all those questions, this article will take you through all popular, and some not-so-popular table tennis paddle holding styles, and their pros and cons.

The Shakehand

Let’s start with the oldest and most commonly used grip style, the shakehand. Also known as the Western, for its traditional association with the western style of table tennis, this grip is used by about 95% of table tennis players, and is the preferred style for new players according to almost all table tennis coaches. Today, almost all top-ranked table tennis players in the world use the shakehand grip.

What it looks like

You probably already know what a shakehand grip looks like. To put it plainly, the grip resembles the one used to shake someone’s hand, hence the name “shakehand”.

In the shakehand, the index finger and thumb clamp the base of the paddle while the palm and the other three fingers wrap around the paddle handle.

The index finger supports the paddle in forehand strokes while the thumb does the same in backhand strokes. Their clamp-like placement on the paddle keeps it from twisting in your hand. However, make sure the thumb and index finger don’t rest so high that it comes between the ball and the paddle face.

Subtypes

Shakehand grip comes in two major variants. The difference between the two is the placement of the thumb, which determines how loose or tight the player grips the paddle.

1.       Shallow shakehand

In shallow shakehand, the thumb rests on the blade, or the edge, of the paddle. This results in a slightly loose grip on the handle and allows for easy and quick adjustments of the blade angle. Shallow shakehand is better suited to applying topspin on the ball.

2.       Deep shakehand

In deep shakehand, the thumb rests on the rubber on the base of the paddle. This gives the player a firmer grip on the paddle. Deep shakehand allows players to apply a  backspin more effectively. It also enables a better defensive stroke as it requires less strength and flexibility from players.

Pros of shakehand grip

• The shakehand allows for a balance between the effectiveness of forehand and backhand strokes.
• Allows switching easily between forehand and backhand.
• It combines power and flexibility.
•  The grip feels natural and comfortable.
• It is generally considered best suited for beginners.

Cons of shakehand grip

• The vulnerability tied most often to both shallow and deep shakehand is the crossover point, which is the point of uncertainty where the player must decide between a forehand and backhand stroke.
•  With this grip, the player’s elbow, and the space between the upper arm and the body can be a weakness for the opponent to capitalize.

The Penhold

Albeit being used by about 5% of players in the world, the penhold is still the second most popular table tennis grip in the world. Despite being difficult to master and having apparent weaknesses, the world of table tennis has seen some players use this style masterfully.

Due to recent changes in table tennis rules, the penhold grip is losing its effectiveness and popularity. If you look at the top-ranked table tennis players in the world today, only one, Xu Xin, plays penhold style.

What it looks like

Again, the name penhold tells much about what the grip looks like. You hold the paddle the way you would normally hold a pen. Generally, penholders only use one side of the paddle.

The paddle is held upside-down, with the index finger and thumb curled at one side of the paddle base, and the rest of the fingers curled or spread on the other side.

Unlike shakehand players who use both the forehand and backhand depending upon their position, penholders only play forehand and utilize wrist positioning to make up for the lack of ability to play backhand. However, the reverse backhand penhold grip somewhat removes this weakness.

Subtypes:

There are three subtypes of the penhold grip:

1.       The Chinese penhold

The traditional Chinese penhold grip is the basic style for penholders. In Chinese penhold, the fingers are curled behind the paddle with the thumb and index fingers holding the handle like a pen as described above. This allows for flexibility and easy change in angle. The Chinese penhold is best suited for players who prefer playing close to the table.

2.       The Japanese or Korean penhold

The Japanese penhold grip is the same as its Chinese variant, with the only difference the fingers are positioned at the back side are spread rather than curled. This grip allows for a firmer forehand stroke, as the three fingers at the back provide support to the paddle. The player can also play further back from the table since the firm paddle allows for more power.

3.       The Reverse Backhand penhold

The reverse backhand penhold is an improvement of the Chinese Penhold style, as it allows for a backhand stroke. The paddle is held with the thumb and index finger on the backside of the paddle, whereas the other three fingers are curled on the paddle’s front side. This grip was developed to enable the penholder to play backhand strokes. However, it came with the same crossover point uncertainty that the shakehand grip has.

Pros of penhold grip

• No crossover point weakness, as only the forehand stroke is used to play.
•  Allows great flexibility for imparting spins.
• Better wrist movement. Unlike shakehand where the wrist movement is somewhat. limited.
• Suited for deceptive, loopy, and spinning serves.

Cons of penhold grip

• Difficult to play with and master, not suitable for new players.
• Recent rules changes in table tennis have somewhat negated the effectiveness of the penhold style.
• Requires excessive agility and flexibility, thus being energy-consuming.
• Difficult to impart topspin consistently, even with the reverse backhand technique.

Now for some less common grips

While the shakehand dominates the table tennis scene, with the penhold closely following, some grips are rare, yet common enough to be given a name.

The Seemiller

This grip was named after American table tennis master Danny Seemiller. This grip is said to negate the crossover point weakness of the shakehand grip. It also allowed deception when players could switch between the differently textured sides of the paddle. Now, with the rules requiring both sides of the paddle to be of different colors, this strategy doesn’t work as effectively.

The grip resembles the shakehand grip, except the forefinger holds the paddle’s edge with the thumb at a 90-degree angle, holding the other edge of the paddle.

Pros of the Seemiller grip

• Allows a snappy forehand topspin stroke.
• Allows a better wrist movement.
• Free from the crossover point weakness.
• Good for defensive play.

Cons of the Seemiller grip

• Poor backhand movement.
• Doesn’t allow strong returns.
• Has not worked as effectively for most people as it did for Danny Seemiller.

The V-Grip

The V-grip requires the player to hold the paddle between their index and middle fingers, with both fingers resting on either face of the paddle. The ring and pinky finger hold the handle while the thumb can be placed wherever the player feels comfortable.

The name of this grip alludes to the V shape made by the index and middle fingers when holding the paddle.

Pros of the V-Grip

• Gives better reach to the player.
• Better leverage, allowing for powerful strokes.
• Gives great control over strokes.
• The leverage also allows for imparting effective spin.
• Playing away from the body allows the player to cover a large area.

Cons of the V-Grip

• Strokes close to the player’s body are difficult to return.
• Quick footwork and high energy required.
• Difficult to find someone to teach it due to its rarity.

So, what grip should you go for?

There are no wrong answers when it comes to the question of which table tennis grip is the best. Each grip comes with its advantages, and each has its drawbacks. It mostly depends on the player and what grip makes them feel natural and comfortable. It also depends on the player’s style, body type, stamina, and muscle-memory. When it comes to coaching, the player must not be forced to adopt one style or the other if they are accustomed to a style.

It is best advised for new players to master the basic type of grip first, before experimenting with other grips. In most cases, it is the shakehand grip that aspiring table tennis players should adopt, and then try the more unconventional grips, before deciding the grip that is perfect for them.