This user has no status.
Penhold Grip variation
- Thread starter Loopadoop
- Start date
This user has no status.
There are a LOT of subtle variances, everyone has preferences.
But, IMO, using the back of fingers on the backside takes away from its primary purpose of supporting the stroke. You will loose stability on what is already underpowered vs shakehanders. Curling too much does the same, takes away stability and power. I've experiemented with the tight curl, you can get a fairly nice "snap", but consistency and angle control is much worse, your blocks will also be slower because of the less support.
If you have trouble closing the backhand angle, trying a wider front side (distance between thumb and index finger) and lifting/pushing the thumb will solve that much easier that changing the back fingers.
I recommend the traditional semi-extended but stacked fingers for backhand and either stacked or 2 fingers touching on the forehand. Angle of splay again, depends on preference, deep vs shallow grip, as well as the width of thumb and index finger on the front side. The straighter the fingers, the more stability but less wrist.
You can't have everything, and in game, there won't be time to vary your grips for different strokes. Try to find a middle ground that compromises the least for all your strokes and needs the least change for both forehand and backhand (AND RPB if you use that as well)
I still prefer this video, unfortunately no subtitles (penhold starts at 0:40):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHkLkJWXrrU
My personal grip is slightly deeper, mid-wide gap on front, and stacked fingers very slightly more angled at ~60 degrees (just slightly past the straight line from the handle). naturally falling to unstacked for forehand (middle and ring finger next to each other).
But, IMO, using the back of fingers on the backside takes away from its primary purpose of supporting the stroke. You will loose stability on what is already underpowered vs shakehanders. Curling too much does the same, takes away stability and power. I've experiemented with the tight curl, you can get a fairly nice "snap", but consistency and angle control is much worse, your blocks will also be slower because of the less support.
If you have trouble closing the backhand angle, trying a wider front side (distance between thumb and index finger) and lifting/pushing the thumb will solve that much easier that changing the back fingers.
I recommend the traditional semi-extended but stacked fingers for backhand and either stacked or 2 fingers touching on the forehand. Angle of splay again, depends on preference, deep vs shallow grip, as well as the width of thumb and index finger on the front side. The straighter the fingers, the more stability but less wrist.
You can't have everything, and in game, there won't be time to vary your grips for different strokes. Try to find a middle ground that compromises the least for all your strokes and needs the least change for both forehand and backhand (AND RPB if you use that as well)
I still prefer this video, unfortunately no subtitles (penhold starts at 0:40):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHkLkJWXrrU
My personal grip is slightly deeper, mid-wide gap on front, and stacked fingers very slightly more angled at ~60 degrees (just slightly past the straight line from the handle). naturally falling to unstacked for forehand (middle and ring finger next to each other).
Last edited:
Similar threads
