Grips in Holding the Table Tennis Paddle

There are many ways to handle a paddle especially when the person is playing table tennis. There are two common grips that can be used and learning both will help the individual know which is more comfortable to use in a game.

The first is called the shake hands grip. Thumb should be up while the rest are extended as if to hold someone’s hand. This will give the individual a solid grip on the paddle.

The player should then hit the ball with the thumb in front of the forehand with the thumb positioned behind the backhand. The best way to see how this feels will be to hit a few balls and with a little practice, the person will be able to get use to it.

The shake hands grips is the common way of holding the paddle. Beginners and some professionals still use this when playing the sport.

The next grip is called the pen grip. The pen grip was developed by the Chinese and many players in the United States and Europe are using it. This technique is very similar to how a person will hold a writing instrument in the hand which is how the term for this is given.

The player will start by wrapping the forefinger and thumb around the handle while the paddle is facing downward.

Three of the fingers will then brace against the back of the paddle. The person should be careful not to extend this all the way to the rubber since this will ruin the technique.

The thumb and forefinger should then form a V shape and when everything is ready, its time to hit a few balls. The person should practice this technique in making a serve or when returning a volley.

The two mentioned grips are the ones commonly used by table tennis players. Some people may adopt a similar one or make some modifications in holding the paddle because there are no rules stating how this must be held or prohibiting it when playing the game.

It is only after being comfortable with one type of grip that the player can practice doing a variety of shots to score a point. This will help the person both offensively and defensively.

Here are some techniques when doing it offensively.

The first is called speed drive. The person pushes the other player by hitting the ball hard which will be returned in the same manner. When the timing is right, the individual will slam it hard making it difficult for the other to counter enabling one to score.

Another one is called the counter drive. When the opponent hits the ball, the player must return it back less than a second after it bounces off the table. People who are able to do this quickly will catch the other one off guard which is converted to another point.

Defensively, here are two plays that could work.

The first is called the block. Most players hit the ball hard. Instead of returning the same amount of energy in a swing, all the person has to do is put the paddle where the ball is going which will deflect back to the opponent at the same pace.

The second is called a lob where the player stands a few feet from the table to engage the opponent in long volleys.

Table tennis is exciting. The proper way of holding the paddle will determine the outcome offensively or defensively in any game.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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