What is the best grip in table tennis?

Two grips dominate elite table tennis: the shakehand grip and the penhold grip. Coaches and players choose between them based on comfort, tactical emphasis, and the strokes they prioritize. The International Table Tennis Federation identifies both grips as standard approaches used worldwide, each with distinct advantages for spin generation, reach, and counterattacking play. Top players illustrate the choices: Ma Long of the Chinese national team uses the shakehand grip to combine powerful backhand and forehand topspins, while Ma Lin and Wang Hao from the Chinese national team historically used penhold variations to exploit quick wrist action on the forehand.

Grip biomechanics and playstyle
The shakehand grip places the handle across the palm with the index finger along one side of the blade and the thumb on the other side. This arrangement naturally supports a balanced two-wing game, making it easier to execute strong backhand strikes and to switch rapidly between forehand and backhand. Coaches at the Chinese Table Tennis Association emphasize how the shakehand grip facilitates extended reach on both wings and supports modern topspin rallies. The penhold grip, held like a writing instrument, allows more wrist flexibility on the forehand and rapid flicks close to the table. Players and coaches at the Chinese Table Tennis Association and Korean national programs have historically favored penhold for close-table offense and quick wrist arcs that produce deceptive angles.

Technical causes and consequences
Mechanically, grip choice alters wrist range of motion, racket face angle control, and the ease of applying sidespin or topspin. A penhold grip often yields stronger forehand wrist pronation and quicker short-game responses but can make a traditional backhand drive more awkward unless the player adapts with techniques such as the reverse penhold backhand. The shakehand grip reduces the need for such compensatory techniques and supports consistent two-wing topspin patterns. These biomechanical differences influence training focus, injury profiles, and tactical development. For example, shakehand players may devote more time to developing a potent backhand topspin, while penhold players invest in footwork that keeps rallies in the forehand-dominant zone.

Cultural and territorial nuances
Grip prevalence also reflects regional training traditions. European and many Western programs adopted the shakehand grip widely after the mid-20th century, while several East Asian training systems continued to cultivate penhold specialists through the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This distribution shaped playing styles at international competitions and influenced coaching curricula in national federations. The International Table Tennis Federation training materials note how national coaching philosophies and equipment preferences together shape grip trends.

Practical guidance for players
There is no universal “best” grip; the optimal choice aligns with a player’s body mechanics, tactical preferences, and the strokes they intend to develop. Novices seeking a balanced, modern two-wing game often find the shakehand grip more forgiving, while players drawn to explosive forehand artistry and rapid close-table play may prefer penhold. Consultation with experienced coaches and observation of how grip affects stroke comfort and consistency in practice yields the most reliable path to selecting the grip that best supports long-term development and competitive goals.