what-is-the-most-common-grip-in-table-tennis

The two most common grips in table tennis are the Shakehand Grip and the Penhold Grip:

1. Shakehand Grip

• Description
  • As the name implies, it resembles the way one shakes hands with the racket. The player holds the racket handle as if grasping someone's hand. The index finger is usually extended along the edge of the rubber on the forehand side, while the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger wrap around the handle. The thumb rests on the opposite side of the index finger, on the backhand side of the racket.
• Advantages
  • Versatility: It offers excellent balance between forehand and backhand strokes. Players can easily switch between forehand and backhand attacks and defenses. This makes it suitable for a wide variety of playing styles, from all - around offensive to defensive - counterattacking. For example, in modern table tennis, where rallies are fast - paced and require quick transitions between different types of shots, the shakehand grip allows players to respond promptly to different ball trajectories.
  • Power Generation: The grip enables players to generate significant power in both forehand and backhand strokes. The natural position of the hand and fingers on the racket handle provides a stable base for transferring body weight and muscle force into the shot. A well - executed forehand drive or backhand topspin with a shakehand grip can be extremely powerful.
  • Reach and Mobility: It gives players a relatively long reach, allowing them to cover more of the table. This is beneficial for reaching wide - angled balls and for executing long - range shots.
• Popularity
  • It is the most widely used grip globally, especially in Europe, the Americas, and increasingly in Asia. Many top - level players, such as Ma Long from China and Timo Boll from Germany, use the shakehand grip.

2. Penhold Grip

• Description
  • The penhold grip is named because it resembles the way one holds a pen. The handle is held between the thumb and index finger, with the middle finger supporting the bottom of the racket blade on the forehand side. The ring finger and little finger are usually curled under the handle. There are different variations of the penhold grip, such as the traditional Chinese penhold grip and the Japanese - style penhold grip, which may have slightly different finger placements for specific stroke requirements.
• Advantages
  • Forehand Dominance: The penhold grip is particularly well - suited for powerful forehand attacks. The close - to - the - body position of the racket and the way the fingers control the blade allow for precise and forceful forehand strokes. Chinese players who use the penhold grip, like Liu Guoliang in the past, were known for their devastating forehand attacks.
  • Shot Variation: It offers a great deal of spin and shot variation on the forehand. Players can easily generate different types of spin, such as topspin, backspin, and sidespin, with relative ease. This can make it difficult for opponents to predict the ball's trajectory and bounce.
  • Close - to - the - Table Play: The penhold grip is effective for playing close to the table. The compact nature of the grip allows for quick reactions and short - range shots, which are useful in fast - paced rallies where the ball is returned rapidly.
• Popularity
  • Historically, it was very popular in Asia, especially in China and Japan. While its usage has decreased somewhat in recent years with the rise of the shakehand grip's popularity, there are still many skilled players who use the penhold grip, especially in China, where it has a long - standing tradition in the sport.
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