How to grip the blade

This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Dec 2017
100
71
205
Up to now I have been using a loose shake hand grip on forehand and changing slightly for backhand to use my thumb.
I have recently started using just my thumb and finger to grip the rubber with the other fingers hold the handle very loosely. This does not change on f/h and b/h. This grip was recommended in a video.
It has taken time to adjust as the angles are slightly different but not changing grip for the b/h helps. I find that my b/h is much spinier as I can use my wrist more. I hope to use more spin on f/h flips but this will need practice.
Do you use this grip and do you find it effective?
 
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Active Member
Dec 2018
925
1,370
3,479
Read 1 reviews
Almost any grip can be made to work. They all involve trade offs, making some things easier and others more difficult. For me this grip is great for backhand but badly compromises my forehand because it's hard to drive straight through the ball without extending my wrist well outside my comfort zone. It's similar to a continental grip in tennis which tends to produce hook sidespin on every forehand unless you make an adjustment that compromises power. I think there are easier ways to minimize the need for grip changes, but if it works for you then it works.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NextLevel
This user has no status.
I use a 'neutral" grip (IE little to no adjustment between my FH to BH). I used to play more like you where i had a more pronounced FH (closed) grip and had to do a small adjustment every time i did a backhand. Worked well to have an awesome forehand, especially an inside out winner, but i was seriously unstable on the backhand.

I changed to the neutral grip and instantly my backhand was improved. it took a little bit to get used to the forehand grip, but I did. My forehand continued to improve past my previous highs with the old grip. There are still some situations where i might adjust the grip slightly, but in general i try to keep as neutral as possible. At my level, balls are coming fast to forehand and backhand, so i need to be able to transition as fast and as stable as possible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NextLevel
This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Member
Mar 2024
22
11
75
Read 1 reviews
Sorry to bring up an old topic. However, I recently changed my grip and it is a lot better. I wanted to share my thoughts.

1. Personally, a high thumb on the BH (thumb is clearly on the rubber around the midline of the paddle) is the grip with the most wrist flexibility and most stable feeling. However, I try to keep a neutral or FH dominant grip in terms of the paddle angle. Otherwise, the BH-FH transition is too awkward.

2. FH grip is almost the same, except my thumb slides to the bottom edge of the paddle face and is not on the rubber.

3. Even though I am a slightly FH dominant player, I stick to the BH grip by default, and switch to the FH grip based on instinct.

4. If I get caught with a BH grip and someone sends a fast ball to my FH, I can still do a "jumping jack" short FH loop where I get low and contact the ball near to my forehead.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: PenHoldSandro
Top