How to Hold Penhold?

The penhold grip in table tennis involves holding the paddle much like you would hold a pen. Here’s how it’s done:

Understanding the Penhold Grip

The penhold grip is a popular way to hold a table tennis paddle, especially in Asian countries. It offers a unique set of advantages and disadvantages compared to the shakehand grip. As described in the YouTube video "How to Hold a Table Tennis Bat: Shakehand or Penhold," the primary contact points are the thumb and forefinger:

• Thumb and Forefinger: Wrap your thumb and forefinger around the handle of the paddle.
• Placement: The thumb and forefinger should be on the side of the paddle that is closer to the blade, and the other fingers should be on the other side of the racket handle.

Detailed Steps for Penhold Grip

Here are the key steps to achieving a proper penhold grip:

1. Start with your dominant hand.
2. Position the paddle: Orient the racket so that the playing surface is facing away from you.
3. Thumb and forefinger: Curl your thumb and index finger around the handle.
   • The thumb is positioned on one side, near the top of the handle, while the index finger is placed on the other side, also near the top.
4. Remaining fingers: Let the remaining fingers naturally curve around the back of the handle.
5. Grip strength: Maintain a grip that's firm enough for control but not so tight that it causes tension.
6. Adjust for comfort: Adjust the exact position of your fingers slightly until you find a comfortable and stable grip.

Variations of Penhold

There are slight variations in penhold grips, including:

• Chinese Penhold: The fingers curve naturally on the back of the handle.
• Japanese/Korean Penhold: The fingers on the back of the handle are straighter.

Pros and Cons of Penhold Grip