How to improve your table tennis grip (with Mark Mitchell)

In this video, pro coach Mark Mitchell explains how to improve your table tennis grip.
How you hold your table tennis bat has an impact on the speed, spin and control of your shots. Many players hold the bat too tight, which creates tension in the arm and makes it hard to play with good spin and feeling.
Mark explains the benefits a looser grip and shows how to grip the bat to enable more relaxed and explosive shots.
Mark is an ex-England International with 55 caps. During his playing career he won a European Team Bronze Medal and the National League Team Title twice. He also won the Portuguese Open and Icelandic Open. He was the GB Paralympic Coach for over 18 years, attending 4 Paralympic Games and numerous World and European Championships.
You can find out more about Mark here:
www.stneotsttc.co.uk/
/ markmichtt
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[@ZhaoRenWang]

When I first started getting coaching this was one of the first things my coach noticed. It really is absolutely critical to gaining a good feeling

[@vivekpadmanabhan9599]

Got to watch it again to get it right into my head. Cleared a lot of my doubts. Tks Tom and Mark.

[@philip9650]

I‘d love to see a longer series of videos with Mark Mitchell. He‘s an awesome coach. Very clear, concise explanations.

[@divinentd]

This is great! Every other video I’ve seen about correcting your grip has been for total newbies coming from other racket sports and holding the handle way too low, but this was a refinement of an actual shake hand grip.

[@user-cp3cz5lv4o]

Thank you Tom and Mark - really informative video and helps a lot. Tom - love all your videos. Great explanations of topics and fantastic experts you have on.

[@willyh.r.1216]

Thank you very much for this video. The paddle grip has been my nightmare for many years. Now I get a confirmation from an expert. Big thanks.

[@davidrobinson5999]

Thank U very much Returned to playing after 50 years absence !!!Helped me heaps !!

[@scragnoth07]

This is one of the best grip tip i have ever watched. I discovered this by myself after changing my handle to ST from FL. I recommend people to give ST handle a try if they are having a grip problems also. You are able to grip more loose with ST handle.

[@sangeethakavinragul1729]

Thanks. Great tip. Watched twice to store in my mind. Thanks for this wonderful tip

[@Franky_1974]

Very well explained! Many Thanks! As is so often the case, the little things make all the difference. And too often they are neglected. I will take a closer look at the youth when it comes to the grip position.

[@GeneralTerzX]

Yeah.. had to learn that the hard way. Really confirms what I had to find out for myself.

[@tmh1759]

Amazing tip, thank you! Made a huge difference in my game!

[@zhaltys]

This is such a great content. Loving it.

[@idrivearttabletennis]

Great video. I know I have used the looser grip before and liked it but it was more of a random thing for me. Now I'll try to use it all the time. Stay safe and well.

[@davidgatheral792]

Beautifully explained. Thanks very much!

[@jaystir]

I've had this grip since the 80's but it didn't come easy figuring it out. I saw Michael Appelgren's Grip, choked up and said not for me. I saw Jorgen Persson with his shallow grip, and said no. Finally decided to make my own grip up that was good for Forehands and Backhands, I called it a "Half Choke and Half Open grip. It allowed me to develope into a two-wing power spin looper. For a long time people would tell me to choke up more on my racket/paddle. I never changed and was glad for it. So glad to see your video and seeing such a good explanation of this grip syle.

[@larsafrika]

Exceptionally important video. This will no doubt improve my game, inclusive the feeling and speed in loops. Even more important, I expect to reduce if not get away with my tension pains in my underarm and elbow. Thanks!

[@sand8753]

Thank you! I have been having problems with my wrist all the time but this really helped out

[@ayanantachowdhury9105]

This is extremely important information. Thank you so much

[@andrewcox5371]

Great video, tried it last night improvement straight away

[@karlmaier8904]

this was new for me,thanks a lot...

[@quanghieutruong5474]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@LV75]

Great and useful video!

[@salauddeensyed5295]

Thank you Sir for the awesome tip...

[@ChristianRouLund]

Thanks for sharing this great tip🙏 I didn't know that even though that I have playing for many years....🤔

[@ODowdEric]

Very usefull ! Thanks !!

[@DANVIIL]

Excellent information!

[@tapaskumarmitra7697]

Like your representation and vivid analysis .

[@omariagraciela]

Great advice, thanks.

[@orionilian]

Interesting video of Tom ! ..as usual

[@robertplatttTT]

Excellent tip, simple but effective. As others have said very well explained, keep them coming.

[@reibal]

Wow, that is so helpful! Thanks a lot! And how similar the Voice of Mark is to yours.

[@dianwilly7194]

Now this is my favourite channel

[@tomato4300]

Yep UwU

[@mekhalaanand6731]

Thank you very much TOM

[@dubeproductions2852]

Great vid Tom.

[@fabsomefacts2560]

Great point you have covered …keep it up bother…😍❤️🔥

[@karlschonborn4700]

Very very interesting I am translating all you said, and I guess if i aplly what all has been said, i ll improove my forehand Thanks a lot sirs

[@KenHarrington32]

Thanks for the tips on loose (relaxed)grip, I find that when I'm relaxed when playing a shot it always feels better and lands more often too.

[@akitoyeptho8775]

Thankyou u very much bro . I was wondering how to improve the power on my smash !

[@danield.7359]

Didn't know about the gap. Good stuff.

[@fortitude1208]

Very good tip

[@imranhossinbabu9810]

Thanks for making a good video

[@henritran7024]

finally he started to record videos again!:)

[@nordmende73]

Thanks a lot!

[@dhimanbhowmick9558]

Thanks a lot 😀😌

[@vinnnywong52]

Thank you 😊

[@nestea6560]

Improved my forehand and also improved my switching from forehand to backhand.

[@ahmedko4224]

Hi, do you change your grip while moving from backhand to forehand

[@thskendjeo134]

@@ahmedko4224 no

[@user-wy8we6hr3l]

Great video! It helped me! In another video Tim Lodziak explains that both fingers shall touch both sides of the rubber. However, this is not that important for Mark Mitchell. In this loose grip, the finger does not touch the rubber of the backhand side (red).

[@sivagurupathamvadivelu680]

Thanks 🍻

[@Sazyua]

@Tom Lodziak Great videos! Would you ever do a pen-hold grip or pen-hold videos in the future? I know that table tennis is dominated by shake-handers but there’s still a few of us pen-holders that still would like to keep this unique playing style.

[@user-ix7vm2bf8m]

👍💪🏓🏓🏓🏓 Thank you man

[@iowerth3392]

Thank you

[@heshamsharaf3053]

Micro adjustment is a fundamental (skill) in table tennis . Need to be practiced like any other skill though . Thank you 🙏🏼📖🕯️💡💖🎨🌈🎈🎬🎧📸🎥👏

[@runnerbaba]

THANK YOU

[@catalinpopa6796]

Grazie..Grazie..Grazie

[@shaun1961hodge]

Hi, based on review recommendations by Tom I have purchased the Bribar Intermediate Professional bat. However, the handle length is very short (95mm) so doing what you have explained is impossible. A bit of research shows the the handle should be around 100mm. The question is how should the handle fit in the hand. From the video it seems a little bit of excess at the back. Could you please explain?

[@user-lq6mq6uu4h]

Yes

[@negshUK]

This grip topic is exceptionally complex in my opinion. If you google image search for any world class chinese players you will see them having very compact grip in the upper section of the handle where index finger creates 90 degrees angle with the blade itself. Sometimes they retract or bend index finger to make it fit onto the rubber but with emphasis of creating the 90 degrees no matter what. This might be to get better balance of weight distribution since chinese forehand rubbers are heavy. Also flared handles help you feel more confident and relaxed when gripping the upper handle section.

[@TomLodziak]

I agree that it is complex and there are many (often heated) disagreements. I also wonder if the size and shape of a player's hand also makes a difference as to how they hold the bat.

[@fortitude1208]

Well you can see for example Zhang Jike grip.. it was loose.. and he switch his grips beetween backhand and forehand.. i use naturaly this loose grip becouse with tight i dont have control. But when i use tight if i hit proper technick it feel better, harder, fullier stroke and feel ball on the racket.. ill stick with lose, it comes naturali to me.. i feel more comfort Maybe Timo Boll too switch grips beetween fh and bh. When i was at my peak, 2012,13 i used to switch grips for fh or bh, or i have bh oriented.. but now its very hard , and i take same rubbers tenergy and can do nothink ffs

[@alexanderdonth4680]

Thank you Tom and Mark, Questions: Which fingers hold the bat to keep the wrist flexible? Is it more thumb and index finger? Is it maybe also depending on neutral grip/ VH grip/ BH grip? Take the three other fingers close together also to keep the wrist more flexible?

[@TomLodziak]

There seems to be two schools of thought on this. Some players grip more with the index finger and thumb. Others grip more with the bottom three fingers. I don't think it matters either way, so long as your don't grip too tightly. Find a grip which is comfortable for you.

[@alexanderdonth4680]

@@TomLodziak Thank you so much for your answer Tom. Finally, if I get it right it is a good choice to take a trainer to check out my best options ;)

[@erykzagozda5578]

For some reason I’ve developed a habit of putting two fingers on the back in a sort of peace sign and I can’t seem to hold it in any other way, however it seems to work

[@pr4nk5tr]

So where do you mostly feel the racket then, in the index finger?

[@fortitude1208]

Well you can see for example Zhang Jike grip.. it was loose.. and he switch his grips beetween backhand and forehand.. i use naturaly this loose grip becouse with tight i dont have control. But when i use tight if i hit proper technick it feel better, harder, fullier stroke and feel ball on the racket.. ill stick with lose, it comes naturali to me.. i feel more comfort

[@mandelbrot4632]

Mind the Gap!

[@joshz_sl9575]

Like in the train station

[@assingyang5484]

Hmm not entirely sure if i would agree with this type of grip, from my niche who was playing at provincial level in China i heard that they were told to have a very compact and tight grip for the bat, where you really need to pinch the thumb and index finger on the blade itself and absolutely leaving no gap between this ' v ' of your hand and the blade 's shoulder, so its not only that they dont tell you to leave a gap, they even tell you to do the opposite. Otherwise you dont have much conssistence in your shots if you dont fixate your thumb, index finger and wrist and the transition between forehand and bakchand won't be fast.

[@michaelg8841]

The grip where it is loose is more used for defensive while those people that had their grip tight were probably aggressive

[@user-hn2yi7mw4q]

Completely agree. I cannot relax my thumb and index and my wrist is in painful tense if I hold the racket with a gap in a simple service recieve ready idle position like suggested in video. And it looks like the suggested method raises the racket above neutral racket follows elbow direction.

[@groovecontrol243]

I know where you're coming from. Don't forget Mark Mitchell is a former international player and now is a full time coach. So he knows what he's talking about. I've had the great pleasure having Mark as my coach. He's by far the best coach I've played under. There's so much to learn from him. He's absolutely brilliant

[@fortitude1208]

Well you can see for example Zhang Jike grip.. it was loose.. and he switch his grips beetween backhand and forehand.. i use naturaly this loose grip becouse with tight i dont have control. But when i use tight if i hit proper technick it feel better, harder, fullier stroke and feel ball on the racket.. ill stick with lose, it comes naturali to me.. i feel more comfort

[@eloimumford5247]

We forget the basics but they always return to bite us back...memory helps.

[@tomtimor9789]

Most technical sports have exercises to improve power on specific muscle groups to better perform specific task. Is there any to help tp improve in this case the grip ?

[@user-hn2yi7mw4q]

IMO if your muscles are not relaxed while holding the racket it is wrong grip for you. I cannot relax my wrist if I hold like shown in the video.

[@tomtimor9789]

@@user-hn2yi7mw4q Hi Alex. You are right. What I meant here are "off table" exercises with weights or springs which can improve the "snap" of wrist at the moment of ball contact. I have a loose grip. Got that from Chinese coach, who compared controlling the bat to controlling a pen, when you wright.

[@am.17258]

I hold the bat as you have shown in the video but instead of just the index finger i have my middle finger below it aswell

[@user-hn2yi7mw4q]

Sorry but your grip is problematic as it locks backhand play.

[@sramesh785]

Whether this grip should be used for long pimp playing also

[@sanjaymrzn]

We want pen hold tutorials for all ur videos

[@kurumban6032]

Wouldn't a loose grip, leaving a gap, compromise on control? One of the Chinese coaches recommended a "compact" grip. What exactly is meant by that? Also, would a "pinching" grip, with index finger and thumb, be better than a palm grip? Zhang Jike seems to recommend a palm grip keeping the thumb loose. What about the size and shape of the hand in determining the grip? For a pinching grip, would a smaller racquet handle be better?- to avoid a large handle coming in the way of flexibility? There seems to be so many factors in determining a grip! Also, is a forehand otr backhand oriented grip better?

[@TomLodziak]

You are correct. There are many different factors - and many different grips - even amongst top professionals. Mark is showing one type of grip to try. But really, my advice is to experiment and find a grip which is comfortable for you. No right or wrong.

[@kurumban6032]

@@TomLodziak Thanks very much, Tom. Every grip seems to have its plus and minus, so one has to experiment for oneself.

[@cesarjoaquinsolano2593]

Hi! This question is for everyone ¿Do you recomend to use a Butterfly Grip? ¿Why or why not?

[@Juan-rg4jv]

hamoud?

[@albertonoquestivax8486]

are the bat made with a forehand and a reverse or are the two sides of the frame equivalent? thank you

[@user-hn2yi7mw4q]

The table tennis blade is usually completely symmetrical. Very few so called combination blades have different bounce between sides. Even in this case the difference is small and some players swap "recommended" FH and BH for better fit of their style. 2) A very few racket handles are not symmetrical and in that case they are designed specifically for right or leftehanded players.

[@albertonoquestivax8486]

@@user-hn2yi7mw4q thank you.

[@joseevercardona5146]

Pueden traducir a español? Gracias.

[@winglow7615]

Not bad. I tell my students to always hold the racket loosely. Here are the basics: Hold racket only with 2 fingers, thumb and index, like a paper clip. The other 3 fingers just rest on the handle to keep the racket from falling onto the floor. Therefore, handle style has no bearing whatsoever.

[@haegarvonelz2451]

♥️👍

[@redibasha9096]

Hello everyone ! Please can anyone help me regarding blisters formation on my palm below ringer and middle finger. I dont understand why i keep getting the blisters. Some people have suggested to loose not to tight the handle some others keep telling me that is from sweating. I sweat a lot during my playing time also. Any help would be appreciated.

[@user-hn2yi7mw4q]

I have the same problem and do not consider it the problem with my wrist grip. My blisters are primarily because of sharp edge of the racket shoulder. And secondary because of too narrow handle. Some handles do not effect blisters some on otherwise perfect blades do. I prefer straight handle because it is usually wider in the fingers place. And you need to sand the edge (all 4 (left/right and fh/bh edges in practice) and I sometimes have to use overgrip to make the handle bigger to fit bigger European palm.

[@z0uLess]

Sound like a good tip in general, but everyones hands are different and the shape of the blade is also different.

[@KA-eu9sy]

Loose grip. Got it. :D

[@kdgr]

🏓👍

[@lokenathkundu3759]

Hello sir Lokenath from india. I am a amateur tt player. Previously I was using gki Kung Fu dx tt raquet. The rubber of the raquet is not working well. I want to buy a new bat. Please suggest me a good bat in between 2k-2.5k in Indian rupees

[@TheVEer95]

GKI Euro XX is quite fast and fits in your budget

[@khangde1379]

Please make your video fast i am waiting

[@sistakastet]

Is this grip supposed to kill your wrist. Every time I try "the correct grip“ my wrist hurts after a while. I already have bad wrists to start with.

[@halter777]

Have you tried to play with a straight or bigger handle? Maybe that can help.

[@TomLodziak]

You definitely don't want to injure yourself further. Some players put grip tape around the handle, which can make the bat more comfortable to hold. But if you have bad wrists, hold the bat in any way which is comfortable. The 'correct' way is a grip where you can play without pain.

[@lingodata7576]

what about PENHOLD

[@janaasound8135]

Why you didnot translate

[@Redstonebuilderflopzy]

first :D

[@balestas4309]

It doesn't matter anymore. My club is closed again...

[@Tarti_offi]

I'm sad for u 😔 cheer up!

[@balestas4309]

@@Tarti_offi C'est gentil, merci. Je suppose que tu parles français :). Malheuresement ils ont fermé tous les clubs autour de Paris. On ne sait pas quand ça reprend. J'en ai mare de ce con_finement.

[@TomLodziak]

It's rubbish isn't it? Our club has been open for 6 weeks, but concerned we may be forced to close again soon. We can't go on like this. Everyone is fed up. Sport and activity keeps people fit and healthy.

[@balestas4309]

@@TomLodziak Yes, it's completely absurd to close the healthiest places (sport) to keep people "healthy". In my place i don't see a lot of people suffering from COVID, but they're enduring very unhealthy conditions like loneliness, insecurity, losing shape...

[@balestas4309]

@@TomLodziak Anyway, thank you for your video. It's very good as usual.