How to hold a table tennis racket: a beginner-friendly grip lesson
Learn the main grips (penhold—Chinese and Japanese variants—and shakehand), step-by-step positioning, common mistakes and a practical checklist for beginners.
Експерт по екипировка
Short answer:
There are two main grips: penhold (with Chinese and Japanese styles) and shakehand (also called the tennis grip). Choose the grip that suits your hand and goals, learn correct finger placement, avoid common errors (over-gripping, a gap between palm and handle, shifting too far to forehand/backhand), and practice relaxed-but-controlled pressure.
Internal link: build your custom table tennis bat in our 3D Racket Builder
Why proper grip matters
Learning how to hold the racket correctly is one of the first and most important steps in table tennis. Your grip affects control, the ability to play forehand and backhand shots, and how much spin you can generate. An incorrect grip causes frequent mistakes: hitting with the edge, inconsistent contact, lack of spin, and limited wrist mobility.
Main grips (overview)
Penhold grip
The penhold grip has long been popular, especially in Asia, and comes in two common styles — commonly referred to as the Chinese and Japanese variants. With penhold, the thumb and index finger grip the handle from above, and the remaining fingers rest on the back of the blade.
- Chinese penhold: Handles are often shorter; the thumb and index finger form a pincer-like grip while the other fingers are slightly bent, with the middle finger commonly touching the blade. Traditionally players used one rubber side focusing on powerful forehand play, but modern penhold players sometimes use rubber on both sides to enable stronger backhand topspins.
- Japanese penhold: Handles are more rectangular and often include a cork stop. The thumb wraps the stop from the side and underneath while the index finger stands by the other side; the other fingers fan across the back of the blade and all typically touch the surface. This makes using the reverse side less practical without moving the hand.
Shakehand (European / tennis) grip
This is the most widely used grip globally. The handle sits between the thumb and index finger like holding a tennis racket: the index finger rests on the rubber on the backhand side while the thumb touches the rubber on the other side with its tip. The rest of the fingers wrap around the handle so that the blade sits snugly in the palm.
Advantage: even development of forehand and backhand. Drawback: if the racket is held shifted toward one side, shots on the opposite side will suffer.
Step-by-step: how to adopt a correct shakehand grip (example)
- Place the base of the handle in the angle between your thumb and index finger.
- Let the index finger lie straight on the rubber at the backhand side.
- Allow the thumb to touch the rubber with its tip; avoid overly bending the thumb.
- Wrap the remaining fingers around the handle so the racket sits tightly in the palm—no gap between palm and handle.
- When you straighten your arm, the racket should form a straight extension of your forearm—neither pointing too far up nor down.
Quick comparison of grips
| Grip | Suited for | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penhold (Chinese) | Aggressive forehand players, close-to-table play | Excellent for forehand spin and quick attacks | Historically weaker backhand (modern play mitigates this) |
| Penhold (Japanese) | Players favoring close-in control and wrist play | Good control and grip stability | Reverse side is difficult to use without shifting hand |
| Shakehand (European) | Universal players, beginners | Balanced control for both sides, easy to learn | If held biased to one side, balance is lost |
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Bent thumb in shakehand: restricts wrist movement and reduces spin. Keep the thumb relatively straight.
- Gap between palm and handle: means you are holding with fingers only—lose control. Let the blade rest in your palm.
- Over-gripping: hinders fine touch and quick reactions.
- Shifting the racket too far toward forehand/backhand: gives an advantage only on that side; aim for a neutral balance so you can play both sides well.
How hard should you squeeze?
Imagine holding a small bird. If you squeeze too hard you hurt it; too loosely and it flies away. Aim for moderate, relaxed pressure: firm enough to control the racket, relaxed enough to allow wrist and finger adjustments.
Adjusting during play
Players often make small grip adjustments during rallies — that’s normal as long as it doesn’t prevent effective play from both sides. Practice transitioning quickly by drilling forehand/backhand sequences and short-block exercises while keeping the grip stable.
Conclusion
There is no single perfect grip for everyone. The best choice depends on your hand shape, style, and personal preference. Whatever you choose, the grip must let you execute technical strokes well on both forehand and backhand. Practice patiently, correct common faults early, and keep your grip relaxed but controlled.
References
- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) — Coaching and Development (https://www.ittf.com)
- PingSkills — Table Tennis Coaching and Tutorials (https://pingskills.com)
- USA Table Tennis (USATT) — Guides for Beginners (https://www.teamusa.org/usa-table-tennis)
Related internal links
See rubbers, bats, balls and player accessories.
Need expert advice or a custom setup?
The TT-Store specialist team and Bedros Mangachev are here to help you select the optimal blade and rubbers for your game.