Best racket handle ? Flared or Straight handle | Chinese table tennis

[@mudrabbit84]

thank you coach. ive been playing table tennis for almost 15 years and stop 10 years and now im back with the sport. it seems table tennis is part of my life, everytime i ask my self to quit, it seems the universe will find a way to return my self on this game. this input you've shared helps me a lot and also helps me understand on why chinese player are so dominant on this sport. Once again thank you coach, i dont even know you but what I know is that you are so dedicated on this that you just provide this info for free. keep it up coach and Godspeed. Kodus and respect here from philippines. :)

[@manudehanoi]

it is wrong to compare the "explosiveness" of Hyuk and boll. Boll plays against a strong backspin so he must make a very spinny ball but less powerful. Hyuk plays agains an attacker so he can put much more power. I dont think you can be "explosive" against a strong backspin, unless it's high

[@Chepurik1111]

you can be explosive against a strong backspin even if its low ;)

[@kiyamheliken2845]

coach... i want to tell you smthng..plz listen to once.... there will always b haters in this world in watevr u do..but as far as i know...you are the best coach, an inspiration, a guide, a teacher and a great person....you have the greatest passion for the game...n wen every time i see ur vids.. i literaaly have goosebumps....you are the best coach in my life and always will be...... simply u r a legend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pingsunday]

hahaha :D thank you so much

[@jonneville2287]

I recently switched from straight to flared, and my forehand has improved substantially. I feel more confident with my forehand attack, and I'm able to relax my grip between strokes more effectively. The problem with flared handles from many manufacturers is that they make them far too narrow, as if catering to small hands. You can remedy this by using grip tape, but you shouldn't have to. They should make a small version and a larger version for bigger hands. The handle on the Yinhe T10 is great - fits my hand very well, and is fairly broad. My transition to backhand is no different than my old straight handle blade, and the racket feels more locked in to the hand. I recommend trying flared first, then move to other designs only if the flared handles aren't comfortable.

[@rockiztaciz08]

that is why there are two versions of FL handle, FL Master and FL Legend

[@kenji2787]

Why do these bs posts exists? What exactly do you gain from lying to people with your bullshit?

[@nsizbeinz7652]

@@rockiztaciz08 and which one is for which type

[@11737thali]

You are simply the best, Thank you very much for share with us!

[@maxhyc18]

I have read articles talking about this. It says it depends on personal preference, whether you like a loose or constant grip. One other reason Chinese players prefer flared handle is that they usually learn table tennis at a young age. At that age, their hands are small and flared handle can prevent them from dropping the racket. When they grow up and have leather enough hands to play straight handle, they have already adapted to the technique of used flared handle. Therefore, they keep using it.

[@Isaacoun100]

This is the kind of talk that I would liked to have when I was starting Table Tennis

[@GIN.356.A]

I think rather than "Explosiveness" the better word would be "snappy", which results in a more lethal and "explosive" shot. European style is too stiff, it lacks the kind of whipping effect Chinese strokes have. European style is like swinging a baseball bat, where as Chinese style is more like cracking a whip.

[@UnseenSpirit]

Gin356a the same theory is there for badminton too. A whip generates a lot of power

[@96JW77]

Great video! I used a straight handle for 1 year and it messed up my backhand, I just used flared handle now.Thanks, keep the videos coming :)

[@pingsunday]

you are welcome. It depends on the size of the handle also.

[@danadrian2752]

I think some of you are missing the point. Has Waldner had a successful career with Straight Handle? Sure. Does Timo Boll have explosiveness even with Straight handle? Sure. Are there other westerners that use straight handles that can have explosiveness? Sure. But this only makes it harder. Imagine how much more successful Timo could be right now if he had learned with more of the Chinese principals. Waldner was good during his time, but that was before speed glues were banned and when they used the old balls. It’s not just about the handle either. You add together each difference, the handle, rubber, blade, approach to hitting the ball, etc etc etc, and then those small differences add up.

[@animaysh]

I think Timo's loop uses a lot of wrist and the arm is not extended fully. This generates a lot of spin with a compact stroke. The Chinese loopers come forward a lot more, using their whole body and an extended arm which generates spin and speed.

[@CesarGonzalez-ru1yd]

Man... I have to say this, I admire your videos, and I've become a fan of them quickly. But no man, this one here, I have to disagree with almost everything you said. And hey, I HATE STRAIGHT HANDLES, but just because they feel like they're going to slip out your hand. I can agree with the fact that they (ST handles) can make you play more tense, but coach, at Timo's and ZJK's level, it's just about feeling man... I met Timo in Malaysia and asked him about his ST handle, he laughed and said "I don't know, it feels faster, I guess!". And hey, Timo looks pretty relaxed and powerful even in this video; hehe... Off course chinese table tennis is more powerful, but my point is, I'm pretty sure it's not about the handle, at least not at a very high level like national level... Thanks coach, I really love your videos, really. I just disagree with this one. Cheers.

[@lb9817]

I love this youtube-channel so much. The way you can present reasons for why to hold the racket a certain way, when to hit the ball when countering, and so much more. I hope to see more quality content in the future. Keep doing great videos, please!

[@tevtev6227]

Chinese style isn't the right style. European style isn't the wrong style. They are just different styles. They're unique, the Chinese style wasn't part of the rules so please don't call the European styles wrong.

[@abhishekhosamath2526]

Perfectly said

[@inventorbrothers7053]

Thank you for this very informative video! I know what you mean when you say many European players lack explosiveness. It's definitely noticeable. I do think there are a couple of exceptions though. I think Alexis Lebrun has explosiveness in his forehand stroke.

[@pingsunday]

Exactly!

[@jradovich]

Wow!Thank you for another great video. Very instructional and useful!

[@lgeiger]

I'm German and my coach always said "hold the racket, but don't grab it". I also play with a flared handle. I could never use a straight handle without a grip tape. You just don't have that snappy feeling when you hold on too tight. The flared handle was just the most natural one for me. Anatomic is the most horrible one right after these Donic Dotec blades with the cork handle... Timo Boll looks like he really grabs the racket as he also uses different grips on his forehand and backhand. Timo is still an incredible player and he gave Ma Long a tough time during the WTTC last week, but compared to the Chinese players his forehand topspins are slower, BUT spinnier. He also has that explosiveness, but he uses it to generate spin instead of speed. The handle on his Timo Boll ALC blade is a little different compared to normal straight handles. It's very square edged, so it probably doesn't slip out of your hand that easily. And I think Timo uses a straight handle because it's easier to switch between forehand and backhand grip with it. My coach always said it's better to not switch the grip between forehand and backhand. He did it himself but he said it's not the correct way of playing. He also showed me that it's better to grip a little lower and let it rest more loose in your palm to improve the mobility of the wrist. I guess I had an awesome coach! I love your videos! I just subbed to your channel, awesome knowledge about the sport!

[@DaigoParry]

There is no “right” or “wrong”. There is only whatever works for you. I’m Asian and I am transitioning from RPB Penhold (3rd ball kill style) to shakehand. I’m now flirting with defensive style, as I’m no longer in my teens and not playing competitively anymore. I am going for ST handle. Playing leisurely with shakehand, and I’m also transitioning to a less aggressive style, so I think ST fits me.

[@rcbuggies57]

Yes, for a mixed blocking and deceptive attack style, straight is much better. I like to use fast and hard rubbers with a straight handle so that when I'm close to the table, I can shoot balls left to right with the same energy the attacker gives to me. Additionally, I use a punching back hand style with a more spin oriented boll style forehand. The straight grip is more conducive to giving me time to place my thumb on the rubber for my backhands.

[@victornoboru]

Quite some interesting ideas there... Is there anything similar when it comes to the chinese penhold style? The best way to hold the racket, to achieve the explosiveness...?

[@nguyenduyanh7507]

Video is very useful, many thanks

[@olaniyi570]

Hm i would think it has something to do with hand size and structure as well.

[@revjamesboayes]

thanks. great video informative on flared or straight handle.

[@arthopodarena6062]

Some of these generalizations about Western players are just not true. I live in the second largest city in my state in the US (Columbus, GA). There is not a single table tennis club here. I literally have to drive 2 hours to Atlanta just to play in a club. There are at least 100x more competitive table tennis players in China than in the USA. This is a much bigger factor to Chinese success than these generalizations you are drawing. You're videos are good, and some usefulness can be gleaned from them; but a lot of it is just hooplah, and biased logic.

[@tlaw53montecarloss]

His generalization is right though. Don't be so sensitive

[@АлексейПешков-г8ь]

Non Asian players have bigger palms in average and many flared handles are too thin for them.

[@jedikevin20]

Joe Sae is just a great defender. He does this to Ma Long, Lin, ZJK and others as well.

[@adindacakraningrat5613]

Another good video Coach. Keep it up!! Im also using FL handle and feels comfort to me. Its grab firmly in my hand. Also same blade like Zhang Jike used.

[@tellmestraight]

Hello, Before I watched your videos I bought a Nittaku Acoustic Carbon Inner blade with Xiom Vega Pro max on one side and Xiom Vega Euro 2.0 on the other side. I started 8 months ago and I have been playing or practicing with a ball machine every day for 8 months. My coach says I am now playing at about 1600 and that I have improved faster than he has ever seen. However, I am 58 years old and I am not sure if I am fit enough to commit to a complete power game for 6 matches in a day. I do like playing all aspects of table tennis so my nature is more all around but if someone starts to bully me I want to use the power game to neutralize them. My weakest area is close to the table due to slow preparation, anticipation and recognition of what the opponent has hit to me. My technique is fairly solid but only when I have prepared well. From what you are saying I have the wrong rubbers and possibly the wrong blade. This blade is supposed to be off- or off. Should I change this blade? Or should I put a Chinese medium hard rubber on this Nittaku blade (if so which do you suggest?) or what else might you suggest? I currently have a new sheet of Rakza 7 soft 2.0 , 2 Kokutaku Blutenkirsche 898, 2 Yinhe Mercury 2 2.0 and two sheets of DHS National Hurricane 3 Rubber for $30 each ( I know these are counterfeit but I bought them before I watched your videos).

[@tarigomar7982]

Very informative video. A cracking coach!

[@kartiksamin6576]

best video I have ever seen but can u post a detailed video on how to hit with explosiveness

[@zoranconkic2506]

Hi EmRatThich What about Waldner? ST handle user He is soft player or he have something special? Special touch? Or something other? *when he was on the top Can you describe to us from ''chinese view''? For me its personal preference No real influence for final match score When I play BH with FL handle, wide part of this handle start to ''locking'' my wrist... I feel most comfortable with ST handle Keep on with good work,thank you

[@Ilestun]

You can hold the racket loosely even with ST handle, see Waldner....and his FH didnt lack explosiveness. And don't forget JSH is using ST ahndle also, and you tell it yourself, he can reach the so called "explosiveness".

[@mdjenders]

joo saehyuk uses fl

[@vigneshie]

Great video, very informative.

[@legu333]

"Western players dont know how to hit with "explosiveness"...are you kidding me? I am pretty sure timo boll would beat you 11:0 even if you put dynamite in your shoes. Just because there are a few chinese players who are on the top saying that a whole continent cant hit with explosiveness, generalize more.

[@janikdotzel9537]

Your Videos are great!. Keep up the good work! :)

[@pingsunday]

Thank you Janik for joining us ^^

[@dylanfigueroa3674]

Can you make videos of you playing table tennis? Even just a low quality video from a phone would be good enough. Thanks for the informative videos!

[@veeravenkat9864]

great video, but can you give for pen holders too

[@conradorey]

Great video, i enjoy it a Lot, thaks

[@zoomgle7954]

it was very helpful thanks :D

[@pankaj-kalra]

Please make a video about chinese backhand technique (focussing on the fact that they pressurize the opponent and set up a forehand attack at the same time ie. consistent pace without the intention of "killing" the point)

[@faris8734]

Pankaj Kalra ok

[@park34ci]

Timo boll has changed his shirt

[@DragonWarrior976]

I like your idea about 'explosiveness'. Can you share your thoughts on how to practice explosiveness?

[@ApiolJoe]

Lie down on your bed, tense your whole body at around 50%, then release the tension of your whole body except the wrist where it increases to around 75% (it should feel as if your whole body's tension in "sinking" towards the wrist), then relax the wrist (and the whole body if some parts are still tense). (I use penhold so I don't stop at the wrist, I go until the fingers). Once you felt it, try to do it while up and walking. When you are comfortable doing that "whole body => wrist => relax" sequence, start to do it by tensing up the whole body as a whole in a snap. When you are comfortable, do the same but decrease the intensity of the body tension, keep just the level of tension that is enough for you to send to the wrist in a snap. for example, you can see Timo tenses his whole body around 50% before hitting these balls. While the chinese coach has a very slight tension (I would say around 20% of max tension, but then again he is not doing it, he is showing the girl so he has to put more so that she sees it). It's not a contest of how low a tension level you need. Keep in mind your breathing should help you, either tensing up or relaxing the body. Don't hold your breath, find a way for the breath to at least not be a hindrance (tip: for the vast majority of people, inhaling on the tensing up and exhaling to relax the body is the most natural and effective, you could start exploring these patterns and see if it works for you). Once you feel all this, start doing this with your racket in your hand. Kind of "shadow hit" very slowly at first and make sure you feel that tension "sinking" through the racket and in a direction you choose. When you start to feel it with the racket, start shadowing faster and "snappier". Then start doing it against a slow ball and just with a block, not to hard. The key is to "feel" your whole body is exploding into the ball. Once comfortable, you can start the same process with other strokes. The key for all these exercises is to take the time and honesty to "feel" these tensions traveling through your wrist. Depending on how aware you are of your body, and how relaxed you are, the steps before holding the racket should take between several hours and tens of hours. If you feel quite well what you are doing, the part where you start getting your racket and and doing this with the racket should be much faster, the hardest part is to feel. Like maybe a few hours per stroke to start to get it. then again, you can keep practicing your whole life to make it better and better, faster and faster, more relaxed and more relaxed...etc... But you likely aren't a martial artist so you will be more interested to learn to use this during a table tennis match. When I'm talking about hours, it's not straight hours. I would do these exercises in 10-15mn sessions, twice or thrice a day. the key is to learn to feel how the body works to transfer force from one part to another. For this the body needs to learn to feel different parts and this takes time. don't expect to have it in one week. It's well worth it, because you are learning a new way to feel and use your body, which is not useful only for table tennis. I did all this work as part of martial art practice, it takes time and dedication. But it's just 30mn a day, and could be used as a waking up exercise for example, or before going to bed. The most important part of this training can be done at home on spare time, watching tv or reading this comment, whatever. You won't lose time on your technical training at the gym.

[@markcorson3815]

Elbow pivot and index finger bringing wrist around on contact

[@olaniyi570]

Also explosiveness has something today with stroke technique. Waldner was very effective against defenders including hyuk, because of placement and variations in spin. Chinese players only have power that's why they are extremely boring to watch.

[@FormostPanda]

In his early days, Mitzutani had an European coach. His game reflects that European influence.

[@table_tennis_fever]

some good points, but what are you talking about man, Timo Boll's loops look pretty damn fast at least in the video you show - u should show Ma Long / ZJK/s video too so that we can tell the difference. Otherwise, Timo Boll's look fast enough also don't forget, Chinese has boosted blue sponge national rubber - of course that is a ton faster.

[@AshPhoenix]

Geoffrey Cheng Timo's forehand loop is even weaker than Joo's.

[@UnseenSpirit]

Geoffrey Cheng if you see both in this match hit hard, you see the difference in speed

[@lgeiger]

It's true. Timo Boll has that explosiveness as well, but his forehand topspin technique is totally different than the traditional Chinese forehand topspin technique. When he has time he changes his swing path and holds the racket less tight (forehand at 8:21 or backhand at 9:33 f.ex.), which generates a shot with more velocity, but less spin like the Chinese style of play. His strength are those very spinny opening shots though which are very hard to control even for top Chinese players, so he uses his explosiveness to generate spin. With Chinese rubbers you just have to hit the ball harder and it's very hard to play slow spinny shots with it, because of the hard sponges they use. That's also why Chinese players can't keep playing on that high level when they're 30+ years old, because they can't hit the ball as hard as they did in their 20s. It's just a different philosophy.

[@hasaninlondon]

Thanks for the video, Flared it is then!

[@ApiolJoe]

Not flared for me, I go chinese penhold :P And I was planning to sand some areas to be able to hold it loosely

[@LaurenceNyein]

thanks for teaching this. however, saying something like that about Timo Boll, you would upset many people. :D

[@tyronekim3506]

I have yet to see any high ranking players hit a ball in a match as demonstrated by the Chinese coach. Can you provide a video link where a player in a match executes a return stroke as demonstrated by the Chinese coach? Thanks.

[@ApiolJoe]

This video, Timo does it. See the exchange at 10:19 He does it on his 2nd hit. Just look at how all his body gets loose, then tenses up, explodes in the wrist, then relaxes again. Compared with all the other hits where he tries to keep his whole body relaxed to keep a good control and feel on the ball. There were other strokes where he did it more convincingly, but I just unpaused the video where I was and stopped at the first occurence.

[@ppm9119]

Hey, verry good video!, but i have a question, i have been playing now for about 1 year and my current racket(Yasaka Rakza 7) is getting old for me so, what type of bat would u recomend for player who have playd about 1 year?

[@roelandvisser]

thanks very interesting

[@AshPhoenix]

Kreanga is very explosive!

[@petrusincraian198]

Thank you.

[@BilguunsparKO]

good point

[@abhinavkarajgi4019]

Anatomical is poor for looping?

[@onkelphil924]

Great Video, but I also have a question: How thick should Be the grip? I have relative small hands and I use the stiga rosewood xo, which has a thick straight grip. Could it Be too thick or can I adjust it with improving my technique? Sometimes I have pain in my wrist...

[@ApiolJoe]

Pain in wrist = either wrist too lose (and therefore when you hit it goes too far in the flexibility with the weight of the racket), or much more likely (99% of the time) you are too tense when you play. Your wrist should be resting 95% of the time when you're not hitting the ball. Exhaling when hitting the ball helps to relax after the hit, but it would need some demonstration for this breathing tip to be really useful.

[@lalijojo68]

I don't know if this is the place to ask, but I hope someone can help me I am buying my first blade, and I was thinking for a yasaka sweden extra with DHS 3 hurricane on both sides (red/black). Is this right for a beginer/intermediate looping aggressive player? Thank you!

[@yknse1708]

Timotei Centea it's gonna be too fast,go for the butterfly secretrin all blade with butterfly Yuki rubbers

[@TomJakobW]

Flameboy or just don't buy butterfly, because it is too expensive. Donic or andro has great intermediate -level rubbers for a very good price. Also don't buy Hurricane, that's horrible; you won't learn good technique with that, it's too "different". A beginner should focus on general techniques and not develop bad habits by using too highly specialized equipment. Buy a good Allround-rubber (nothing too fast, not too hard, something durable) (your coach will give you tips, you should have one) and practice practice practice.

[@arthopodarena6062]

I'm guessing you've already bought it, but you should use tensor rubber on the BH (and maybe even the FH, though a lot would disagree). This will help with the control, and with the new poly balls, the extra spin at low to medium-high velocities will be important. I would try one Tenergy high-spin tensors on at least the BH, maybe one of the JOOLA Samba series equivalents (they are cheaper, but still won't notice a difference at beginner/intermediate). Also, the diminishing returns that plague tensor rubber at super high speeds are starting to become less relevant with better tensor rubbers entering the market each year.

[@CapoblancoTube]

If you are affrayed to drop your bad, just put tacky overgrip on it. No need to change de grip from ST to FL. Samsonov play with a little grip.

[@conradfisher2563]

Does Wang Chugin play with a flared handle?

[@tungabcd]

Yes he does

[@AcheLone]

is flared = concave?

[@pingsunday]

yes. FL is concave!

[@ludogiv8420]

Where do you find all of these informations :0

[@luongmxnh]

Great Video! I really like your Chinese philosophy! I live in Germany,so the European philosophy isn't that good as the Chinese :( I want to learn the Chinese philosophy,but they don't know...😔😔😕😡😭😭😢

[@lb9817]

I'm trying to figure it out myself.

[@gloinpower]

Great video, now I see why defenders like Wang Xi are so successful in the german league.

[@jalalkiswani]

Amazing!!!

[@jbsound566]

I am a Indian player what I would buy fl or cl

[@HenryVFR]

Straight handle (ST) for me is the best handle !

[@felmusik5043]

tronxo206 and could you play explosiveness???

[@ricemenarq6230]

+FelMusik *Put Chinese gunpowder in you speed glue so your loops will be much much more explosive.*

[@mhalan2198]

Can you have close up video to what you call it explosivness? We dont get it by speech and text my friend.

[@The_Paddle_Smith]

Mh Aِlan it was explained with the clip of the girl training with the Chinese coach

[@SuperChhunhak]

Zhang jike sands his Viscaria FL to almost straight handle

[@reezrun899]

Penhold or shakehand?

[@ApiolJoe]

Penhold.

[@BarbellBinks]

european players seemingly lack this explosiveness because the butterfly rubbers' catapult effect is too strong. If they explode into the ball like chinese players do on every loop, it is harder to gauge trajectory/throw angle

[@BarbellBinks]

building on this, hitting with explosiveness is much easier with harder rubber. hard rubber prevents catapult effect and exaggerated high throw angle, so you can accelerate not just in the brush of the ball but also INTO the ball since the racket needs to have a more open angle for the lower throw angle of hard rubbers

[@pauloyoshizaki2103]

RACHET : NITTAKU : ACOUSTIC : OU : VISCÁRIA ; TOP : RACHET : PROFESSIONAL ; TENISTAS ; UTILIZAM ; MAIORIA : UTILIZAM !!! PROFESSIONAL : RACHET : NITTAKU ; QUALITY : TOP : NÍVEL : SUPERIOR ; QUÄLITY : TOP : NITTAKU ..

[@ttdenmark821]

Im an european player and play with flared handle

[@jasonruiz2198]

it depends on the hands of player

[@HeyHowsMyDriving]

Jason Ruiz it depends on the dick of the player

[@fernandolhourann1644]

gostei

[@ryanunsw]

wrong technique from the coach, it should be the foot work and body movement, his style is very outdated...

[@ApiolJoe]

The snap he shows works with the footwork. If you look closely when he demonstrates it, you see that his whole body goes to snap into the wrist. He even shows the difference to the girl, by showing her first the motion with just the wrist, and then the motion with the whole body engaging in the wrist snap. This requires practice, but once you felt it, you actually generate tons of force with just that whole body "explosion" and the quick footwork to give origin and direction of force. If this kind of use of the body is outdated, then players have to learn from the outdated style because what they do is less efficient. Of course this is not the case, some players learn this, either consciously or through hours of training, depending on their coach's methodology/knowledge and their own personal interests. And yes, top players know that. In this clip, Timo does it when he tries to accelerates the ball to finish the point (so not often in all these rallies, I think I saw it 2/3 times, but I was not paying attention to it). It's not as clean as when the old chinese teachers shows it, but the teacher' goal is to teach people while Timo's goal is to win a match, and I am observing his use of his body while in the middle of a point and he is likely distracted by other considerations (ball spin, placement? whatever).

[@richardyanoekaputra6934]

I am pretty sure the europeans are hitting with the so called “explosiveness”. They just didnt call it that way, because thats not proper english 😂. Besides the europeans are better than before in the world rankings these days. The chinese are lacking player to win world cups? I also disagree that you say the european style of table tennis is wrong. Different style doesnt mean that it is wrong. I learn the european style table tennis (even though im asian), and my coach also teach me this “explosiveness” technique. Even though he doesnt name it “explosiveness” but i am sure its the same. So i dont think any technique and any handle is wrong or worst. Please do not say it like the chinese are more supreme and the europeans are just bad

[@andreika6681]

some ridiculous bs is dispensed in this vid.. with stright handle it a tiny bit easier to spin from bh (handle gets less blocked in a back of your wrist) + easier to switch sides. + it's a few gramms ligter. timo can hit just as fast as ma & co and his forearm is not oversided 'cuz of holding his racket like crazy all the time ! + timo knows all the tech tricks 10 times better than you, if he needed to make his game better with another handle he wouldn't need profound wisdoms of some YT kid explaining everybody that ex tt world champ actually sucks cuz he doesn't even get how to hold the racket in the best way

[@z0uLess]

Its not a philosophy, chinese people are small, thats all. Small in height and small hands. Flared handle is thin for small hands.

[@serendipity5874]

Really? Timo cannot win constantly? This video is useless and misleading. It's simply what suits you. There is no right or wrong type of grip.

[@lionkingttable]

He talks so much trash omg

[@nhatho9219]

So do you 👎🏻

[@louishenderson4516]

Im white but athletic from playing a wide variety of sports as a kid i am very explosive.

[@lucas.willemsen77]

you should prenounce philosophie as filosofie not philoooooosophie ,lol : ) !