Penhold grip

Table tennis / Popular

Hold and play with the penhold grip, including reverse backhand.

What coaches agree on

  • Drive your forehand mainly with thumb pressure, and drive your backhand — including the reverse penhold backhand — mainly with your index finger.
  • Adjust your finger position on the handle to favor either your forehand or your backhand, knowing that strengthening one side costs you some strength on the other.
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Common mistakes

  • Letting the wrist wobble or the elbow drift during the stroke, instead of keeping the elbow fixed as a stable pivot for the forearm and wrist to work from.