Before you spend hours drilling technique, you need to settle one foundational question: how you hold the racket. Shakehand and penhold are the two dominant grips in table tennis, and each shapes your stroke mechanics, reach, and long term development in different ways.
What Is the Shakehand Grip?
The shakehand grip is held the way it sounds, like shaking someone's hand. The racket handle sits between your thumb and index finger, with the rest of your fingers wrapped around the handle. This grip allows both sides of the racket to be used naturally, giving you a true forehand and a true backhand with symmetrical stroke mechanics.
What Is the Penhold Grip?
The penhold grip is held like holding a pen, with your thumb and index finger pinching the handle above the racket head and your remaining fingers curled on the back of the blade. Traditional penhold uses only one side of the racket, while reverse penhold backhand technique, common among top competitive players, uses the back of the blade for backhand topspin shots.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Factor | Shakehand | Penhold |
|---|---|---|
| Backhand | Natural, symmetrical stroke | Requires reverse penhold backhand training for full power |
| Wrist flexibility | Moderate | High, especially for serve variation |
| Reach at the middle | Can be a weak point without good footwork | Naturally strong due to wrist rotation |
| Learning curve | Straightforward for most new players | Steeper, especially for the backhand side |
| Coaching availability | Widely taught worldwide | Less common outside parts of Asia |
Which Grip Should You Choose?
For most players starting out, shakehand is the more practical choice. It is the grip used in the majority of club coaching, online tutorials, and equipment design, and it gives you a genuinely symmetrical game without needing to master a separate backhand technique. Penhold can still be an excellent choice if you are drawn to its wrist agility and quick, deceptive serves, but expect a longer path to a strong backhand.
Adjusting Your Equipment to Your Grip
Blade shape and handle style matter more than most beginners realize. Shakehand blades typically use a flared, straight, or anatomic handle for a firm palm grip, while penhold blades use a shorter, rounder handle designed for finger pinch control. If you switch grips later, you will likely need a different blade shape to match, not just a different playing style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from penhold to shakehand later in my playing career?
It is possible but difficult. The switch requires relearning your forehand and backhand timing almost from scratch, so most coaches recommend making the choice early and staying consistent while you build fundamentals.
Is shakehand or penhold better for beginners?
Shakehand is generally recommended for beginners because it offers a natural, symmetrical backhand and is the grip used in the vast majority of coaching materials and club instruction worldwide.
Do professional players still use penhold at the top level?
Yes. Several elite players, particularly from China and other parts of Asia, compete at the highest level with reverse penhold backhand technique, proving the grip remains fully viable in modern table tennis.