Table Tennis Grip Types: Shakehand vs Penhold for Beginners

buying-guideAarav Patel
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Table Tennis Grip Types: Shakehand vs Penhold for Beginners

Ask a table tennis coach what the single most common mistake is among new players, and grip will be the answer nine times out of ten. The way you hold the paddle dictates your reach, your spin potential, and which corner of the table becomes your weakness. Switch grips later, and you're essentially relearning the sport from scratch. Get it right from day one, and everything else — footwork, strokes, serves — builds on a solid foundation.

At Top Cricket Store in Edison, NJ, we stock rackets optimized for both major grip styles, along with a full selection of Stiga, Butterfly, GKI, and Stag equipment. This guide explains the two dominant grips — shakehand and penhold — plus a few niche variants, so you can commit to the right one early.

Shakehand Grip: The Standard for 85% of Players

The shakehand grip looks exactly like it sounds: you hold the paddle as if shaking hands with it. Your index finger rests along the bottom edge of the rubber on the backhand side, and your thumb rests on the forehand rubber. The remaining three fingers wrap around the handle.

Why most players choose shakehand:

  • Balanced forehand and backhand: Unlike penhold, shakehand doesn't favor one side. You can hit powerful shots from both wings without repositioning your grip.
  • Easier to learn: The neutral hand position is intuitive. Most beginners can produce a rally within their first 15 minutes using shakehand.
  • Better reach: The grip lets you extend the paddle further from your body, covering more of the table without extra footwork.
  • Standard coaching: In the US and Europe, nearly all coaches teach shakehand. If you take lessons, this is what you'll learn.

The two shakehand sub-styles:

  • Shallow shakehand: The hand sits higher on the handle, closer to the blade. More wrist flexibility, better for spin-heavy play. Preferred by offensive loopers.
  • Deep shakehand: The hand grips lower on the handle, toward the end. More stability on blocks and flat hits, less wrist snap. Preferred by defensive players and blockers.

If you watch the top 20 world-ranked men's players, roughly 16 use shakehand. It's the grip of Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Timo Boll — three of the greatest players of the modern era.

Penhold Grip: The Traditional Asian Style

The penhold grip holds the paddle like a pen, with the thumb and index finger wrapped around the top of the handle and the remaining three fingers curled or splayed across the back of the blade. It's the traditional grip in China, Japan, and Korea, though its popularity is declining even in Asia.

Advantages of penhold:

  • Devastating forehand: The wrist angle naturally generates more spin and speed on forehand loops than shakehand. A penhold forehand loop is generally spinnier because the wrist can snap through a wider range of motion.
  • Better short game: The hand position above the blade gives finer control on short serves, pushes, and flicks. Penhold players typically dominate the over-the-table game.
  • Deceptive serves: The wrist flexibility makes it easier to hide spin variations — the same motion can produce heavy backspin or float, keeping opponents guessing.

Disadvantages of penhold:

  • Weak backhand: Traditional penhold backhand is a push or block at best. Modern penhold players use the reverse penhold backhand (RPB) — hitting with the back side of the paddle — but it requires exceptional wrist strength and timing. Xu Xin was the last penhold player in the men's top 10 (retired 2023).
  • Physical demands: The grip puts more strain on the wrist and forearm. Penhold players report higher rates of wrist tendinitis.
  • Limited crossover potential: If you play tennis or badminton, shakehand transfers better between sports.

The two penhold sub-styles:

  • Chinese penhold: Three fingers curled gently on the back of the blade. RPB (reverse penhold backhand) is standard. Used by Ma Lin, Wang Hao, Xu Xin.
  • Japanese/Korean penhold: Three fingers splayed flat across the back. More stable for blocking, less wrist for RPB. Used by Ryu Seung-min (2004 Olympic champion).

Seemiller Grip and Other Niche Variants

Seemiller grip: Named after American player Danny Seemiller. The thumb and index finger wrap around in a penhold-like position, but the remaining fingers grip the handle like shakehand. Only the forehand side of the paddle is used — the player twists the paddle 180 degrees for backhand shots. Extremely rare. Gives excellent forehand and a unique backhand block, but limits spin variation.

V-grip: The index and middle fingers form a "V" on either side of the handle. Almost extinct in competitive play. The lack of wrist mobility makes modern spin-based rallies nearly impossible.

Table Tennis Rackets Available at Top Cricket Store

We stock rackets suitable for both shakehand and penhold players:

  • Browse our full table tennis collection — rackets from Stiga, Butterfly, GKI, and Stag
  • Butterfly rackets come in flared (better for shakehand) and straight (better for penhold) handle shapes
  • Stiga offers pre-assembled rackets ideal for beginners through intermediate — no separate blade/rubber assembly needed
  • GKI and Stag rackets are budget-friendly options starting under $20 for casual play

Table Tennis Rackets and Equipment at Top Cricket Store

We carry table tennis rackets suited for every grip style and playing level:

  • Browse all table tennis equipment — rackets, balls, tables, and accessories
  • Stiga pre-assembled rackets — excellent for beginners and intermediate players learning either shakehand or penhold grips
  • Butterfly table tennis rackets — available in flared handle (shakehand) and straight handle (penhold) configurations
  • GKI and Stag rackets — budget-friendly options starting under $20 for casual and recreational play

Not sure which racket suits your grip? Our Edison NJ store has demo rackets available. Pick them up, feel the handle shape, and test your grip before buying. Call 732-250-3598 or visit us at 37 Meridian Rd, Edison, NJ 08820.

Why Buy from Top Cricket Store?

We're a real cricket store with a physical warehouse in Edison, New Jersey — not a drop-shipper. Every product on our site is in stock at 37 Meridian Rd, Edison, NJ 08820. We carry over 15 cricket and sports brands including SS, SG, DSC, Kookaburra, Gray Nicolls, GM, MRF, Shrey, Masuri, Yonex, Victor, Stiga, Butterfly, and Synco. Unlike online-only retailers, we inspect every bat before shipping — we check the grain structure, weight, and pickup so you get what you're paying for.

Free shipping on orders over $100 within the continental US. 7-day returns on unused equipment in original packaging. Real humans answer our phone at 732-250-3598 — call or WhatsApp us with questions about sizing, product availability, or anything cricket. We've been serving the US cricket community from Edison, NJ for years, and we're not going anywhere.

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Grip Pressure: How Tight Should You Hold the Paddle?

New players grip the paddle like they're trying to crush it — white knuckles, forearm tension, and shots that feel stiff and unpredictable. The correct grip pressure is roughly what you'd use to hold a tube of toothpaste without squeezing any out. Your grip should tighten momentarily on contact (when you strike the ball) and immediately relax. This "loose-tight-loose" cycle is one of the fundamental skills that separates recreational players from competitive ones. If your forearm is sore after 30 minutes of play, you're gripping too tight. Practice shadow swings with a relaxed grip — the paddle should feel like it might slip out of your hand (but won't, because the flare at the end of the handle catches your fingers).

FAQ

Which grip should a beginner choose?

Shakehand. It's easier to learn, has no weak side, and 95% of coaching resources use it. The only reason to start with penhold is if you have a penhold coach or you grew up playing casually with the penhold grip and it feels natural. Switching from penhold to shakehand later is hard — switching from shakehand to penhold is nearly impossible for most players.

Can I play shakehand with a penhold racket?

You can, but it won't feel right. Penhold rackets often have shorter, thicker handles and different rubber coverage (the back side may only be half-covered with rubber for weight savings). A proper shakehand racket has a longer handle and full rubber on both sides. Use the right tool for your grip.

Do professional players ever switch grips mid-career?

Almost never at the elite level. The muscle memory is too deeply ingrained. A few players have experimented with a second grip style for novelty shots (e.g., switching to penhold for a surprise serve), but no top-50 player has permanently switched grips mid-career in the modern era.

Does grip affect which rubber I should use?

Yes. Penhold players typically use slightly softer sponge because the grip generates more natural spin, and harder rubber would make control difficult. Shakehand players have more flexibility — choose rubber based on your playing style (offensive, all-around, defensive) rather than your grip.

How do I know if my grip is wrong?

Signs: blisters in unusual spots (between fingers instead of the palm), wrist pain after 30+ minutes of play, consistent misses on one side (usually backhand for penhold players), or the paddle twisting in your hand on powerful shots. If you're gripping so tight that your knuckles go white, you're overcompensating for a poor grip — loosen up and let the paddle do the work.

Is the "V-grip" still used anywhere?

Not in competitive play. The V-grip (index and middle finger bracketing the handle) was a brief experimental style in the 1980s that never gained traction. The wrist angle severely limits topspin generation and the backhand is essentially non-functional. If someone tells you they use V-grip, they're almost certainly a recreational player who figured out a unique way to hold the paddle — not following any formal technique.

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