How to Improve Your Shakehands Table Tennis Grip

[@conrad7771]

Finally, finally, finally.Yes,yes,yes, Learnt this absolutely correct grip 40 years ago by the then chinese team coach and have been preaching that pinch grip ever since to anyone willing to listen. Pinch the blade between index finger and thumb for maximum control, then lightly wrap remaining fingers around the blade handle for maximum feeling. I preach about 60% to 70% of total hand pressure between index and thumb,then remaining 30 to 40% of hand pressure around handle. Am totaly amazed it is only now coming to light more with the advent of you tube lol

[@UnseenSpirit]

It's probably because people want to beat others. Some clubs have people who wont teach you anything and just play to win

[@ArtGgggg]

Explain more it should be loose or pinch? I believe it should be pinch not loose...

[@thskendjeo134]

Ever since anyone is willing to listen is my story too. Since I wish somebody should have told me how can it be so? How can people be so?

[@tle999yt]

The small details such as knuckle alignment, finger thumb pressure point etc... are amazingly helpful. Truly explains the modern popular grip.

[@aaronbeech4547]

Hi Ben, as a coach one of the biggest faults I come across regularly with the hand shake grip is the positioning to be back hand dominant. i.e. the "V" between index finger and thumb is positioned towards the thumb edge of the blade and not in the centre or index finger side of the blade which allows for better and more natural playing angles on both wings. This is the reason why players hook their forehand and punch with their backhand. If this is you then adjust your "V" round towards the index finger edge so there is a gap between finger and blade as Ben mentioned. I use my wrist a lot and impart heavy spin, I hold my bat by applying pressure only with my middle finger and rest all the other fingers gently around them. This of course may not work for everyone but may be worth experimenting if you are inconsistent or find yourself blocking and punching too often. Hope this makes sense.

[@YourWellBeing02]

It's interesting that I found this video at the very time I've been experimenting with various grips. It's also interesting that even high level coaches don't focus on grip. Maybe because they expect you to know how to hold a paddle by now. But that's where they fail to realize that your grip dictates how you execute a stroke. Thanks dude!

[@uddaside]

+Tilden Corbett (Table Tennis Essentials) Spot on, ive also noticed that grass roots coaches also say virtually nothing about grips.

[@doktorkumpel9691]

Reason is that you should do whatever you find comfortable and they will only say something if your grip is completely wrong. Don't mess with your grip trying to find the best one, if you're struggling with your grip in 90% of cases it's simply because you're holding the racket too tightly.

[@zemagic5047]

This video is EXACTLY what I need thanks a lot!

[@Pankytap]

Hello Ben. I've recently returned to TT after a lot of years away from the table and have been scouring KZbin for helpful tips without much luck. But finding your grip explanation has helped me a great deal - especially the part about the angle of the knuckles (I noticed an improvement after one evening of play). My forehand was very tentative but I'm now more confident to loop (knees willing!) and attack the ball more often. I don't normally comment on this sort of thing but in this case I felt I needed to say something. I used to be a level one coach and am now helping some of our younger club members in the lower leagues with some basic tutorage and am making sure this grip advice is in there alongside footwork and body positioning. Many thanks

[@roach_iam]

Thank you so much for this. Been struggling with my grip for a while wondering which way was right. Thanks!

[@nileriver5952]

Perfect, very helpful, i felt the difference immediately and didn't take any time to adapt with it, it really improved my forehand and backhand shots, especially for low balls, even when the ball is at the table level. Thanks

[@24Cristiandiaz]

You can not imagine how amazing and well explained this video is!!! Thanks a lot!!! Regards from Argentina...

[@endlessgame2610]

Bro seriously this night im thinking about grip and i watched many many videos and photos how top Chinese hold their bet, but im confused until i found this guy on KZbin all of my problems and questions has been answered in this video. This is what i am looking for

[@sherom1661]

Great technical advice! Really well explained. Thank you!

[@CyclingJournals]

One of the best grip video ever! Well done..

[@ahmadniza1935]

great video bro, i tried it and it works, ..what a revelation...without the right grip, i've been experiencing all kinds of problem..u the man, thx

[@MibuSaevio]

This was a fantastic video, thanks for sharing and thanks for experimenting and inspiring us to do the same!

[@nyzt_2152]

This is an outstanding video. Don't take it down ever

[@LeoMatisse]

Thanks to your video, I re-discovered my forehand and improved my backhand. Thank you very much. Cheers.

[@RatzundR]

very, very goog explanation of what happens, when striking the ball with the focus on this grip

[@youjohnny16]

excellent discussion. I have always found it interesting that grip is hardly discussed or reviewed by coaches, when in a sport like golf, grip is so important as it translates into your swing path. The same should go for table tennis. I have also been advised that "dropping your wrist" or relaxing the wrist so the bat node points more to the ground than to the sky relaxes the bottom muscles in your arm. It is true, and will also assist with the "flick" you were talking about in the forehand shot.

[@charlesgold9016]

Now I finally get !! Bats have flown out of my hands trying to follow a 'loose grip' lol. But now learnt what it really means. Many thanks

[@The_Paddle_Smith]

good stuff, Ben. I was playing with these different grips as well.

[@creekbat]

I have always struggled with the shake hand grip. This video is very detailed and helpful. Keep it up. Great video. I keep on changing the grip all the time and unable to find perfect grip to play both forehand and backhand topspin. But this video will help overcome that problem.

[@uw10isplaya]

As a tennis player that's started to play a lot more table tennis, your little section about having to go from a more closed forehand grip to an open one and struggling with that really resonates with me. I play with a very closed grip, like a tennis forehand, because trying the shakehands grip (called continental in tennis) just ruins my forehand which is my strength. Suppose I need to just commit if I'm ever to have a proper backhand.

[@animaysh]

Completely agree. My first pain in TT was my lower forearm muscle. Gripping way too hard. Good video.

[@larrymar19]

this video and explanation is very good, excellent points on a crucial topic that is barely mentioned in any average training program, I've found what Ben said to be true, AND also realized the following on my own: your grip must complement your stance - this is an equally crucial concept that cannot be emphasized enough; your grip affects every shot that you make, and those that you've been missing or avoiding...... you know it because you can make those shots when you switch your grip; the easiest error is to grip the paddle to favor power loops ...... I've been doing that from the start. My enlightenment is this: you can power loop with almost any grip. Go try it and see for your self. Once you realize that, you will be open to the neutral grip change.

[@shazholden4077]

Excellent video. Ive always had this problem. Im going to try this out and see if it helps me play more relaxed. Ive been trying to figure this out for 2.5 years now. Just the comment "relax" is no use if you dont know how. This will definately help me.

[@888roscoe]

Hi Ben.im in my first week of discovering table tennis,been playing against table at local sports centre and love it,as i also have passion for watching tennis.I ve bought a table already ,just trying to re arrange house to fit it in lol. The lesson about grip is exactley what i went through today and your absolutely right! This was the grip that i concluded to be naturally best to hit ball either side! Looking forward to my next practice/learning session,and now i have a teacher,even more so! Superb vids-well done and keep it up!

[@888roscoe]

ps.i like that fade move,gonna practice that tomorrow!

[@MrTinykin]

Nice video. Perhaps you can add the term relaxed grip. Relax means more to some people. As you (Sam) alluded to, 'loose' can have connotations of not holding the bat properly.

[@wilkinru]

I noticed against pips players I was constantly knocking the ball into the net on the forehand. I changed my grip also to almost exactly what you found also. The results have been excellent, as the pips players use lots of quick punches, using this more neutral grip has allowed me to hit the back of the ball more often, allowing me to create more brushing spin. The forehand still feels a little odd. Backhand adjusted quickly. Now if I could just keep my grip the same through an entire point lasting longer than 3 hits of my own. Work in progress! Interesting about using the wrist on a forehand. Perhaps one day I'll add it to my forehand loops from a heavy backspin. Seems a little beyond my skill just yet.

[@TheFryShrimp]

very helping, like how you try different ways to hold it and the outcome.

[@stuartdryer4089]

Very helpful. I have been through all of the same steps and reached the same conclusion.

[@monwarhossain1057]

Great analysis and tips. Really helpful tips

[@michal234486]

what an observant guy!

[@Waingro808]

I'm glad I watched this video years ago, so I had a good foundation. Now, a Chinese coach told me that letting the thumb stick out like you're doing in the video is backhand dominant grip. For forehand, thumb should be tucked with last thumb joint horizontal resting on handle. Pros change it on the fly without thinking, but I don't think amateurs can handle that.

[@jaredpeterson5686]

Thank you so much for making this video!! I have the exact same problem as you where i have a devastating forehand with the same grip as you but a very passive backhand when i dont have time to change grips

[@luissanchezm.4670]

Helpful!, thanks. Of course!, always the wrist should be used to spin the ball, basic teaching to beginners.

[@alanyuen3547]

Very helpful video. Thank you. Pinching with the thumb and index finger, and leaving the other three fingers loose, the handle moves about a bit relative to the palm. This movement of the handle is restricted the more one grips with the third finger. Would your advice be for us not to grip with 3rd finger?

[@mayankgupta2543]

Very very correct and important helpful video

[@harrikyllio6722]

Omg THANK YOU THIS VIDEO HELPS ME A LOT

[@nathansamuel7837]

Finally someone understands me...

[@dbweb.creative]

hows it going after 9 years? Personally I like to put the blade's rib on the first part of a middle finger, between knuckle and first joint. Also grip a little lower on the handle, until I have a slot (the space between thumb and index finger)

[@NathanYu]

Thanks for the video. I was wondering why my forearm muscle is really tense during a swing. This grip really loosens the muscle and the result is a more relaxed swing. A big big thanks for this. :)

[@tstarfish8829]

Awesome, finally I know where was my problem! Thanks a lot :)))

[@barrycroucher602]

Had some coaching recently with Matt Ware. He noticed straight away the grip was incorrect. Index finger too high Took some weeks to get used to it but Amazing how my game has improved ! 🏓😊👍

[@Goldminer86]

Do you work for Greenhouse?If so have a coach from greenhouse called Stephen Gertsen and he coaches are school.

[@KalpeshSanghavi]

Very helpful, Thank you so much

[@jerryaurum]

Well explained, thanks a lot man

[@conrad7771]

Hello steve Garrett. Steve and all players,this grip is not about gripping the bat tighter than you did before,as you know it wouldn't be long before your arm and hand muscles would tighten up then the pain would soon set in. You must hold the bat with a calm and relaxed manner,Think of Waldner demenour. This grip is about putting slightly more relaxed pressure on the pinch area than on the fingers area,it usually takes a few weeks to get it but you will love it.

[@ajayraval3747]

Hi Ben, I am somewhere between beginner and intermediate player. My grip is also forehand dominant. I have tried this grip and I immediately felt difference in my backhand topspins and backhand open up. But this messed up my forehand. So what do you think how much time will it take to get used to the grip? Do I have to learn all forehand strokes again? And also, as you suggested in the video, now my forehand racket angle is more open because of the grip. What do I have to do to correct that?

[@barrycroucher602]

Brilliant video

[@codectified]

interesting analysis.. I think I've had the same problem and I think it is a matter of favoring FH or BH as you said, but there's also hand size and handle size.. I'd expect that many of the asian players have smaller hands and the non-euro handles cater to that.. for a bigger hand thinner handle strains your middle, ring and pinky fingers more in pressing the handle against your palm.. I just started playing again and opted for a new Stiga blade instead of the chinese paddles I had started off with so I'm hoping their anatomic handle will feel better in my hand

[@UnseenSpirit]

How's the new handle?

[@codectified]

UnseenSpirit hm it's hard to really say whether the slight difference between anatomic and flared has any effect.. I think it does but I still want to try something even wider.. think I've achieved this with grip tape, and I"m pretty happy with that because it also relieves some of the sweaty palm troubles.. haven't seen any negative effects either..

[@wayzooted]

+Omar Ibrahim I'm in the same boat. Have you looked at "Tenaly" handles? It's something I'm considering.

[@mihai8555]

+Omar Ibrahim: How is your solution with taping the handle working? I'm thinking of doing the same...

[@remkimakhiangte9235]

Interesting tutorial videos

[@jbgwtf8865]

im using that grip , u have better feel on forehand , its better for counterlooping,short play, I can move faster and atc harder.. on backhand its great for controled atacks..but I cant use all power of my wrist , and its difficult to use sidespin for first atc..

[@MrSanthosh1978]

Good lesson. Thanks

[@zittanygaard6001]

Very helpful😊 thanks a lot👍

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Definitely 3 Bottom Fingers Loose Thanks I Have Been Working Around Grips For Abit Definitely Awesome For BH

[@thuongque2]

very good information , thanks

[@BilguunsparKO]

very informative thank you

[@bitanchowdhury4028]

Very informative video

[@spyalggyaltsen9207]

thanx brother. Ur video helped me alot.. 👍👍

[@utmostcreator]

Hello! help me out to choose a blade and rubbers with 110$ I want to buy Nexy Spear or Petr Corbel and rubbers: donic baracuda and avx pure or what the blade would be better?

[@lucgitarist1498]

The thumb on the bat is ideal for a backhandplayer with a strong fast topspin and spin ( cfr Michaël Rosskopf) in contradiction to the video is excellent when you take after the BH-stroke the normal snake position gripp on your batAs a trainer for allmost 20 years a good grip which not to tight and movements with the wrist are the most important basicsfor a player. Nevertheless this was a intresting video to watch. Far more important is to change your game not to one final stroke as a "point" winner but to coop with several strokes as "point" winners and here the video could be of use

[@conorgallen554]

Would you say this counts for defenders aswell? Because i've tried it aswell and it works for my aggressive forehand. But i feel as if i need more stability holding the racket while choping or generell defending

[@xristos1250]

Honestly, great video ! Thanks a lot .. !Subscribed to not any great video like this in the future :P

[@ArtGgggg]

Please explain short which is the best way... pinch or loose?

[@hayas5]

Excellent ideas!

[@newdawn8691]

Good pointers.

[@jradovich]

Thanks very much! Very useful. Cheers

[@lindleycabaron1071]

If you want to hold the bat loosely you should use a flared handle blade

[@paulameris3983]

Good job!

[@neroma]

Good points!

[@clausvidebk1980]

I have been experimenting with my grip and the form of the handle. My hand is rather small. I have slitely shorten the handle. Made it slimmer towards the bat. In the other end I have made it thicker like an enhanced concave handle. Result: I hold it loose with my indexfinger and thumb. At the other end of the handle I feel the handle touching my palm. This gives me a relaxed grip and more steady grip, and a stronger movement of the wrist. I am still experimenting finding out the optimal enhancement. I would like to hear your comments on that set up.

[@JagannathMoorthy]

helped me a lot

[@samuelpardana]

glad to know that my shakehand grip is about the same as Fan Zhendong's haha

[@xnolxve3025]

Was Denmark good

[@susantogozali7584]

thanks its very helpfull

[@nordmende73]

Thank you!

[@wallyman1948]

very helpflul

[@poorboi8093]

3:10 What did u see

[@Hannes789]

I have developed the habit of holding the bat at an extremely closed forehand angle and with that grip switching between bh and fh takes way too long. Do you have more on tips on developing a more neutral grip?

[@masterchief8646]

I have the same problem. Try it with loose grip. Try to play with ONLY Thumb and Indexfinger for training. This helped me a lot because I can create more spin- turning wirst with my bh topspin and I still can take my FH oriented Grip and I don't need to change much. Almost nothing

[@cosmeticcarrepair]

I found that I was gripping too lightly and because of this, I wasn't feeling the ball contact. I started gripping tighter and I got more feel and more accuracy on my shots. The problem is, I've been gripping too lightly for so long that I keep forgetting to grip the bat more firmly now :/

[@alanmeier5539]

Thanks a lott for this Video ! :-)

[@irikanji]

Top video.....

[@ivanvallina2777]

where do I buy a paddle like that one?

[@TheCosmicphunk]

+Ivan Vallina its timo boll spirit blade, you can find it everywhere nowadays...

[@zainahmed546]

+龍馬 How much does it costs?

[@TheCosmicphunk]

+Zain Ahmed around 100 euros

[@albertcanhasi7877]

Look at " Coach EmRatThich ". Helt explains everything and has so many videos including this grip thing.

[@tomxtxt]

thanks

[@frhnfkrul]

4:25

[@igorvorobiov1046]

Чувак, жаль, что ты не рассказал мне это 45 лет назад... Но, лучше позже...

[@Nole2701]

is it table tennis or ping pong?

[@dannyberona671]

You can call it both but most people say Table Tennis.

[@eo7770]

Ping pong is chinses words

[@ShawnFumo]

Ping Pong is technically a brand name in the US, so table tennis is more generic.

[@baisalisharma561]

Chare

[@elwachinmanda]

Penhold > shakehand

[@bigsinger1981]

Great video, move out of you're mums :)

[@Experttabletennis]

Haha, I'm afraid all of that stuff in the background belongs to my wife (I'm older than I look), so I guess I'm stuck with it ;)