Question about the shakehand grip

[Hawsegawa]

Hi all,

I have started to play table tennis more often, and have decided to play using the shakehand grip. however i am having some issues regarding how i hold the bat, i am tending to wrap my middle finger around the side of the bat, like in the picture

I find it more difficult doing a backhand shot using the traditional shakehand grip with my middle finger more relaxed and gripped against the handle, but feel that my overall game could be improved if i got used to it.

is this grip any good or should i try and get used to the normal grip?

 

[Mr. RicharD]

There's nothing too wrong with that grip your transition time is just going to need more practice is all. Typically it's best to use your thumb to push the paddle forward when doing a backhand, but everyone has their own way of doing things. It really depends on what you're goals are. I would suggest asking a coach this question as they would be able to review your game better than us looking at photos. If you could post a video we probably would be able to give some more accurate advice. I did notice that you tend to lift your finger up on what I'm assuming is your "normal grip." Try not to let the index finger ride up because this can cause transition issues as well as mi****s when doing backhands.

 

[Hawsegawa]

Hey, thanks for the reply.

What do you mean about the index finger riding up? do you think i should maybe relax my middle finger more so its not wrapped around the edge of the rubber?

 

[M51]

IIRC Kong Linghui held the bat something like that and I don't remember him having trouble with his backhand.

 

[ttmonster]

How are you doing on high balls on the backhand?

 

[Hawsegawa]

I should say that i am still a novice at this game, which is why i wanted to get my grip sorted before i get any better.

Using the grip displayed in the pictures, my backhand is my stronger side, but i feel that my forehand suffers a little bit. have a look where my middle finger is, almost around the rubber edge

 

[ttmonster]

Your forehand is suffering is because you are putting all the pressure with the thumb joint , which in turn renders impossible the your putting adequate pressure with your forefinger while playing your forehand. Hence, your paddle will wobble when playing the forehand and you will have problems. From my experiments its better to stick to the basics, which gives you more options. Try for a couple of days if you can consciously put pressure with your forefinger while playing forehand and try to play spinny instead of playing fast. Who knows you might invent a whole new grip variation.

I should say that i am still a novice at this game, which is why i wanted to get my grip sorted before i get any better.

Using the grip displayed in the pictures, my backhand is my stronger side, but i feel that my forehand suffers a little bit. have a look where my middle finger is, almost around the rubber edge

 

[Hawsegawa]

IIRC Kong Linghui held the bat something like that and I don't remember him having trouble with his backhand.

yes you are right maybe i should stick with it

 

[Mr. RicharD]

Your red rubber looks as though your finger has rubbed against the middle quite often. That's usually from either serving or from letting your finger ride up when using a forehand. I was curious which caused the rubbing.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

I honestly think that the best advice I have seen so far is to have a coach look at how you and see if he says anything about how you are holding your racket.

And, Mr. RicharD's question is an interesting one.

 

[Hawsegawa]

Your red rubber looks as though your finger has rubbed against the middle quite often. That's usually from either serving or from letting your finger ride up when using a forehand. I was curious which caused the rubbing.

Hi richard, it is from serving. it is also an old bat and rubbers, one i don't use anymore

 

[M51]

My grip is pretty much similar to yours, except that my thumb is a bit more relaxed. My coach (back in my early teens) was adamant that I was holding it WRONG, but once you get used to a certain style, you form all your strokes accordingly, so there was no going back. Still, I never had any problems with my backhand, or my forehand for that matter, but I've noticed that I tend to lower my index finger, with the knuckle slightly around the blade when doing a backhand push and chop. I don't believe this has ever affected my game.

 

[Hawsegawa]

My grip is pretty much similar to yours, except that my thumb is a bit more relaxed. My coach (back in my early teens) was adamant that I was holding it WRONG, but once you get used to a certain style, you form all your strokes accordingly, so there was no going back. Still, I never had any problems with my backhand, or my forehand for that matter, but I've noticed that I tend to lower my index finger, with the knuckle slightly around the blade when doing a backhand push and chop. I don't believe this has ever affected my game.

thanks man, i will try what ttmonster suggested, and apply pressure with my forefinger when using my forehand.