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Technique 📅 5 April 2026 ⏱ 7 min read

How to Hold a Table Tennis Bat — Complete Guide

The way you hold your table tennis bat affects every single shot you play. Get it right and everything becomes easier — spin, control, power, and consistency. Get it wrong and you will be fighting your own technique for years. This complete guide covers everything you need to know.

⚡ Quick Answer

For beginners in the UK, use the shakehand grip. Hold the bat as if shaking hands with it — index finger along the bottom of one rubber side, thumb on the other, three fingers around the handle. Hold firmly but not tightly.

📋 Contents
  1. Why grip matters so much
  2. The shakehand grip — step by step
  3. The penhold grip
  4. Which grip should you use?
  5. How tightly should you hold the bat?
  6. Common grip mistakes to avoid
  7. Frequently asked questions

Why Your Grip Matters So Much

Your grip is the foundation of your entire game. It determines how much wrist movement you can generate, how much spin you can produce, and how naturally comfortable your shots feel. A poor grip creates a chain reaction of problems throughout every stroke.

Many beginners pick up a table tennis bat and hold it however feels natural without thinking about it. This often results in a grip that restricts movement, reduces spin, and makes certain shots very difficult. Fixing your grip early is one of the most important investments you can make in your game.

The good news is that if you are just starting out, your grip has not become a habit yet. Taking five minutes right now to learn the correct grip will save you months of frustration later.

The Shakehand Grip — Step by Step

The shakehand grip is by far the most popular grip in world table tennis and is used by the vast majority of professional players in Europe. It is called the shakehand grip because you hold the bat exactly as you would shake someone's hand.

1

Hold the bat by the blade

Pick the bat up by the blade rather than the handle. Hold it with your thumb and index finger on either side of the blade — this naturally positions your hand in roughly the right place.

2

Slide your hand down to the handle

Slide your hand down so your index finger runs along the bottom edge of the rubber on the backhand side of the bat. Your index finger should be straight and relaxed, not curled around the handle.

3

Position your thumb

Your thumb should rest naturally on the rubber of the forehand side of the bat. It should be relaxed and slightly bent, providing a stable base for the grip.

4

Wrap your remaining fingers around the handle

Your middle, ring, and little fingers wrap naturally around the handle. They should feel relaxed and comfortable — not gripping too tightly.

5

Check your wrist mobility

With the grip in place, your wrist should be able to move freely in all directions. If it feels restricted, loosen the grip slightly. Good wrist mobility is essential for generating spin.

💡 Quick Check: Look at the V shape between your thumb and index finger — it should be sitting right on the edge of the bat where the blade meets the handle. If it is too far down the handle, you will lose control. If it is too far up onto the blade, you will lose power.
🤝
Shakehand Grip
Recommended for beginners · Used by most world champions

The shakehand grip gives you excellent reach on both the forehand and backhand, full wrist flexibility for spin, and the ability to switch between attacking and defensive shots quickly. It is the most versatile grip in the game.

Advantages

  • Easy to learn
  • Excellent for both forehand and backhand
  • Maximum wrist flexibility
  • Used by most world champions
  • Versatile for all playing styles

Disadvantages

  • Can have a weakness in the crossover point
  • Less direct power than penhold on forehand

The Penhold Grip

The penhold grip is the other major grip style in table tennis. It is called penhold because you hold the bat in the same way you would hold a pen — with your thumb and index finger curled around the handle and the other three fingers spread on the back of the bat.

✒️
Penhold Grip
Popular in Asia · Advanced technique required

The penhold grip is primarily used by Asian players, particularly those from China, Japan, and South Korea. It allows for a very powerful forehand attack and excellent control of the wrist on the forehand side, but requires significant adjustment to play an effective backhand.

Advantages

  • Very powerful forehand
  • Excellent wrist control
  • Strong close-to-table play
  • Good for short game

Disadvantages

  • Backhand is very restricted
  • Much harder to learn
  • Less versatile overall
  • Not recommended for beginners

Which Grip Should You Use?

For virtually all beginners in the UK, the answer is clear: use the shakehand grip.

The shakehand grip is easier to learn, more versatile, and used by the majority of the world's best players. Unless you have a specific reason to use a penhold grip — for example, you have played another Asian bat sport and are familiar with it — start with shakehand and stick with it.

Switching grips later is extremely difficult and will set your game back significantly. Choose your grip now and commit to it. The shakehand grip will serve you at every level of the game from beginner to world champion.

How Tightly Should You Hold the Bat?

This is one of the most important and most misunderstood aspects of table tennis grip. Most beginners hold their bat far too tightly, which kills their wrist movement and reduces their ability to generate spin.

The correct grip tension is firm but relaxed. A useful way to think about it: hold the bat as firmly as you would hold a small bird — tight enough that it cannot escape, but relaxed enough that you would not hurt it.

Your grip tension should also change during a shot. At the moment of contact with the ball, grip slightly more firmly to transfer power. Between shots and while waiting for the ball, relax your grip to reduce fatigue and maintain flexibility.

⚠️ Common Mistake: Gripping the bat too tightly is one of the most common beginner errors. If your forearm feels tense or you get tired quickly, you are probably holding too tightly. Consciously relax your grip and notice how much more freely your wrist can move.

Common Grip Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wrapping the index finger around the handle
Many beginners wrap all four fingers around the handle like holding a hammer. This removes your index finger from the back of the bat and severely restricts your control and spin generation. Keep your index finger extended along the rubber.
❌ Gripping too far down the handle
Holding too far down the handle reduces your control of the bat head and makes it harder to adjust the angle for different shots. The V of your thumb and index finger should sit right at the top of the handle where it meets the blade.
❌ Holding the bat at a fixed angle
Some beginners hold the bat at one fixed angle and never adjust it. In reality, the bat angle needs to change constantly for different shots — more open for backspin shots, more closed for topspin. Your grip should allow this flexibility.
❌ Tensing the whole arm
Tension in the forearm travels up from a tight grip. Relaxed arm muscles allow faster swing speed, which generates more spin. Focus on keeping your shoulder, elbow, and wrist relaxed between shots.
❌ Not checking your grip regularly
It is very easy to slip back into bad habits. During practice, regularly pause and check that your grip is correct — especially your index finger position and grip tension.

How Your Grip Affects Different Shots

Once you have the basic shakehand grip correct, you can start using small adjustments within the grip to improve specific shots:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct way to hold a table tennis bat?
The most common and recommended grip for beginners is the shakehand grip. Hold the bat as if you are shaking hands with it — your index finger runs along the bottom edge of the rubber on one side, your thumb rests on the rubber of the other side, and your remaining three fingers wrap around the handle.
Should I use shakehand or penhold grip?
For beginners in the UK, the shakehand grip is strongly recommended. It is easier to learn, more versatile, and used by the vast majority of world-class players. The penhold grip has advantages in certain playing styles but is much harder to master.
How tight should I hold a table tennis bat?
You should hold the bat firmly but not tightly. Think of holding the bat as firmly as you would hold a small bird — tight enough it cannot escape, but loose enough that you do not hurt it. Too tight a grip restricts wrist movement and reduces spin.
Does grip affect spin in table tennis?
Yes, significantly. The correct grip allows full wrist flexibility, which is essential for generating spin. A poor grip restricts wrist movement and severely limits your ability to put spin on the ball.
Can I change my grip later if I start wrong?
You can, but it is very difficult and time-consuming. It is much better to start with the correct grip from the beginning. If you have been playing with a wrong grip for a while, it is still worth fixing — but expect a period of feeling uncomfortable as your muscle memory adjusts.

Last updated: 5 April 2026. PingSwing is a UK-based table tennis racket brand.